It could be the end for the Columbus Destroyers. Again.
Arena Football League Commissioner Randall Boe issued a statement saying the AFL, “was forced to make the difficult, but necessary decision to close our team services and business operations units in our local markets.”
The closure impacts six teams in the league, including the Columbus Destroyers which had just made their return to play at Nationwide Arena in the summer of 2019. The team previously competed in the AFL from 2004-2008.
Financial issues are bringing the league to a halt.
“These closures have resulted in the elimination of various staff positions, and is a direct consequence of the current financial constraints facing the AFL, which include extensive legacy liabilities and a recent multimillion-dollar litigation filed against the League by an insurance carrier that provided coverage for the AFL between 2009 and 2012,” said Roe in the statement. “Those liabilities, which are all related to prior League operations, severely constrain the League’s ability to expand and operate.”
The fate of the League is still up in the air. A decision will be made in the next few weeks if all League operations will be suspended.
Columbus also lost its Major League Lacrosse team in 2019, when the Ohio Machine folded due to League restructuring.
For more information, visit arenafootball.com.