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af2 Still Going Strong; Nick Gatto Joins Team; Meet & Greet

December 15, 2008 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Corpus Christi Sharks News Release


Sharks and af2 Will Play in 2009 and Beyond

On Monday December 15th, the AFL announced plans to suspend the 2009 season. While there is still hope that the AFL can reach a new agreement with and play in 2009, the announcement has no impact upon the status of the af2 or the upcoming Sharks season.

While the AFL has an interest in the af2 they are separate business entities. Under its current business model the af2 continues to be financially stable. The league will be celebrating its 10th anniversary season in 2009 and looking forward to many more seasons to come. The af2 has added two major league sponsors for 2009 and three new teams. The Milwaukee Iron will begin play this year with the two other expansion franchises scheduled to begin in 2010.

Locally, the Sharks saw a dramatic increase in attendance last season and has added long term corporate sponsors that make the team financially viable for many years to come.

"While we hope that the AFL resolves its issues the announcement has no bearing on our season", said Sharks Vice President/General Manager Larry Linde. "We continue business as usual as we prepare for the 2009 season and are excited about our prospects of a deep play off run in 2009".

Don't Forget Sharks Meet & Greet

The Sharks will be hosting a Meet and Greet Thursday December 18 at Hooters off SPID. The event will feature a few of the players signed for the upcoming 2009 campaign as well as the Coaching staff and front office personnel. Stop by anytime between 5pm and 6:30pm to meet the team, get some photos and/or autographs and get some fantastic food.

Corpus Christi Sharks Vice president and General manager Larry Linde announced today that the af2 team has been assigned Nick Gatto for the 2009 season.

Gatto, (5'-11", 195 Lbs, Arkansas State) has been one of the most productive and consistent kickers in the af2 over the past two season. He brings stability to the kicking game that struggled for the Sharks most of 2008. Gatto, who has been selected All-af2 the past two seasons with the Texas Copperhead's, also brings three seasons of AFL experience to the Sharks. Gatto currently ranks among the af2's top ten in career field goals as well as ranking second for field goals made in a game, field goals attempted in a season, and ranks 4th in field goals made in a season.

"Gatto has been one of the top kickers in the league over the past few seasons", said Sharks Head Coach Michael Trigg. "He can make a field goal from any distance on the field, automatic on the point after, and solid on kickoffs, hitting them high off the net". "Needless to say, the kicking game is not something I'm going to have to be concerned about this year", Trigg added

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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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