Chances of AFL Strike Lessened (Updated 3/8, 5:00 p.m. ET)

Adam Markowitz
Thursday March 8, 2012

The Arena Football League and the AFLPU are reportedly getting closer to an agreement before tomorrow's first game of the year between the Orlando Predators and the Pittsburgh Power.

The AFLPU Executive Director, Ivan Soto told the Orlando Sentinel, "The likely of a work stoppage has been reduced," and he posted on his Twitter account this afternoon, "All players have been directed to continue operating under the coaches direction and be ready to go."

This is most certainly a change in his tune from earlier this morning when Soto Tweeted, "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!"

According to the AFLPU's website  the 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.

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." Sources close to the situation have confirmed to ArenaFan that the raise is 25% to bring the players' base salary up to $500 per game.

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."

Preds Head Coach Brett Munsey told the Sentinel a bit of a different tune, though. "The quality of play is going to be down, no question. Across the board, it will be down because guys don't know the game, and they're not quite as talented."

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). There is no indication of that being the fact for all of the potential replacement players, and sources have confirmed to ArenaFan that there are going to be two replacement teams ready to go on Friday night if a deal isn't struck.

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."

Former UCF Knights QB Kyle Israel, who has never been in professional football in this country, is going to be a quarterback in this game if the reserves have to be on the field.

ArenaFan.com has reached out to the AFL and to Soto, but neither has responded to interview requests at this hour.

ArenaFan.com is continually working on this story and will keep it updated as the night progresses.