With the Arena Football League getting more publicity and interest than ever before, its officials are hoping the NFL may take the next step toward a partnership with the indoor league earlier than originally anticipated. "We don't really know anything for sure, but we are getting some impressions that we might be taking a real big step together early next year," David Cooper, the Arena League's director of media relations, said.
Cooper said this might be more wishful thinking, but added that recent meetings at NFL headquarters in New York City between staffers from the two leagues "were really cordial and positive." The Arena League has also been getting some new notice from various sports publications. Sports Illustrated recently ran a major spread on the league and ESPN Magazine is expected to have one soon, Cooper said.
Cooper said the meetings centered on cross-marketing of the two leagues, improvement of Arena League television commercials, strengthening sponsorship sales and increasing the league's involvement in youth football programs. "The NFL folks were really gracious to us and made us believe they liked the notion that we belong in the same football family,'' Cooper said. Earlier this year, NFL and Arena League officials reached an agreement that will give the NFL the opportunity to buy 49.9 percent of the 13-year-old indoor league. The agreement gives the NFL an option to purchase as much as 49.9 percent of the Arena League"s equity over a three-year period. Cooper said Arena League officials hope the NFL might move to make the first purchase early next year.
"We have to keep working to keep communication open with them and make them feel comfortable with us," Cooper said. Cooper also said there have been discussions between the two leagues of holding an Arena Football League all-star game to coincide with the NFL's Pro Bowl, which is played in February in Hawaii. "There are just lots of things could happen," he said. "This is an exciting time for us, right now."
Also, league officials said they hope to announce next month that Chicago will be awarded a franchise to begin play in 2000. Chicago would likely become a member of the Central Division which includes Iowa, Grand Rapids, Milwaukee and Houston. If Chicago is approved, the league would expand to 17 teams next season with the addition of Los Angeles. Plans for expansion in 2001 appear to center on Philadelphia and New Orleans.