Editing Arena Football League (section)

===Decline (2008–2009)===
After 12 years as commissioner of the AFL, [[C. David Baker|David Baker]] retired unexpectedly on July 25, 2008, just two days before [[ArenaBowl XXII]]; deputy commissioner Ed Policy was named interim commissioner until Baker's replacement was found. Baker explained, "When I took over as commissioner, I thought it would be for one year. It turned into 12. But now it's time."<ref>{{cite news | title = Baker resigns as AFL commissioner after successful 12 years | publisher = ESPN | date = July 26, 2008 | url = https://www.espn.com/extra/afl/news/story?id=3505580 | access-date = August 8, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090207002024/http://sports.espn.go.com/extra/afl/news/story?id=3505580 | archive-date = February 7, 2009 | url-status = live }}</ref>

In October 2008, [[Tom Benson]] announced that the New Orleans VooDoo were ceasing operations and folding "based on circumstances currently affecting the league and the team".<ref>{{cite news | title = VooDoo terminates operations | newspaper = New Orleans Times-Picayune | date = October 14, 2008 | url = http://www.nola.com/voodoo/t-p/?/base/sports-0/1223961679147170.xml&coll=1 | access-date = August 8, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081019024141/http://www.nola.com/voodoo/t-p/?%2Fbase%2Fsports-0%2F1223961679147170.xml&coll=1 | archive-date = October 19, 2008 | url-status = live }}</ref>  Shortly thereafter, an article in ''[[Sports Business Journal]]'' announced that the AFL had a tentative agreement to sell a $100 million stake in the league to [[Platinum Equity]]; in exchange, Platinum Equity would create a centralized, single-entity business model that would streamline league and team operations and allow the league to be more profitable. Benson's move to shut down the VooDoo came during the Platinum Equity conference call, leading to speculation that he had folded because of the deal.<ref>{{cite news | title = AFL owners OK sale of $100 million stake | publisher = Sports Business Journal | date = October 22, 2008 | url = http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/60311 | access-date = August 8, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090106175021/http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/60311 | archive-date = January 6, 2009 | url-status = live }}</ref>

Because of the sudden loss of the New Orleans franchise, the league announced in October that the beginning of the free agency period would be delayed in order to accommodate a [[dispersal draft]]. Dates were eventually announced as December 2 for the dispersal draft and December 4 for free agency, but shortly before the draft the league issued a press release announcing the draft had been postponed one day to December 3. Shortly thereafter, another press release announced that the draft would be held on December 9 and free agency would commence on December 11.<ref>{{cite news | title = AFL dispersal draft and free agency dates set (UPDATED 12/3) | publisher = ArenaFan Online | date = December 3, 2008 | url = http://www.arenafan.com/news/?page=pressrel&article=9493 | access-date = August 8, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110606163012/http://www.arenafan.com/news/?page=pressrel&article=9493 | archive-date = June 6, 2011 | url-status = live }}</ref>  However, the draft still never took place, and instead another press release was issued stating that both the draft and free agency had been postponed indefinitely.<ref>{{cite news | title = Dispersal draft and free agency dates postponed | publisher = ArenaFan Online | date = December 9, 2008 | url = http://www.arenafan.com/news/?page=pressrel&article=9495 | access-date = August 8, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110606171832/http://www.arenafan.com/news/?page=pressrel&article=9495 | archive-date = June 6, 2011 | url-status = live }}</ref>  Rumors began circulating that the league was in trouble and on the verge of folding, but owners denied those claims. It was soon revealed the players' union had agreed to cut the [[salary cap]] for the 2009 season to prevent a total cessation of operations.<ref>{{cite news | title = AFL players agree to salary cut to help league | newspaper = The Grand Rapids Press | date = December 10, 2008 | url = http://www.mlive.com/rampage/index.ssf/2008/12/afl_players_agree_to_salary_cu.html | access-date = August 8, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081220001229/http://www.mlive.com/rampage/index.ssf/2008/12/afl_players_agree_to_salary_cu.html | archive-date = December 20, 2008 | url-status = live }}</ref>  However, the announced Platinum Equity investment never materialized.