AFL...E?
28 Aug 07
In the course of wandering the interweb to see if there were any interesting Soul or Arena Football goings a Dutch site for AFL Europe was discovered.
Here's a few tidbits from the site:
Wednesday, 08 August 2007
Our sources tell us that during the last week AFL commisionair David Baker and NFL commisionair Roger Goodell have come to an agreement about the use of the NFL Europe team names and logo's. The AFL will be allowed to use the names of all past NFL Europe teams (Admirals, Centurions, Claymores, Dragons, Fire, Galaxy, Monarchs, Sea Devils and Thunder) and their logo's.
The other news our sources bring us is that multiple former NFL Europa coaches have been contacted about a coaching job in and AFL Europe league. And that the AFL is already talking to possible investors in both Germany and The Netherlands.
The rumor was that in 2008 there will be a total of 4 exhibition games held in Europe. It now looks like it will be a mini AFL tournament in Dusseldorf. Two AFL teams have been contacted about the possibility of this tournament, the Colorado Crush and Philadelphia Soul.
The sources were of course unnamed and no trace of similar news was found elsewhere. Though a reader did comment he'd seen something on the telly that would lend credence to an AFL Europa start up.
Other bits:
In a personal conversation with AF2 president Jerry Kurz (who is also the right hand of AFL commisionair David Baker and responsible for international development, adjustment and marketing) we got the following response to our question about the rumors of AFL comming to Europe.
1. The AFL is already planning the first exhibition games in Europe, played in Germany.
2. There is a plan to start a competition with the NFL Europe teams in 2009. There is also a plan to add these teams to the American competition.
3. The development of nationals will followed closely.
4. The AFL management visited several World Bowls and have gotten a good impression of the great support and tendency of the fan base.
5. The AFL is working hard on "AFL EUROPE" and is working on a schedule for when the project starts.
We have also hear a rumor that the AFL will open an office in Germany in the next few months. This is however has not yet been confirmed by our sources.
Furthermore it has come to out attention that Russell International will be the clothing supplier and Schutt will provide the protection. This is yet unconfirmed by official sources.
The AFL has had international players in the past. And overseas expansion has been whispered about for years. So it could be rumor, proposal, or real league planning.
Calls to Steve Smith, Director of AFL International Development, were not immediately returned.
Read more here.
