Arena Football League team strikes, Network drops coverage

Last evening, the Cleveland Gladiators forfeited their game against the Pittsburgh Power after the team went on strike. With labor issues lingering in the league since the start of the season, Cleveland decided not to play last evening. AFL Commissioner Jerry Kurz issued the following statement.

“Despite many offers from the league, a group of players with the Cleveland Gladiators opted to go on strike. Because of the circumstances at hand, the Cleveland Gladiators have forfeited the matchup.”

The AFL Players Association countered, issuing their own statement stating that the AFL has shown “a complete unwillingness to negotiate in good faith.” The union is desiring better safety on the field for players and to strengthn the players union’s as a partner in league negotiations.

Because of the uncertainty surrounding the labor situation in the AFL. The NFL Network dropped coverage of last night’s game and instead ran re-runs of episodes of the Top 100 Players of 2011. There has been no official word as to whether or not this is a permanent move by the league or a temporary situation.