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Arena Football League (AFL) and American 7s Football League (A7FL) Forge Groundbreaking Partnership

In a groundbreaking move, the Arena Football League (AFL) has joined forces with the American 7s Football League® (A7FL) to cultivate the next generation of football stars and enhance talent depth across both leagues. Known for its 8-on-8 indoor tackle football, AFL will collaborate with A7FL, which operates a unique 7-on-7 format with no helmets or pads.

This strategic partnership allows athletes to transition between leagues seamlessly. For instance, AFL teams can recruit skilled players from A7FL to strengthen their rosters. The collaboration aims to foster an environment that nurtures outstanding football talent while marking a significant moment in the evolution of both leagues.

“This unprecedented partnership with A7FL enables us to leverage our collective resources to deliver a premium product on the field while also creating a new competitive model for the pro football landscape,” AFL Commissioner Lee Hutton said. “Through this collaboration, we’ll be in position to discover new talent, mold rising stars into superstars and help more players unlock their full athletic potential.”

“Partnering with the Arena Football League will provide A7FL athletes a new and valuable opportunity to continue playing football at the highest level. Building on our promise to fans and investors, we expanded the league to 34 teams and over 1200 athletes in 10 markets across the U.S. We are taking the monumental next step, in partnership with the AFL, to usher in the future of American 7s Football,” said A7FL CEO Sener Korkusuz.

As part of the partnership, AFL and A7FL will align marketing efforts to highlight player transfers, offering increased visibility for athletes transitioning between the two leagues. Joint events, coordinated marketing, and mutual sponsorship opportunities will further enhance exposure and commercial potential for both leagues.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Arena Football League (AFL) and American 7s Football League (A7FL) Forge Groundbreaking Partnership first appeared on The Source.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Arena Football League (AFL) and American 7s Football League (A7FL) Forge Groundbreaking Partnership appeared first on The Source.

The Arena Football League (AFL) has declared that it will relaunch in 2024, with intentions to formally return to the field under new management.

After purchasing the AFL’s rights in January 2022, investment firm F1 Sports & Entertainment will take over management of the league when it resumes play. Chairman Chris Chetty, President Anthony Rossi, and President of Operations Shan Singh will make up the league’s board of directors. Commissioner Lee A. Hutton III, Deputy Commissioner Travelle Gaines, President of Entertainment Tuo Clark, and Executive Vice President Curt Feldtkeller will make up the executive leadership team.

“We are elated to come out of hibernation and make this announcement official,” Rossi said. “Our objective when we acquired the AFL was to bring back a storied brand that deserved to be revived and showcased again, globally. We envisioned executing on the old saying ‘Bigger and Better,’ but this time, we want to incorporate the components of a modern-day business – streaming, betting, technology, virtual reality, and immerse fan engagement mixed with good old-fashioned iron-man football. The re-launch of the AFL first started with assembling a respected executive and advisory team. Each partner, member and business executive of today’s AFL was meticulously hand-selected piece by piece. We believe we have assembled a world-class, operational team made up of C-Suite executives, expert sports trainers, football personnel, performance facilities, legal partners, professional team owners and former athletes.”

Given that Hutton will be the first Black commissioner to lead an American professional sports league, his appointment as AFL commissioner has important historical ramifications. He worked as a lawyer who negotiated contracts on behalf of Fortune 500 corporations, athletes, celebrities, and artists. Hutton has worked on high-profile matters throughout his career, from NFL concussion litigation to NCAA NIL legal disputes.

“The Arena Football League brand has always sat at the promontory of indoor football by offering gridiron entertainment, fast action, and iron tough athletes in conjunction with delivering a family fun fan experience that uniquely engages the pig skin enthusiast,” Hutton said. “Ultimately, the professional sports brand speaks for itself and is proud to announce, ‘We are back!’”

The AFL will debut with 16 clubs and 10 regular season games before postseason play under Hutton’s direction.

“Our commitment is to deliver a professional sports event every week indoors, on the shoulder of the summer season when the world craves entertainment and competition,” Chetty said. “We aim to produce a family-friendly, yet equally electric atmosphere for our committed fans. As Chairman, my objective will be to change the culture of professional sports ownership and it is with great confidence that I state – from the owners to the players – we will be the most racially-diverse professional sports league in the world.”

“The AFL has an iconic legacy of 30-plus years and we plan to honor that history,” Gaines said. “We will bring teams to markets that previously boasted AFL franchises and engage with the rabid fanbases that supported our brand of football. The AFL also plans to provide year-round, sports performance training, rehabilitation resources and nutritional programs to ensure the modern athlete is better prepared for ironman football.”

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Arena Football League Relaunches With First Black Commissioner to Lead American Pro Sports League appeared first on The Source.