[Bcatswin]

Pretty fuking harsh.

The owner of the Pittsburgh Power fired all 24 members of his team during a pregame meal at an Orlando-area Olive Garden.With AFL players set to strike before the 2012 season opener, owner Matt Shaner reacted first, cutting his entire team hours before kickoff of a game against the Orlando Predators.
"Mid-statement, all the players got up and left," former Power center Beau Elliott told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "Every player got up and left while he was still talking. There were 15 to 20 angry, large individuals."
The AFL Player's Association was calling for an increase in the $400 game checks paid to most players on each team. The union demanded a 300 percent increase in the minimum salary. AFL owners countered with a $100 raise.
Shaner told the newspaper that some players split from the union and returned to the team in time for Saturday night's game. Those who didn't were stuck in Orlando and forced to return to Pittsburgh on their own.
Members of the Predators were also released.
The game was still played, with unfilled roster spots being taken by replacement players, some of whom arrived to the arena minutes before kickoff. One backup quarterback switched teams before the game after getting "drafted" during a pregame selection. As a result, the season opener had the feeling of a pick-up game down by the local high school field.
The NFL Network broadcast the game live. Announcers reportedly couldn't identify a number of players.
Pittsburgh won 40-26, in front of more than 13,000 fans.
Other AFL teams played the same day with complete rosters.

[willyback]

That's crazy.

[seaborneq]

NFL or bust. Is TO going to try the same thing?

[Puppy]

$400 a game for a lifetime of aching body no thanks

[Bcatswin]

Surprised some of them didn't go after him

[yisman]

That's awesome.

[mr. leisure]

One backup quarterback switched teams before the game

[SEAHAWKHARRY]

Thank god for nfl

[LVHerbie]

Too bad TTWarrior wasn't there that day... Might have been able to make the team as a scab player...

[Bcatswin]

One backup quarterback switched teams before the game

[bobby heenan]

nfl players eat a the finest steakhouses in each city/area....peter lugers...mortons...st elmos...davios

these guys are at the olive garden....sucks

[Noles1992]

Yeah friend of mine at game in OTown, said the Qb was warming up than had to change jerseys and switch teams. Thats a first!

[blackbeSSt]

i'd quit too if i was taken to fukkin olive garden for a pre-game meal

[Dad]

Olive Garden. QBs switching teams before kickoff.

This would make a great movie.

[Bcatswin]

Olive Garden. QBs switching teams before kickoff.

This would make a great movie.

[InTheDrink]

the best part is that pittsburgh still won the game

BUT...that said the story in the op is missing a little bit...

Power owner Matt Shaner said some members of his team expressed interest in leaving the Arena Football League Players Association and rejoined the team, signing new contracts under the old terms and playing in last night's game against the Orlando Predators.