In the Huddle with JD

By Jason Dixon

What’s next for the AFL…

The league has its relaunch season in the books. I think everyone agrees that it was an almost impossible feat that the AFL accomplished by getting a product back on the field for the 2010 season. For that alone, the commissioner and the league’s owners, coaches and players deserve praise.

Now it is time to analyze what needs to be improved on, and where the league is going moving forward. The AFL owners are meeting in Arizona presently to do just that.

I think we have learned that there were a few small markets in the league that will not be viable long term. We know now that the Alabama Vipers will be headed to Atlanta to become the Georgia Force. There are rumored relocations for a couple of other small market teams, Bossier-Shreveport to New Orleans and Oklahoma City to Seattle. It remains to be seen if those rumors come to fruition. That leaves Spokane, Tulsa and Milwaukee from the former af2 markets. I think Spokane is going to be around for awhile. They are destined to be the Grand Rapids of AFL 2.0. Milwaukee is a good market, that team just needs solid ownership. Tulsa’s long term viability is still a question mark. It had its best year at the turnstile in 2010. I am just not sure if that franchise can remain there beyond the 2011 season.

One of the glaring on field deficiencies in 2010 was the use of “home town officials.” The cost saving system in which one officiating crew was assigned to officiate all of a team’s home games. Dallas Vigilantes owner Woody Kern told me on the Tim Marcum Show this week that the league is abandoning this policy and will move towards a system in which crews will cover games regionally. For example there may be three crews in Florida that rotate between Tampa Bay, Orlando and Jacksonville games.

Kern mentioned that the league will look at some different proposals for player compensation. Right now, three “marketing players” are making $1,000 per game, while the other players make $400 per game. Player compensation will probably not increase dramatically next season, but the league is looking at some options that will allow teams some flexibility in how they dole out the money allowed for salary. He also mentioned a proposal for a tiered system that would see some players make $1,000, some would make $700, some would make $500, etc.

The league should receive a boost from the returning and expansion teams joining in 2011. The San Jose Sabrecats, Kansas City Brigade and Philadelphia Soul will all be returning to the league next season. The Pittsburgh Power will join as an expansion team. The steel city has not had Arena Football since the Pittsburgh Gladiators left town to become the Tampa Bay Storm.

There should also be the announcement that ArenaBowl XXIV will be held in Orlando. I mentioned in this space earlier this week that I believe that a predetermined site for the game is probably the best way to go.

No matter what happens with all of the stuff mentioned above, the AFL’s continued growth is good news for the fans. I think the AFL’s return last season was a success and things will be even better next year.

Thank yous…

I am wrapping up my 12^th full season as one of the radio announcers for the most storied franchise in AFL history. There is the possibility that I have called my last Storm game. There are a few career opportunities on the horizon that might send me to some outposts that might make it a little difficult to get to the Forum on Saturday nights. Hopefully things will work out and I will be back in the booth next year, but just in case, there are a few people that I wanted to thank.

We will start with Coach Marcum. I consider the coach a friend and a mentor. The first time that I was behind the mic for a Storm game was 1997. The Storm were headed to Phoenix to take on the Rattlers. I was filling in for Rock Riley who’s wife was having a baby. I buried myself in the rule book to brush up on the nuances of the game. I read both team’s media guides. I was ready for this game baby. I forgot one small thing. To talk to the head ball coach. I heard through the grapevine that coach was not happy. How could I announce as Storm game without talking to the head coach? Rocko needed to spend another week on maternity leave. I was called to duty again. This time the coach could not get rid of me. I was at every practice and asked every question. In the process I learned to love the game. Coach took me under his wing and allowed me tremendous access. Our dinners the night before road games, some of the “only in Arena Ball” moments, enjoying the victories, and drowning our sorrows after losses where all under the category of what coach called “building memories through Arena Football.” Thanks Coach.

My partner Jack is not only an icon in Tampa Bay, but I am proud to call him one of my best friends. We are the Harry Caray and Steve Stone of the Arena Football League, and I say that will the utmost reverence for Jack. Jack’s presence on the Storm broadcast immediately brings the team, the league and the sport instant credibility. We are a bit of an odd couple off the air. Sometimes our wives just shake their collective heads at how well we get along. Our adventures on the road have provided me with a lifetime of stories.

I understand all of this may not be great reading for you, I’ll try to keep the rest short.

Dave Ewart...One of the best personnel guys in the game. A good guy and good friend. Someone who has poured his soul into the Arena Football League. I love watching the good cop/bad cop dynamic with Dave and Marcum.

The rest of the folks in the Storm office. Michelle Anderson, my friend and fellow New Orleans tippler. Our equipment manager Juan Valdez, a good guy and friend. He has the toughest job in the building and always got it done with a smile. A big plus, he never forgot to bring the radio gear on the road. Chrissy Deeb, who had the most important job in the place, making sure the food and drink was ready when needed, and she never disappointed. The new guys Evan Vladem and Monte Bussey, each hard workers with great careers ahead of them. The players, coach Marcum has said it over and over again. This is the best group of guys that we have ever had, and the coach is rarely wrong. We had a locker room full of professionals with high character. They were good guys off the field and skilled gladiators on it. Of course I have to throw in the cover my butt, “Thank you to anyone else that I may have forgotten.”

When the Arena Football League relaunched, I had a bit of a rude awakening. As part of the economic cutbacks, most of the league had determined that a full time public relations person was a luxury. The person who’s job it was to supply me with information for my broadcasts was now also selling tickets, doing game operations, or even wearing the mascot costume. That meant the quality of information was…um…Well lets just say it the league has some room to grow in this area. The Tampa Bay Storm was the exception. Jim Robinson was the guy who set the bar for what the rest of the league should strive for. Jim is the best PR guy in the league. He made my job easier and hopefully made the broadcast more entertaining to the listeners. This guy worked his [tail] off all season long and for that I am extremely grateful.

Thanks to the Storm ownership. Thanks to Bill Wickett, Sean Henry and Matt Sammon at the Forum. Those guys have allowed me to actually get paid for doing something I love through the years. Thanks to the best engineer on the planet Ralph Beaver and his apprentice Molly Donsky.

Most of all thanks to the fans. I never cease to be amazed by the passion of Storm fans. The way you all turned out at the Forum after the year off was something to behold. I love talking with you before and after the games. I love answering the e-mails and the questions at the coach’s show. You guys are what it is all about. We do what we do for you, and without you we would not be able to do what we love. Thanks.

Again…My apologies for any mushiness. Normally that is not my style. If logistics can be worked out and the folks with the Storm and Forum will have me, I would love to be back next year. But just in case, it was important to me to make sure the people that I have worked with know the respect that I have for them.

This column will be the last regular one for the 2010 season. Thanks for taking the time read what I had to say. I will check in throughout the off season when events warrant. Also don’t forget to become a fan of the Storm’s Face Book page where you may see some musings from me during the off season.