The league was originally suspended just for the 2009 season and intended on returning in 2010, but the AFL has now suspended operations indefinitely.

"It is very unfortunate that the tremendously loyal and enthusiastic SaberCats fans will not be able to see their team on the field as a member of the AFL in 2010," said team vice president Hank Stern. "We deeply regret this turn of events and wish to thank our fans for their passionate support, and we apologize that they are being disappointed due to this decision by the league." The release says that "there remained an impasse in getting the required 75 percent of the franchises to commit to the 2010 season." The SaberCats won the ArenaBowl three times since joining the league in 1995 and were the runner-up in the final ArenaBowl in 2008

Brett Bouchy, majority owner of the Arizona Rattlers, told the Orlando Sentinel that the league expects to declare bankruptcy, going into Chapter 7 liquidation.

Columbus Destroyers majority partner Jim Renacci told the Columbus Dispatch that owners were unable to reach a consensus on a plan to revive the league. The newspaper says a 75 percent majority among the league's 17 remaining franchises was required to pass any proposal and that a formal announcement is expected within the next day.

In a statement on the team's website, the Avengers announced their decision to fold.

"The entire Avengers organization extends heartfelt thanks to the fans who cheered on their team, it was their faithful support that kept the Avengers vibrant and energized for nearly a decade," the statement read.

"Every owner in the AFL is strongly committed to the league, the game, and, most importantly, the fans," said acting commissioner Ed Policy.

"Owners, however, recognize that, especially in light of the current unprecedented economic climate, the AFL, as a business enterprise, needs to be restructured if it is to continue to provide its unique brand of this affordable, fan- friendly sport." The board made the move to cancel the season, which is subject to the agreement of the players' association, in a conference call on Sunday.

Earlier Wednesday, the Rocky Mountain News reported the league would announce this week that play would be suspended for the 2009 season. A release Wednesday evening stated otherwise.

The league said that the board "will continue to meet regularly to examine any and all long-term structural improvement options for the AFL." The league has faced trouble in the offseason as longtime commissioner David Baker resigned in July and no replacement has been named.

The Rocky Mountain News reported the story on its website earlier Wednesday.

The league has faced trouble in the offseason as longtime commissioner David Baker resigned in July and no replacement has been named.

D'Orazio also added a rushing touchdown in the Soul's first title-game appearance.

Larry Brackins contributed six receptions for 70 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Eddie Moten posted a game-altering interception in the second quarter.

D'Orazio also added a rushing touchdown in the Soul's first title-game appearance.

Larry Brackins contributed six receptions for 70 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Eddie Moten posted a game-altering interception in the second quarter.

New York, NY (Sports Network) - The Mitsubishi Motors Drive to Virgin Mobile ArenaBowl XXII New Orleans makes its final stop in the Crescent City as the National Conference Champion Philadelphia Soul (13-3, 2-0) host the American Conference Champion San Jose SaberCats (11-5, 2-0) on Sunday, July 27 at 3 p.m. ET (ESPN on ABC HD, ESPN360.com, SIRIUS Radio - Channel 127).

The defending ArenaBowl XXI Champion SaberCats are making their second consecutive ArenaBowl appearance, and fourth in seven seasons, after defeating the #6 Grand Rapids Rampage (8-11), 81-55, at HP Pavilion in the American Conference Championship game two weeks ago.

OFFENSIVE: D'Orazio (6-4, 230, Otterbein) completed 17-of-25 passes for 184 yards and eight touchdowns as the Philadelphia Soul (15-3) defeated the Cleveland Gladiators (11-8), 70-35, on Saturday in the National Conference Championship game. D'Orazio led Philadelphia's offense on scoring drives on 10 of the team's 11 possessions while compiling a passer rating of 129.0. The Soul will make its first-ever ArenaBowl appearance when it faces the San Jose SaberCats (13-5) in Virgin Mobile ArenaBowl XXII on Sunday, July 27 at 3 p.m. ET (ABC HD).

ADT DEFENSIVE: Smith (5-9, 186, San Jose St.) registered four-and-a-half tackles, a Conference Championship Round-high t

"Pat brings a winning tradition to Columbus along with 14 years of experience as a player and a coach in the Arena Football League," said general manager Jim Renacci.

The 41-year-old Sperduto coached the Nashville Kats to back-to-back ArenaBowl appearances in 2000 and 2001, while posting a regular season record of 48-41-1 in six seasons.

The Soul (15-3) beat Cleveland, 70-35, in the National Conference Championship Game, while the Sabercats (13-5) defeated Grand Rapids, 81-55, in the American Conference title contest.

The Sabercats, the defending Arena Bowl champions, are making their fourth appearance in the league title game in seven years. They are attempting to become the first team to win back-to-back ArenaBowl titles since the Tampa Bay Storm (1995-96) and to become only the third team to win four ArenaBowls.

James has been the defensive coordinator and director of player personnel for the past two seasons, and has been the head coach for the Las Vegas Gladiators - who have since moved to Cleveland - from 2005 to 2006.

"Ron has been in our system, knows our expectations, and shares our vision of where we need to take our team," Blaze owner John Garff said. "Ron has the confidence of the players, and with that we can make a seamless transition into the 2009 season.

The #1 Philadelphia Soul (14-3) welcome the #4 Cleveland Gladiators (11-7) to the Wachovia Center in the National Conference Championship game on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Saturday, July 12 at 1 p.m. ET (ESPN HD, ESPN360.com, SIRIUS Radio - Channel 127).

The game will be immediately followed by the #6 Grand Rapids Rampage (8-10) traveling to HP Pavilion to face the #2 San Jose SaberCats (12-5) in the American Conference Championship game on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Saturday, July 12 at 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN HD, ESPN360.com, SIRIUS Radio - Channel 127).

Courtesy of Arena Football League New York, NY (Sports Network) - Grand Rapids Rampage QB JAMES MACPHERSON, San Jose SaberCats DB MARQUIS FLOYD and Cleveland Gladiators FB/LB JAMES RUE have been named Offensive Player, ADT Defensive Player, and Ironman of the Week, respectively, for the Divisional Round of the 2008 playoffs.

OFFENSIVE: MacPherson (6-2, 200, Wake Forest) completed 33-of-39 passes for 326 yards and accounted for seven touchdowns (6 - passing, 1 - rushing) and set an AFL postseason record for completion percentage (84.6) as the Grand Rapids Rampage (8-10) defeated the Chicago Rush (11-6), 58-41, on Sunday. MacPherson led the Rampage?s offense on scoring drives on nine of the teams 10 possessions while posting a passer rating of 129.2. Grand Rapids travels to HP Pavilion to face the San Jose SaberCats (12-5) in the American Conference Championship Game on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Saturday, July 12 at 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN HD, ESPN360.com, SIRIUS Radio

In his first year with the Gladiators, Wilpolt engineered a remarkable turnaround, taking a team that finished 2-14 in 2007 to a 9-7 regular season mark this season and the fourth seed in the National Conference playoffs.

Cleveland has since pulled off two straight wins to set up a National Conference Championship matchup with the league-best Philadelphia Soul on Saturday.

OFFENSIVE: Garcia (6-1, 195, Sacramento St.) completed 28-of-39 passes for 330 yards and tied an AFL postseason single-game record with nine touchdowns as the New York Dragons (9-8) defeated the Dallas Desperados (12-5), 77-63, on Friday. Garcia led the Dragons offense on scoring drives on 11 of the teams 12 possessions, including 11 consecutive while compiling a postseason leading passer rating of 126.1. The Dragons travel to the Wachovia Center to face the Philadelphia Soul (13-3) on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Saturday, July 5 at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN HD, ESPN360.com, SIRIUS Radio - Channel 127).

ADT DEFENSIVE: Hefflin (6-1, 185, Toledo) registered

White, who had been with the Blaze since their inaugural season in 2006, stepped down after a season where the Blaze went 6-11 and were eliminated in the wild card round of the Arena Football League playoffs.

"After a lot of thought and soul-searching and conferring with my family, I have decided to resign from the Utah Blaze," White said. "It's time for me to take a break. It's been a long, hard season, but I have never been more proud of any team that I have coached because of the way they came back." White, a former NFL quarterback with the Dallas Cowboys, came to the Blaze after serving as the head coach and general manager of the Arizona Rattlers from 1992-2004. He was the 1993 AFL Coach of the Year and took Arizona to the Arena Bowl five times, capturing the title in 1994 and 1997.

For the first time in its 22-year history, the AFL will debut instant replay for all postseason games. Each coach will have a total of two (2) challenges per game that can be used at anytime during regulation.

Coaches will be equipped with a red "challenge" flag to be thrown on the field to alert officials that they wish to challenge a play. Reviewable plays will include: scoring, change of possession, fan interference and, at the referee?s discretion, game administration.

OFFENSIVE: Saintil (6-0, 190, Middle Tennessee St.) recorded 12 receptions for 155 yards and a League-best seven touchdowns as the San Jose SaberCats (11-5) defeated the Georgia Force (10-6), 68-62, on Saturday. Saintil registered receiving touchdowns of 15, four, six, 16, 31, 13 and 11 yards as San Jose's offense scored on 10 of 13 possessions. The SaberCats will host a Divisional Round matchup on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Saturday, July 5 at 3 p.m. ET (ESPN, SIRIUS Radio - Channel 127).

ADT DEFENSIVE: Moten (5-10, 185, Texas A&M - Kingsville) registered two tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble as the Philadelphia Soul (13-3) defeated the New

Hodgkiss spent the past seven seasons with the Avengers, guiding them to a regular-season record of 57-53. The club reached the playoffs five times during his tenure, but managed just one postseason win.

"The coaching staff worked tirelessly and was extremely dedicated to the goal of winning an Arena Bowl championship, but the production simply wasn't there in recent seasons," said Avengers owner Casey Wasserman. "We recognize and appreciate the significant contributions that Ed Hodgkiss and his assistant coaches made to our franchise, but I feel strongly that we need to go in a new direction." The Avengers were 9-7 in 2007 and won a playoff game for the first time in club history, earning Hodgkiss a contract extension through the 2011 season with an option for 2012.

The Destroyers followed up a trip to the Arena Bowl in 2007 with a dismal 3-13 season in 2008, finishing last in the Eastern Division of the National Conference.

"Coach Kay helped our team become a better organization," said Destroyers partner, general manager and president Jim Renacci.

The Chicago Rush (10-5), No. 5, in this week's Schutt Sports Poll, welcome the Dallas Desperados (12-3), No. 2, to Allstate Arena on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Sunday, June 22 at 4 p.m. ET (ESPN2 HD, ESPN360.com) with home- field advantage throughout the playoffs on the line for both teams in what some are saying is the first of two potential ArenaBowl XXII previews this weekend.

The Rush holds the second-best home record in the AFL at 6-1 and can clinch home-field advantage throughout the American Conference playoffs with a win. Chicago can secure at least 11 regular-season victories for the third time in franchise history with a win.

OFFENSIVE: D'Orazio (6-4, 230, Otterbein) completed 25-of-39 passes for 283 yards and accounted for eight touchdowns (6 - passing, 2 - rushing) as the Philadelphia Soul (12-3) defeated the Cleveland Gladiators (8-7), 62-61, on Saturday. D'Orazio led the Soul's offense on scoring drives on nine of the teams 12 possessions, including six consecutive, while compiling a passer rating of 124.1. Philadelphia travels to Nassau Coliseum to face the New York Dragons (8-7) on Sunday, June 22 at 3 p.m. ET.

ADT DEFENSIVE: Thomas (5-10, 199, Florida St.) registered six tackles, two passes defensed and tied a Week-16 high with two interceptions as the San Jose SaberCats (10-5) defeated t

The Arizona Rattlers (8-6), No. 7 in this week's Schutt Sports Poll, welcome the Colorado Crush (4-10) to US Airways Center on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Monday, June 16 at 10 p.m. ET (ESPN2 HD, ESPN360.com).

Arizona is one game behind San Jose for first place in the Mitsubishi Motors Western Division and has sole possession of third place in the American Conference playoff standings.