Les médias n'ont plus aucun respect pour l'AFL

AFL BOSS: LEAGUE GETS NO RESPECT

By RICHARD WILNER

 

BON JOVI
AFL team owner.

March 4, 2007 -- The Arena Football League is given short shrift by the media - which are fixated on more established sports leagues, the commissioner of the indoor league told The Post.

David Baker, entering his 11th season as head of the 21-year-old league, said he was "frustrated" that USA Today and other national media outlets have not given the league its due.

"[The AFL] is the fastest-growing sports league out there," Baker told The Post, with a presence in nearly 60 cities, increasing attendance and national TV exposure. "It's frustrating for a lot of people."

The AFL kicks off its season tonight, the first under a five-year deal with ESPN, which obtained a 10 percent stake in the 19-team league as part of the deal.

Jon Bon Jovi, the Jersey rocker and co-owner of the Philly Soul, a 2004 expansion team, is one example of the AFL's success. He bought the team for less than $18 million; Citigroup recently valued it at $32.5 million.

"We're real proud how we have grown," said Baker, who expects to announce the first international AFL franchise, probably in Europe, in the next two to four years. It may be the first U.S. sports league to do so.

Let the mainstream media try to ignore him then.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/03042007/business/afl_boss__league_gets_no_respect_business_richard_wilner.htm

Résumé

David Baker qui entre dans sa 11ème année comme propriétaire de l'AFL a dit lors de cette 21ème édition être "frustré" par l'attitude des médias nationaux comme le USA Today qui ne porteraient pas assez d'intérêt à l'AFL alors que paradoxalement cet évènement est de plus en plus attendu par des millions de télespectateurs.

Jon Bon Jovi, le rocker du New Jersey et le co-propriétaire de l'Equipe des Philly Soul (équipe de foot de Philadelphie) est un example de ce succès qu'a connu l'AFL. Il a sauvé cette équipe qui a commencé à progresser dès 2004 lorqu'il l'a racheté à moins de 18 millions de dollars. Elle en vaut aujourd'hui plus de 32,5 millions !