Arena League Calling Off 2009 Season

The effects of the worldwide recession continue to be felt throughout sports and probably hit minor sports the hardest. The latest evidence of that: the Arena Football League is expected to call off its 2009 season. This decision, which should be made formally in a conference call of the owners sometime later this week, reflects a need for the league to obtain new capital, seek a new business model and develop a new relationship with its players.

The decision to suspend play makes the departure of longtime commissioner David Baker, who abruptly resigned right before this year's ArenaBowl more understandable. It may also explain the decision of New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson to shutter the popular and successful New Orleans VooDoo in October.

UPDATE: The league's Board of Governors held a conference call last night but did not reach a decision to suspend the 2009 season, so, at least for now, it is still on. However, the dispersal draft of the VooDoo has not been scheduled nor has the free agent signing period. If you are an Arena fan, don't get your hopes up just yet. Oh, and the af2 season, the AFL's minor league (that would be Class A, if you're scoring at home) is still scheduled to compete in 2009.