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Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Orlando Predators Pledge to Donate $25,000 If Dwight Howard Signs Extension

Orlando Predators Managing Partner Brett Bouchy sent a message today via Twitter to Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, pledging to donate $25,000 to Howard's charity, the D12 Foundation, if Howard extends his contract with the Magic.
This move comes after months of speculation regarding whether Howard will extend his contract with the Magic, after having asked for a trade during the offseason. Bouchy is hoping that his proposed donation to the D12 Foundation will help convince Howard to stay in Orlando, and that other local organizations will make similar pledges.
"Dwight means a lot to the Central Florida community, and the Predators want to do their part to help convince him to stay with the Magic," says Bouchy. "We're hoping that other Central Florida companies and organizations will also get behind this effort to keep Dwight here where he belongs."
The Predators have also created a Facebook Page "PledgeWithThePREDS" in an effort to recruit their fans and partners to make additional pledges to the D12 Foundation.
Orlando's Arena Football League franchise since 1991, the Orlando Predators are entering their 21st year in the AFL. In that time, the Predators have advanced to the AFL Playoffs a league-leading 19 consecutive seasons and appeared in the Arena Bowl seven times, winning AFL Championships in 1998 and 2000.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Talons Host Free Scrimmage and FanFest Celebration 2/29

On Wednesday, February 29, the San Antonio Talons professional football team will host a FanFest Open House and four quarter scrimmage against the San Jose SaberCats, leading up to the inaugural season and officially introducing San Antonio to fast-paced, high scoring arena football. The game will be played at the Alamodome and will begin at 7:00 p.m.; doors will open to the public at 5:30 p.m. Admission to the event is free to fans who redeem a ticket voucher on, or before, February 27. Vouchers can be acquired online at www.SanAntonioTalons.com/FanFest, through Ticketmaster.com, or in print at various sites throughout San Antonio.
The FanFest Scrimmage will be a city celebration where San Antonio football fans will learn about, and experience the action of AFL pro-football. During the evening, fans will watch a fast-paced, four quarter scrimmage, a performance by the Sky Dancers, and will be entertained by music, special prizes and giveaways. Fans will also have the opportunity to meet and mingle with their new pro-football home team. Throughout the evening, attendees will learn the rules of the AFL and during the scrimmage fans will get a run-down of AFL game-play. They will also have the chance to meet the 2012 Sky Dancers and other surprise celebrity guests, including Bill Bates of the Dallas Cowboys, a close friend of the Talons franchise.
"We are hosting this FanFest Scrimmage in appreciation of the welcoming reception we have received from San Antonio and all of our fans," says Talons' Owner and CEO Jason Lohe. "We look forward to bringing the experience of arena football as the city's new professional football home team, and we are also looking forward to having 30,000 San Antonians to share in the excitement and experience hard-hitting fast AFL Football before our season begins on March 10."
The San Antonio Talons inaugural season home opener will be played against the Utah Blaze at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 10 at the Alamodome. Tickets are available starting as low as $12 and can be purchased through the team website at www.SanAntonioTalons.com or at any Ticketmaster location. For regular updates about the Talons, be sure to check out www.Facebook.com/SATalons or follow them on Twitter @SATalons.
February 29 Voucher Details:
Ticket vouchers can be accessed and printed from the Talons' website at www.SanAntonioTalons.com/Fanfest, limit four tickets per voucher. Fans can also visit: www.facebook.com/SATalons to see locations where pre-printed vouchers are available. Printed vouchers must be redeemed at the Alamodome box office on or before Monday, February 27. Vouchers will not be accepted on game day, and seats are limited to the first 30,000 fans with redeemed vouchers. Vouchers may also be redeemed online through Ticketmaster; vouchers redeemed online will incur an additional processing and service fee.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

10,000 Free Hot Dogs

The Green Bay Blizzard have announced a new promotion for the 2012 season. Saturday, April 28, 2012 will be Hot Dog Night at the Resch Center. Festival Foods, Cher-Make and Fox 11 will be giving away 10,000 FREE hot dogs while supplies last. The Blizzard will face the Bloomington Edge at 7:00pm with doors opening at 6:00pm.

IFL Expands Into Charlotte

The Indoor Football League is proud to announce the addition of an expansion team opening in Charlotte, North Carolina for the 2013 season.
The expansion team which has been named the Charlotte Speed will hold an introductory press conference held in Charlotte,N.C. An announcement is being planned for sometime early March 2012 with the goal of answering questions from the media and community at that time.
"It is an outstanding privilege to be able to bring an IFL team to Charlotte. We look forward to being competitive and to bringing a championship to this city," state both team President Larry Kennedy and Owner Eddie Littlefield. "We feel honored and confident in our abilities to be successful in the wonderful Charlotte market which contains an NFL, NBA and now an IFL team."
League Commissioner Tommy Benizio adds, "I am very excited to welcome a 17th team into the IFL. Charlotte is now our third franchise on the East Coast. League expansion is progressing very well including into other markets on the East Coast. Based on this progression the IFL is hopeful to have a solid division on the East Coast for the 2013 season. It is really a testament to the strength of our league that we can continue to build new, successful franchises across the country. The new ownership group in Charlotte is very impressive and I look forward to seeing their positive contributions on and off the field."

Arena Football Officials Shine in Super Bowl Spotlight

The Arena Football League has become a launching pad to the NFL for not only some players and coaches, but also for game officials.
Three former AFL officials will take the field when the Giants battle the Patriots in Indianapolis for SuperBowl XLVI this weekend. Scheduled to officiate will be John Parry, Gary Cavaletto and Carl Paganelli, son of Coordinator of Officials, Carl Paganelli Sr. Listed as alternate officials are: Al Riverna, Wayne Mackey and Bill Schuester.
It comes as no surprise to AFL Assistant Coordinator of Officials, Dave Chesney, who described the qualities required to make the cut as an AFL official.
"First and foremost, we look for whether or not they are a team player, whether they can function on a crew with other officials," Chesney said. "We look at their standing in their community, they must have integrity and be respected in their current leagues and must possess athletic ability and openness to learning."
All AFL officials also get plenty of work in the outdoor game, officiating at the collegiate level, from Division I to Division III, during the Arena offseason. However, in order to ensure officials fully comprehend the intricate details of Arena Football and the differences between outdoor college football and the Arena game, new officials are transitioned carefully.
"Our new guys are teamed with some of our veteran officials to get a working understanding of our rules, mechanics and expectations," Chesney said. "We also review all of the rules in detail at our annual rules clinic."
In the offseason, many of these officials have worked college bowl games and conference championships. This past year, 13 current AFL officials were involved in bowl games, two in division championship games and four in FCS playoff games.
"This is the expectation for what our guys do in the off-season and it carries into Arena," Chesney said.
Many AFL officials go on to the NFL following their careers in the AFL. Today, 36 officials in the NFL currently have AFL experience on their resumes.
Parry will be the referee on Sunday; this will be his second Super Bowl. Prior to the NFL, Parry served as an official in the AFL, the Big Ten Conference and Conference USA.
Gary Cavaletto will be making his first Super Bowl appearance, working as the field judge on Sunday. Caveletto spent seven years in the AFL and worked as an official at the ArenaBowl XVI in 2002.
Paganelli spent nine seasons in the AFL and officiated at two ArenaBowl Championships. Now, he's preparing to serve as the umpire at his third Super Bowl, demonstrating that it's not just players and coaches taking their AFL experience to the NFL. Officials, too, are honing their skills in Arena Football - a move that continues to launch them onto the biggest stage of all.

T.O. Talks About The Indoor Game

Terrell Owens was introduced to his new team, the Allen Wranglers of the Indoor Football League, by Cowboys legend Drew Pearson Wednesday before hundreds of cheering fans.

Terrell Owens said joining an arena football team isn't an attempt to get back into the NFL but made it clear he's ready to return if someone calls. Owens, 38, was introduced to his new team, the Allen Wranglers of the Indoor Football League, at a news conference Wednesday in front of hundreds of cheering fans at the Allen Event Center.
One of the first things he told them was that he hasn't sent in the paperwork to officially retire from the NFL.
"I'm not using this as a route to get back into the NFL," Owens said. "I know I can play, that's not even a question that I can play."
Owens did not play last season after suffering a knee injury prior to the season. After the knee healed he staged a public workout to show his readiness, but the phone didn't ring.
"You look at the NFC Championship, they're [the 49ers] starting receiver corps, one catch for 3 yards," Owens said. "You look at the AFC Championship, the Baltimore Ravens, the past two years they've brought in two guys they thought could get the job done, and it comes down to crucial catches and they didn't make those catches."
Owens also denied that joining an IFL team, where players make $225 a game, is a humbling experience for a player who spent 15 seasons in the NFL.
"I don't see this as anything beneath me," Owens said. "I come from humble beginnings. I know what it takes. I've worked my butt off to get where I am. I don't worry about the critics or anybody else thinking about what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. This is for myself, it's for my family, and that's all I'm really concerned about.
"I'm not really worried about what anybody thinks or what they say about me from here going forward."
On the other hand, Owens admitted to the crowd he didn't know where Allen was when he was playing with the Cowboys from 2006 to 2008.
Owens said he was given a 50 percent ownership stake in the franchise, so he has a good reason to stick around. However, co-owner Jon Frankel said it's understood that Owens will leave the Wranglers if he an NFL team offers him a contract.
"We want every player to go to the next level, whether that's the CFL or the NFL," Frankel said. "That's a goal of this league and Terrell falls into that. If he gets an opportunity for that, we all want nothing but the best for him."
In the meantime, Frankel hopes Owens sells a lot of tickets to Wranglers games. For now, Frankel said Owens is only committed to playing home games, but he is getting calls from fellow IFL teams urging him to play when the Wranglers visit. The Wranglers first home game is Feb. 25.
Owens was jokingly asked if he would be as involved as an owner as the Cowboys' Jerry Jones.
"I'm a player first, and then obviously I'll put on that hat when needed," Owens said. "Right now I'm looking forward to working with the guys, getting back on the football field, running around and getting hit a little bit."
Owens told the crowd he had hoped to retire in Dallas. He hasn't had much contact with Jones since the Cowboys released him.
"I've seen him maybe a handful of times since that," Owens said. "It is what it is. I'm not bitter about it. At that time it was disappointing, considering the stadium was about to be open and he had told me I was going to be a big part of that process. And then it's like having the wind knocked out of you. Life goes on."
Owens said he has been working out and that he is probably faster now that he was before the knee injury.
"For whatever reason, I didn't play this year, but that doesn't mean I can't play the game," Owens said. "I think everybody knows I'm in great shape. It's just a matter of getting the opportunity."
Owens acknowledged that one of the reasons he didn't catch on with a team last season is his reputation for creating controversy. His last two seasons in the NFL, one year each with the Bills and Bengals, were uneventful compared to his exits from the 49ers, Eagles and Cowboys.
"I tried to dispel any of those things by going out and doing what I was supposed to do on the football field, leaving all the distractions where they were," Owens said.
"The media wouldn't allow me to turn over a new leaf. I've done things to try to better myself and show people that I have changed. But nobody can forget things that happened five, seven years ago. Why don't I get that pass? Why don't I ever get that same fair treatment that everybody else has gotten?"
Owens also has a reputation for playing to the crowd. That's one thing he hasn't changed, as evidenced when a fan asked him what he planned to do after scoring his first touchdown for the Wranglers.
"Right now I don't have anything planned," said Owens, who then lowered his voice. "But get your popcorn ready." (Source: Fox Sports Southwest)

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Sam's Club Offers Exclusive to Members in Colorado

Sam's Club and the Colorado Ice Professional Indoor Football team have joined together to present exclusive savings to Sam's Club members, prospective members and Ice Football fans. Saving money has never been more important and this partnership provides opportunities to save on everyday needs and your family's entertainment budget.
Current Sam's Club members will have the opportunity to contact the Colorado Ice for preferred ticket prices, courtesy of your local Sam's Club. In order to receive the special rate, the Sam's Club membership card will need to be presented when purchasing tickets to Ice home games.
New members will have an exciting chance to receive a Plus Membership, a $100 value, when they purchase 2-4 Ice season tickets. To take advantage of this benefit, new members will need to purchase season tickets in qualifying areas. Tickets for this promotion start at $161 per seat and get you right down in the action. Contact a Colorado Ice Representative to get yours now.
Sam's Plus Membership holders have the opportunity for extra savings on top of Sam's Clubs already terrific prices. Members can enjoy early shopping hours starting at 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday. The membership also saves 8 percent on name-brand prescriptions and 40 percent on generics at the Sam's Club Pharmacy.
Sam's Club members save an average of 30 percent over traditional retailers. Savings are always nearby; visit your local Sam's Club in Evans, Fort Collins, and Loveland to get savings on the everyday products you love. To learn more about Sam's Club memberships visit www.SamsClub.com and look for them on Twitter and Facebook.
For more information on the preferred single game and season tickets you can contact the Colorado Ice at (970)472-0128 or ask at your local Sam's Club.

AFL Moves to Six-Man Officiating Crews

The Arena Football League will move to a six-man officiating crew during the 2012 season, AFL Commissioner Jerry B. Kurz announced today. The addition also brings a change to challenge and replay rules in all AFL-markets.
Since the League's inception in 1987, a five-man officiating team was in place; however, League officials began talks of adding a member to the officiating crew to maintain the accuracy and credibility of the game.
"The discussion started during Week 18 of the 2011 season," AFL Director of Football Operations Joe Kleinsmith said. "During the 2011 postseason, we added a sixth-man to the officiating crew."
The six-man mechanic worked and the League opted to use six-man officiating crews during every game of the 2012 AFL season.
"One of our main concerns was interference by both players and fans," Kleinsmith said. "Instead of just one back judge, we added a second."
The League will utilize one referee, an umpire, line judge, side judge and two back judges.
"I think that's a commitment from the AFL to the importance of officiating, fair play and player safety," AFL Assistant Coordinator of Officials Dave Chesney said.
The AFL will still utilize regional officiating crews, who are rotated and also strategically placed in other areas.
The League has also changed replay and challenge rules for the AFL's 25th season in 2012.
Coaches' challenges and replays will be available in every AFL market for all regular season and post season games. Teams will be awarded two challenges per contest. If they win both, a third challenge will be available. Furthermore, challenges will only be available if the team has a timeout remaining.

AFL Launches AFL Alumni Association

The Arena Football League today announced the official launch of the AFL Alumni Association.
"This is the 25th season of the Arena Football League. With that being said, we are devoted to recognizing the players that have put so much into this great sport," AFL Commissioner Jerry B. Kurz said. "Although 2012 is coined the 'Year of the Fan,' these players strapped it on. They bled and sweated for this League and have played a major role in why we are still here today."
The AFL Alumni Association will provide a vast network for former players, coaches, executives, staffers and cheerleaders. The group is aimed at reconnecting alumni with each other, the AFL Office, teams, players, staffs and in the community.
Kurz appointed AFL Hall of Famer Freddie Gayles as President of the AFL Alumni Association. Gayles, who was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2002, spent 10 years in the AFL with Denver, Albany and Grand Rapids.
George LaFrance, a member of the 2011 AFL Hall of Fame Class, was named as Vice President. The AFL will also appoint an AFL Alumni representative in every AFL market.
"At first it was a concept," Gayles said. "Now, the AFL Alumni Association is starting to come together and it's an honor to lead its formation and growth."
The AFL Alumni Association will offer a number of incentives for members. Upon membership, alumni will receive ticket discounts, an official AFL Alumni membership card, apparel, discounts at Team Fan Shop, invitations to exclusive League functions and events, ability to select a nomination for the AFL Hall of Fame and access to the AFL Alumni database.
"We've already launched a private, AFL Alumni group on Facebook, and it's growing rapidly," Gayles said. "Then, we will connect members with an email group. In the coming months, the AFL Alumni Association will launch a devoted website for former players, staffers and executives."

Arizona Outlaws Unveil New Team Logo

Arizona Outlaws professional Indoor Football team in the west coast division of the AIF - American indoor Football league unveil their new logo design.

North Carolina's Carolina Force Indoor Football Team Joins AIF

An experienced management team led by Mr. Norman Washington (General Manager), Robert Reynolds Jr. (Community Relations), Head Coach Kent Merideth and Brett Bingham (Wide Receiver Coach) and Terry Simmons (Defensive Coordinator) are developing and marketing an Indoor Football team founded in Concord, North Carolina. The team will be called the Carolina Force.
The Cabarrus Arena & Events Center is the home of this indoor football team in accordance with the by-laws of the American Indoor Football and its member teams.
The team will begin league play March 17, 2012. The AIF has been a tremendous asset to the communities it serves. Good affordable indoor entertainment creates a unique marketing outlet for local businesses, organizations and family entertainment. We encourage the Concord, Charlotte and surrounding communities to come out and support the Carolina Force