Labor Deal Done; Shock Now Focus on Making Playoffs - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

Spokane Shock

Labor Deal Done; Shock Now Focus on Making Playoffs

Updated:
by Jared Frank, KHQ.com/SWXRightNow.com - email
The Spokane Shock will need to play flawlessly over the next several weeks to make the playoffs as a wildcard (Photo: SWX) The Spokane Shock will need to play flawlessly over the next several weeks to make the playoffs as a wildcard (Photo: SWX)
SPOKANE, Wash. -

With the deal between the AFL and the players union all but signed, sealed and delivered, the Spokane Shock and majority owner Brady Nelson can get back to the business of playing football.

Nelson missed watching a home game for the first time since he brought the team to town seven years ago because he was in Chicago for contract negotiations last week. He helped get the deal done that saved the AFL season

AFL commissioner Jerry Kurz said Monday:

"I would like to thank both the AFL Labor Committee and the executives of the AFLPU for the long hours they have put in over the months, but most especially the last two days to get the deal done."

The agreement was set to be signed and sealed on Wednesday this week, meaning the Shock can now turn their attention to San Jose. The SaberCats are No. 5 in the latest Power Rankings, right after No. 4 Utah. Spokane dropped to No. 7 after losing to the Blaze on Saturday.

The Shock are now 7-6 on the season and have a slim chance at making the postseason. Four teams from each conference will make the playoffs. Each of the division champions are in, along with four wildcard teams determined by overall record.

If Spokane wants to play on, they will have to play near flawlessly over the next several weeks. In one scenario breakdown of potential finishes to the season in which the Shock could obtain a Wild Card spot in the National Conference:

• Shock go 4-1 in remaining five games (SPO finishes 11-7, gets Wild Card)

• Chicago loses to San Antonio and San Jose (CHI finishes 10-8, SA takes #1 seed)

• Arizona wins only one of their remaining four games (AZ finishes 12-6, takes #2 seed)

• San Jose goes .500 in their remaining contests (SJ finishes 11-7, gets Wild Card)

• Utah wins only one more game (UTAH finishes 10-8)

 

In another scenario breakdown:

• Shock go 5-0 in remaining five games (SPO finishes 12-6, gets Wild Card)

• Chicago loses out for the remainder of the season (CHI finishes 8-10)

• San Antonio beats Arizona to beat Arizona (SA finishes 15-3, gets #1 seed)

• San Jose beats Utah and loses their other three contests (SJ finishes 10-8, gets Wild Card)

• Utah loses all of their remaining games (UTAH finishes 9-9)

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