With The AFL Folding What Happens Next?

The Arena Football League is done. After suspending play in early August of this year the team is likely going to file Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. Where does that leave all the player, teams and coaches who are now out of jobs?

Kurt Warner, who played for the little sister league, af2, made a name for himself with the Iowa Barnstormers located in Des Moines, Iowa. While with Iowa, Warner navigated the Barnstormers to back-to-back AFL Championship games and made the All-Arena Team twice. Who is to say Warner's future Hall of Fame career ever would have gotten off the ground if it wasn't for the AFL?

Cities like, Orlando, Tampa Bay, and San Jose are without AFL teams. San Jose by the way was where wide receiver Rasheed Davis of the Chicago Bears originated from. Some may not remember but without a few clutch catches in the Divisional playoffs in 2006 the Bears wouldn't have made the Super Bowl without Davis. Here's my idea, why is the AFL not combining with the af2 and supplementing their already built franchises. Just make the league bigger and create a deep league with more talented players.

If the AFL actually does this they could run the United Football League right out of business. The AFL already has a set fan base and the football is different enough, yet similar enough to be a great alternative to the NFL. Plus with a league that's carrying more teams, and generating more exposure the af2 may actually be able to land a cable network contract and get the games aired, generating more income for the league and interest from fans. I know I'd tune in for an arena game if I knew where to tune.

The AFL which is percieved to have more talent than the af2 might cause some concerns. Bringing in a few teams from the AFL that are superior could make many long time owners in the af2 angry. Why would they want to take the risk of having a losing season due to teams from a league who clearly has issues managing a business. Well, here's where we look to the MLB for a little guidance.

Every year Major League Baseball has the Rule 5 draft. This draft which is different from the regular draft, or Rule 4 draft as it's called, is in place to keep teams from stockpiling to many young baseball prospects. Once a player is drafted in the Rule 5 draft that team has to put this player on it's 25-man roster and keep him on the 40-man  roster for the remainder of the season. The player cannot be optioned to the minors, he can only be waived by the club.

The af2 can eliminate the AFL teams superior talent by creating a similar draft. Create a draft that's 5 rounds with every player from both the AFL and af2. This will spread out the talent throughout the league and allow every team a fair shot at the "elite" talent from the AFL. If a player is drafted the only way he can avoid playing with his new team is to be traded or released from his contract with his new team. Also in this league contract lengths should be kept at no longer than 5 years. Don't allow teams to lock down a player for a career. Keep spreading the talent throughout the league to avoid a monopoly of talent (like the Yankees have done) to keep the league fresh and teams relevant by spreading the talent.

Players from the AFL have families, homes and bills to pay just like everybody else. Plus they deserve the right to showcase their talents and develop. Without combining these leagues and keeping guys out of the arenas we may miss out on the next talented young guy like Kurt Warner. Plus, if this alternative to the NFL is allowed the possibility to grow, we as fan's deserve the right to keep watching it.