AFL Folding
August 6th, 2009 at 12:29 am by Jack Doles under Sports
I’m really sad to see it go.
The Arena Football League is about to shut its doors for good, and while I’m not surprised, I am disappointed.
For over 20-years Arena players entertained fans with an up-tempo game. Fans gasped as receivers were slammed into the sideline boards after a catch. They took home souvineer footballs when errent throws went sailing into the crowd. And were able to get up close and personal with the players on the field after games.
Dan DeVos brought the Rampage to Grand Rapids in 1998. They won the ArenaBowl in 2001. They paraded through downtown Grand Rapids with the championship trophy and Rampage fans celebrated.
Even though there wasn’t much to celebrate after that, Rampage games were still fun. They were still high energy, and no crowd in West Michigan was louder than a Rampage crowd.
But the crowds are silenced now. AFL owners couldn’t come up with a business model to save the league, so they’re shutting it down.
There is talk from the D.P. Fox camp it will come back in some form in Grand Rapids. AF2 the most likely scenerio. They made a similar move in Iowa a few years ago, and my friends in Des Moines say you can hardly tell the difference. With nowhere else to play for many of the guys on AFL teams, you’ll likely see some of the same names making the jump to AF2.
Let’s hope so.
so long
farewell
goodbye
the rampage died so when is the funeral for that overgrown rhino
i won’t miis it because i believe that football should be played on grass or lieu of astroturf not in and arena
Good Day,
While I too am sad to see them go, I think it goes to show you cannot re-invent the wheel. USFL and AFL could not hold a candle to the real thing is my guess. Hopefully they can re-organize and get back on their collective feet.
Steelie
One wonders if the WNBA will be next. I’ve seen some sparse crowds on TV.
there is no reason why the rampage can not still play the iowa barnstomers are still playing. they just were advertised in wichita, ks to be playing in a league down there my advice would be to join another league because it wasnt our team that was hurting. bring back our rampage!!!!!!!