AFL pulls plug on Talons for 2015

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The clock apparently has reached all zeroes for the Talons, at least for next season.

Keith Recine, the Arena Football League team's executive vice president and chief operating officer, said that was the message he received in an email Friday from AFL headquarters along with his notice of termination.

“It said that since the Talons won't be playing in 2015, they no longer were in need of my services,” Recine said. “It came from the league payroll department.”

Officials with the AFL could not be reached for comment.

The news comes as no surprise.

The franchise has been in search of a new owner for months after the league took over operation of the team in December in the wake of then-owner David Lynd's string of unpaid debts to vendors and creditors.

The team had been given until Aug. 23 — the weekend of the league's ArenaBowl — to find a new owner or fold. But that deadline came and went.

Quarterback Matt Bassuener and the Talons have struggled to a 2-15 record in what might be their last season in the city. Quarterback Matt Bassuener and the Talons have struggled to a 2-15 record in what might be their last season in the city. Photo: Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News Photo: Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close AFL pulls plug on Talons for 2015 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

Since then, news of the Talons' fate has been more tightly guarded than a Pentagon memo.

Spurs Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of the Spurs, as well as some local businessmen had shown interest in purchasing the team, Recine said.

But nothing has come to fruition. At least for the time being.

According to the social media manager for arenafan.com, a website for fans of the AFL, speculation around the league has been rampant for weeks that the team would go dormant for 2015 with the possibility of returning for 2016 if a new owner — possibly the Spurs — could be secured.

An official with SS&E issued a “no comment” via email.

Last month, the AFL named Scott Butera as commissioner after former boss Jerry Kurz was moved into the role of president.

In August, Kurz spoke openly about the league's willingness to keep the Talons in San Antonio.

“We love the town, love the people. We want to be there,” he said.

It has been a rollercoaster ride for the Talons ever since they moved to San Antonio from Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2011.

They won the Central Division title in 2012, their first season, and narrowly missed the playoffs in 2013.

But since then, the team regressed, finishing 3-15 this past season. Attendance at the Alamodome, where the Talons played their home games, gradually decreased.

Alamodome general manager Nick Langella said the Talons had not renewed their lease for next season.

Recine said news of the team's demise, at least temporarily, was not a surprise.

“But I'm sad for the fans,” he said.

jwhisler@express-news.net

Twitter: @johnfwhisler