how come the afl is treated like the stepchild to the nfl?

Because most networks don't think about the real fans, but how much money they can generate. Remember how NBC refused to cover XFL scores and towards the middle of the season would cut the game off as if Heidi was comming on next? Minor league sports are not profoundly thought of. Money drives what networks show. And god forbid people like arena football over Major league baseball.

Because it doesn't make much money. That is why ESPN has partial ownership. That was about the only way they could get ANY broadcast rights anymore. It is at best a stepchild to the NFL to be honest with you. It is a weird game that acts like it wants to be football as most see it. It ISN'T the NFL. To be honest I don't understand WATCHING IT ON TV. I mean I've gone to the local leagues games and they were fun to go to and watch(to be fair the first time I went my team was in the playoffs and with the tickets being so cheap, $5 for cheapest and like $25 for the most expensive, I thought why not support the local team and see what it is) it doesn't really work for watching on TV to me. ESPN has TRIED to promote it, but it doesn't work. People want REAL football. That is the same reason the XFL didn't have a chance. You aren't going to convert many NFL fans to the AFL. You get a few that will watch both but it will never be as big.

I agree with the JC's answer.

The AFL is the step child of the NFL. Its a fun little niche sport, something to pacify football people when the NFL is in its off-season.

If the players of the AFL were as good as your question seems to indicate, you would hear more stories of people making NFL teams after playing in the AFL. This might happen more know that the AFL has offense and defensisve players, this should allow them to focus on one set of skills, but the NFL people aren't stupid if those players were that talented they would already be in the NFL.

because of the skill level and popularity isnt as good as the nfl even though i like it you got to face the facts

In my opinion its a completely different game.

because it is, it got pulled off of NBC because no one watched it

because it is.

no ....................game. no sport...............

tv filler.

this is a joke and one half.

money money money