Florida won't seek legal action if AAFL folds

Florida officials said late Wednesday night they would not try to seek legal action against the All-American Football League if the fledgling Florida franchise is unable to honor its contract to play three games at Florida Field.

The AAFL's board of directors will hold a conference call Thursday with AAFL CEO Marcus Katz to discuss the future of the league and wheter any games will be played this season. Team Florida is scheduled to begin practice in two weeks.

It became evident the league was in trouble when former Team Florida chairman Lee McGriff resigned from his position several months ago. McGriff told the Times he was concerned about the direction the league was headed in and expressed some doubt the league would survive.

Money woes seem to be the league's biggest problem. Katz, the co-founder of the Educational Loan Administration Group, is the primary financial supporter of the league, which is scheduled to pay between $7 million and $10 million for stadium leases, including about $1 million to UF for Florida Field.

Florida associate athletic director Greg McGarity said Wednesday night that because Florida has not used any of its own expenditures in relation to the AAFL, the school would not try to seek legal action for breech of contract if the league is unable to fulfill its contractual obligation based on its lease.

Katz, who cofounded the Educational Loan Administration Group in 1993, is the primary financial backer of the AAFL. He has committed between $30 million and $35 million to the AAFL, but there has been no guarantee of continued financial support beyond March 31.