Chicago To NOT Have Arena Football in 2014
Jeff Sims
Thursday August 15, 2013
As a result of the Owner’s Meetings that took place in Orlando earlier this week prior to this week’s ArenaBowl, it has been confirmed that there will not be a Chicago franchise in the Arena Football League in 2014.
It will be the first time since 2001, outside of the 2009 dark season, that Arena Football will not be played in the Windy City.
A little over a week ago, all front office staff (the few that remained) were let go not too long after the team lost in the playoffs to the Spokane Shock.
“This was the agreement from the start,” said former Rush Executive Vice President Ryan Simmons. “Once the season was over, there was no reason to keep the front office employed.”
As the season had drawn along, there was optimism as both the Rush front office and the league office were looking into new ownership for the franchise. Obviously, neither of these options worked out. The opportunity with the Rush front office fizzled about one month before the end of the regular season.
“I would have stayed on if there had been new ownership,” Simmons confirmed. “At this point, the league is (handling any questions regarding the franchise),”
Philadelphia Soul minority owner Ron Jaworski boldly stated in an interview with ArenaFan that “No, there will not be a Chicago franchise in the AFL in 2014.” He continued, “Although I would be highly optimistic that a team will once again return in the near future.”
Other Notes
The league made an announcement that the LA Kiss will enter the AFL in 2014. This keeps a major market in the Arena Football League for next season.
Multiple sources have confirmed that a team will be located in the Northwestern for next season also. ArenaFan.com is reporting that Portland will be joining the AFL for the 2014 season as well.
Craig Edwards of KGW.com reported on Wednesday that the Portland Trail Blazers were in talks to acquire a team, quite possibly the Milwaukee Mustangs, and move the franchise to the Rose Garden for 2014.
Jeff has been writing for ArenaFan.com since 2004. Originally from New York, Jeff has been living in the Chicago area for the past ten years and is an avid football fanatic. He holds a BA in communications from Hofstra University in New York and a sports management certificate from Loyola University in Chicago.
