ARENA FOOTBALL

• AFL will not suspend play for 2009

  
  

  New York, NY (Sports Network) - The Arena Football League's Board of Directors announced that they have not suspended the 2009 season, despite rumors and reports to the contrary.

  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.

  Also, the New Orleans VooDoo franchise was disbanded in October despite being near the top of the league in attendance for the past two seasons.

  The schedule for 2009 has not been released, and free agency and the dispersal draft for New Orleans have been placed on hold.

  The 15-team league was founded in 1987 with last season's championship game featuring the Philadelphia Soul and San Jose Sabercats in a 59-56 final in favor of the Soul.

  12/10 22:03:44 ET