AFL Announces Denver Team
June 19, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
DENVER (June 19, 2002) â Legendary quarterback JOHN ELWAY has teamed with Kroenke Sports Enterprises and Denver Broncos owner PAT BOWLEN to bring Arena Football to Colorado, the Arena Football League announced today. Each of the three will take equal ownership in the team that will play at Pepsi Center beginning in the 2003 season.
"The state of Colorado is renowned for being a hotbed for football that is rich in tradition," said AFL Commissioner C. DAVID BAKER. "John Elway has always been a large part of that storied history, but when you add the likes of Stan Kroenke and Pat Bowlen to the mix - you have a partnership that spells success."
"The Arena Football League is one of the most exciting sports leagues to be involved with right now from an ownership perspective," Elway said. "It has quality ownership, will receive unprecedented exposure from NBC next season, has great leadership provided by Commissioner Baker, and has infinite global implications. It is definitely a great time to be joining the AFL."
Elway, who will serve as the team's President & CEO, played quarterback for the Denver Broncos from 1983-1998 and led the team to back-to-back Super Bowl titles in the 1997 and 1998 seasons. In his final game, he was named the Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl XXXIII. He is the NFL's all-time winningest starting quarterback and was voted to the Pro Bowl nine times.
Kroenke Sports Enterprises is the Rocky Mountain West's leading provider of live sports and entertainment events. Kroenke Sports Enterprises was formed on July 1, 2000, when Stan Kroenke purchased the Colorado Avalanche, Denver Nuggets, and Pepsi Center. Kroenke is also the minority owner of the St. Louis Rams, who won Super Bowl XXXIV. The Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2001.
Pat Bowlen has owned the Denver Broncos since 1984. Under this leadership, the Broncos have won two World Championships (Super Bowl XXXII and Super Bowl XXXIII). The club has also established the best home record in professional football over the past 28 years and a string of home sellouts that will mark 33 consecutive years this season.
"The Arena Football League presents something new and different for Colorado's fans and I hope our fans will be as excited about the AFL as I am," Kroenke stated. "This game will bring a new level of action, excitement and fun to Pepsi Center. The AFL is a perfect complement to the other sporting and entertainment events taking place here."
"I join a significant number of National Football League owners who enthusiastically view the AFL as a viable and solid entity that complements the NFL game," Bowlen said. "The AFL produces an entertaining form of football."
Denver was a charter member of the Arena Football League, the Dynamite defeating Pittsburgh, 45-16 on August 1, 1987 in the first ever ArenaBowl. The city has not had an AFL presence since 1991.
NAME THE TEAM The Colorado franchise will conduct a "Name the Team" contest in conjunction with The Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News. For details, visit www.denverpost.com. And www.rockymountainnews.com.
TICKET INFORMATION Season tickets go on sale Saturday, June 22 at 9:00 a.m. and start at just $80. Deposits for season tickets are $50 per seat and seating priority is based on the time and date of deposit. For more information and to purchase tickets beginning on June 22, visit www.coloradoarenafootball.com or call (303) 352-1000.
About Arena Football League
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. The AFL and NBC Sports have reached a network broadcast agreement to begin February 2, 2003.
Current AFL ownership includes: Denver Broncos' Pat Bowlen, Jerry Jones, Jerry Jones Jr., and Stephen Jones, Dallas Desperados (NFL's Dallas Cowboys ownership); William Ford Jr., Detroit Fury (NFL's Detroit Lions); K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr., Nashville Kats (NFL's Tennessee Titans); Tom Benson New Orleans Voodoo (NFL's New Orleans Saints); Jerry Colangelo, Arizona Rattlers, (NBA's Phoenix Suns and MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks); Dan DeVos, Grand Rapids Rampage (NBA's Orlando Magic); Charles Wang, New York Dragons (NHL's New York Islanders); Rogers Communications, Toronto Phantoms (ownership, MLB's Toronto Blue Jays).
Additionally, three other NFL owners have applied or been approved for ownership of future AFL expansion teams, including Washington Redskins' Daniel Snyder, Jacksonville Jaguars' Wayne Weaver, and San Francisco 49ers' Denise DeBartolo York.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 19, 2002
- Foggie Returns to Toronto - Toronto Phantoms
- The Deuce Scoop - AFL I
- Rocket performs at Desperados game - Dallas Desperados
- Q&A With John Elway - AFL I
- Arena Football League Transactions - AFL I
- AFL Announces Denver Team - AFL I
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.
