Thanks Sean for "Getting It"
Guest Writer
Wednesday January 10, 2007
As a person who has worked at the team level since 1993, I have personally witnessed the "good old days" that included owners failing to make player payroll, games that had less than 1,000 actual fans in the Arena, teams folding – sometimes in the middle of the season --, playoff games broadcast on "tape delay" – including one that was even pre-empted when Mike Tyson bit someone’s ear, and the wonderful "indoor/outdoor grass carpeting laid on concrete" that served as the "field turf" of a now defunct franchise.
Anyone who actually worked in the Arena Football League in the early 90s could give you an eye-opening history lesson on how far we have come in the last 15 years. Chaffin understands this and does an outstanding job of refuting the common complaints from the upcoming rule changes and new television contract.
As for the new rule changes, please keep in mind that professional and college sports change their rules practically every year. To make a blanket statement that it will ruin the game before the season opener has been played is ridiculous. Note: As long as active game rosters remain at 20 players, "Ironman" football is not going to disappear. In fact, the opposite is true. Athletes who have the ability to excel on both sides of the ball are going to become an even more valuable commodity in the Arena Football League.
Arena Football has survived for 20 years for two reasons. First, the core game is great. It is one of the most exciting brands of sports entertainment available. But we have also survived for 20 years because our leadership has had the courage and foresight to evolve (i.e. improve and make changes) and the new television contract, rules changes, other developments are a necessary part of that evolution.
In closing, I want thank all the Arena Football fans. Your support of our great game is deeply appreciated.
Dan Pearson
Public Relations Director
Orlando Predators
