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Raising the bar
Partnerships make for a remarkable 2002 AFL Season and elevates expectations for '03.

The year was highlighted by industry-changing partnerships with NBC Sports and the AFL Players Association. 2002 will be held as one of the most successful years in the history of the Arena Football League.

The events of 2002 are the result of long-range plans and position the League for long-term success and growth on the strength of a unique triad of stability between the League, its players and television network.

The 2002 AFL accomplishments:

- Innovative Network-Television Agreement with NBC : In March, the AFL and NBC Sports announced an innovative agreement to begin in February 2003 that gives incentives to both parties to help grow the League. NBC will broadcast up to 70 AFL games – the second-most games of any sports league on network TV behind only the NFL – including all playoff games and ArenaBowl XVII, and will provide extensive promotion. The structure of the agreement contains many industry-changing features: Instead of a rights fee, the AFL and NBC will split advertising revenue 50-50; NBC receives a small percentage in the increase in franchise values; and NBC has the option to renew the deal in perpetuity. For more on the agreement see the MLN story AFL on NBC?
 
- Collective Bargaining Agreement: Similar to the League’s relationship with NBC, the new CBA, announced in December, creates a true partnership with the AFLPA, headed by executive director Gene Upshaw, and gives incentives to the players to help grow the League. The players made short-term economic concessions to allow teams financial flexibility in the early years of the agreement, but receive long-term equity in the form of a share of future expansion fees and a percentage of the increase in franchise values. The agreement runs through 2010, making it the longest and most far-reaching in all of professional sports.
 
- Attendance: Despite lagging attendance figures throughout the sports world, the AFL’s average attendance increased in 2002 by 8.8-percent to nearly 10,000 per game [9,957].
 
- Colorado Crush: In June, former NFL quarterback, John Elway, Denver Broncos owner, Pat Bowlen, and Pepsi Center owner, Stan Kroenke, announce the formation of the Colorado Crush, who will begin play in 2003. The Crush hired longtime Denver Broncos scout, Bob Beers, as the head coach, selected Chicago offensive safety, Joe Douglass, with the first pick in the Dispersal Draft and signed ArenaBowl XVI MVP and San Jose free-agent, John Dutton, to start at quarterback.
 
- New Logo: Taking advantage of the unprecedented exposure the League will receive on NBC in 2003, the AFL re-branded itself following the 2002 season with an exciting new logo.
 
- AFL Properties: Without question, 2002 was the AFL’s best-ever year for sponsorships led by two first-year partners – ADT and U.S. Army. ADT sponsored the AFL’s Defensive Player of the Week and Year award while U.S. Army had a unique presence at every AFL game. The League also announced the debut of AFL Authentics, the League’s first on-field supplier program to begin in 2003, and AFL Images, the League’s first organized source for AFL footage.
 
- San Jose SaberCats: Regarded as one of the best teams in League history, the San Jose SaberCats set numerous records on their way to the ArenaBowl XVI championship. The team flirted with perfection – and set the League record for most wins to start a season with 12 – before falling to the Arizona Rattlers in Week 13. The team rebounded from their lone defeat and beat Arizona 52-14 in ArenaBowl XVI. Darren Arbet became the first African-American head coach in U.S. history to wim a pro football championship.
 
- Pacific Rim Training Camp: The AFL conducted two training camps for foreign players in response to the international demand for indoor football. The first took place in Hawaii for more than 200 Japanese, Australian, and New Zealand players and coaches. The second was conducted in Australia for more than 150 players and coaches. Some of the best players from these camps are already invited to participate in 2003 af2 training camps. International teams are being finalized for 2003.
 
About Arena Football:
 
Often recognized as one of the nation’s most affordable and fan-friendly sports leagues, the Arena Football League kicks off its 17th season and its first of NBC beginning on Sunday, February 2, 2003. NBC will provide the AFL with unprecedented exposure by televising up to 70 games, including all playoff contests and ArenaBowl XVII on June 22nd.