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Marcum still optimistic about AFL's future

Tribune file photo by JASON BEHNKEN

Tim Marcum thinks the Tampa Bay Storm's days are not over.

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By EDDIE DANIELS

edaniels@tampatrib.com

Published: July 3, 2009

TAMPA - Tim Marcum hasn't given up hope on the Arena Football League.

In December, the AFL announced its 2009 season was suspended so officials could revamp the business model. According to some, the old model lost the league's 17 owners $41 million in 2008.

Marcum, the general manager and coach of the Tampa Bay Storm, was told in March by team owner Bob Nucci that after 120 days, he couldn't pay Marcum.

That didn't mean he was gone.

"I felt like things were going to be back and going, so I just cooled the hooves and 120 days comes and there's no movement in Arena Football," Marcum said from his office on Channelside Drive. "That being said, they're still doing a lot of things and he's asked me to hang around, still have office hours down here and do the thing: coach, teach, learn down here with some of our guest coaches and we'll just wait and see what happens."

Nucci is out of town at a symposium and could not be reached for comment.

A new collective bargaining agreement had been drawn up and was signed by the AFL Players Association in March, but owners refused to vote on it despite serious concessions from the players, according to the AFLPA. Since then, the Los Angeles and New Orleans franchises have folded.

Marcum, who has won a league-record seven titles, said he believes the league's demise began with the 2004 CBA, which boosted players' and coaches' salaries.

As for his future, it's a "glass half-full" approach. Marcum, the only coach to lead three franchises to a championship, said he believes he'll be back in the coaches' box at the Forum again.

"Nucci told me that, yes, if we play football here, he wants me to be the coach. That's what he's told me."

Reporter Eddie Daniels can be reached at (813) 259-7066.

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