Bouchy: AFL will be "Back and Better than Ever in 2010"

Adam Markowitz
Thursday December 18, 2008

On Wednesday night, ArenaFan spoke with Arizona Rattlers Managing Partner Brett Bouchy.  Per an article in the Tampa Tribune, the representative on the Board of Directors for the Rattlers was amongst the five votes in favor of playing out the 2009 season as scheduled.  Sunday’s vote to suspend the season passed by a margin of twelve to five.  The twelve votes was exactly the number necessary to suspend the season.

Last week, Bouchy reportedly bought majority ownership of the Orlando Predators from Ron Howse.  As reported on Tuesday night, the Arena Football League’s Executive Vice President of Communications, Chris McCloskey told ArenaFan, “We understand that there may be a transition in ownership occurring [in Orlando], but the League has not received an application, nor has the Board officially voted on a change of ownership.”

Bouchy declined comment on the issue, but told ArenaFan that he submitted “a lot of documentation” to the League.  The ownership issue in Orlando remains unclear at this time.

The issue of a season in 2009 seems to be determined, though.  Bouchy said, “The vote is done, the season is suspended.  I’m looking at this as a longer offseason.”

He continued, “I’m looking forward to a productive 2010 season.  I am very, very optimistic.  Even though I was down on Monday morning, I am more optimistic, as I see how committed the owners are for 2010.”

When asked what the next step was for the AFL, Bouchy told ArenaFan the owners are getting together to work on a new economic model for 2010.  Though there isn’t a firm date for the initial meeting of a committee to be headed up by Columbus Destroyers co-owner, Jim Renacci to formulate a new plan for the AFL, Bouchy said, “I believe we will have the economic model by March 1st, 2009.”

In a report by Central Florida News 13, the vast majority of the staff for the Predators was laid off on Wednesday. The report on News 13 said that the staff will be back if the League resumes operations in 2010.

Bouchy assured ArenaFan that the intent for the Arena Football League is for more than just a return to operations in 2010.  He concluded by saying, “I think we’ll be back and better than ever.”