Given the large numbers quoted in recent unemployment reports, we knew the recession was affecting most industries -- bankers and baristas, factory workers and football players. Wait... what?!? Yes, even professional athletes are feeling the economic downtown. While Major League baseball players continue to land record contracts, some of the lesser sports are feeling the pinch. After weeks of rumors, the Arena Football League is expected to announce on Monday that it will be suspending operations for its 2009 season, but hopes to return for 2010. The 2009 campaign was to begin in early March. more ›

The Chicago Rush will kick off their eighth season in the Arena Football League with a primetime Monday Night Football match-up with the San Jose Sabercats. The League picked a great match-up for the first Monday Night Football game of the year. The game features the last two Arena Bowl Champions as the Sabercats took the title in 2007 and the Rush earned the title in 2006. The AFL "pre-season power poll" ranks San Jose first and the Rush second out of 17 teams. That same poll predicts that the Rush will take back the Arena Bowl title in 2008. more ›

In what was billed as a possible preview of Arena Bowl XXI and lived up to the hype. Two of the Arena Football League's best teams faced off in an exciting affair that wasn't decided until the final seconds. Unfortunately for the Rush it did not go their way. more ›

The defending Arena Football League champion Chicago Rush travel to Kansas City this weekend to kick off their 2007 campaign. The Kansas City Brigade went 3-11 last season. The Rush must be happy to start their season off against a team that is generally not expected to be a contender for the title. more ›

The Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates is quickly becoming the home of any team that wants to play there. Since its recent opening, the Sears Centre has been the home of the Major Indoor Soccer League Chicago Storm, National Lacrosse League Chicago Shamrox and even the Chicago Hounds of the United Hockey League. more ›

ESPN saw its NFL ratings jump with their move from Sunday night football last year to the "Monday Night Football" slot this season. ESPN will look to keep up the momentum and offer football fans almost year-round "Monday Night Football" action. The Arena Football League and ESPN entered into a five-year agreement for television rights earlier this week. The course of the Arena Football League season runs from March, just a month after the Super Bowl, right up to the start of NFL training camp in July. more ›

Last week, we brought you the great news that Chicago was named the #1 Sports City by The Sporting News. TSN is holding a ceremony prior to Wednesday's White Sox - Yankees game at U.S. Cellular Field to honor our fair city. more ›

The Chicago Rush defeated the Orlando Predators 69-61 to win ArenaBowl XX in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Rush tamed the Predators in front of a crowd of over 13,000 at the Thomas & Mack Center. more ›

The Chicago Rush have earned a playoff berth in each of their five years in the Arena Football League. After suffering their worst loss of the season, 55-20 in Atlanta this weekend, the Rush need to find some success in the remaining two weeks of the season if they hope to continue their playoff streak. more ›

The Bears have been on the golf course for almost three weeks now and the Pittsburgh Steelers are off to Disneyland. Football fans fresh off their Super Bowl feast are prepared to hibernate until the 2006 season. That is unless you choose to become a Chicago Rush Arena Football fan. Chicagoist had put little credence in the Arena Football League (AFL) until recently. We first took notice of the sport when the Arena Football League... more ›

Due only to a flu outbreak in the Chicagoist sports bureau this weekend, the season opener of the Chicago Rush Arena League Football team was slightly overlooked. Facing the Dallas Desperados, the Rush suffered a 66-65 defeat in OT. The Rush took the risky move of going for a 2-point conversion following a touchdown, but couldn't convert. They could have kicked the extra point and sent the game into 2OT. more ›