NBC Fails to Pick up Arena Football

[TexasTerror]

Arena Football has a mighty fine deal with Fox Sports Net and some regional sports network. Would've been nice if they kept a national deal. Without the NFL, NBC would've probably kept Arena Football. It'll be interesting to see what happens to the AFL in terms of TV contract. I do not believe this will hurt the league much, if at all...
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NBC, AFL fail to agree to contract extension on television agreement
18:19:51 EDT Jun 30, 2006

NEW YORK (AP) - The Arena Football League and NBC have failed to reach an agreement on extending their unique broadcasting agreement.

The network and the league have had a revenue-sharing deal since 2003 in which NBC paid no rights fee to televise games. The announcement of the failure to reach a contract extension came in a joint statement Friday.

"NBC has been a great partner," AFL commissioner David Baker said. "We are forever grateful to them for exhibiting our game with the utmost respect and integrity. "We wish them well, but are also excited to begin a new chapter that will continue our unprecedented growth."

The league also has a broadcast deal with OLN.

"We've enjoyed our partnership with the Arena Football League," Ken Schanzer, president of NBC Sports, said. "It's a great game with great people.

"We wish them all the best."

http://www.cbc.ca/cp/football/060630/f063052.html

[AppGuy04]

Never really watched it myself

[TexasTerror]

I went to a few games when Houston had an entry in the league. They were the Texas Terror (that's where my name comes from, it's been a name of mine for years) and then later the Houston Thunderbears...

Followed the league off and on since. I've actually noticed a lot of New Orleans Voodoo things around town here in New Orleans. Even without the Voodoo this season, New Orleans fishwrap has a column about the Arena League each week during the season. I found that interesting and hopefully, I can go to some games upon their return...

[dirtbag]

Good riddance to NBC.

I used to really enjoy the AFL when it was a summer league with almost all of its games on weekend nights on regional sports channels.

Then they moved the season to spring and set most of the TV games to Sunday afternoon and loaded them with extra commercials. I have better things to do on a Sunday afternoon than watch commercials.

Wish they'd return to the old days. I miss the Iowa Barnstormers -- coolest helmets in the history of football.

[MplsBison]

I don't like that they force guys to play both sides of the ball.

That essentially means they can only recruit defensive players.


If they allowed unlimited substitution (the way football was meant to be played), then the league might go somewhere.


I don't buy all this "Ironman" BS. And I don't think the fans five a rip about it either.

[GeauxColonels]

I went to a few games when Houston had an entry in the league. They were the Texas Terror (that's where my name comes from, it's been a name of mine for years) and then later the Houston Thunderbears...

Followed the league off and on since. I've actually noticed a lot of New Orleans Voodoo things around town here in New Orleans. Even without the Voodoo this season, New Orleans fishwrap has a column about the Arena League each week during the season. I found that interesting and hopefully, I can go to some games upon their return...
Arena games are a unique experience to watch on TV and live. I went to a VooDoo game in March 2005 (the 2nd year in existence), sat in the upper-deck of the New Orleans Arena and still had a GREAT time! It's very affordable and a great value for the amount of entertainment you get!:thumbsup:

[walliver]

The league also has a broadcast deal with OLN.

An indoor game broadcast on the Outdoor Network:confused:

I enjoy watching the AFL when I think about it, but I usually don't think about indoor football on Sundays in the Spring.

As far as going both ways, I suspect that is really a cost saving move.

[AppGuy04]

An indoor game broadcast on the Outdoor Network:confused:

I enjoy watching the AFL when I think about it, but I usually don't think about indoor football on Sundays in the Spring.

As far as going both ways, I suspect that is really a cost saving move.

Actually, OLN will be Versus very soon

[MplsBison]

Until they start recruiting true offensive linemen and letting guys stay on just offense or defense, it isn't real football to me.

[walliver]

Until they start recruiting true offensive linemen and letting guys stay on just offense or defense, it isn't real football to me.

To a lot of old timers, letting players just play offense or defense isn't real football:D

If they do add offensive linemen does that mean there will be even MORE scoring?

[ISUMatt]

Arena games are a unique experience to watch on TV and live. I went to a VooDoo game in March 2005 (the 2nd year in existence), sat in the upper-deck of the New Orleans Arena and still had a GREAT time! It's very affordable and a great value for the amount of entertainment you get!:thumbsup:

I agree, I have gone to enough Chicago Rush games and they are way more exciting then the pro stuff!!! Cost friendly and you get to keep the footballs!!!

[foghorn]

They need to put a couple of Chevies on the field to make it more realistic!:D They should call it 'football pinball'. The game flat out stinks:(

[ISUMatt]

The game flat out stinks:(

Thats why its been around over 20 years now!

[foghorn]

Thats why its been around over 20 years now!

And soccer 's been around for 1,000 years and it stinks too! :p

[GeauxColonels]

And soccer 's been around for 1,000 years and it stinks too! :p
And that's your opinion which you're entitled to. But I know the New Orleans VooDoo did very well its first two seasons with very good attendance (probably a higher attendance rate than the Hornets). The merchandise sells like crazy out here. People really got behind the team from the get-go and they love the games.