Richard Obert
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 8, 2008 11:55 PM


David Baker figured he'd be the Arena Football League's commissioner for a year. Twelve years later, Baker is still looking at ways to expand a league that is starting its 22nd year.

During his tenure, Baker has seen franchises go from being worth about $400,000 to $20 million (Citibank valued the Philadelphia Soul at $32.5 million 18 months ago); the league go from Ironman (all two-way players but the quarterback and an offensive and defensive specialist) to free substitution; seven NFL owners, three NHL owners and a rock icon (Jon Bon Jovi) bring in teams.

Now Baker is talking about possibly putting teams in London, Berlin, and Mexico City or Monterrey.

"I think we're built for it," Baker said. "It makes travel easier.

"Unlike 100-yard football, where it takes a 747 for each team, we travel with 26 to 27. Clear out a couple of rows of coach and we're ready to go. I think there's an opportunity."

Baker also likes the way ESPN is promoting the game. The league is in the second year of a five-year agreement to broadcast games on ESPN. Some of the telecasts are on ABC.

"I think running a sports league is a hard business," Baker said. "It's simple, but it's a lot of hard work and you have to have a lot of credibility.

"At 22 years, we've been around. I still think of us as new and emerging. We've been around three times as any other (pro football league in America) other than the NFL. That's significant. I think it's been a combination of dedicated players, guys like George LaFrance and Hunkie Cooper who have passed on the bill of rights, signing autographs (after games). It's a great product. The competition committee is making it better. I think through the years it's gotten better. I think af2 has been a valuable tool for players and coaches."


AZCentral

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he might start the AFL Europe League.

They need to get the Washington Warriors, Boston Bombers, Oakland Attack, & Austin Wranglers into the AFL.

It would be nice to see the schedule change for next year. 2 Preseasn Games, 9 Home Games, 9 Away Games

Example:

Pre-season::
New Orleans VooDoo @ Columbus Destroyers
New Orleans VooDoo Vs. Grand Rapids Rampage
New Orleans VooDoo @ Los Angeles Avengers
New Orleans VooDoo Vs. Shreveport BattleWings (AFL Vs. AF2 Game)

Season::
VooDoo Vs. Kansas City Brigade
VooDoo @ Orlando Predators
VooDoo @ Utah Blaze
VooDoo Vs. San Jose SaberCats
VooDoo Vs. Columbus Destroyers
VooDoo @ Tampa Bay Storm
VooDoo @ Georgia Force
VooDoo Vs. Orlando Predators
VooDoo Vs. Washington Warriors
VooDoo @ Cleveland Gladiators
VooDoo @ Austin Wranglers
VooDoo Vs. Georgia Force
VooDoo Vs. Tampa Bay Storm
VooDoo @ Grand Rapids Rampage
VooDoo Vs. Austin Wrangles

Then the Post Season.

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I wouldn't mind a preseason game vs the Battle Wings or any other AFL2/AFL match up.

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VooDoo's Kelly Bones wrote:

They need to get the Washington Warriors, Boston Bombers, Oakland Attack, & Austin Wranglers into the AFL.

Do you know that these are the names or cities for expansion? I know the Redskins own the rights to an AFL team in Washington, D.C. for the past few years. Austin Wranglers just moved down to AFL2 so I don't see them moving back up. However, the Louisville Fire of the AFL2 is trying to move up to AFL in the next few years.

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The Redskins owner Registered the name Washington Warrior's to a Football Franchise. Boston Bomber's name was released in a Newspaper in Boston. I have a good Friend that lives in Boston, so that's how I found out.

Okland Raiders Owner has the Rights to an AFL Team. Attack has been tossed around for years.

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Pre-season::
New Orleans VooDoo @ Columbus Destroyers
New Orleans VooDoo Vs. Grand Rapids Rampage
New Orleans VooDoo @ Los Angeles Avengers
New Orleans VooDoo Vs. Shreveport BattleWings (AFL Vs. AF2 Game)

Season::
VooDoo Vs. Kansas City Brigade
VooDoo @ Orlando Predators
VooDoo @ Utah Blaze
VooDoo Vs. San Jose SaberCats
VooDoo Vs. Columbus Destroyers
VooDoo @ Tampa Bay Storm
VooDoo @ Georgia Force
VooDoo Vs. Orlando Predators
VooDoo Vs. Washington Warriors
VooDoo @ Cleveland Gladiators
VooDoo @ Austin Wranglers
VooDoo Vs. Georgia Force
VooDoo Vs. Tampa Bay Storm
VooDoo @ Grand Rapids Rampage
VooDoo @ Philadelphia Soul
VooDoo Vs. Austin Wrangles

Post Season::
#1 Vs. #8 National Conference
#3 Vs. #7
#4 Vs. #5
#2 Vs. #6

#1 Vs. #8 American Conference
#3 Vs. #7
#4 Vs. #5
#2 Vs. #6

#1 Vs. #3 National Conference
#2 Vs. #4

#1 Vs. #3 American Conference
#2 Vs. #4

#1 Vs. #2 National Conference Championship
#2 Vs. #1 American Conference Championship

#1 Vs. #2 Arena Bowl

This Playoff System allows only 16 teams in Playoffs.

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