Arena Football League officials skipped a self-imposed deadline yesterday for a status update of the league’s return, but they expressed some cautious optimism about 2010.
Arena Football League officials skipped a self-imposed deadline yesterday for a status update of the league’s return, but they expressed some cautious optimism about 2010.
The league had set a date of March 1 for a general update, but it now looks like news about the future of the circuit won’t come for another few weeks. Meanwhile, the players and team owners came to an agreement about extending health insurance for players — a move many describe as encouraging.
And at least one team owner expects the AFL to return in some form in 2010, as the Orlando Predators signed coach Jay Gruden to a contract extension through 2014, with Preds president Bruce Bouchy saying he expected an announcement about the 2010 plans by March 31.
The key for the league’s return: a salary cap (which means most players will face a pay reduction) and a restructured health-insurance package.
