XFL vs. AFL: An Objective Comparison
Joseph Lenard
Sunday April 8, 2001
This is yet another one of the many inevitable articles to put the AFL (Arena Football League) and the XFL (Xtreme Football League) side by side for comparison. We will look at the two leagues to examine -- from both on and off the field perspectives -- what they may have in common, what they may mean to each other, and the general state of football today.
I, for one, welcome innovation in sport and look forward to what the XFL may bring into the evolution of the American sports scene that had for many years, and in many ways, become stagnant. What has the XFL observed that they may improve upon? Will the other sports entertainment entities pay enough attention to the fan’s desires, or will they slip back into their “take it or leave it” marketing philosophy towards its fans.
Having seen “bits and pieces” highlights of the XFL’s first weekend, and the lackluster play suggested by the scores and those highlights, I believed that things were pretty much as what I was expecting. I reminded myself, however, that this was/is their first year of XFL play and how the AFL looked in its first year (compared to today). I also reminded myself that Arena Football League games, and the overall experience of the AFL atmosphere, are not necessarily represented well on the “small screen” of the television. I resolved to give the XFL a “fair shot” and to objectively report after attending an XFL game.
I purchased a ticket to the Chicago Enforcers visit to the Birmingham Thunderbolts on Sunday February 18th, at a time that I would be in the neighboring state of Georgia. I watched the Saturday evening Los Angeles Xtreme and Las Vegas Outlaws game on television, and though I didn’t find the low scoring (12-9) affair very entertaining I was still prepared to make the 3-hour drive the next day to witness a game first hand.
I arrived at the Bolts home of Legion Field stadium, in Birmingham Alabama, two hours early to find the pre-game tailgating in full swing. I found the usual food vendors/tents, merchandise booths, local radio stations running XFL promotions, a band playing, XFL cheerleaders signing autographs, games to capture the attention and energy of the kids, and plenty of beer flowing for the adults. Standard fare in comparison to the AFL game experience, at least in the several cities that I have attended AFL games (and have heard/confirmed from others in other AFL/AF2 cities/games), but I had yet to see the Detroit Lions having these activities (other than the individual tailgaters). It was apparent the XFL (as the AFL) has the understanding that the game itself is only a part of the whole/overall entertainment picture with today’s fan and/or family; and the NFL has yet to make the realization, or any commitment to it if they have. While this is certainly not exclusive to the AFL, it was the first sign that the XFL was more in tune with what it takes to garner the family entertainment dollar.
The obvious and notable difference, upon entering the stadium and finding my seat on the shady side of the stadium, was the 48-degree temperature (before wind chill) as opposed to the comfortable AFL 70 degree indoor temperatures (year ‘round). I promptly moved to the sunny side! Once the sun went down, however, it began feeling cold. Several people nearby were making it clear they were leaving due to the temperature (35 pre-wind chill degrees near game end). And this was a ‘nice’ day, while rain or snow-soaked games may be fun to see on TV (one of which occurred the night prior) they often get long and uncomfortable to witness in person. Clearly an AFL advantage, especially if you’re planning of having children with you.
As one looked about the stadium you had to remind yourself that this was/is a first year League and it was natural the XFL would have an identity crisis. XFL banners are everywhere at any given XFL game! Wherever a camera may pan you’ll see an XFL in general, or team related banner; even to the detriment of prime seating. In fact, those flying over the stadium to land at the nearby Birmingham airport would be aware that an XFL game was occurring as it would be near impossible to miss the huge XFL Spalding football banners lining most of the stadiums upper deck.
In keeping with the understanding and desire to provide a whole entertainment experience, the XFL provides a gigantic video screen at one end of the field and speakers pumping out high volume music to every corner of the stadium. The video screen affords the XFL the opportunity to highlight the previous weeks action/games, bring fans up to the significance of the game at hand, better highlight the game at hand during stoppages (this comes into play later), to highlight the fans themselves on-screen, and provide additional ad revenue as they ran spots and XFL promo’s throughout. The WWF ties, and attempt to cross promote, were prominent with several WWF personalities getting on screen time to promote the XFL and the WWF; with many “tough man football” and “beer” references. We certainly can’t forget to mention the “skin factor” as the XFL cheerleaders also received a lot of in stadium air time.
Let’s look at the two Leagues side by side and see if we can spot where the XFL may have learned from the AFL and ponder whether the AFL is (and its airing networks are) paying attention and may learn anything from the XFL:
– Rules –
Variations of the NFL (National Football League) rule set are key to both the AFL and XFL. The AFL rule set varies from the obvious reason as the game takes place in an arena on a 50-yard field and the logistics of that field size, as well as for improved action and entertainment value. The increased entertainment value, a more direct attempt to garner collegiate fans, and a plain desire to obtain their own identity and be set apart from the NFL, appears to have driven the XFL to adopt its rule changes.
Both leagues highlight changes in the areas of the kicking and passing games.
Passing game – In order to afford a faster, and presumably more exciting games with more scoring (though you wouldn’t tell from the league’s first few weeks), the XFL adopted the college “one foot in bounds for a valid reception” rule in regard to the passing game. The AFL, with the suspended end-zone netting and sideline dasher boards, provides for the greatest degree of entertainment and opportunity for unexpected plays by allowing an errant (or greatly precise and strategically placed) pass off the netting or sideboards (yes, they are in play, unless trapped against the boards). With the AFL, a thrown ball is pretty much always in play until caught or it hits the field!
Like the AFL, the XFL allows for one-man forward motion toward the line. As penalties are always a problem, from a fans’ perspective (as they slow down and can change the course of a game and complicate the fans understanding of the sport), one has to ask why the AFL and/or XFL do not experiment with full motion to greatly reduce the number of flags during a contest. If there is any emphasis and focus on reducing penalties and an Officials impact on a contest, why not allow motion on both sides of the ball and make the focus indeed be the ball snap? Results would be a more open game, eliminated illegal motion, and potentially reduced offsides.
Further rule changes aside, the AFL games rules-set directly results in higher scoring games, with total combined scores of “69 is not out of the question” as one tantalizing/controversial billboard in LA portrayed. In fact, the XFL (through week 7) averaged 35.8 points per game, and while the AFL doesn’t report an average points per game (teams combined) the record for fewest combined points is 28, with most games well above that all time low. Compare those to the NFL (00/01 season week 17 sample, as no full figure is available) 44.5 points a contest. The AF2 Birmingham Steeldogs, alone, average 43.4 points a game.
The most combined points for the AFL is 161 (6/9/00 New England Seawolves @ San Jose Sabercats). The XFL in one game (2/10/01 Chicago Enforcers at Los Angeles Extreme) hit a high of 71 collective points, while the AF2’s highest tally hit 103 points (5/26/00 Quad City Steamwheelers versus the Greensboro Prowlers). The NFL hit 113 total points way back in 1966 making the NFL, with it’s long term existence, hard to compare with other leagues statistics and keeping things in terms of apples to apples. We all, pretty much, know most NFL games fall below even the week 17 sample of 43.4 points per game.
Least combined points in the AFL was 28 on 6/9/90 for a Washington Commandos @ Albany Firebirds game. The XFL low tally is currently at 13 points from week 4, 2/24/01, match up of the NY/NJ Hitmen when they visited the Chicago Enforcers. The NFL reports their lowest scoring game as 0 points “In many games. Last time: N.Y. Giants vs. Detroit, Nov. 7, 1943”, again showing us skewed long-term information.
While the AFL recorded the San Antonio Force as the lone one team to ever be shutout, in 1992 when they visited the Orlando Predators. The XFL has thus far posted two shutout games with the first in their first week of play on 2/3/01 in a Las Vegas Outlaws traveling to NY/NJ where they shutout the hometown Hitmen. The XFL’s second goose-egg belongs to the Chicago Enforcers at their home when they hosted the formerly shutout Hitmen.
The XFL, like the AFL, is a much more exciting experience in person; however the XFL comes nowhere close to the “Don’t Blink” moniker of Arena Football. As far as televised games, the AFL clearly provides for a better game, but the TV production is of better quality (standard play by play announcers [not color commentator Jesse Ventura] excitement level, knowledge, camera angle alternatives, replays, etc…) with the XFL. Will the AFL and its partnering networks step up in the upcoming seasons?
Kicking game – The most notable XFL regulation change is found in the kicking game. A punt traveling at least 25 yards becomes “fair game” with the removal of the “fair catch” rule. Whether this is a direct relation to the AFL kicking (missed field goal/kick off) rules is open to debate, but the potential for excitement is greatly enhanced and adds a new dimension to the kicking game and special teams strategy. However, both leagues fall short in their attempt to take advantage of this potentially exciting happenstance of the game by virtually nullifying their own rule(s) by instituting a “5 yard safe zone” for the receiving team/player. Understandably both leagues are concerned about the safety of their players, but other rules against blindsiding players and/or the reception of a kicked ball could be introduced to protect players without negating what is the prospectively most exhilarating play in the sport.
Also relating to the kicking game changes are extra points, or rather the absence of the ability to kick for an extra point. The XFL twist on PAT (Point After Touchdown) is to force teams to “go for two” (as it would relate to other football, by running or passing into the end-zone) but if they are successful they only come away with 1 point. Good thing for the ‘Bolts, in relation to my XFL game-day, as the Birmingham kicker was having trouble with modest field goals; and they should’ve went for the 1st down on all 4th downs; and may have had equal trouble in a traditional kick for PAT scenario.
As for the AFL? There is the traditional 1-point kick for PAT, 2 points for run/pass into the end-zone, and the ever exciting and challenging drop kick yielding 2 points. The AFL presents greater exhilaration to its audience by allowing for a 4-point by drop kick field goal. Unfortunately coaches and/or the AFL kickers haven’t shown much confidence in their ability to convert on this maneuver and the strategy is rarely employed in present AFL games.
The XFL, now two-thirds of the way into their season have changed their rules again. Now a team can run or throw for a PAT from the 10-yard line for 3 points, the 5-yard line for 2, or the 1-yard line for 1 point.
– Atmosphere –
The XFL shows forethought and the ability to glean from others (AFL, Indoor Lacrosse, Soccer, others) as to the complete atmosphere and overall entertainment value as previously mentioned. The XFL provides activities even before you enter the stadium with make shift facilities (booths, tents, etc…) in the parking lot outside the stadium, as do the AFL Arenas and/or teams. The AFL takes a fans ability to interact with the players and coaches to a level of no other entertainment venue, however, by allowing its fans to come down to the playing field after every game to meet and obtain autographs from many of the hometown players, coaches, and (yes, even) the dance team members. Most AFL teams have a traditional “after the game” spot where you can further interact and hang out with your co-fan, favorite player, team coach, or dance squad member.
Fireworks – The XFL uses fireworks as part of the pre-game introductions, as is traditional throughout the AFL. Home team touchdowns, as well as providing on field fireworks, are celebrated with explosive displays of light and sound. The XFL has an advantage here, as it is obviously easier to shoot fireworks into an open air stadium, and the larger space the 100 yard field stadiums afford, than it is to coordinate the displays indoors; but rest assured the AFL just about always insures you’ll see some, both on and above the field.
End-zone Video display(s) – As touched on earlier, and in my opinion cannot be emphasized enough in relation to the overall atmosphere and entertainment value to the “at stadium” experience of the XFL, one end of every stadium and every game is dedicated to a massive XFL exhibit with a video display as its centerpiece. This offers the XFL a great opportunity to highlight the previous night’s/week’s action before the game and at halftime and provide continual updates and highlight displays of the current game or other games from around the league playing at the same time. This provides an invaluable tool to keep the attention of the paying customers during the game breaks, or should the game itself be “dull” otherwise.
At the game I attended, the crowd was quieting and somewhat losing interest until a hit, or rather cheap shot, in the 3rd quarter. Unlike Arena “scoreboard” video displays, when the end-zone video comes to life and the sound pounds through the speakers throughout the stadium your attention is automatically drawn to it.
The XFL promotes itself as “tough man” football to contrast itself from the NFL, but doesn’t match up to the “Ironman” stature of the AFL. While there is certainly the potential for “hard hitting” action in any football contest the AFL wins this category hands down with its two-way Ironman, and return to the roots of football, play. The dasher boards provide many hard hit highlights to an Arena gala while our Bolts and Enforcers game provided just one (that I eluded to in the previous paragraph), and a cheap shot at that.
The best hit all day came in the 3rd quarter when Bolts’ 6’2” 250 linebacker, James Willis, was clotheslined by the Enforcers 6’4” 260 defensive-end Jason Chorak. Willis retaliated with a blow to the head of Chorak’s that brought a roar from the crowd. This play was subsequently replayed, often, on the end-zone video display whenever the home club ‘Bolts wanted to step up the crowd noise and involvement in the game. The hit itself wasn’t so bad at second glance, as it was apparent that Chorak played up the hit with an NHL equivalent of a “dive” to help draw a flag. It nonetheless provided a boost of emotion for the Thunderbolts and their fans.
Overall experience – The overall “at game” experience and entertainment value is clearly heads above the NFL and will do well against the AFL, which is where and why the AFL needs to take note and pay attention to the XFL. The ultimate concern for AFL fans has to be the potential for “head to head” seasons and the competition for “entertainment” dollars of families. We’ll leave that alone for now, but the question is worthy of an entire article to examine the issue, should the head-to-head season schedules occur.
All access – The XFL allows the networks’ on-field interviews of players and coaches during the game. This has proven to be mixed blessing for the networks, but a positive selling point for the XFL. Even uncooperative coaches/players add instant, and for all to see, personality to the XFL. Like NY/NY Hitmen’s head coach Rusty Tillman who visibly shows aggravation from the cameras in his proximity. His intolerance to the XFL’s “all access” provides an extra degree of disdain from his opposing team’s fans. It does provide additional fun and excitement to the XFL games.
The AFL has always afforded greater access to its players and coaches both on and off the field, before the game, at the half, and after the game (post game “meet and greet” sessions). However, the XFL has taken obvious note and once again added a twist and/or amplification of what has/does work for other sports franchises.
Cheerleaders – While the nature of the cheerleaders activities (and the whole XFL experience) does lend itself to a more appropriate comparison between the XFL and the Hollywood motion picture “the Replacements” production rather than the AFL or the NFL, it seems the XFL has learned something from the way the AFL experience interacts the cheerleaders, or more appropriately referred to as dance squads, with the game and fans.
The XFL Cheerleaders, for all the hype, show a lot of mid-riff but are otherwise as clothed as any other. There is no more or less than what the eye would have gathered at the local Hooters restaurants. Nor more than one sees of a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader or your local college teams’ cheerleading squads.
Where the AFL may have influenced the XFL is in the off-field activity, as I have seen in many AFL games the cheerleaders interacting with the crowds in the stands. Many AFL cities work the dance teams in with the in arena promotions and move them about to interact with fans, as does the XFL.
– Off the field –
The Fans – I spoke with Steve Dapkus, transplanted into Birmingham from Delaware in response to his consulting firm clients’ needs. I was careful not to expose for whom this article was being compiled so as to not bias or influence his opinion, but asked him how he would compare the 2 leagues.
Steve was quick to point out that the AFL provided “10-times more points”, but he was more of a football traditionalist, and more-so a college football fan. He further pointed out that the “football is better in the AFL, but the entertainment is better with the XFL” and prefers the ‘Bolts over the local Steeldogs AF2 team.
Steve was a former Steeldogs season ticket holder, clearly demonstrating that the XFL is indeed a direct competitor to the AFL/AF2 for entertainment dollars even without parallel season. Though he is not a season ticket holder for the ThunderBolts he does intend to attend most, if not all, home games, opting to purchase on a game-by-game basis. When asked if he’d consider season tickets for the XFL next year Steve responded that he didn’t believe there would be an XFL next year. The XFL differs with him on this point, as the XFL’s 5-year plan not only calls for them to be playing next year they have announced expansion plans in one or two of six cities next year.
A coworker of Steve’s, Katherine Dudley (a Memphis TN native), also in attendance, confessed she hadn’t made it to a Memphis Pharaohs (1995-1996) game and had no frame of reference for comparison. Nonetheless, she does enjoy the XFL games she’s attended thus far. With any luck we’ll see her and Steve at some Steeldogs’ games this year.
Attendance – Birmingham affords us a unique comparison opportunity by looking the AFL smaller market league’s AF2 startup Birmingham Steeldogs and the XFL (2001 league start) Thunderbolts, whose home fields are just a few miles from one another. The XFL Thunderbolts sold under 20,000 seats for their home opener but had more than 15,000 walk up ticket sales to fill 35,321 seats. The Thunderbolts are averaging more than 21,000 fans while the XFL league attendance, thus far, is averaging in excess of 25,000 fans per game. The AF2 Steeldogs had a season low 7,148 to their season opener high of 14,831 for an 8,925 average.
Why the disparity? Marketing, the differences between the games, or other factor(s)? Statistics are not available to determine that it is unlikely for the average football fan to be a season ticket holder for more than one league, which puts the AFL and XFL directly in competition for entertainment dollars even without their seasons covering the same calendar weeks. It is not unrealistic to expect that several football fans will purchase individual game tickets to contests in each of these leagues. Long-term though, the AFL and the XFL must compete for the heart, mind, and pocketbook of these fans to put them on the coveted season ticket holder registry, the only clear indicator of a truly supportive customer.
Proximity to play – Reduced, in comparison to a full 60,000 plus NFL stadium, attendance at XFL games certainly improve your opportunity to be closer to the plays. Reasonable ticket pricing ($25 for the ‘Bolts), granted “reasonable” is open to interpretation, making it affordable to purchase mid-field tickets allow you to be closer to the play also. A 100-yard field seat in an end zone, however, still leaves you far from the play at the other end. It is hard to beat the closeness of the play at an Arena game. AFL sidelines and benches are right there at the field, allowing the 1st row to practically be in the game, and you’ll even get to keep a ball if you catch an errant pass into the stands. AFL end-zones leave you close enough to not feel left out of the action at the other end of the field.
Overall – The biggest question for the XFL is whether there will be a longer-term commitment from NBC (despite falling first year ratings) and just how much McMahon is willing to invest in the XFL towards the startup leagues longevity? The caliber of play is just not there to sustain long-term fan loyalty, and the increased (over the NFL) entertainment value just not at a high enough level to sustain the league in its own right. If the XFL survives into a 3rd and 4th year it may very well become a stable and viable alternative, and a competitor for the family entertainment dollar with the AFL, AF2, and NFL.
– Conclusions –
My bottom line: While the XFL is doing a fine job in getting their brand-name out, doing well in marketing their game from an ads and promotions perspective, their level of play is stepping up, but their “on field” excitement is currently lacking. Give me an AFL game any day of the week over the NFL or the XFL. The AFL and NFL should not take the XFL for granted, however, as the XFL does exhibit awareness to the football game itself as being just a piece of the overall entertainment experience, and this is only its first year.
The XFL game will improve and evolve and whether it becomes of threat to diverting AFL and/or AF2 entertainment dollars into its bank accounts, like happened with Steve, will depend more upon how the AFL reacts opposed to the XFL itself. I’m certainly hoping the AFL doesn’t bury its head in the sand like an ostrich as the NFL did for so long. (I’ll be attending an AF2 game for the first time this year, so I have to reserve opinion in respect to the “at game” experience in the AF2, though I enjoyed the level of play watching several via DirecTv last season.)
For those who haven’t yet experienced an AFL or XFL game, I hope you’ll take the time to attend both. Objectively stated: The league you become a long-term fan of will completely rely on what you expect, or look for, from the game (high scoring, fast pace, more traditional). In any case, know this: The at game experience of both leagues is far and away above the NFL and not relayed as well as one would hope onto the small screen in your Living room. Hopefully you will come away from this with a little added information, an open mind and perspective. Despite my attitude toward the XFL prior to the seasons start, I’m looking forward to watching televised XFL games as they become more competitive and the teams more cohesive units, and I anxiously await the upcoming AFL season and all the games I can possibly attend.
By the way, the Bolt’s won the game 14 – 3. After having fallen behind by a field goal in the 1st quarter by the Enforcers, the Birmingham club threw for a TD and the subsequent PAT in the 2nd. The Bolt’s capped the game off with a 97-yard Interception for TD in the 4th and successfully ran in for the PAT. And lastly, those nicknames – this players form of self-expressionism is just plain stupid! They wanted to be taken seriously, and the nicknames, not to mention Jesse Ventura as color-commentator in the announcers’ booth, cheapen the product. In my opinion!
Joseph Lenard was a writer for ArenaFan Online from 2000 to 2001.
