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Radio Formula Network to Broadcast San Antonio Scorpions Home Games

April 12, 2012 - North American Soccer League (NASL) San Antonio Scorpions

SAN ANTONIO - Radio Formula Network, one of the most prominent broadcasting groups in Mexico and the U. S., will air all home games in Spanish during the 2012 inaugural season for the San Antonio Scorpions, the city's new pro soccer team competing in the North American Soccer League (NASL).

Heard locally at 102.3 FM and 1500 AM, Radio Formula will broadcast the Scorpions' home opener against the Puerto Rico Islanders at 6 p.m. Sunday, April 15, from Heroes Stadium.

"We are thrilled that Radio Formula has partnered with us to bring fans exciting Scorpions action over the airwaves," said Michael Hitchcock, Scorpions president. "For those fans unable to attend home games, Radio Formula will make sure they are immersed in the thrills of the world's most popular sport."

Popular sports anchor Jaime Becerril will be behind Radio Formula's play-by-play microphone, with special appearances and commentary by Jorge Zambrano, better known to many fans as simply Dr. Z via his "Contragolpe" show.

In addition, Radio Formula will air a half-hour show each Sunday spotlighting the Scorpions. It will include the latest game results as well as interviews with players and coaches to keep fans up to date on the latest team news.

"Radio Formula Network is proud to be the official home-game broadcaster of the San Antonio Scorpions, and we are looking forward to our first broadcast and the rest of the inaugural season," said Alex Hernandez, Radio Formula operations manager. "The Scorpions will bring more "˜personalidad' to our programming."

"To the best of our knowledge, the Scorpions are the first team in professional sports history to be organized solely for the benefit of a non-profit cause," said Hitchcock. "The Scorpions will compete for a community that is eager to see soccer played at a high level - and for Morgan's Wonderland, a unique theme park designed with special-needs individuals of all ages in mind."

San Antonio philanthropist Gordon Hartman led the effort to create Morgan's Wonderland in Northeast San Antonio so people of all ages with and without disabilities could come together in a safe, colorful, totally wheelchair-accessible park for fun and understanding. Now in its third year of operation, Morgan's Wonderland features more than 25 rides, playscapes and attractions spread out over 25 acres in what once was a limestone quarry.

Because anyone with a physical or cognitive special need is admitted free to Morgan's Wonderland, Hartman sought other revenue streams to help the park meet its financial obligations as well as to expand programs and services at the park for the special-needs community. Morgan's Wonderland opened in spring 2010 along with the South Texas Area Regional (STAR) Soccer Complex, which conveys net profits from the operation of 13 first-class playing fields to the theme park. Similarly, Scorpions net profits will go directly to Morgan's Wonderland.

Sensing an opportunity to benefit Morgan's Wonderland for the long run, Hartman in fall 2010 secured an NASL franchise - one rung below Major League Soccer - and immediately launched Soccer for a Cause, a campaign to build community support for the new team. This included a name-the-team contest, a logo-design competition and an online vote of fans to select the Scorpions' jersey. Meanwhile, Nike became the first to sign up as a team sponsor.

Hartman also announced plans for a 6,100-seat playing facility (that can be expanded to 18,000 seats) on land near Morgan's Wonderland and ready for the 2013 season. In the interim, the Scorpions will play 2012 NASL home games in North East Independent School District's 11,000-seat Heroes Stadium across Thousand Oaks Drive from Morgan's Wonderland.

"Morgan's Wonderland continues to exceed expectations, profoundly touching the lives of special-needs children and adults, their families and friends," Hartman said. "Thus far, we have welcomed more than 200,000 guests from all 50 states and more than 30 other countries. This level of activity requires substantial financial support in order to welcome more guests and provide more services and programs to the special-needs community at no charge."

More information about the San Antonio Scorpions FC is available at www.SanAntonioScorpions.com, http://www.Facebook.com/SanAntonioScorpions or http://www.Twitter.com/SAScorpions. Additional Morgan's Wonderland information can be found at www.MorgansWonderland.com or by calling (210) 495-5888.

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