If you guessed any league other than the Arena Football League you guessed wrong. Perhaps it's due to the AFL's commitment to the "Fans' Bill of Rights" that the league has prospered over the last 15 years, while the USFL, XFL and WFL have all failed. They have not lost sight of who the customer really is, and they are obviously willing to put in writing what they commit to as an organization. The AFL remains the best entertainment value in the sports entertainment business, providing an exciting, original sport at a fair price.

In the beginning of this season 2 fans had the opportunity to begin reporting on their local AFL team for a fan run, unofficial web site called Cobrazoneonline. What we thought was a "one time" thing, has turned into a season-long opportunity to talk to the coaches and players of the Carolina Cobras. We stand in continued amazement at the access that 2 fans are being given to a pro sports team. We have consistently been given access to, and talked with, the head coach and players, before and after games and at practice.

Then we read another Right "We believe that every Fan is entitled to interact with and have access to players and coaches for autographs and conversation in recognition of their support of the game."

Imagine that... "in recognition of their support of the game." Try to use that argument with an NFL team and see how far you'll get. For that matter, we have tried to gain similar access to local ACC college football teams - only to be confronted with constant refusals.

You have to begin to wonder who is right and who is wrong, and who really cares about their customers (the fans). Maybe this is the difference, "We believe that Fans are entitled to fast, accurate, and complete information about our players, coaches, league, games, and performance." Based on our personal experience we can only report that this "right" is being fully protected by the Cobras.

In talking to Coach Kay and the Cobras' players, we quickly discovered something. They enjoyed the open conversations - not stiff, structured interviews - as much as we do.

When asked about the physical closeness of the fans to the field, and the unprecedented access given to the fans by the AFL, All-Ironman, Corny White said, "They [the fans] are wonderful. They get excited and stay into the game. They are some of the best fans around and I have been just about everywhere."

Rookie OL/DL Silas Demary stated, "As long as the fans keep rooting us on, we'll keep playing hard". He added, "We can feel the love and support on the field from the fans."

Then Rookie AFL standout (and former NFL player) Aaron Bailey summed it up this way, "What do you think of the fans being so close to the field?" Bailey replied, "Now that's different, that's exactly what I'm talking about. I'm not used to that. Especially being in the bench area. You turn around and there's a kid right there, giving you a high five or patting you on the shoulder."

In their own words the players have made it crystal clear why the "The 9th Man" is as important as the eight players are on the field. And, that "The 9th Man" can (and does) change the momentum in a game just as a big play will.

Take a look around at any arena football game in any one of the arenas and you'll see "The 9th Man". He's that kid and his dad sharing a coke and couple of dogs; that young couple on a date; that group of co-workers in the upper tier. The "9th Man" is the 3 guys with grease paint on their faces, hanging over the pads, cheering the team on; even grandma and grandpa are watching rock-n-roll, in your face, football at its best. In summary, here is the final section in the "Fans' Bill of Rights". "We believe that fans should know that we are committed to serve and not be served, to give and not to just take, and to inspire and encourage people to higher levels of personal and professional achievement, growth, maturity, and respect for each other".

In an age when high school athletes go from being kids to millionaires over night, it's almost hard to believe that a professional sports league truly believes this, but 15 years and millions of devoted fans have proven the AFL right.

Remember... The 9th Man Is You!