Any Benefit to NFL Keeping AFL Alive?

[CMH]

AFL commish, David Baker unexpectedly stepped down from his post as top executive of the struggling league; the 2009 season has already been canceled in the wake of a poor economy.

http://sports.espn.go.com/extra/afl/...ory?id=4046521

The AFL has it's fans. The number didn't come close to any of the major sports leagues, but it had it's following. There have only been a small handful of players that have succeeded in the AFL and found similar success in the NFL - mostly quarterbacks.

Does anyone believe that despite this, the NFL could benefit from having the Arena Football League around? Did it benefit the league before or was it always a waste of resources for those involved in the league?

The AFL does not interrupt the NFL as their seasons are during separate times of the year. It has never tried to be a competitor - the rules aren't very similar in important aspects of the game. However, it is football and it has produced some quality players, albeit a very small number.

So, is there any benefit to the NFL helping to keep the AFL alive?

[deaduck]

Re: Any Benefit to NFL Keeping AFL Alive?

Keeping NFL Europe alive would have made more sense from a point of view of a farm league. I read there were rumors at the owner meeting of the need for a "minor" league for rough/project players to develop in but nothing concrete was set.

[jmood88]

Re: Any Benefit to NFL Keeping AFL Alive?

NFL Europe was a stupid idea to begin with. If they really wanted a minor league I don't know why they would make its success dependent on whether or not some other countries started getting into American football.

[muggins]

Re: Any Benefit to NFL Keeping AFL Alive?

They really need a "summer" league. I'm not entirely sure when the AFL played but if a league started in February and went until July I'd definitely watch if it was on a major channel.

[jmood88]

Re: Any Benefit to NFL Keeping AFL Alive?

Yeah I would like that too. They would just need to not try to make it like an NFL game with ticket prices and it would succeed.

[CMH]

Re: Any Benefit to NFL Keeping AFL Alive?

The AFL was during Spring/Summer. It was a good time for that brand of football.

Just a shame to see it go.

[thecougarbear]

Re: Any Benefit to NFL Keeping AFL Alive?

The AFL was during Spring/Summer. It was a good time for that brand of football.

Just a shame to see it go.

agreed. the afl had its place. fun to watch. hard to get passionate about, but fun to watch.

[deaduck]

Re: Any Benefit to NFL Keeping AFL Alive?

"The AFL was during Spring/Summer. It was a good time for that brand of football."

Having sweated through August two-a-days, I imagine alot of players might disagree that any form of extended play in summer is not ideal.

[av7]

Re: Any Benefit to NFL Keeping AFL Alive?

"The AFL was during Spring/Summer. It was a good time for that brand of football."

Having sweated through August two-a-days, I imagine alot of players might disagree that any form of extended play in summer is not ideal.

They played indoors where the climate was controlled.

[shnuskis]

Re: Any Benefit to NFL Keeping AFL Alive?

They played indoors where the climate was controlled.

Hense the name, Arena.

[bkfount]

Re: Any Benefit to NFL Keeping AFL Alive?

NFL Europe was a stupid idea to begin with. If they really wanted a minor league I don't know why they would make its success dependent on whether or not some other countries started getting into American football.

the way NFL Europe was operated would have led to failure anywhere, it was just magnified since it was located in Europe. A nice way to judge a development league is by the players it actually develops. NFL Europe failed there, and Arena Football wouldn't do much for the NFL either.

Why should the NFL pay to operate a "developmental" league when their best source for NFL ready talent is still the NCAA, which teams can then develop with their own coaches?

[jmood88]

Re: Any Benefit to NFL Keeping AFL Alive?

the way NFL Europe was operated would have led to failure anywhere, it was just magnified since it was located in Europe. A nice way to judge a development league is by the players it actually develops. NFL Europe failed there, and Arena Football wouldn't do much for the NFL either.

Why should the NFL pay to operate a "developmental" league when their best source for NFL ready talent is still the NCAA, which teams can then develop with their own coaches?

If everyone was drafted and ready to play then that would make sense but there are still players that are drafted and instead of playing games just watch.

[deaduck]

Re: Any Benefit to NFL Keeping AFL Alive?

"They played indoors where the climate was controlled."

You're missing the point. They want a NFL style developmental league that helps develop "project" players for the pros. The Arena leagues might develop skill sets that can be transfered to the NFL but not play sets and game experience.

You're not playing Arena then you'll find it harder to find indoor climate controlled fields.

[jnofx]

Re: Any Benefit to NFL Keeping AFL Alive?

I dunno about developing players or anything like that, but the way i see it: The more football on TV for me to watch, the better

[CMH]

Re: Any Benefit to NFL Keeping AFL Alive?

Well, I didn't necessarily mean that the AFL could be a developmental league, though I can understand why people might view it as such.

I just mean as another means of entertainment. A place to find talented football minds. Perhaps find that one diamond in the rough that wasn't ready out of college but found his potential playing a different brand of football. Good coaches should recognize talent and whether it can transfer to the bigger game. They already do it in college.

But, if the NFL owned the AFL, maybe they could give it a nice jolt and give football fans something to watch when the NFL is on vacation. I'm not saying this is the greatest idea ever. That's why I asked what people thought.