Local owners say af2 is safe

By Joe Scalzo

Although linked to the AFL, the lower-tier league runs on a very different economic model.

YOUNGSTOWN — The Arena Football League voted to cancel its 2009 season on Sunday night, but for the Mahoning Valley Thunder and the rest of the teams in the af2, it’s pretty much business as usual.

“It doesn’t really affect us too much,” said Dr. Michael Slyk, one of the Thunder’s three owners. “We’re moving forward with the af2 season.”

Although the AFL holds majority ownership in af2, the leagues are run separately, with very different economic models.

The average salary for AFL players is around $85,000, with a $30,000 minimum. Af2 players, meanwhile, make $200 per game, plus $50 per victory.

AFL teams also play in larger markets and require much larger travel budgets. An AFL team can have an annual budget as high as $10 million-15 million, while some af2 teams operate for as low as $500,000.

The recent financial downturn prompted New Orleans to shut down its AFL operations and several other teams were threatening to follow suit before Sunday’s cancellation vote.

The 16-team league has said it will resume operations in 2010, although under a different economic model. Teams will most likely cut salaries — the AFL’s players union had already agreed to reduce its salary cap to $1.4 million, from $2 million — and will try to reduce other expenses.

“It’s a completely different model than ours,” said Slyk, who had been in contact with the AFL over the past few weeks and wasn’t completely surprised by the decision. “We’re able to absorb a little more [of an economic downturn] and we have a more reasonable market for expansion.

“For us, 2009 is no different than 2005 and it’s probably no different than 2011 is going to be.”

The 2009 af2 schedule was finalized and released in early November and teams have already begun selling tickets and signing players.

Because the af2 is a developmental league — its goal is to send players to the AFL — the cancellation will likely affect the Thunder’s roster.

Some AFL players could decide to play for af2 teams in hopes that the league resumes play in 2010. But others may decide to stop playing af2 games altogether.

“One of our recruiting tools is getting players to the AFL, so for this season [since several players have already signed], it doesn’t hurt us,” Thunder coach Mike Hold said. “If this had happened [sooner], it would have hurt us.”

The AFL’s decision comes as somewhat of a surprise since the league had been on an upswing in recent years. It had a television contract with ESPN — and NBC before that — and a video game.

The 27-team af2 appears to be healthy, with expansion teams in Toledo and Worcester, Mass., set to begin play this spring.

Hold, who has played and coached in the AFL, has been involved with arena football since the AFL began in 1987. He said he believes the league will return.

“I choose to take the optimistic route rather than the pessimistic one,” he said. “I think in the long run it’s going to come back and be a much stronger league.”

He also believes many players, particularly the younger ones, will be willing to play in the af2 for a season to stay in shape.

“I think the guys who are coming to the end of their careers aren’t going to do it,” he said. “But for a lot of young guys, they can’t afford to take a year off. With sports, especially at the competitive level, if you take a year off, you’re behind.

“Some guys are going to realize they need to play so they’re still fresh and ready to go. Then, when the league comes back, they can crank it back up.”

Because the Thunder’s roster is so fluid during the season, and because Hold is always looking for the best talent available, he said he would welcome interest from AFL players.

“Absolutely,” he said. “I’ll give them $200, a hot meal and a place to put their head.”

scalzo@vindy.com