Arena Football League

The Arena Football League is an indoor professional football league. Established in 1987, 17 teams play 16 games each season.

The league announced plans to cancel the 2009 season due to financial difficulties. League owners met in March of 2009 to discuss the future of the franchise. Plans included working with ESPN to relaunch the league as well as possibly adding an expansion franchise to Pittsburgh.Sports Business Journal: Pittsburgh Team Part of AFL Plans

Played between late February and June, the league currently features 17 teams broken up into 2 conferences with 2 divisions each. The game itself is played on a field that 50 yards long (less than half the size of a regulation field) and is 85 feet wide, allowing it fit in most indoor arenas. Hockey dasher boards are also used for sidelines (featuring heavy padding). The goalposts and end zones are also smaller than the outdoor game.

Despite growing popularity, the Arena Football League canceled its 23rd season in 2009. The AFL will work towards creating a single-entity league and to improve its finances. The arenafootball2 league, the AFL's developmental league, will continue to operate as normal.ESPN.com: AFL reportedly to suspend operations for '09 (December 10, 2008)