Despite reports of AFL troubles, Storm plods along

A report in today's Denver Post has this eye-catching headline: Market may sack arena football

In the story, the Post wrote that "the Arena Football League faces possible dissolution unless it secures an infusion of money by Dec. 19, according to two sources with knowledge of the league's troubles."

Chris McCloskey, senior vice president of communications for the AFL, told the paper if the AFL is unable to secure financing, "we will explore other options with our team owners."

Back at Storm headquarters in Tampa, team representatives were well aware of the Post's article and are closely monitoring the situation. But, according to Storm spokesperson Jim Robinson, nobody is panicking.

"We're preparing for the 2009 season just as we have for each of our previous seasons,” Robinson said.

The AFL has been around since 1987.

The Storm is one of the four original franchises in the league. Initially, the franchise was located in Pittsburgh. The team moved here in 1990.

Just last week, the Storm announced it had reached a two-year sales and marketing agreement with the St. Pete Times Forum that would keep the team at the arena through at least the 2010 AFL season.

The AFL's stability has become a serious issue in recent months.

David Baker resigned as commissioner after 12 years in July --  two days before the ArenaBowl championship game -- and hasn't been replaced. An Associated Press story about his resignation said "Under Baker's leadership, the AFL has become a profitable league, including part ownership by ESPN. Its attendance, TV ratings and merchandise sales all have increased this year."

Not long after Baker's departure, the New Orleans VooDoo folded somewhat unexpectedly.

A dispersal draft of VooDoo players has been postponed three times.