Cowboys Article on the league's return...

At this stage of the spring the talk would be of the Dallas
Desperados and the Arena Football League. But the AFL took a year off to fix its
financial model. Shy Anderson, who runs the Desperados, said the league will be
back in 2010. The Desperados should play downtown at the American Airlines
Center but don't rule out a possible move to the new stadium in Arlington or to
a new 8,000 to 9,000 seat arena in Allen.

The league has made some
changes in order to come back.

Some of the highlights:

1) The AFL will retain all of its teams.

2) A Chief Operating Officer will run the league instead of the
individual owners.

3) Rosters will be reduced from 24 to 20.

4)
The minimum salary will be slightly reduced as well.

5) Every player in
the league becomes a free agent starting in mid-May. Teams can begin signing
players June 1.

6) Ironman Football is back. Over the last two years,
the league got away from using two-way players. Now, because of the reduced
rosters, two-way players such as the Desperados Will Pettis will get to play
both ways again, full-time.

7) The union and the board will sign off on
the new deal today and the league should begin play in either February or March.

8) ESPN is interested in broadcasting the games again.

9)
Anderson said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was a strong influence in getting the
league to change its financial model.

I'll reply to his bullet points in order.

1. This is obviously a positive, although it may not hold true closer to the season. While we may lose a couple, we also have two more on the way - including a possible VooDoo return.

2. This is kind of socialist, but the teams simple could not survive by themselves so this may not be a bad thing.

2. This is the way things use to be, and it worked then. This will lower team salaries and put less financial strain on the franchises. If you think about it, this could save a few teams a quarter-million dollars.

3. Goes with 2, teams will save more money.

4. Why separate the free agency period's start and the signing period? Seems pointless. The great thing is that players will become free agents in almost exactly two months - that isn't too far away!

5. I remember when I was uncertain as to how we would survive without ironman football, now I am unsure how some facets of the game will survive with it. The league got some sick defensive linemen over the past few years that may not be able to protect a QB. Some GREAT corner backs and defensive players may not be able to catch a pass (this could be a problem for New York Dragons fans, some of our best defensive talent probably couldn't play offense). Other than that I am glad to have it back!

6. Looks to be on schedule at least.

7. I loved the ESPN AFL broadcasts. Just relaxing late on a Monday night and watching the AFL until my eyes couldn't stay open anymore was a great part of my week. It also made following some other teams far easier.

8. I have a hard time believing that, but if it is true then that is great news!