Strike Seems To Be Inevitable For AFL (Updated 3/8 12pm ET)
Adam Markowitz
Thursday March 8, 2012
March 8th, 2012 could go down as one of the darkest days in the history of the Arena Football League. The Arena Football League Players Union has approved strike ballots, which could lead to a work stoppage that puts games for this weekend and potentially beyond at serious risk.
According to the AFLPU's websitethe AFLPU membership "overwhelmingly voted in favor of advancing the Strike Issue." The report shows that there were less than six members that voted against the strike, though it was later confirmed on the AFLPU's website that voting was done team by team. It is unknown whether there were six players that dissented voting or six teams that dissented.
Ivan Soto, the AFLPU Executive Director, posted on his Twitter account on Thursday morning, "All Afl games this weekend and Monday now at risk! Not going to be cheap for the League!" He also stated, "Replacement Players having second thoughts! Crossing the line hurts them too, they know it's temporary and they will be mistreated too!"
Interestingly enough, Soto also Tweeted, "Arena Football League former NFL player threaten to kick players out if they hold a work stoppage! [Pittsburgh Power co-owner] Lynn Swann should be banned by NFLPA now!"
The Orlando Sentinel published a story on Thursday morning in which it sounded like gloom and doom was in the air. New Orlando Predator Dwayne Eley stated, "We're putting our bodies on the line every play, and we need to feel a little bit more appreciated."
Orlando managing partner, Brett Bouchy told the Sentinel, "We've made an offer which we believe is a significant raise. Our players are under contract, and we expect them to fulfill that contract."
The possibility is there of "replacement players" taking the field on Friday night for the Predators as they take on the Pittsburgh Power. Bouchy claimed that there was just a "sliver of difference" between players in the AFL and the NFL, but he also claimed, "… it would be the same with the other team we would put out there if it comes to that."
Bouchy has stated that there is a "100% chance" that the Predators and the Power will go forward with their game on Friday night at 8:30 (ET) in the first NFL Network game of the season.
However, the replacement players have also signed strike ballots according to Soto's Twitter feed, as of 3:30 a.m. (ET).
David Baumann, a local Orlando reporter, broke this story on Wednesday, and he posted on his Twitter account at 11:15 a.m., "I spoke with @AFLFootball commish Jerry Kurz and he says @ORLPredators and @AFLPittsburgh will play - even if players strike."
ArenaFan.com has learned that amongst the replacements would be former UCF Knights QB Kyle Israel, who has never been in professional football in this country.
ArenaFan.com has reached out to the Arena Football League, Israel, and Soto for interviews, but as of this hour, has not heard back from any of them.
ArenaFan.com is continually working on this story and will keep it updated as the day progresses.
