ajcsportstalk

By George S.

December 15, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

Maybe the Yankees can buy the league and move all the teams to NY.

By John

December 15, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this

Atlanta had an Arena football team?

By atlpaddy

December 15, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

What is this ‘Arena Football’ you speak of?

By bob

December 15, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

Was the AFL doing ok economically until the NFL bought it or was it already hurting? As I remember, the AFL seemed to be doing fine on its own.

By blackswan

December 15, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

legitimate sports don’t “Cancel” the season. This is bad for the future of arena league.

By JEANTOBY

December 15, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Bob

December 15, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this

I had season tickets the first year at the Gwinnett Arena. I had more fun when I had root canal surgery.

By Spencer T

December 15, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this

Cancel Christmas

By Taylor Isenberg

December 15, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

You guys have no business posting on here. I doubt any of you know jack about the AFL, so posting negative comments is unacceptable. Many people have lost their her jobs, including players and personnel because of the 2009 suspension.

The AFL is (was?) a high-impact, high-energy, high-scoring brand of football that actually cares about their fan base.

It’s extremely affordable for one, and fans are right on top of the action. It’s like no other experience in professional sports.

I, along with many Arena fans, appreciated the fact that these players were not playing for the money, but for the love of the game and the love of the fans.

The AFL even has a Fan’s Bill of Rights. It’s the most fan-friendly league in all of sports entertainment.

I’m gonna miss it.

By Matt

December 15, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

This is really disappointing. The AFL provided a really big bang for your sportsgoing dollar and they will be missed.

By me

December 15, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

This day has been coming for sometime. When the Arena league started moving teams around the country, I know the league was unstable. There just is not enough support for a water down version of football. I hope the new AAFL will be able to start up this spring.

By L.

December 15, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

I thought AFL meant American Federation of Labor or Australian Football League, as in soccer - You can’t play football indoors.

Disband the whole league, it is a stupid idea for a sport anyway. ‘Indoor football’, the CEO (or inventor) must have broken alot of china cabinets, coffee tables and furniture in his youth.

By Vick Lover

December 15, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

This is terrible, Yo!

With no ARENA LEAGUE, where will Mike Vick perform his work-release program service now?

By cucumber willy

December 15, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

this is poop

By reservoirDAWG

December 15, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this

My thought is who cares. Arena football is lame and boring.

By L. Sir you are a Moron

December 15, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

“You can’t play football indoors. “

I guess the Falcons and all other teams that play in a Dome Arena aren’t playing real football then.

Dumb@ss

By Thrash

December 15, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

Maybe the players can get real jobs now.

By Wendy

December 15, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this

I am a Georgia Force “die hard” fan. I will truly miss seeing Tiger run that ball for 09. For those of you who don’t have a clue and never been to a game; stop with the foolish comments.

I will miss you all ……….. C. Martinez #1 kicker in the league T. Jones C. Pulley T. Bergeron C. Greisen T. Tiller - “Tiller time” C. Morris

By Bob the Wise

December 15, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

Shoot. I’m going to miss the games this season. They were always enjoyable, and I don’t know anyone who went to the games that didn’t enjoy them.

By Patrick

December 15, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this

I hope the Falcons sign Troy Bergeron.

By martin

December 15, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

who caresssssssssssss. i guesss is bad for the second and third stringer trying to get a spot on training squad with the NFL. now they have to have a real JOBBBBB. stil who caresssss now if can get rid of SOCCER FUTBOL boring and all those oldtimers trying to make another dollar.

By C

December 15, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

Go Falcons!!!

By A.S.

December 15, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this

Sad to see the league postponed. I was just starting to think AFL was getting popular. Some of the players are actually quit good. Georgia has a very solid QB and good WR in Troy Bergeron.

By Rebecca

December 15, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this

Seriously, all of you “who cares” losers need some perspective. If you didn’t enjoy the sport, you don’t have to trash the people who did, the players who worked hard, and all the people employed by the league at various levels now out of work, just because you weren’t interested.

Local attendance was routinely between 10-13000 a game, which is certainly comparable to the Hawks or Thrashers. I suppose it’s only a “REAL” sport if SI covers it extensively, or something?

Oh, and blackswan, haven’t both MLB and the NHL cancelled seasons within the last ten years or so? I suppose those aren’t legitimate sports, either?

By A.S.

December 15, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

Patrick the Falcons already auditioned Bergeron. I did not work out.

By Rake

December 15, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this

Good! This southsider lost interest when they moved to G-net. Congrats G-net - you got a loser!

By BullDawg Rick

December 15, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

AFL was very entertaining & the players always accessable & the cost minimal..

We had season tix for 4 seasons on the front row in the endzone corner.

My young daughters always got a thrill Hi 5’ing the players as they’d line up to kickoff.

Sad for the negative folks on here. They probably have never taken their young children to a professional football game.

By Big Al

December 15, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

Truth be told they could never land a big time TV contract. ESPN would rather air bowling or poker. AFL is dead now. How will you gets fans back ?

Wow so many morons ! The Falcons, duh, play in a dome, indoors under a roof.

By BravesFan79

December 15, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this

I enjoyed watching Arena League and it first got my attention watching Joe Hamilton (Tampa i believe) lead his team into the playoffs year after year when no NFL team would give him a shot.
I rooted for Ga Force when they were in the playoffs.
That being said, Arena football dosent come close to the main sports in Atlanta. (Braves, Falcons, Ga Tech)

The best thing for Atlanta would be for Mr Blank to forget about football and soccer leagues, and buy the Atlanta Braves and make them once again a true power!

By FREE MIKE VICK

December 15, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA……….It’s a chump version of a mans game. No wonder it failed.

By Cranberry

December 15, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

I am truly disappointed in Arthur Blank. All that was needed is 1 vote. A vote to play football and truly support the “Fans” and the AFL would be playing in March. Mr. Blank, where is your loyalty? To your fans or your Wallet?

Also, I loved Arena Football and responses liked these here are part of the reason why it failed. I gave it a chance and loved it. A fun game, access to players and I could take a family of 4 with food for what you would pay for 1 Falcon’s ticket. And the Georgia Force actually won games!

Hey maybe you will get a chance to get it a try it in 2010. Until then, maybe you should “suspend” your so called opinions.

By Trevor Ritter

December 15, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

You mean I can’t see more guys in tight pants!!!

By Ricky Slim

December 15, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

What is a Georgia Force?

By NFL Gorrilla

December 15, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this

This arena “football” is football for idiots. Cretins. Nobody but a few diehard morons care. Good riddance. It needs to join the WFL, the USFL, the XFL and NFL Euroweenie — all on the scrapheap of history. It is, however, above the level upon which the doleful dolt Blank deserves to reside. He needs to spend less time on the sideline and give more attention to fielding sexual harassment law suits.

By Five-O

December 15, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this

Who Cares!!! Maybe if Blank hadn’t moved them to freaking DULUTH, people would support.

By Gr8Force

December 15, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this

To Mr. Blank,

This is more than sad. This is more than disappointing. This is more than aggravating. I’m heartbroken and it has nothing to do with “What am I going to do now?” Please, like we already don’t have real lives to deal with. It’s because we really love this sport and we definitely love this team that it breaks our hearts for it to not be a part of our lives in 2009. The really scary thought is if the Force don’t come back in ‘10 but that’s a bridge we’ll cross when the time comes. I just can’t begin to imagine what it’s going to be like this spring when for the first time in my seven years as front row season ticket holder we won’t get to: - See who makes the team - See what the schedule brings us - Go to Fan Appreciation day - Get those season tickets in the mail!!! - Get geared up for the season by making buckets and shake out the tailgating equipment - The shear excitement of going to the first home game! - Teaching new fans how to cheer and show them what is so dang addicting about this sport - Tailgating with my Force Fanatic family - Seeing the wide-eyed wonder of the new players and the kids in the crowd - Banging a bucket and be the most annoying fan to the other team in the arena - To gripe - To cheer - To act like a bunch of weirdos (more so than usual)…

I could keep at this. It almost makes the memories of arguing over the Phil v. Gwinnett Arena seem like a joy. Almost. In the end I’m still broken hearted.

In the meantime my thoughts go out to the players, coaches and staff. Prayers that you will find jobs to tie yourselves over during these incredibly difficult times. Pick yourselves up. Dust yourselves off. Keep your head up and keep going. We will always be cheering for you whether you’re “on the team” or not.

Mr. Blank, I hope you are sincere in your words and bring the Force back in ‘10. It would be a tremendous loss for this city and it’s fans.

By Dennis Green

December 15, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this

The Force are who we thought they were.

By gwatl

December 15, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this

A sign of the times. Enjoyed watching on TV, but not enough to buy a ticket!

By GeezGuys

December 15, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this

Less football is always a good thing. Iit’s overly expensive and dangerous, and contributes to the jock-worship of our society. If the cancellation of a spectator sport renders you heartbroken, you have some screwed up priorities in life.

By modestd

December 15, 2008 6:08 PM | Link to this

GeezGuys: STFU!

Go FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Andrew

December 15, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this

Now I can buy Falcons season tickets without having those Force tickets snuck in there as a mandatory addition.

By JIm Price

December 15, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this

It’s upsetting to see how many people are totally ignorant about a legitimate sport. The league was doing great until they lost financial support. As a result of the current economy. A lot of great players played in the AFL because they loved the game not for the money. Maybe if money was not a great factor in the NFL there would be more great players with little attitude. I have been a season ticket holder 5 years and enjoy every bit of it. The players were truly fan favorites. It’s a shame more major sports haven’t learned how to take care of the fans and being accessible to the fans. As for not being real football, obviously you never sat at a game and saw the hard hitting, full speed, full of energy game call ARENA FOOTBALL. When it returns I will be first in line to get my tickets again…Players, Coaches and fans, hope to see you all again soon…….Jim & Matt………

By KUSG

December 15, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this

I WONDER IF MY TEAM AUTOGRAPHED FOOTBALL IS WORTH ANYTHING ON EBAY?

By R.T.

December 15, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

By Connie Lingus

December 15, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this

I was at one of the games that they announced 11,000. It looked exactly like the same crowd when the Gladiators would announce 6,000. They had a half-full building every time. I like the Arena. I like it being in Gwinnett. I’d rather watch the gladiators. It was a gimmick version of football that overpaid its players and overcharged its fans. I’m sorry for the people that lost their jobs, but recessions have a way of killing off such useless things as this. No defense. The game sucked. If I want to watch minor league football, I’ll go to a UGA or Tech game.

By Grant

December 15, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this

It’s a vicious circle, isn’t it? Until the mainstream media acknowledges it, morons like the “NFL Gorilla” won’t consider it a legitimate sport. And until it’s a legitimate sport, the mainstream media won’t acknowledge it.

Had lots of great times at many Force games. Hope to see ‘em again. Preferably at Philips, where the food’s better, though!

By Bob

December 15, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this

I think the AFL was really fun to watch. Like some others were saying, the players are doing it for the fun of it and they cared about the fans. I’m going to miss the AFL season. I hope it comes back next year!

By Tucker

December 15, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this

Arena Football is a piece of the over-saturation of the spectator sports market. The temporary suspension of play should be made permanent.

By cambone43

December 15, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this

i can count on one hand the amount of time i’ve spent watching arena football over the years. GO FALCONS!!!! (real football)

By Matt

December 15, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this

I spent a long time arguing with people over the “legitimacy” of Arena Football, but I finally realized it was a complete waste of time. People like “NFL Gorrilla” or Kincaide on 680 who have this deep-rooted bitterness obviously have some other issues that they would need to act like a horse’s rear end, and can’t appreciate that at one time the NFL was a joke league, or for that matter that the forward pass was a gimmick. I mean I’m not really into basketball or soccer one way or another, but I don’t take the Dream or the SIlverbacks as some sort of personal affront. I just consider one more home team a good thing and wish them the best.

More importantly, this is a very sad day for AFL fans, players, coaches, staff members, and sports historians. You don’t survive 22 years because you’re a gimmick. No “other” pro football league has even gotten close. There are a lot of good people involved in this game and a lot of good football players, for that matter. You can’t tell me there are only and exactly 1,696 high caliber football players in the US at any one time. That’s absurd.

Unfortunately in the end they were the victims of a bad business model that owners eventually got tired of hemorrhaging money on. As much as I will miss Arena Football next spring (and quite possibly beyond), I certainly can’t blame them for that.

Instead I’d like to say “thank you” to Virgil Williams and Arthur Blank. I will always be indebted for a lot of good times and great memories that both men bled money to make possible for the fans.

Here’s hoping for the best, but whatever happens I’ll always be proud to be Georgia Force Black & Blue.

By Dino

December 15, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this

Good riddance! This league is a joke—hopefully it never comes back. I’d rather see a good rodeo than this junk.

By Collingwood Pies Forever!!

December 15, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this

The Australian Football League is NOT soccer!

It’s more like rugby, actually. Silly American :D

By REAL Atlantans Don't Insults Atlanta's Teams

December 15, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this

I went to a game when they played in Philips Arena, and I have to admit it I got a kick out of players getting crushed into the sidelines. I’d go to WAY more games from 2010 on if they played in Philips though … unless Gwinnett somehow gets MARTA access for us unwashed masses ;)

Maybe Artie Blank will have some disposable cash available for Major League Soccer now? Ironic that the geniuses here hurling insults at arena football for being derived from “real” football don’t realized that “real” football was derived from rugby and soccer (REAL REAL FOOTBALL!!!)

By LIBERALSLOL

December 15, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this

WOW….ARTHUR BLANK WHO CONTRIBUTED ??? MILLIONS TO OBAMA AND HOPE AND CHANGE..LAYING OFF SO MANY……TOO BAD HOME DEPOT AND THE NON PROFIT ORG……..F YOU BLANK

By Shoulderpads are for sissies

December 15, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this

Yo, can we get a Rugby Union team?

By richard Anderson

December 15, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this

What is/was the “Georgia Force”??

By Keeler

December 15, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this

Wow homies…we need march up on the Blanks office to protest dis injustice WE MUST REPRESENT DEM BOYZ! I luv doze guy like they was my homies. Maybe now everyone can come to my BBQz. Represent!

By Walter

December 15, 2008 11:32 PM | Link to this

Who cares….really, who cares

By chris

December 16, 2008 12:18 AM | Link to this

Maybe they’ll go ahead and cancel what’s left of the Thrashers wretched season. They will never replace the Flames or even the Knights.

By Dick Hertz

December 16, 2008 4:09 AM | Link to this

CANCEL UGA FOOTBALL, INSTEAD!

The Georgia Force performed better against expectations than the Georgia Bulldogs did. The Bulldogs now have the distinction of having the biggest fall in history of any preseason #1 team.

And I’ll bet that most of the Force players can actually read, unlike and football player at UGAy.

“LET THE BIG DAWG READ!” - Jan Kemp, 1986

By GT71

December 16, 2008 6:58 AM | Link to this

It is a business and when businesses don’t do well enough, they go out of business. Simple. And PLEASE someone - tell that to those democrat dolts in Wash DC.

By jimmyjoe

December 16, 2008 7:39 AM | Link to this

Please remember the following website: firefrankwren.com

I’m praying that Mr. Arthur Blank uses his Georgia Force resources to purchase the Braves from Liberty Mutual (yes I know it’s Liberty Media but with how cheap they are who cares). Mr. Blank would want to compete and spend money on the organization to win. Frank Wren and Liberty Media are more concerned with bargain-basement and pig-in-a-poke finances to run the Braves.

Frank Wren was run out of Baltimore as GM of the Orioles so fast, I heard all he left behind was a half empty jar of vaseline and two knee pads. Wren could’nt GM the Warner Robbins little league organization.

Please DO NOT GO to Braves games this season, it’s the only way to force Liberty Media and Frank “Obama” Wren to put a MLB caliber team on Turner field. Currently, Wren and his Big Lots cronies are more concerned with how much profit they can make off Turner Dogs and concessions at the stadium.

Instead of acquiring a much-needed ACE number 1 starter for the pitching staff, they are trying to sign a 32-year old soft-tossing ex-Iron Chef from Japan. Cheap, cheap, cheap.

Arthur Blank, please rescue Braves fans from Liberty Mutual and Frank Adolph Wren.

firefrankwren.com

By keith

December 16, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

I like football, period. AFL helps get me through the off season.

By BillDawg

December 16, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this

WTF——Big F’ing Deal!!

By Abe Diepen

December 16, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

What is with all these people with “Dawg” in their nicknames taking the time to read an article about a sport they allegedly don’t care about, and then taking the time to leave a comment telling everybody they don’t care?

Did any of you “Dawgs” even realize how many real Dawgs have played for the Georgia Force? Did y’all forget Jermaine Smith? What about Vince Dooley, did you forget he was part of the Force organization in its early days? SHAME ON ALL Y’ALL.

By John

December 16, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

I hope the NFL falls next. Maybe all these lazy people who watch all those games can actually get out of the house and do something instead of sitting around watching TV.

By Timcanes1 or Pearlizumi1

December 17, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

I really can’t believe that NFL owners could come into something good and mess it up so bad. I thought they were going to use this league as a tax write off for their NFL teams; I guess that was not good enough for them.

For all of you that don’t care or don’t like the league, what would you think if your Falcons just stopped playing? Oh, I do have a question for all of you - Can any of you tell me something personal about a Falcon player that you found out by actually talking with them at a game?

These coaches and players are not just part of the team; they were family to the AFL fans. I have numerous players phone numbers, and I know their families.

I would not be saying this was a good thing if you lost your job tomorrow so just stop. Even though it would be great if it did happen, so you might get to know what they are going though.

Forcefanatic will survive and hopefully be even stronger in 2010! Look for the Forcefanatic’s to make their presence felt at a Gwinnett Braves game.

By hatydifi pornon

December 22, 2008 11:38 PM | Link to this

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By War EAgle

December 29, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this

People-have you looked at the books? It appears that the AFL may not have been making enough money to sustain itself. It needs a big TV contract to pay the bills-the tickets are the gravy. Having inside contacts as to how sports is run, I can say with 99% confidence-if the Yankees sold out the Stadium ofr every game-it would not be enough to pay the bills. that is what the TV and Radio income is for-tickets are gravy!. Mr. Blank is a millionaire for a reason-he made SMART decisions. If the Force was going to LOSE him money, why should he invest in it further? Would you? why don’t you and a few hundred of your friends buy the Force? As for the Braves-their TV contract appears to be dwindling. Why don’t you fans do what the Packers did? Sell Shares and buy the team. Enjoy dealing with the blood thirsty agents and the “I don’t care about anything but my money, Players.”