Post by DiamondThief on Oct 3, 2013 18:30:22 GMT -8
The commissioner of the Arena Football League announced this week that an ownership group from Portland is bringing a football team to Portland and will start playing at the Moda Center in the spring of 2014. Here is the story from the AFL's website:
The Arena Football League began in 1987 and features 14 teams in two conferences (each conference has two divisions). There is no news yet in which conference and division Portland will compete. The regular season consists of 18 games played over 19 weeks (each team has a bye week during the season). A regular season typically runs from March through July, with two weeks of playoffs leading up to the Arena Bowl (The Arizona Rattlers defeated the Philadephia Soul, 48-39, in Arena Bowl XXVI on August 17.
I think this is a great move for Portland, Oregon and the AFL. I realize the Forest Dragons only lasted for three years but I think over the past few years the Portland sports community has spiked up quite a bit. The Blazers are as popular as ever. There's a lot of spirit and pride with the Winterhawks. The Timbers are not even through with their third season and their fans are already well known around the MSL. The Thorns are still the toast of Portland after winning the first NWSL championship. What I mean is that Portland and Oregon have a whole lot of sports love to give.
Also check back with other news regarding Portland AFL, including the coaching hire, roster and schedule information, and updates with the organization.
To Portland AFL: I say Welcome to the Rose City and the Beaver state! You are going to love your fans!
Arena Football League Commissioner Jerry B. Kurz announced at a press conference today that an ownership group led by Portland businessman Terry W. Emmert, CEO of Clackamas-based Emmert International, an engineered transport and structural relocation company specializing in ultra-heavy duty transit, has been approved by the AFL’s Board of Directors to purchase a majority of the Milwaukee Mustangs and relocate the team to Portland, Ore. The team will begin regular season play in 2014 at the Moda Center (20,636), home of the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to bring professional football not only to the Portland community, but to the entire state of Oregon,” Emmert stated. “Sports fans in this state are used to seeing a high-energy, fast-paced brand of football. The Arena Football League delivers that kind of excitement in a unique and affordable family setting.”
This will be the second franchise in League history to call Portland home. The Portland Forest Dragons played in the AFL for three seasons from 1997-1999.
“The Northwest has a rich history of energetic fans and dynamic talent,” Arena Football League Commissioner Jerry B. Kurz said. “Some of our highest viewership for ArenaBowl XXVI was in Portland so we could not be more excited to have a franchise here once again.”
The League’s newest franchise also announced that the community will have a say in deciding the name of Portland’s professional football team. Beginning on Wednesday, fans can log on to PortlandAFL.com to suggest and vote on potential team names. The official team name will be selected and unveiled later in the month.
Jared Rose, who served as the Vice President of Marketing for the Spokane Shock from 2005-2010, was introduced at the press conference as the team’s inaugural president. In addition, Meadow Lemon has been named the team’s Director of Football Operations. The team’s head coach will be announced at a later date.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to bring professional football not only to the Portland community, but to the entire state of Oregon,” Emmert stated. “Sports fans in this state are used to seeing a high-energy, fast-paced brand of football. The Arena Football League delivers that kind of excitement in a unique and affordable family setting.”
This will be the second franchise in League history to call Portland home. The Portland Forest Dragons played in the AFL for three seasons from 1997-1999.
“The Northwest has a rich history of energetic fans and dynamic talent,” Arena Football League Commissioner Jerry B. Kurz said. “Some of our highest viewership for ArenaBowl XXVI was in Portland so we could not be more excited to have a franchise here once again.”
The League’s newest franchise also announced that the community will have a say in deciding the name of Portland’s professional football team. Beginning on Wednesday, fans can log on to PortlandAFL.com to suggest and vote on potential team names. The official team name will be selected and unveiled later in the month.
Jared Rose, who served as the Vice President of Marketing for the Spokane Shock from 2005-2010, was introduced at the press conference as the team’s inaugural president. In addition, Meadow Lemon has been named the team’s Director of Football Operations. The team’s head coach will be announced at a later date.
The Arena Football League began in 1987 and features 14 teams in two conferences (each conference has two divisions). There is no news yet in which conference and division Portland will compete. The regular season consists of 18 games played over 19 weeks (each team has a bye week during the season). A regular season typically runs from March through July, with two weeks of playoffs leading up to the Arena Bowl (The Arizona Rattlers defeated the Philadephia Soul, 48-39, in Arena Bowl XXVI on August 17.
I think this is a great move for Portland, Oregon and the AFL. I realize the Forest Dragons only lasted for three years but I think over the past few years the Portland sports community has spiked up quite a bit. The Blazers are as popular as ever. There's a lot of spirit and pride with the Winterhawks. The Timbers are not even through with their third season and their fans are already well known around the MSL. The Thorns are still the toast of Portland after winning the first NWSL championship. What I mean is that Portland and Oregon have a whole lot of sports love to give.
Also check back with other news regarding Portland AFL, including the coaching hire, roster and schedule information, and updates with the organization.
To Portland AFL: I say Welcome to the Rose City and the Beaver state! You are going to love your fans!
Graphic courtesy of David.