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Georgia Force(d) to cancel AFL season in 2009
The Georgia Force of the Arena Football League has been informed by the Arena Football League (AFL) that the 2009 season has been suspended. It has been rumored for weeks that the season was in jeopardy but last week the AFL Board of Directors issued the following statement.
“Every owner in the AFL is strongly committed to the League, the game, and, most importantly, the fans,” said Acting Commissioner ED POLICY. “Owners, however, recognize that, especially in light of the current unprecedented economic climate, the AFL, as a business enterprise, needs to be restructured if it is to continue to provide its unique brand of this affordable, fan-friendly sport.”
This is a blow to all the local Georgia Force fans who come to expect a break from the winter time blues and head to the Gwinnett Center for some faced paced, inexpensive entertainment. The Georgia Force has been in the Atlanta area for a number of years and has had a very successful campaign since moving back to Gwinnett a couple of years ago. Since Arthur Blank purchased the team in 2005, the Force had compiled a 33-15 record and had appeared in three consecutive playoffs. The team recently issued this response to the league news that the season was cancelled.
“We are disappointed that we will not be playing in the 2009 season, but we agree with and support the need for the Arena Football League to take this time to strengthen its financial foundation to ensure long-term success,” Georgia Force President Dick Sullivan said. “We are very proud of the achievements of the Georgia Force over the last four seasons of ownership, and we hope to field another strong team in 2010.”
As we head into a uncertain time in our economic lives, this suspension goes to show that all areas of the economy are being hit by the downturn in economy and we must be aware and resilient in our beliefs that we as a nation will come out of this downturn a better, more efficient economy. The local economic impact is huge. From the players salaries to the employess of the Gwinnett Center, to the vedors, suppliers and numerous other people that depend on the Geogia Force for their livelyhood. This decision is not merely about football, it is so much more than that.
The team will be refunding season ticket holders the money that had already been collected within the next few weeks via the US postal service.
It is a shame that the Force will not be entertaining the fans of the team this year and we can only hope that the league comes back stronger and more financially sound in the years to come.
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