Skip to main content
Jul 17, 2019 - Sports

Arena Football League seeks major capital raise

headshot
Arena Football League Players

Photo: Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Arena Football League is in the middle of a major capital raise, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: This comes on the heels of the AFL switching to a single-entity structure, which makes it a more attractive investment opportunity (investing in a league rather than a single team).

Details: The AFL, which has been around since 1987, is currently backed by a group of investors that includes Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the owners of the Washington Wizards and Capitals.

  • After years of contraction, the league expanded to two new markets this season: Atlantic City and Columbus (previously had a team from 1999–2008).

Current standings: The top four teams advance to the playoffs, which begin July 26. Each series will be played in a home-and-home format.

  1. Albany Empire (9-2)
  2. Philadelphia Soul (7-4)
  3. Washington Valor (6-5)
  4. Baltimore Brigade (6-5)
  5. Atlantic City Blackjacks (4-7)
  6. Columbus Destroyers (1-10)

What's next: Moving forward, the goal is to add two franchises per year for three years with an emphasis on markets with legal sports betting or pending legislation, sources tell Axios.

Go deeper