More Arena Football is Coming and It Will Probably Fail

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Күн бұрын

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The latest incarnation of the Arena Football League has been a dumpster fire. It’s been pretty well covered at this point, so there is no need to go over it again, but I think the takeaway for most people is something along the lines of: We’re good on new arena football leagues for the time being.
The Indoor Football League does a very good job of keeping the sport alive. The NAL is trying to make it work in different markets. But outside of the top level of indoor/arena football, American Indoor Football is doing its best AFL impression.
After seven years of being defunct, someone thought it was a good idea to restart the AIF, and, well, it has been a disaster. It lost teams before the season began, lost teams in a season, had to undergo an in-season schedule restructuring, and has basically been playing games in front of no one.
Despite all this, for some reason, another arena football league will be launching in 2024. The Arena League, or stylized as The AL, kicks off in June with four teams spanning from Minnesota down to Arkansas. A further two more expansion sides scheduled to join in 2025, if the league gets to that point in time.
The AL is led by Hall of Fame wide receiver Tim Brown, whose track record in business is spotty, to say the least. Between that and what the league is planning to do, this entire thing screams failure waiting to happen.
Let’s start with the latter. The AL's tagline is pushing the boundaries of football, and they carry on and on about being different and opportunities. It is just soulless marketing speak that is code for cutting corners. The AL will be six-on-six play with 15-man rosters. There is no kicking because the league doesn’t want to pay kickers.
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@razormc954 4 ай бұрын

The issue with Arena Football is the leagues almost never had organizational stability, with teams moving, folding, or changing names every year

@davesecx 4 ай бұрын

There is just no money to made with arena football. And that sucks, cause I really like the sport. But too many leagues have failed and no one trusts these leagues.

@razormc954 4 ай бұрын

@@davesecx I mean again, nobody in many cities can trust that they'll even still have a team by the next ssason. Why get invested in a team that will just move in 3 years

@tex5999 3 ай бұрын

Indoor Football League is the only stable legit professional Arena league for sure.

@CaptRR 4 ай бұрын

The IFL seems to be doing well. They seem to be concentrating on smaller community's where they are the main draw this time of year. They aren't trying to set the world on fire, or have delusions of grandor. If their are going to be more indoor football teams I would like to see some sort of relegation. With a rule that a new team has to work their way up and is required to stay in their league for a certain amount of time.

@farhanatashiga3721 4 ай бұрын

So basically what the rest of the world have been screaming at America for when it comes to soccer

@bluesfaninc3001 4 ай бұрын

They should Merge league up.

@Erlov71 4 ай бұрын

Im all in with the IFL.

@Lucky2000Zx 4 ай бұрын

This is why IFL is the GOAT

@VinnieBoombatz374 4 ай бұрын

They took the long hard road to success. Good for them. In reality, the old AF2 probably had the best business model. So good, in fact, that it was too successful for its own good and got too ambitious and tried to save the original AFL.

@jaywashington2196 4 ай бұрын

At this point, the only leagues that’ll stand after all of this is the IFL (for indoor football) and the NAL (for arena football)

@moose7454 3 ай бұрын

Arena football in its traditional form is a GREAT game…it’s great that the IFL is still carrying the torch amongst the other garbage leagues

@williamwalters1703 4 ай бұрын

I play quarterback for the Duluth HarborMonsters of the Arena League. Placed on IR after I ruptured my Achilles. But I’ll be out there on crutches. Hope the league makes it; would love to be out there. Love that they are starting small with 4 teams and not over stretching themselves like the AFL did with 16.

@anthonyemerson2965 4 ай бұрын

Tim Brown is a Hall of Fame wide receiver, but judging by his business exploits, he looks like an all time great scammer.

@janetracer 4 ай бұрын

I think much of the mania of starting football leagues (XFL, USFL, all indoor) is being fueled by the expansion of sports betting in the USA. Football generates the most betting action by far of any sport. Any football league that can gain a stable foothold can greatly profit during the NFL and College off season. Of course you need to establish a foothold first and in their panic to beat the challengers all these leagues are not doing their due diligence before putting a product on the field.

@nicestoriesnottherealstori3006 4 ай бұрын

Yeah, though I don't think the third version of the AFL really had betting.

@janetracer 4 ай бұрын

@@nicestoriesnottherealstori3006 Your correct but that's just cause it didn't come close to being established. My point is once one of these leagues can get going betting will happen. Then ad revenue from betting sites which cause more interest then more betting and so on. The pot of gold is out there but no league (so far) can even take the first step towards it.

@RavenStorm332 3 ай бұрын

a football league doesn't even have to be on during the off seasons of the NFL and College they just have capture an audience that will support them regardless if the NFL or college football or other sports are on

@salesoperatives7179 4 ай бұрын

I have worked in professional sports for almost 30 years. And was the president of 3 arena football teams. I was briefly involved with the arena league, and I can tell you the overall business model for this league is a good one and gives them a better opportunity to succeed than most of the AFL clubs. The financial backing seemed good and owners understand the commitment. I don't know if it's going to work but I can tell you when I was involved, i felt good about the direction and the people (not Brown) that are involved.

@TheSonicsean 4 ай бұрын

I consider myself pretty clued into minor league football. I've been following the AFL 3 since it was announced, I went to a few XFL games last year and watch all the UFL ones. This video today is the first I've heard of this Arena League, which starts play in a month. That's awful.

@ChloeHotline 4 ай бұрын

As much as I love indoor/arena ball they need to find a new time of year to play. Spring Football is crowded (IFL, UFL, NAL) why not start in early February and have the season end in May/June?

@austinashby3749 4 ай бұрын

I've been enjoying the IFL and the nal makes me feel better about the crowds we pull with our AIF team the Venom. I worked 4 games this season and one of their opponents is already in a different league. They're fun games overall just lots of "find me a ref " when I'm running a camera because it's a laundry service

@creepofreek4853 3 ай бұрын

I watched an Arena League game and I was impressed. I liked the different rules and style of play. I think this Sport has tremendous potential. 6 on 6 Football on a 50 Yard field makes more sense the 8 on 8 .

@creepofreek4853 2 ай бұрын

I think this league has tremendous potential. It’s different from other brands of football.

@NashvilleBeerShark 4 ай бұрын

We don't need more arena leagues. We just need one arena league. Like the NFL!

@BoneyardBrigade21 4 ай бұрын

Basically we have that in the IFL…everyone else is kinda chasing their tails.

@NashvilleBeerShark 4 ай бұрын

@@BoneyardBrigade21 That's for sure.

@Z64sports 4 ай бұрын

@@BoneyardBrigade21AFL has a better rule set. Unfortunately it doesn't have much else

@robertmiller2104 4 ай бұрын

If did AFL right this time be no need for more leagues

@generalshadow9027 2 ай бұрын

The IFL has been around for years! Go Steamwheelers!!!

@jakepophal985 4 ай бұрын

The AFL was awesome in the 2000s

@SizzurpFoo Ай бұрын

They need to get some celebrities to promote these leagues

@EricMoranFilms 4 ай бұрын

We do not need another league

@Chicagoathletics 4 ай бұрын

It sucks that they can’t make it work. I absolutely loved the Chicago Rush and miss it.

@Matthew6248 4 ай бұрын

The 2024 version of the AFL is the Heaven's Gate (1980 movie that destroyed United Artists) of indoor football leagues, BTW, Dances With Wolves and later Waterworld were both called "Kevin's Gate" in reference to Heaven's Gate but DTW suceeded while Waterworld tanked hard

@purplesprigs 4 ай бұрын

Arena football might be the only sport more painful to watch than the WNBA. Jai Alai, streaming on beIN sports xtra, is far more exciting. RIP.

@erich84502ify 4 ай бұрын

There have been MANY indoor football teams and they fold and they collapse 3 weeks into the season

@BBallRambling 4 ай бұрын

I wish all the profitable parts of indoor football would just come together and have one competent league.

@tonyoneil2952 3 ай бұрын

Ok folks I get you need to sale subs, however the TAL has been marketing for two years the reason why it’s faster pace is because the linemen are eligible like a 6 vs 6 flag game……..perhaps give it a chance let’s see what shakes

@matthewwelsh294 4 ай бұрын

Do a video on a Wheeling Miners. For an AAL 2 team, they should be in a bigger league. They have a nice arena and look great on tape!!

@robfreedman6496 4 ай бұрын

I miss the Fan Controlled Football League and cheering on the Board Ape!

@thetouchback 4 ай бұрын

I remember the FCF said it was coming back this summer but then nothing else ever materialized.

@robertmiller2104 3 ай бұрын

Ever girls couldnt save AFL was a power house back in day

@bigboysports0001 4 ай бұрын

1. Guys like Benizio or J.R. Bond have been in this sport for awhile tho so it's not like Tim Brown doesn't have experience behind him 2. The no kickers thing isn't exactly new (FCF)...so what if the rules are very different?

@thetouchback 4 ай бұрын

Is it a coincidence that the IFL started to take off after Benizio went over to the CIF? Seriously, Benizio has been in the sport for close to two decades and he has nothing to show for it. He's basically the last person anyone should be listening to.

@Olerich85 4 ай бұрын

IFL had problems when they started also. Also Tim was running the North Texas Bulls awhile back also, so I’m pretty sure he’s seen the game. Also he’s just the commissioner, he’s not running the league. Good job on you research!

@Pinegrapple 4 ай бұрын

I feel like all of these people behind these leagues have no idea that we already have the IFL and NAL. They really believe that they're filling a hole that, in reality, doesn't exist

@erich84502a 4 ай бұрын

Arena football is not like the old league

@shadowcrusader1158 4 ай бұрын

The fact this league doesn’t have any kickers, makes it hard for me to call it a football league.

@GlennAndrews-dw1cx 4 ай бұрын

I have never been to a game but I actually like arena football. The issue is that just not many do. If people did, they would come. It doesn’t matter if Arena Football 3.0 is ran badly, that ship would be righted if people came, and if people came, the broadcasters will broadcast the games. People don’t come because they don’t want to see football out of season or non NFL or major college teams. They don’t want to see has been players. Simple as that. People aren’t going to UFL games. People don’t want to see teams out of season with players not good enough to be NFL!

@tonywittenback8836 4 ай бұрын

Tim Brown and his business partner Tom ran a arena football team to the ground (Texas Revolution). Bad Business practices and didn't pay the arena there money.

@Arenafootball3_AF3 3 ай бұрын

Midwest Arena Football League is new aswell

@jackodonohue8523 4 ай бұрын

You should do an another video talking about the announcement of the NFL eyeing Melbourne MCG game for 2025-2026 !!!!

@thetouchback 4 ай бұрын

Working on it as we speak!

@jonshecket3010 4 ай бұрын

I thought the reason it failed last time was because the rebooted league became liable for money owed in arears by the previous incarnation to some insurance company.

@mrgrovesempire 3 ай бұрын

This take didn't age well! 😂 The Arena League is really fun to watch and play. It's really is push the boundary of what football is.

@thetouchback 3 ай бұрын

A helpful tip, if you don't want to give away the fact your affiliated with something, don't leave a comment parroting that thing's marketing speak. The only individuals using the phrase "push the boundary of what football is" are ones working for the AL.

@mrgrovesempire 3 ай бұрын

@thetouchback I'm a coach for the Kansas City Goats....what's your point!? If you look at the fans' thoughts, everybody has had so much fun at the games. 6-man football in Texas is very popular. People just like it better. You are the type to just tear down and want to see the world burn. There are good things that come into existence even when it doesn't exist all ready. In short...your a "hater"

@thetouchback 3 ай бұрын

@@mrgrovesempire Bingo! Of course, you are going to say it's great because you work for them. Just like all those people who said the new AFL was great...until it wasn't. By the way, hater is nothing but a crutch term used by people unwilling to accept criticism. If you don't know, now you know: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKTPdH2Ll82om5Y

@mrgrovesempire 3 ай бұрын

@thetouchback Another night of fans saying it's the most exciting and entertaining football they have watched. 🤣... you looking more and more wrong every week.

@thetouchback 3 ай бұрын

@@mrgrovesempire Fans? You know people can watch the live streams. Maybe about 95 folks in Duluth tonight. And roughly 115 more in KC. But hey, those folded-up bleachers surrounding the playing surface sure look good. You should go back and watch the video because you will find a lot of folks along the wall not particularly interested in what's happening.

@ckywizard 4 ай бұрын

The AIF is a joke. I use to play for the Stockton wolves and it was a dumpster fire

@lonelychameleon3595 4 ай бұрын

The IFL and NAL should consider a merger to bring some much needed stability to the arena football landscape. The AFL died and all were seeing now is a bloated corpse empty its bladder.

@madc2004 4 ай бұрын

Most NAL teams don't meet IFL requirements

@DJ_Suckafree 4 ай бұрын

most NAL teams are garbage

@matthewwelsh294 4 ай бұрын

Love to see how well Jeff Fisher does first. He is much better than Hutton

@Joe_the_Mole 4 ай бұрын

The AL is coming to my city, I was excited but now hearing this it's unfortunate.

@mrgrovesempire 3 ай бұрын

It's really fun... Don't let this guy make you mind up for you.

@RavenStorm332 3 ай бұрын

you could still go to a game and see it in action and support the league and team so it doesn't fail

@Joe_the_Mole 3 ай бұрын

@@RavenStorm332 I'll try, but I don't think I would make a huge difference, I wouldn't be buying the premium tickets. The premise is interesting though.

@RavenStorm332 3 ай бұрын

@@Joe_the_Mole I say go and if it's not good then don't go again but if it is try an convince others to go and if they like they'll convince others to go and so on and so forth

@Joe_the_Mole 3 ай бұрын

@@RavenStorm332 I'm sure it'll be interesting and good, but the financial aspect is the worry. Still cool though.

@jayanxiety 4 ай бұрын

No kickers? No kickers in a FOOTball league???

@davidfox9947 4 ай бұрын

Football means you play on your feet it does not mean you have to kick.

@sting6ph 4 ай бұрын

IFL is entertaining AF...NAL is actually watchable...AFL could also be fun but the management is just aweful

@matthewwelsh294 4 ай бұрын

The AFL has Jeff Fisher now and Hutton is done

@studentathlete7751 4 ай бұрын

The Arena League will fail. There will be no goalposts or kicking which means no field goals or extra points which is a big part of football 🏈. There will be no offensive huddles allowed, the quarterback will not be allowed to run the football 🏈 past the line of scrimmage, and kickoffs will be replaced by quarterback throwoffs. The Arena League will fail miserably.