Post by 50yardfan on Feb 28, 2011 18:01:23 GMT -5
An Open Letter to Arena Football Fans from Commissioner Kurz
Dear Arena Football League Fans,
Entering my second year as Commissioner, I cannot express my excitement for the 2011 season. After resurrecting the League in 2010 utilizing a unique economic model, there were still a lot of questions.
The bottom line was, using the economic model was the only way we could have a league going forward. It is no different than any other business going on today. We had to look at where we were, what we were spending, what we were bringing in and what we were capable of producing and spending.
Any business has to look at that. You can't spend more than you bring in. I don't care whether it's a restaurant or business office. If you don't stay within the revenue that you can produce, you are out of business. It worked well last year. Do we still have some challenges' Absolutely. However, we need to adhere to this economic model and we will be fine. We will be here for many seasons to come. We have owners that are dedicated to be here long-term under this economic model.
In our first year back, many partners, sponsors, fans, previous owners and television networks were going to wait and see if the Arena Football League was indeed back, better than ever, competent and could deliver the same exciting game for fans.
It wasn't far into the 2010 season when a number of expansion and past markets were in contact with us. They saw the AFL providing the same entertainment experience and the same great sport. The bottom line is, they wanted to rejoin us. Closing out two small markets was difficult to do, but relocating Bossier City to a new entity in New Orleans and Huntsville becoming Georgia was a great thing for us. I feel bad and will continue to feel bad that we aren't in those markets, and I hope that one day we will be in those markets again.
Going into the 2011 season, the AFL made some significant changes, which present opportunities not only for the league but also for fans, players and owners. One change was implementing the 18-game schedule, an opportunity for our fans to attend more home games.
Some people think that we wanted to do it before the NFL and some think it's about revenue. That's not the case, it was just right for us. I think it's a unique opportunity to be in front of our fans for two more games. It was decided at the owners meeting at the conclusion of last season. The owners said that it was something they wanted to do. Again, people asked if we wanted to do it because the NFL was talking about it. No, that is night and day from us. It's because our owners heard from our fans that they wished there were more games and a longer season.
Now, it is in effect for the 2011 season. We will meet at the end of the season to determine whether it was everything we thought it was going to be and if we will continue or not.
We also implemented an additional roster spot for teams because of the added two games. This is tremendous especially in this challenging economic time because we can provide more jobs for players. This also poses as an opportunity for more players to come through the AFL to get to their dream of playing in the NFL. We have to be a total entertainment experience, have great football, promotions, marketing and be part of the community. We also have to give an opportunity for players to continue their careers.
From a League level, we saw expansion not only amongst teams and the schedule, but also from the League Office. During the offseason, we enlarged the organization. With the added staff members, we are able to do some things this year that we didn't get to do last year. Some of those things are already evident. The website has been changed and upgraded to be more interactive and social media oriented. We also have some new national partners. We are doing the officiating in-house, something that we haven't done for a long time. That's how we did it for the first 15-years. We want more hands on with the administration of all aspects of our game. That will be noticeable come season.
We also saw the addition of dynamic ownership groups this offseason, including Jeff Vinik and the Tampa Bay Lightning. I couldn't be happier to have someone in the statue of Jeff Vinik along with Todd Leiweke, owning the Lightning and being a part of our league. Just as I said last year, having the NFL Network join us and now having the NHL join us, not just with a marketing agreement but an ownership agreement, is monumental. With the other owners in our League, across the board, I see more and more people joining us of that caliber. This can only be better for the league and it's fans.
As training camps open throughout the country and the 2011 AFL season draws near, I want to thank all of our fans, sponsors, partners and teams and wish you and your families the best.
Regards,
Jerry B. Kurz, AFL Commissioner
Dear Arena Football League Fans,
Entering my second year as Commissioner, I cannot express my excitement for the 2011 season. After resurrecting the League in 2010 utilizing a unique economic model, there were still a lot of questions.
The bottom line was, using the economic model was the only way we could have a league going forward. It is no different than any other business going on today. We had to look at where we were, what we were spending, what we were bringing in and what we were capable of producing and spending.
Any business has to look at that. You can't spend more than you bring in. I don't care whether it's a restaurant or business office. If you don't stay within the revenue that you can produce, you are out of business. It worked well last year. Do we still have some challenges' Absolutely. However, we need to adhere to this economic model and we will be fine. We will be here for many seasons to come. We have owners that are dedicated to be here long-term under this economic model.
In our first year back, many partners, sponsors, fans, previous owners and television networks were going to wait and see if the Arena Football League was indeed back, better than ever, competent and could deliver the same exciting game for fans.
It wasn't far into the 2010 season when a number of expansion and past markets were in contact with us. They saw the AFL providing the same entertainment experience and the same great sport. The bottom line is, they wanted to rejoin us. Closing out two small markets was difficult to do, but relocating Bossier City to a new entity in New Orleans and Huntsville becoming Georgia was a great thing for us. I feel bad and will continue to feel bad that we aren't in those markets, and I hope that one day we will be in those markets again.
Going into the 2011 season, the AFL made some significant changes, which present opportunities not only for the league but also for fans, players and owners. One change was implementing the 18-game schedule, an opportunity for our fans to attend more home games.
Some people think that we wanted to do it before the NFL and some think it's about revenue. That's not the case, it was just right for us. I think it's a unique opportunity to be in front of our fans for two more games. It was decided at the owners meeting at the conclusion of last season. The owners said that it was something they wanted to do. Again, people asked if we wanted to do it because the NFL was talking about it. No, that is night and day from us. It's because our owners heard from our fans that they wished there were more games and a longer season.
Now, it is in effect for the 2011 season. We will meet at the end of the season to determine whether it was everything we thought it was going to be and if we will continue or not.
We also implemented an additional roster spot for teams because of the added two games. This is tremendous especially in this challenging economic time because we can provide more jobs for players. This also poses as an opportunity for more players to come through the AFL to get to their dream of playing in the NFL. We have to be a total entertainment experience, have great football, promotions, marketing and be part of the community. We also have to give an opportunity for players to continue their careers.
From a League level, we saw expansion not only amongst teams and the schedule, but also from the League Office. During the offseason, we enlarged the organization. With the added staff members, we are able to do some things this year that we didn't get to do last year. Some of those things are already evident. The website has been changed and upgraded to be more interactive and social media oriented. We also have some new national partners. We are doing the officiating in-house, something that we haven't done for a long time. That's how we did it for the first 15-years. We want more hands on with the administration of all aspects of our game. That will be noticeable come season.
We also saw the addition of dynamic ownership groups this offseason, including Jeff Vinik and the Tampa Bay Lightning. I couldn't be happier to have someone in the statue of Jeff Vinik along with Todd Leiweke, owning the Lightning and being a part of our league. Just as I said last year, having the NFL Network join us and now having the NHL join us, not just with a marketing agreement but an ownership agreement, is monumental. With the other owners in our League, across the board, I see more and more people joining us of that caliber. This can only be better for the league and it's fans.
As training camps open throughout the country and the 2011 AFL season draws near, I want to thank all of our fans, sponsors, partners and teams and wish you and your families the best.
Regards,
Jerry B. Kurz, AFL Commissioner