 | |
| Sport | Arena football |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1999 |
| Founder | Arena Football League |
| First season | 2000 |
| Ceased | 2009 |
| CEO | Jerry Kurz |
| No. of teams | 25 |
| Country | United States |
| Last champion(s) | Spokane Shock |
| Most titles | (tie) Quad City Steamwheelers, Tulsa Talons & Spokane Shock (2) |
The AF2 (often styled as af2, and short for arenafootball2) was the Arena Football League's developmental league; it was founded in 1999 and played its first season in 2000. Like its parent AFL, the AF2 played using the same arena football rules and style of play. League seasons ran from April through July with the postseason and ArenaCup championship in August. The AF2 continued to operate while the AFL suspended operations for its 2009 season. The league was effectively disbanded in September 2009 when no team committed to playing in 2010, but several of the stronger franchises transferred into the reconstituted AFL.[1]
Like most other minor sports leagues, the AF2 existed to develop football players and also to help players adapt to the style and pace of arena football. In addition, the AF2 was similar to other minor leagues because AF2 teams played in smaller cities and smaller venues. While the AFL was played in cities like Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Dallas, and Chicago, the AF2 fielded teams in cities which are part of metropolitan statistical areas ranging in size from Milwaukee (with 1,739,497 residents) to Albany, Georgia (with 164,000 residents). Also in common with other minor professional sports leagues, players also earned less than in the AFL, with each player making $200-$500 per game, with a minimum $50 victory bonus.[2][3][4][5]
- ^ Johnson, Dan (September 9, 2009). "Barnstormers hope to land in top tier of redefined league". Des Moines Register. Retrieved September 29, 2009. [permanent dead link]
- ^ Silver, Steve (2009-08-22). "They play arena football for love, not money". Las Vegas Sun.
- ^ Eminian, Dave (2008-12-16). "AFL closure won't affect Pirates, af2". Journal Star. Archived from the original on 2021-07-17.
- ^ "ArenaFan Originals — Interview with Head Coach Adam Shackleford". ArenaFan.com. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ "Arena lands off-the-wall bathroom". 2001-07-25.[permanent dead link]