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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Adams Moves Forward in Nashville

April 30, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


NASHVILLE (April 30, 2002) – K.S. "BUD" ADAMS JR., owner of the NFL's Tennessee Titans, announced today that he is moving forward with plans for an Arena Football League (AFL) expansion team in Nashville.

Adams was approved last September by the AFL's Board of Directors for an expansion team in Nashville after the previous Nashville AFL team relocated to Atlanta, Ga. to play in Phillips Arena as the "Georgia Force."

Adams will retain the nickname ‘Kats' and the new Nashville team is expected to begin play in either 2003 or 2004, pending securing a suitable venue to play in.

"Arena Football is emerging as a big-time, major league sport and Mr. Adams' commitment ensures that year-round football will continue to thrive for many years in Tennessee," AFL Commissioner DAVID BAKER said. "Nashville has always been a great Arena Football city and we are thrilled that the Kats are back. It is an honor to have someone as esteemed as Mr. Adams, one of the founders of the original AFL, as a member of the Arena Football League. He has done so much for the game of football and is now contributing his leadership to Arena Football."

PAT SPERDUTO, who was hired by Adams in September to lead the new AFL efforts in Nashville, will serve as head coach and manage football operations. Sperduto coached the AFL's former Nashville team to appearances in each of the last two ArenaBowl championship games. During the last eight months, Sperduto has been evaluating players and assisting Titans scouts.

The Arena Football League consists of 23 teams (16 active for 2002 season), including eight in the 10 largest U.S. media markets. An additional seven expansion teams have already been approved to begin to play over the next three years. Early last month, NBC Sports and the AFL reached a broadcast agreement to begin in 2003.

"When you have a major network putting you on national TV, it makes a big difference for the teams and how they'll be accepted out there," Adams noted at press conference Tuesday. "The fact is we're giving our fans an opportunity to see football year-round. Once the Super Bowl is over, we'll start right back up with the AFL season."

Entering his 42nd year as founder, owner, chairman of the board and CEO of the Titans/Oilers franchise, Adams is an enduring figure in the NFL. As one of the original team owners in the American Football League, he has guided his franchise to new heights since relocating from Houston to Nashville in 1997, posting the best back-to-back seasons in club history over the last two seasons. He currently is a member of the NFL's Finance and Hall of Fame Committees, and is a Trustee for the NFL Trust.

Current AFL ownership includes: Jerry Jones, Jerry Jones Jr., and Stephen Jones, Dallas Desperados (NFL's Dallas Cowboys ownership); William Ford Jr., Detroit Fury (Vice Chairman, NFL's Detroit Lions); Jerry Colangelo, Arizona Rattlers, (owner, NBA's Phoenix Suns and MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks); Dan DeVos, Grand Rapids Rampage (vice chairman, NBA's Orlando Magic); Charles Wang, New York Dragons (owner, NHL's New York Islanders); Rogers Communications, Toronto Phantoms (ownership, MLB's Toronto Blue Jays).

Additionally, six other NFL owners have applied or been approved for ownership of future AFL expansion teams, including Adams (Nashville Kats), New Orleans Saints' Tom Benson (New Orleans Voodoo), Denver Broncos' Pat Bowlen, Washington Redskins' Daniel Snyder, Jacksonville Jaguars' Wayne Weaver, and San Francisco 49ers' Denise DeBartolo York.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 30, 2002


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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