Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
LA Avengers Fold, Leaving LA Without Football Once Again
The Avengers in action in April 2008 in what would be their last season. (Photo by billaday via Flickr)
Los Angeles just isn't a football city, some might say, and now that includes Arena Football as well. "The Los Angeles Avengers announced Sunday they have terminated their participation in the Arena Football League after playing nine seasons at Staples Center," reports the Press-Telegram. Of all the teams to have played professional football locally, the Avengers held on for the 3rd longest time, behind the NFL's Los Angeles Rams (1946-94) and Los Angeles Raiders (1982-94). The league itself is on shaky ground; last December they voted to cancel the 2009, which would have run from March-July, hoping to buy some time to fix how they did business. The Avengers are the second team to fold and bow out of the AFL, following the New Orleans VooDoo, who shut down last fall, according to ESPN.
Team owner Casey Wasserman remains hopeful for the fate of football in our city: "The fans in L.A. have been passionate and supportive of professional football, and I hope one day we can all share in the excitement of its return to Los Angeles," he told the LA Times.
Funny how there's an "L" and an "A" in "football" but no football in LA...
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
