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AFL Cleveland Gladiators

AFL Moves to 18-Game Schedule in 2011

August 30, 2010 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Cleveland Gladiators News Release


CLEVELAND - The Arena Football League 2011 regular season has been extended from 16 to 18 regular season games, Commissioner Jerry Kurz announced, today. The league will consist of 19 teams and each will play 18 regular season games, with the option of two preseason games (one home and one road). The change was passed in an ownership vote last week at the AFL Board of Directors meeting in Phoenix, AZ.

"There has never been a better time for the Arena Football League," said Commissioner Kurz. "The product is exciting, our economic model is sound and fans are demanding affordable family entertainment. Extending our season is a great decision, both from a business and fan perspective."

The AFL has officially grown from 15 teams in 2010 to 19 by adding teams in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Jose and Kansas City. The Philadelphia Soul claimed ArenaBowl XXII in 2008 just prior to a dark year where the AFL made strong adjustments to its economic model. The league just completed the 2010 successful season in which the Spokane Shock defeated the Tampa Bay Storm to claim the ArenaBowl XXIII championship on August 20.

"The new 2011 franchises are in key markets with dynamic ownership," added Kurz.

"We are excited to add two more games to our schedule and giving the great fans of Cleveland more arena football action in 2011," Gladiators Interim General Manager Phil Tesar said.

The 2011 season will be the longest in league history. In its 23 years of existence, teams have played as many as 16 games in a season. The league had observed a 16-game schedule since 2003.

The Cleveland Gladiators thank the fans of Cleveland for all of the support in 2010! 2011 Season Ticket deposits are being accepted now! For more information, call 216.685.9000 or visit www.clevelandgladiators.com. Don't miss all of the hard-hitting, helmet-popping excitement of arena football! Get ready to Rock the Q and Roll with the Gladiators!

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