AFL Is Finally Over and Broke

A league source told ESPN that the AFL is "suspending operations indefinitely," and an official announcement was forthcoming. Also the league will be filing for bankruptcy.

"It's just unfortunate we're in this situation," Bouchy said, according to the newspaper. "Everyone knows myself and Arizona fought hard to avoid this day. The league was divided into two groups and factions. You had one group of committed owners who contributed capital and willing to do whatever it took to bring the league back in 2010. I have been in that group the entire time. Then there was another group that just wasn't willing to make the investment. We could never get a consensus."

Tampa Bay Storm owner Jim Borghesi posted a message on his Facebook page, saying: "The AFL will be having a press conference to announce that the league will not be returning," according to the Albany Times-Union.

In December of 2008 the league announced their suspension of the 2009 season. In March the players and management agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement, and in April a business paln was put together for the owners to review.

But Columbus Destroyers managing partner Jim Renacci, who was in charge of coming up with the adjusted financial plan, told the Columbus Dispatch that despite efforts in the past six to nine months, and with the economy still in a recession, the requisite 75 percent of owners could not agree on the plan.

"When you have 22 different owners in 17 ownership groups, it's very difficult to get a supermajority on most any plan," Renacci said, according to the Dispatch.

This is really sad to hear because I really did like the AFL and it was my second NFL until the NFL season started. I hope the UFL can take the place for that void, even maybe the AFL can work everything out and probably by 2012 they will be back and business. I only wish for the best in that whole craziness.