Marcum: AFL to vote on fate of season at 9 p.m.

Today's AFL board of directors meeting, during which the league is to vote again to determine whether to suspend the 2009 season, won't take place until 9 p.m., Storm coach Tim Marcum told the Times on Sunday.

"Why is this thing not Monday?" Marcum said. "There's an agenda. Something smells fishy."

Last Wednesday, the board voted to not suspend the season. But according to Marcum, 10 voted against playing and seven voted for playing. A two-thirds vote was needed to shut things down.

Marcum said that since that first vote, the Chicago franchise has switched sides and is now against playing. If the other votes hold, that would make it 11 against playing and six for, inching the number closer toward what is needed to cancel the season.

Marcum contends the Storm, Arizona, New York, Orlando and San Jose are committed to playing in 2009, and are doing all they can to make that happen. But he said he's concerned representatives from other teams are trying to convince some franchises to vote against playing.

"They've got some kind of plan," Marcum said.

Marcum said he expects Dr. Bob Nucci, who owns 51 percent of the Storm, and Woody Kern, who owns 49 percent of the team, to speak up during the meeting, which will take place via conference call.

"I think we're going to try to encourage them to at least listen," Marcum said. "Maybe we have to push (the start) back into March or even April. What's the hurry for killing it right now? Let's look at every possible angle."

Comments

[Timothy Bennett]

The AFL's path to this day of voting on its continued existence began when the Iowa Barnstormers were sold off to the city of New York (a two-time franchise loser in the AFL). The path was poured with concrete when the Firebirds raced away from Albany to Indianapolis. I believe Arena Football will survive (af2 is not suspending their season, right?) ... Let the AFL suspend operations, declare bankruptcy ... and then the five franchises that care can do a WFL/CBA and come back as a new Arena Football entity. Those five teams, and maybe 3 to 5 teams from the af2, can comprise a new league that resembles its old self.

Special thanks to Coach Tim Marcum for speaking out and keeping fans informed.

The AFL is dead, Long Live Arena Football.

[Timothy Bennett]

The AFL's path to this day of voting on its continued existence began when the Iowa Barnstormers were sold off to the city of New York (a two-time franchise loser in the AFL). The path was poured with concrete when the Firebirds raced away from Albany to Indianapolis. I believe Arena Football will survive (af2 is not suspending their season, right?) ... Let the AFL suspend operations, declare bankruptcy ... and then the five franchises that care can do a WFL/CBA and come back as a new Arena Football entity. Those five teams, and maybe 3 to 5 teams from the af2, can comprise a new league that resembles its old self.

Special thanks to Coach Tim Marcum for speaking out and keeping fans informed.

The AFL is dead, Long Live Arena Football.

[Bob Rose]

I've been an arena football fan since it started, first in Phoenix and now in Dallas. I always respected the League because it was family oriented and the average Joe 6-Pack could afford tickets. To the hardcore, losing AFL will be a sad day. But Jerry Jones is leading the herd to shut down because his new football stadium is over run in costs and he doesn't give a damn about AFL.

AF2 is alive and well with 25 teams. AFL has no effect on their operations. If I was richer, I would start an AF2 team in the Dallas area.

[Chalko]

Arena football is a joke, lets hope it's gone for good. And who would even waste their time watching AF2?!?!? Don't be lazy, find something better to do than watch lousy, boring football!

[buddy]

let's hope you lose your job. You are the joke. No one asked you to watch or post. In fact, you probably tried out and got cut by the Storm.