From a web article: New York, January 10, 2000 -- Like their soccer brethren, arena football players are attempting to use the antitrust laws to remedy their grievances. It is a risky move. A group of Arena League Players urged other players to form an association in hopes of forcing teams owners to improve salary and fringe benefits. Players' per-season salaries range from $20,000 to $75,000 per season and the average hovering around $30,000. Players do not have any fringe benefits such as health insurance or pension plans. According to Arena Football League Commissioner David Baker, the players' move has the potential of jeopardizing the 2000 season. Instead of forming a collective-bargaining unit to negotiate a labor agreement for all players, the new association would use federal antitrust laws to force owners to increase compensation and benefits for the players. In a recent letter, Baker urged players to back away from forming an association, and consider forming a traditional union to engage in the collective-bargaining process that would lead to an agreement. Baker said "the current effort by players to organize could result in a fatal blow to the game and the league because a protracted legal battle would thwart the league's progress in its growing relationship with the National Football League." League officials have also asked for a meeting with players to seek a solution to the problems without creating any legal turmoil.