Indoor football is back for our enjoyment, or ignorance, whichever way you want to take it. So far, the following teams have been announced as part of the newly formed AFL: Alabama Vipers, Arizona Rattlers, Bossier-Shreveport Battlewings, Chicago Rush, Cleveland Gladiators, Dallas Vigilantes, Iowa Barnstormers, Jacksonville Sharks, Milwaukee Iron, Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz, Orlando Predators, Spokane Shock, Tampa Bay Storm, Tulsa Talons, Utah Blaze. Initial thoughts include the fact that the closest venue to the Philly area would be the Cleveland Gladiators. Interesting that 30% of United States population lives on the east coast but there isnt one team on the eastern seaboard. Still, there has to be a good reason for this, first thoughts are that the new leagues investors/sponsors might be located in the midwest area where most of the teams are situated. Admittedly, while I was not the most diehard arena football fan the first time around, it is good to see the sport back after its short hiatus. I am a fan of arena football in that it gives a lot of the D-I AA, D-II, and D-III players an opportunity to continue their playing careers without having to make the trek to the CFL (which we know no one actually wants to do by choice).
***UPDATE***
The league announced they will be targeting 4 markets for expansion in 2011: Philadelphia, Denver, Pittsburgh, and Southern California...looks like the Soul might be back in town
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