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Arena League
What's new
By FRANK PASTOR
Published January 26, 2005
TEAMS: The Nashville Kats return after a three-year hiatus. The original Kats went 51-29 from 1997-2001 and lost ArenaBowls in 2000 and '01 before moving to Georgia. The Indiana Firebirds, Carolina Cobras and Detroit Fury folded, leaving 17 teams.
OWNERS: Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams is CEO and founder of Nashville. Country music star Tim McGraw joins him as a part-owner. Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank purchased the Georgia Force. Mike Ditka is a minority owner of the Chicago Rush.
COACHES: Todd Shell (Arizona Rattlers), Chris Spielman (Columbus Destroyers), Doug Plank (Georgia Force), Sparky McEwen (Grand Rapids Rampage), Ron James (Las Vegas Gladiators), Pat Sperduto (Nashville Kats), Weylan Harding (New York Dragons).
PLAYOFF SYSTEM: The board of directors approved an eight-team format in which the postseason will be divided into two conferences with the champions meeting June 12 in Las Vegas, site of the first neutral-site ArenaBowl.
TRADING CARDS: Upper Deck entered into a multiyear partnership with the league to produce cards beginning this season.
VIDEO GAME: Electronic Arts agreed to produce a game in time for the 2006 season. In return, EA will share in the proceeds of future expansion team sales.
OPENINGWEEK
FRIDAY
Nashville at Columbus, 7
Arizona at Grand Rapids, 7:30
SATURDAY
New Orleans at Georgia, 7
SUNDAY
Colorado at Orlando, noon
Philadelphia at Austin, noon
Chicago at Dallas, 3
San Jose at Tampa Bay, 3
Los Angeles at Las Vegas, 3
[Last modified January 26, 2005, 00:14:07]
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