Steve Videtich voiced what hundreds of Arena Football League players had to be thinking on Monday upon hearing the news that their league won't play games in 2009.
"This isn't exactly the kind of Christmas present you want to get," said Videtich, the Utah Blaze's record-setting kicker.
Videtich and other players, coaches and AFL employees had heard the rumblings and rumors for months about the league's economic struggles. So Monday morning's official announcement following Sunday night's vote of the board of directors was not a huge shock.
Still, it hurts.
"We're disappointed that we're not going to be playing in 2009," said new Blaze head coach Ron James, who was promoted from an assistant coaching position following the 2008 season. "Every coach and every player wants to play. We've been gearing up to play. We've been working very hard this offseason as coaches to get the talent lined up and to be able to give the Blaze fans something special to cheer about. It's disappointing that we're not going to be able to show that."
The AFL's board was split last Wednesday when the majority of the league's 16 teams voted to suspend the 2009 season, but not the two-thirds majority needed. Several teams wanted to continue playing, even if it meant with fewer clubs fielding teams, rather than calling the entire season off. Sources say the Blaze, owned by local auto dealers John and Robert Garff, were with the majority that wanted to call the season off while the league restructures with the goal of playing in 2010.
By Sunday night's conference call, however, the league had their two-thirds majority and the season was suspended.
"Every owner in the AFL is strongly committed to the league, the game, and, most importantly, the fans," said acting commissioner Ed Policy in the press release announcing the suspension. "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."
Blaze president Jason Jones agrees.
"The decision (to suspend the season) is not an indictment of our franchise," Jones said. "These are issues that are impacting the entire league and it's a combination of an economic model that exists in the league that needs to be restructured and the very tumultuous economic environment that we are all in right now. It kind of created the perfect storm, if you will, that made it prudent to suspend the season for now in order to go back to the drawing board and make the changes necessary to provide a great product in the future."
The AFL has been around for 23 years, giving it the second longest run in professional football history, trailing only the NFL. The Blaze have been around only three seasons, but they have been among the league's leaders in attendance and sponsorships during that time. Still, Utah's AFL franchise was not making a profit.
With teams losing money, the league had two primary options: to try to change the economic situation on the fly while playing the 2009 season, or to suspend the season and try to work things out with the ideal to come back in the future.
"It's a disappointment because of the tremendous momentum we've built over the past four years," said Jones. "We have been in the top tier of AFL teams in terms of ticket sales and sponsorship revenues and all of the measurable metrics, but at the same time, this suspension isn't about the Utah Blaze. It's about a league and it's ability to survive. Right we need to think about the collective benefit of the league and not about what's best for us as a team. What is needed at a league level right now is for all teams to come together to figure out how to make this work."
Jones said the Blaze have about 20 to 25 full-time employees, including the coaches but not including players. Some will remain on in different capacities with the Ken Garff Automotive Group. Others will need new employers.
"We will be looking to transition employees into new opportunities, some in the Garff organization where they can contribute for the time period necessary before we begin to ramp back up," said Jones.
James, the Blaze coach, expects his assistants to go looking for other coaching opportunities despite the fact that the league says it is committed to returning to the field, likely in 2010.
"When the rug's pulled out from underneath you, there is not much you can do," said James.
The Blaze coach had talked to many of his players about the suspension by mid-day Monday.
"There is a range of emotions for the players from being sad to being angry about the situation," said James. "My phone has been ringing non-stop from about 6 o'clock this morning with players. But we all knew there is an inherent risk in our jobs since our contracts are not guaranteed."
Columbus Destroyers co-owner and vice chairman of the AFL Executive Committee Jim Renacci will spearhead the restructuring process..
Videtich, Utah's representative to the players' association, said the players recently voted to reduce the salary cap from $2 million per team to $1.4 million in hopes of playing this season. It obviously was too little, too late.
It all makes James sad, especially in light of how much money is made by other athletes and owners in other leagues.
"It's hard when you see the Yankees give a $161 million offer to one player when you know that much money could save our entire league," said James.
Jones wanted to stress that Monday's announcement does not mean it's the end of the Utah Blaze as a franchise. He expects both the AFL and the Blaze to be back.
"We believe that we are a model AFL franchise and that we have a lot to share and input to give to others that would be beneficial," said Jones. "We will play a significant role in helping the league establish an economic model that can be successful."
The Blaze will give full refunds to anyone who has put money down or paid for 2009 tickets. Current season ticket holders will also retain their rights to purchase their same seats if the AFL returns, as expected.
E-mail: lojo@desnews.com