World Footy News

That’s not the headline that Aussie rules fans want to see. Fortunately for them the AFL in this case it is the Arena Football League in the US, the little brother of the NFL. The league there has decided to suspend the season in light of the financial difficulties being faced across the US. As for the USAFL, teams such as Orange County, San Diego and Denver have been known to have games as curtain raisers (or half time entertainment) for Arena football matches with the aim to take Aussie rules to a new audience, so that is off the cards for 09. But it's also likely that we may see the effects of the financial crisis impact USAFL clubs as well. Struggling clubs may lose players that can no longer afford the often high travel costs to play the game that sees competing cities separated by large distances, and club sponsors will be harder to find or maintain as every dollar spent is closely scrutinized. Alternately there could be positives come from the situation. More Metro footy that avoids the large travel cost could be played. The relatively cheap sport of Australian rules football could be seen as a great alternative to many other sports such as Gridiron and Ice Hockey which have high equipment and participation costs. Of course some of those AFL Arena Footballers may just need some high intensity physical activity in their year off and be encouraged to come out for a run Aussie rules style (not to mention their fans and those arenas that now will be empty). Whether the USAFL is able to capitalize on any of this remains to be seen, as previously mentioned they will have their own struggle like everyone else.

The Australian Football League may be hit in a number of ways (like the possible cancellation of the Cape Town match), but hopefully never to the point their US namesake will suffer next year.