The Arena Football League disappeared into the archives of sports history in 2019. Now, there’s an auction of the league’s memorabilia, equipment and even the intellectual property from the teams that stayed until the bitter end.
A public bankruptcy auction is underway through June 23, featuring items from the Albany Empire, Atlantic City Blackjacks, Baltimore Brigade, Philadelphia Soul, Washington Valor, as well as the intellectual property of the Columbus Destroyers.
The AFL ceased operations as a professional indoor American football league in 2019 after 32 years, making it the third longest-running professional football league in North America. The AFL played a modified version of American football, known as indoor “arena football.”
Equipment includes five indoor arena football field systems, football helmets, practice jerseys and game uniforms, football pads, AFL branded footballs, practice equipment with blocking dummies, down markers and chain sets, headsets, JUGS football machines, video cameras and even game films.
“This auction is a historic opportunity for sports enthusiasts, coaches, and indoor football investors to acquire an extraordinary amount of equipment,” said Paul Brown, Vice President of GA Global Partners. “From complete indoor football field systems to game uniforms, people will be able to bid on individual lots or together as an entire league.”
The timed auction will close at staggered times starting at 11:00 am EDT on June 23, 2020. Only online bids will be accepted. There’s an 18 percent buyer’s premium tacked on to each winning bid. More information is available through a web page devoted to the auction.
“We all love the game and tried very hard to make it successful, but we simply weren’t able to raise the capital necessary to grow the league, resolve the substantial legacy liabilities and make it financially viable,” commissioner Randall Boe said after the league suspended local business operations in October of last year.
Related Stories:
Original Packers Stock Certificate Up for Auction
Chris Spielman Auctioning Career Memorabilia to Help COVID Needy
Historic Collection Of NFL Co-Founder Leo Lyons Covers League’s Formative Days
Early Ruth Card, PSA 10 Carlton Rookie Among Big Winners in LOTG Sale
Notes: Help for Young Fire Victim Who Lost Collection; Football Card HOF; NBA Jersey Auction; Vintage Footballs
