Philadelphia Soul...

From the Philadelphia Soul website

SOUL RESPONDS TO AFL'S 2009 SEASON SUSPENSION
15/12/2008 15:52

PHILADELPHIA SOUL RESPOND TO ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE’S ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING SUSPENDING PLAY FOR 2009 SEASON

PHILADELPHIA – December 15, 2008 – The Philadelphia Soul, in response to the Arena Football League’s decision to suspend play for the 2009 season, today outlined plans with its coaches and staff, and made available procedures for fans that already purchased tickets to receive refunds.

“We are disappointed that we will not be playing in the 2009 season, but we agree with and support the need for the Arena Football League to take this time to strengthen its financial foundation to ensure long-term success,” said the Philadelphia Soul President Ron Jaworski. “We are very proud of the achievements of the Philadelphia Soul over the last five seasons of ownership, and we remain committed to defending the Arena Bowl Championship title in 2010.”

Earlier today, the Arena Football League announced that its owners had voted to suspend play for the 2009 season, opting to focus their efforts on strengthening the league for 2010 and beyond. The owners agreed that by implementing long-term structural and financial improvements, the league will be able to expand its unique brand of football to more fans in the future.

Philadelphia Soul fans who have already purchased tickets for the 2009 season will receive full refunds. Each season ticket holder will be contacted by a Soul representative and more information will become available on the website for fans with questions. Fans with any other questions that are not answered on the site are encouraged to call the Soul at 215-636-0421 extension 197, leave a message and a Soul representative will return their call within two days.

Philadelphia Soul coaches and staff were notified today of the suspension of play for the 2009 season. “We have a very talented group of associates, and we are sorry to see them go,” acting General Manager Paul Korzilius said. “We look forward to the opportunity to work with many of them again next season.”

The Philadelphia Soul were the 2008 National Conference and Arena Bowl Champions and finished the season with a 16-3 record. The Soul celebrated their fifth anniversary season in 2008 with a 59-56 win over the San Jose SaberCats in the Virgin Mobile ArenaBowl XXII. The Soul drew a total of 131,817 fans last season, their largest number since the inaugural 2004 season, averaging 16,477 fans a game.

The Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation, though an extension of the community service agenda of the Philadelphia Soul, is an independent 501(c)(3) charity and will continue to operate despite the suspended season. While the AFL works towards its solutions to its financial concerns, the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation will continue to work on solutions to the issues of poverty and homelessness to which they are dedicated.