National Football League

AFL looking for replacement players

Published Jun. 15, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

Alex Marvez

Because of a labor dispute, coaching in the Arena Football League now requires recruiting as well as Xs and Os.

FOXSports.com has received an email sent Friday by Jacksonville Sharks head coach Les Moss soliciting replacement players for upcoming games.

“Due to the current labor situation in the Arena Football League, the possibility exists of a lockout in the near future,” Mosss email reads. “If you have any qualified clients who may be interested in an opportunity to play for the Jacksonville Sharks, please send me their information at your earliest convenience.”

The Arena League and its players have been unable to negotiate a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. A player strike forced cancellation of last week’s Cleveland Gladiators vs. Pittsburgh Power game.

The CBA problems echo the NFL’s 2011 player lockout that lasted almost five months before resolution. The NFL, though, only lost one preseason game — the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame contest — because of the labor strife.

The AFL’s problems do trickle-down to the NFL because it hinders the scouting process.

The NFL faces its own labor dispute with referees who are now being locked out following the expiration of their working agreement. The NFL is soliciting replacement officials for the 2012 season.