For a successful season, the AFL will have to strike up more interest than in 2010, however. Last season, the league averaged 8,145 fans across the league. But with teams such as Alabama, Bossier-Shreveport and Oklahoma City no longer in the league, the average could easily increase. Those three teams averaged less than 5,500 fans per contest last season.
As stated earlier, a number of teams returned to the league this season, including Kansas City, who will now be known as the Command, rather than Brigade.
The one glaring change for 2011 is the implementation of an 18-game regular season. The AFL is testing the idea of 18 games, as the league has never had a formal preseason.
Players will still be paid $400 per game with three marketing players earning $1,000 each for each game. Perhaps with a larger league, the owners and league will increase the pay scale in the near future.
Preseason talks are going on around the league, and with training camp aproaching, fans have started discussing who the top teams will be.
Many feel Orlando has vastly improved, and with the way the Preds played toward the end of last season, who can blame them? With the addition of Bobby Sippio, the Preds will make a strong run at another title. Of course anytime Spokane puts a team on the field, they can't be overlooked. The Shock have been playing Arena Football for four years and have been to three title games, winning two including last season's Arena Bowl.
The teams have set camp rosters, but nothing is ever a done deal in the AFL. Anything can happen, and it only takes one bounce off the net.
Sources: http://www.arenafan.com/, http://www.aflfanzone.com/
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