The
Lingerie Football League, recognized as ‘the fastest growing sports
league in the U.S.’ (Businessweek), today announced that Omaha, Nebraska
has been awarded an expansion franchise in advance of the rapidly
approaching 2013 LFL United States season.
The
yet-to-be-named franchise will play their home games at the
newly-constructed Ralston Arena, near Omaha, and is expected to compete
in the LFL’s Eastern Conference against the Baltimore Charm, Cleveland
Crush, Orlando Fantasy, Philadelphia Passion and Tampa Breeze.
“The
LFL has become a global sports and cultural phenomenon. The
Ralston/Omaha metropolitan area and our brand-new facility, the Ralston
Arena, will provide a great setting for sports’ ultimate LIVE
experience,” said Curtis Webb, Ralston Arena General Manager.
“The Ralston Arena continues to be a state-of-the art facility that is
drawing interest from franchises and events all around the United
States.”
In
only three seasons of operation, the LFL has established itself as the
most successful female sports league in the United States, consistently
drawing sell-out crowds, setting record television ratings and
developing strong corporate partnerships in propelling the sport’s
soaring trajectory to rapid domestic and international growth.
In
comparison to popular multi-billion dollar sports franchises such as
the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) or World Wrestling
Entertainment (WWE) through their first two seasons, the LFL has
achieved significantly more television viewership, attendance and growth
over the same initial period of time.
Omaha
marks the first venture of the Las Vegas-based LFL into the ‘Heartland
of America’ with previous expansion markets being awarded in major media
markets primarily located on both coasts.
“Omaha
is perhaps the most under-rated sports market in the country. The
fanaticism around the support of local teams coupled with an incredible
state-of-the-art facility, made for a compelling story to bring LFL
Football to Football Town USA”, said Mitchell S. Mortaza, Founder & Chairman, Lingerie Football League, LLC.
The
league is expected to name at least one more 2013 expansion market in
advance of the league’s shift in its regular season schedule from a
fall/winter format to a spring/summer schedule.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Philadelphia Soul To Hold Town Takeover Event
The
Philadelphia Soul (4-1) will be holding a “Town Takeover” of
Collingswood, NJ on Thursday, April 19 from 7 to 8 p.m. The team will
shut down the parking lot of the Heights of Collingswood Apartment
Complex at 700 W. Browning Road, off Collings Avenue to hold a
“walk-through” practice. All Soul “town takeover” events are presented
by Susquehanna Bank, the preferred bank of the Soul and by Walgreens.
Practice will be open to the public, and the team’s last practice before they take on the Tampa Bay Storm (3-2) on April 20, with kickoff scheduled for 8 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Center. It will be the nationally television game of the week on NFL Network.
Local Philadelphia Band, Rivers Monroe will be performing live before and after the practice. In addition to Soul players and coaches, also in attendance will be Soul mascot, SoulMan, the Soulmates dance team, and Soul ownership and front office. Post-practice, players and Soulmates will be available to sign autographs for those in attendance. After practice, a post-event party will take place at (location).
“These kinds of events are unique experiences that make it special to be part of our organization,” said Soul head coach Doug Plank. “It is an exciting opportunity for the people of to get a look at this team like they have never seen them before and the people of Collingswood have been great supporters of our team.”
The Soul will be getting ready for their third home game of the season, presented by 1-800-LundyLaw.
Great seats are still available. Call the Soul at 888-789-SOUL or go to www.philadelphiasoul.com.
Practice will be open to the public, and the team’s last practice before they take on the Tampa Bay Storm (3-2) on April 20, with kickoff scheduled for 8 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Center. It will be the nationally television game of the week on NFL Network.
Local Philadelphia Band, Rivers Monroe will be performing live before and after the practice. In addition to Soul players and coaches, also in attendance will be Soul mascot, SoulMan, the Soulmates dance team, and Soul ownership and front office. Post-practice, players and Soulmates will be available to sign autographs for those in attendance. After practice, a post-event party will take place at (location).
“These kinds of events are unique experiences that make it special to be part of our organization,” said Soul head coach Doug Plank. “It is an exciting opportunity for the people of to get a look at this team like they have never seen them before and the people of Collingswood have been great supporters of our team.”
The Soul will be getting ready for their third home game of the season, presented by 1-800-LundyLaw.
Great seats are still available. Call the Soul at 888-789-SOUL or go to www.philadelphiasoul.com.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Philadelphia Soul to Host Kareer Kickoff
The
Philadelphia Soul, Job Circle and PHL17 will host Kareer Kickoff, a job
fair event, on Friday, April 20 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., before the
Soul face the Tampa Bay Storm. The event includes career seminars, free
resume critiques, over 50 hiring companies and 3,000 job seekers.
“This is a great opportunity for both jobseekers and hiring companies in the Philadelphia area,” said Soul COO/VP John Adams. “With a wide variety of hiring companies in attendance, we hope to provide jobseekers with plenty of opportunities for employment. At the very least, they will walk away with a solid resume critiqued by a professional and hopefully a new confidence in their search.”
Jobseekers can attend the job fair at no cost, including free resume critique plus resume scanning and online distribution. There are also VIP packages available for purchase, which include exclusive access to the job fair plus networking events and tickets to the game.
Following the Job Fair, the Soul will host the Tampa Bay Storm at 8pm in the AFL Game of the Week which will be broadcast on the NFL Network. The Soul is a league best 4-1 and are at the top of the American Conference. Tickets for the game are available at 888-789-SOUL or at PhiladelphiaSoul.Com.
For more information and to pre-register for the event, visit http://www.souljobfair.com
“This is a great opportunity for both jobseekers and hiring companies in the Philadelphia area,” said Soul COO/VP John Adams. “With a wide variety of hiring companies in attendance, we hope to provide jobseekers with plenty of opportunities for employment. At the very least, they will walk away with a solid resume critiqued by a professional and hopefully a new confidence in their search.”
Jobseekers can attend the job fair at no cost, including free resume critique plus resume scanning and online distribution. There are also VIP packages available for purchase, which include exclusive access to the job fair plus networking events and tickets to the game.
Following the Job Fair, the Soul will host the Tampa Bay Storm at 8pm in the AFL Game of the Week which will be broadcast on the NFL Network. The Soul is a league best 4-1 and are at the top of the American Conference. Tickets for the game are available at 888-789-SOUL or at PhiladelphiaSoul.Com.
For more information and to pre-register for the event, visit http://www.souljobfair.com
Thursday, April 12, 2012
New Business Leaders Named for Canton Charge and Cleveland Gladiators
Alan
Mowrey is joining the NBA D-League Canton Charge as the new Senior Vice
President (SVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO), taking over the
position from Scott Woodruff who returns to Cleveland to become SVP and
COO of the AFL Cleveland Gladiators. The announcement was made today by
the Cleveland Cavaliers and Quicken Loans Arena organization's Executive
Vice President, Kerry Bubolz.
The Charge and Gladiators are both exclusively operated by the Cavaliers and Quicken Loans Arena organization and owned by a group led by Cavaliers majority owner and Quicken Loans Founder and Chairman Dan Gilbert. The Charge were acquired in July 2011 and the Gladiators were recently acquired this past January. The group also owns and operates the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League, the official AHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Colorado Avalanche.
As SVP and COO, Mowrey will oversee all business operations of the Charge. Mowery comes to the Charge with an extensive and accomplished business strategy and management background in the NBA. He directed a diverse collection of sales and service areas with the Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Clippers and his efforts resulted in both franchises being recognized to be among league leaders in the NBA's annual Sales and Marketing Awards program.
Mowrey joins the Charge just as they have played their way into the 2012 NBA Development League Playoffs presented by BBVA, with the first game of their first round series against the Springfield Armor this Friday night, April 13th at the Canton Memorial Civic Center. Tickets, starting at just $8, are on sale now at CantonCharge.com, Ticketmaster outlets or by calling 866-444-1944.
In his new position as the Gladiators SVP and COO, Woodruff will oversee all business operations of the team and returns to his pro sports roots. Before joining the Cavaliers and Quicken Loans Arena organization and family of teams in 2009, he served as the General Manager of the AFL's Grand Rapids Rampage for three years, and was Executive Director of Business Development with the AFL's Chicago Rush prior to that.
Woodruff has led the business side of the Charge to a very successful launch and inaugural season, and the franchise has quickly become one of the most successful operations in the NBA Development League, both on the court and off.
He now takes the business reigns of the AFL's defending American Conference Eastern Division Champion Gladiators as the team has gotten off to a great 3-1 start to their 2012 season.
The Charge and Gladiators are both exclusively operated by the Cavaliers and Quicken Loans Arena organization and owned by a group led by Cavaliers majority owner and Quicken Loans Founder and Chairman Dan Gilbert. The Charge were acquired in July 2011 and the Gladiators were recently acquired this past January. The group also owns and operates the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League, the official AHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Colorado Avalanche.
As SVP and COO, Mowrey will oversee all business operations of the Charge. Mowery comes to the Charge with an extensive and accomplished business strategy and management background in the NBA. He directed a diverse collection of sales and service areas with the Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Clippers and his efforts resulted in both franchises being recognized to be among league leaders in the NBA's annual Sales and Marketing Awards program.
Mowrey joins the Charge just as they have played their way into the 2012 NBA Development League Playoffs presented by BBVA, with the first game of their first round series against the Springfield Armor this Friday night, April 13th at the Canton Memorial Civic Center. Tickets, starting at just $8, are on sale now at CantonCharge.com, Ticketmaster outlets or by calling 866-444-1944.
In his new position as the Gladiators SVP and COO, Woodruff will oversee all business operations of the team and returns to his pro sports roots. Before joining the Cavaliers and Quicken Loans Arena organization and family of teams in 2009, he served as the General Manager of the AFL's Grand Rapids Rampage for three years, and was Executive Director of Business Development with the AFL's Chicago Rush prior to that.
Woodruff has led the business side of the Charge to a very successful launch and inaugural season, and the franchise has quickly become one of the most successful operations in the NBA Development League, both on the court and off.
He now takes the business reigns of the AFL's defending American Conference Eastern Division Champion Gladiators as the team has gotten off to a great 3-1 start to their 2012 season.
LFL UNITED STATES REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE SHIFT AND OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM COMMISSIONER MORTAZA
Lingerie
Football League, LLC. Chairman and Commissioner Mitchell S. Mortaza
today released the following statement on the future plans of LFL
Football in the United States.
“Since premiering in 2009, LFL United States has drawn incredible success which has included sell-out crowds, aggressive franchise expansion and record television ratings, all of which leading to being called the fastest- growing sports league in the U.S. as per Businessweek. Despite this success, we feel that our U.S. franchise can reach greater heights with a shift of our regular season schedule from a fall and winter format to spring and summer schedule.
Thus in 2012, we have officially moved, not suspended the LFL U.S. season to April 2013. This move in schedule enables our LFL US teams extra preparation which ultimately will greatly improve the product on the field in 2013.
Our shift in schedule has also enabled us to kickoff the Lingerie Football League’s international growth and strategy to include the premiere of LFL Canada (Fall 2012) and LFL Australia (Summer 2013).
The focus now is to not only be the ‘fastest growing sports league in the US’ but globally.” – Mitchell S. Mortaza, LFL Chairman and Commissioner.
“Since premiering in 2009, LFL United States has drawn incredible success which has included sell-out crowds, aggressive franchise expansion and record television ratings, all of which leading to being called the fastest- growing sports league in the U.S. as per Businessweek. Despite this success, we feel that our U.S. franchise can reach greater heights with a shift of our regular season schedule from a fall and winter format to spring and summer schedule.
Thus in 2012, we have officially moved, not suspended the LFL U.S. season to April 2013. This move in schedule enables our LFL US teams extra preparation which ultimately will greatly improve the product on the field in 2013.
Our shift in schedule has also enabled us to kickoff the Lingerie Football League’s international growth and strategy to include the premiere of LFL Canada (Fall 2012) and LFL Australia (Summer 2013).
The focus now is to not only be the ‘fastest growing sports league in the US’ but globally.” – Mitchell S. Mortaza, LFL Chairman and Commissioner.
Brentson Buckner Becomes First Official Head Coach of the Charlotte Speed
The
Charlotte Speed is pleased to announce Brentson A. Buckner as the first
official head coach of the Charlotte-based professional indoor football
organization, starting games in 2013.
Bucker was the 50th overall NFL draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1994. In his three years with the Steelers, Bucker started in two AFC Championship games as well as Super Bowl XXX. He was a key member of the BLITZBURGH DEFENSE that also featured Greg Lloyd, Kevin Green, Levon Kirkland, Chad Brown, and future NFL Hall of Fame member, Rod Woodson.
In 1997, Buckner spent one year in Cincinnati for Hall of Fame member, Dick LeBeau. He spent the years of 1998 through 2000 playing for the San Francisco 49ers. Buckner’s teammates were Jerry Rice and Steve Young, both Hall of Fame members, as well as Charles Haley, Terrell Owens, Bryant Young, Ken Norton Jr. and current Carolina Panthers coach, Ray Brown.
In 2001, Buckner joined the Carolina Panthers as a free agent. After a 1-15 season in 2011, Buckner alongside teammates Julius Peppers, Kris Jenkins, Mike Rucker, AL Wallace and Shane Burton, formed one of the best defensive lines in NFL History. They were the foundation of the Panthers’ run to Super Bowl XXXVIII. Buckner was also the team Captain of the 2003 Panthers team that reached Super Bowl XXXVIII.
Buckner’s last game in the NFL was the 2005 NFC Championship game against the Seattle Seahawks. He then retired, bringing an end to an impressive 12-year career.
“Brentson Bucker was a natural choice for the job and we feel honored to have him opn board for this new and exciting endeavor. Brentson brings keen football intellect to the table and can get the job done. Other than a long an notable career, Brentson has an impressive resume and natural ability regarding coaching. Brentson is also a Charlotte resident and family man. He is the ideal package and we couldn’t be more enthused”, said Charlotte Speed General Manager Mo Collins.
Bucker was the 50th overall NFL draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1994. In his three years with the Steelers, Bucker started in two AFC Championship games as well as Super Bowl XXX. He was a key member of the BLITZBURGH DEFENSE that also featured Greg Lloyd, Kevin Green, Levon Kirkland, Chad Brown, and future NFL Hall of Fame member, Rod Woodson.
In 1997, Buckner spent one year in Cincinnati for Hall of Fame member, Dick LeBeau. He spent the years of 1998 through 2000 playing for the San Francisco 49ers. Buckner’s teammates were Jerry Rice and Steve Young, both Hall of Fame members, as well as Charles Haley, Terrell Owens, Bryant Young, Ken Norton Jr. and current Carolina Panthers coach, Ray Brown.
In 2001, Buckner joined the Carolina Panthers as a free agent. After a 1-15 season in 2011, Buckner alongside teammates Julius Peppers, Kris Jenkins, Mike Rucker, AL Wallace and Shane Burton, formed one of the best defensive lines in NFL History. They were the foundation of the Panthers’ run to Super Bowl XXXVIII. Buckner was also the team Captain of the 2003 Panthers team that reached Super Bowl XXXVIII.
Buckner’s last game in the NFL was the 2005 NFC Championship game against the Seattle Seahawks. He then retired, bringing an end to an impressive 12-year career.
“Brentson Bucker was a natural choice for the job and we feel honored to have him opn board for this new and exciting endeavor. Brentson brings keen football intellect to the table and can get the job done. Other than a long an notable career, Brentson has an impressive resume and natural ability regarding coaching. Brentson is also a Charlotte resident and family man. He is the ideal package and we couldn’t be more enthused”, said Charlotte Speed General Manager Mo Collins.
VooDoo Meet Talons on NET10 NFL Network Game of the Week
The
New Orleans VooDoo (2-2) will make the trek to take on the San Antonio
Talons (2-2) on Friday for the NET10 NFL Network Game of the Week.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. for the nationally televised game.
The VooDoo is currently riding a two-game winning streak, marking the first time since 2008 that the team has strung together back-to-back wins. The team is also fresh off of ending “The Graveyard Curse” with a 66-47 victory at home against division rival Tampa Bay Storm.
The Graveyard Curse is the nickname given to the franchise’s 12-game home losing streak that dated back to 2008 – the second longest home drought in AFL history to the Carolina Cobras 16-game home losing streak over the course of three seasons (2002, 2003 and 2004)
“It was great to get that home win for our fans last week,” said VooDoo Head Coach Pat O’Hara. “The team feed off of the fans energy, and it got loud in The Graveyard. We thank our fans for their support, and we are going to need them the rest of the way.”
In the win, the VooDoo were aided by two 26-point quarters that included a shutout second quarter. The VooDoo defense recorded four turnovers in the win, with none bigger than Jeremy Kellem’s interception that he returned 39-yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. Kellem, who leads the VooDoo with 28.5 total tackles, was honored by the AFL this week for his interception return touchdown as the Spalding Highlight of the Week.
“Our defense is playing at a high-level right now, and our offense has done a good job not turning over the ball,” said O’Hara. “We will have arguably our toughest test yet this weekend when we go to play Aaron Garcia and San Antonio.”
Aaron Garica led Jacksonville to an ArenaBowl XXIV to a championship last season, and has guided the Talons this season with 1,244 yards passing and 27 touchdowns. Garcia comes into the game having thrown for over 50,000 yards and 1,000 touchdowns – both AFL records – in his 18-year AFL career.
Garcia’s 1,000th career touchdown pass came in the team’s most recent game against the San Jose Sabercats when he connected with Robert Quiroga on a 47-yard pass in the first quarter.
“They are good; there is no question about that,” said O’Hara about San Antonio. “I have a lot of respect for their team, and no that it is going to take another strong showing from our team on national television.”
The VooDoo counters with quarterback Kurt Rocco who is currently the League’s No. 1 passer, averaging 333.8 yards/game. Rocco, who is in his second year in the AFL, has a host of receivers at his disposal with L.J. Castile leading the pack for the VooDoo with 26 receptions for 315 yards and 7 touchdowns. Castile is coming off of his first 100-yard receiving game of his AFL career.
As a team, the VooDoo ranks second in pass offense (321.2 yards/game), third in total offense (338.5 yards/game) and fourth in pass efficiency (124.6). The team is also first in the AFL in turnover margin (+9).
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in the Alamodome on Friday night.
The VooDoo is currently riding a two-game winning streak, marking the first time since 2008 that the team has strung together back-to-back wins. The team is also fresh off of ending “The Graveyard Curse” with a 66-47 victory at home against division rival Tampa Bay Storm.
The Graveyard Curse is the nickname given to the franchise’s 12-game home losing streak that dated back to 2008 – the second longest home drought in AFL history to the Carolina Cobras 16-game home losing streak over the course of three seasons (2002, 2003 and 2004)
“It was great to get that home win for our fans last week,” said VooDoo Head Coach Pat O’Hara. “The team feed off of the fans energy, and it got loud in The Graveyard. We thank our fans for their support, and we are going to need them the rest of the way.”
In the win, the VooDoo were aided by two 26-point quarters that included a shutout second quarter. The VooDoo defense recorded four turnovers in the win, with none bigger than Jeremy Kellem’s interception that he returned 39-yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. Kellem, who leads the VooDoo with 28.5 total tackles, was honored by the AFL this week for his interception return touchdown as the Spalding Highlight of the Week.
“Our defense is playing at a high-level right now, and our offense has done a good job not turning over the ball,” said O’Hara. “We will have arguably our toughest test yet this weekend when we go to play Aaron Garcia and San Antonio.”
Aaron Garica led Jacksonville to an ArenaBowl XXIV to a championship last season, and has guided the Talons this season with 1,244 yards passing and 27 touchdowns. Garcia comes into the game having thrown for over 50,000 yards and 1,000 touchdowns – both AFL records – in his 18-year AFL career.
Garcia’s 1,000th career touchdown pass came in the team’s most recent game against the San Jose Sabercats when he connected with Robert Quiroga on a 47-yard pass in the first quarter.
“They are good; there is no question about that,” said O’Hara about San Antonio. “I have a lot of respect for their team, and no that it is going to take another strong showing from our team on national television.”
The VooDoo counters with quarterback Kurt Rocco who is currently the League’s No. 1 passer, averaging 333.8 yards/game. Rocco, who is in his second year in the AFL, has a host of receivers at his disposal with L.J. Castile leading the pack for the VooDoo with 26 receptions for 315 yards and 7 touchdowns. Castile is coming off of his first 100-yard receiving game of his AFL career.
As a team, the VooDoo ranks second in pass offense (321.2 yards/game), third in total offense (338.5 yards/game) and fourth in pass efficiency (124.6). The team is also first in the AFL in turnover margin (+9).
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in the Alamodome on Friday night.
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