AFL Realigns for 2004
October 9, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
NEW YORK - With three new expansion teams set to begin play in 2004, the AFL has realigned its divisions to stimulate more geographic rivalries than ever before.
Nineteen teams will compete for the ArenaBowl XVIII championship. Following is the new divisional alignment:
WESTERN CENTRAL EASTERN SOUTHERN
Arizona Rattlers Chicago Rush Carolina Cobras Austin Wranglers
Las Vegas Gladiators Colorado Crush Columbus Destroyers Georgia Force
Los Angeles Avengers Detroit Fury Dallas Desperados New Orleans VooDoo
San Jose SaberCats Grand Rapids Rampage New York Dragons Orlando Predators
Indiana Firebirds Philadelphia Soul Tampa Bay Storm
In the new alignment, the Detroit Fury and Las Vegas Gladiators move from the Eastern Division to the Central and Western Divisions, respectively. The Dallas Desperados, owned by JERRY JONES SR., move from the Central Division to the Eastern. The Colorado Crush, co-owned by former NFL quarterback JOHN ELWAY, move from the Western Division to the Central Division. The Southern Division sends the Carolina Cobras to the Eastern Division, while it gains the expansion Austin Wranglers and New Orleans VooDoo, who are owned by Saints owner TOM BENSON. The expansion Philadelphia Soul, co-owned by JON BON JOVI, will play in the Eastern Division. The Destroyers relocated to Columbus, but will remain in the Eastern Division.
"We will have 19 strong teams and four revised divisions that we anticipate will lead to the same great parity in 2004 as we had in 2003 when each division had three teams participate in the postseason," said Commissioner DAVID BAKER. "This realignment makes geographic sense and puts teams in divisions with natural football rivalries, while maintaining competitive balance."
The addition of Philadelphia and Dallas to the Eastern Division with New York emphasizes an existing football rivalry within those markets. Detroit returns to the Central Division with intrastate rival Grand Rapids. Colorado and new head coach MIKE DAILEY are added to the Central with Dailey's former team Indiana. Las Vegas is placed in the Western Division for a more geographic-friendly division with Arizona, Los Angeles and San Jose.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 9, 2003
- Fury Moved in Divisional Re-alignment - Detroit Fury
- Desperados Change Divisions for 2004 Season - Dallas Desperados
- Detroit & Colorado Added to Central Division with Rampage - Grand Rapids Rampage
- AFL Realigns for 2004 - AFL I
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