MMC
03-12-2012, 10:19 PM
Pittsburgh's players are enjoying a meal at an Olive Garden in Florida when they get stunning news.
The owner of the Pittsburgh Power fired all 24 members of his team during a pregame meal at an Orlando-area Olive Garden.
With AFL players set to strike before the 2012 season opener, owner Matt Shaner reacted first, cutting his entire team hours before kickoff of a game against the Orlando Predators.
The AFL Player's Association was calling for an increase in the $400 game checks paid to most players on each team. The union demanded a 300 percent increase in the minimum salary. AFL owners countered with a $100 raise.
The game was still played, with unfilled roster spots being taken by replacement players, some of whom arrived to the arena minutes before kickoff. One backup quarterback switched teams before the game after getting "drafted" during a pregame selection. As a result, the season opener had the feeling of a pick-up game down by the local high school field.
The NFL Network broadcast the game live. Announcers reportedly couldn't identify (http://deadspin.com/5892173/last-nights-arena-football-season+opener-was-a-farce) a number of players.....snip~
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/entire-arena-football-team-cut-during-pregame-meal-190741599.html
:shocked: The players all got up and walked out during the dinner. Switching teams before the game :huh:
The owner of the Pittsburgh Power fired all 24 members of his team during a pregame meal at an Orlando-area Olive Garden.
With AFL players set to strike before the 2012 season opener, owner Matt Shaner reacted first, cutting his entire team hours before kickoff of a game against the Orlando Predators.
The AFL Player's Association was calling for an increase in the $400 game checks paid to most players on each team. The union demanded a 300 percent increase in the minimum salary. AFL owners countered with a $100 raise.
The game was still played, with unfilled roster spots being taken by replacement players, some of whom arrived to the arena minutes before kickoff. One backup quarterback switched teams before the game after getting "drafted" during a pregame selection. As a result, the season opener had the feeling of a pick-up game down by the local high school field.
The NFL Network broadcast the game live. Announcers reportedly couldn't identify (http://deadspin.com/5892173/last-nights-arena-football-season+opener-was-a-farce) a number of players.....snip~
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/entire-arena-football-team-cut-during-pregame-meal-190741599.html
:shocked: The players all got up and walked out during the dinner. Switching teams before the game :huh: