Arena Football Patent Running Out

Are any AFL or af2 fans really worried that competitors will come in and steal the Arena Football thunder when the league's patent runs out Sept. 30?

Michael David Smith of Fanhouse brings up the possibility. But if John Elway really wants to field an indoor game as the NFL's pure minor league (why do I think he was taken out of context with that?), he could go out and start his own at any time.

Take the NIFL for example. I know Cleveland Gary is the commissioner now, but the league is as stable as Lindsay Lohan in a police evidence room. I swear, I called its offices a few years back when I ran a football Web site, and I think the commissioner's mom answered the phone. Others have tried to put their spin on indoor football, including the APFL, UIF, and the CIFL.

Yes, the patent will still run out, but the AFL is still the king of indoor football. It finally has stability and has carved a niche in certain markets. And if a team fails in one market, the league makes sure something is done to fix the problem.