Who like Arena League Football?

[evlbstrd]

My town was just awarded a franchise, the former New Orleans VooDoo. They'll start playing in our old arena next year, then move to the new arena, currently under construction.

[NaturalHigh]

1. We have AF2 in Tulsa.

I love it, but I don't get to go as much as I would like.

[evlbstrd]

3. I've watched on television.

But, without a team in the league, it's hard to invest the time and interest.
How do you like the live game experience?

[NaturalHigh]

8. We have a blast at Tulsa Talons games.

We grab beer and hot dogs and are on our feet for most of the game.

[evlbstrd]

10. It's gotta be cheaper then NFL games.

The Chiefs are one of the least expensive teams to go see, but I'll only go when I can get free tickets.

[NaturalHigh]

12. I've never been to an NFL game.

We don't have an NFL team in Oklahoma, but even if we did, I think I would still prefer the "minor league" team. The same goes for hockey. I wouldn't sit down to watch an NHL team on a dare, but I love the Tulsa Oilers. There's something about guys making $30,000 a year and playing their hearts out for a shot at the big leagues that makes the game more exciting.

[evlbstrd]

15. We have a Northern League baseball team.

They play with a lot of fire and heart. But there are way too many promotions between innings.
If you ever get to go to a game at Arrowhead, do. All that crap from the announcers about the tailgating, the college atmosphere and the crowd noise is absolutely true.

[cssmall]

2. It feels like minor league NFL on crack.

:shrug:

[evlbstrd]

4. Is that live or on your teevee?

I can see how you might think that. But some NFL players are starting to come up from Arena.

[cssmall]

5. Eh, I should have said only AF2 because that's what I've seen.

[evlbstrd]

7. Is AF2 a lover level league?

[cssmall]

11. Yep. There's one in LR.

The Arkansas Twisters (they suck). Check'em out at af2.com, then teams, Arkansas Twisters

[evlbstrd]

13. Thanks.

It looks like it could be an alternative if/when the Royals suck next season.

[cssmall]

16. You know what, here's what I think we should do.

We should write up a petition to send to Bud Selig. In the petition, we need to say that any owner that does not give enough money to, at least, keep the team competitive (ie: from using players that AREN'T ready for Major League play) should be asked to sell the team as quickly as possible.

Again, I point to Vincent Namoli, the now former owner of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, whom, through revenue sharing; television and radio contracts; and luxury tax, actually made a profit before the season even started.

David Glass, who has more than enough money to make a winning team, needs to either put up more cash or get the fuck out of the game. Instead of giving money to these young guys, like Zack Grienke (who is an awesome young pitcher), and then ruining them, turning public opinion against them and then trading them before they are eligble for arbitration. It's a sick cycle.

[evlbstrd]

17. We had a fan walk-out several years back.

A local radio station passed out t-shirts that had Share the Wealth on them. After the second inning, everyone just got up, started chanting the slogan, and left.
It was a game against the Yankees.
They only did it once, though.

I think a complete change in the revenue model is called for. Bring real parity to the game, and cap those damned player salaries.

[cssmall]

18. Yeah, but then you'd have a watered down version of football.

Some of the best baseball is being played right now. There needs to be a way to increase parity, but make sure players can stay with one team. The NFL is such bullshit.

[evlbstrd]

19. It would have to be structured to suit the unique nature of the game.

I hate all of the player movement, too. The Royals are essentially a farm team right now. So I already have watered down baseball.

[nytemare]

6. Lots of scoring!

If you like offensive football that is quickly paced, you will probably like this.

Not the NFL, but it is pretty fun to watch.

[evlbstrd]

9. That sounds good.

Fast, on a narrow short field.

[KamaAina]

14. I thought this arrangement was only for next season?

http://sports.yahoo.com/arena/news;_ylc=X3oDMTBpY2x1ZjlmBF9TAzk1ODYyNzY2BHNlYwN0aA--?slug=arenakansascity&prov=st&type=lgns

"Although we regret the circumstances that brought us to the solution, we are excited to finally bring the AFL to Kansas City," said Tyler Prochnow, the leader of Kansas City's ownership group. "Allowing the VooDoo players to remain together as a cohesive and competitive team was a major incentive for us going forward now instead of 2007."...

The VooDoo will not play in the Arena Football League in 2006 because of damage caused to the New Orleans Arena by Hurricane Katrina.

One hopes the VooDoo come back in '07, leaving KC with the expansion team it had apparently planned then anyway. Of all three top-level sports in N.O. (NFL, NBA, AFL), the smaller city envisioned by Mayor Nagin and others would by far be best able to support AFL. Grand Rapids has AFL, fer Gossakes. Another possibility, in keeping with my own vision of a more international city, might be MLS, perhaps that crappy Salt Lake expansion team.