AFL Releases 2004 Schedule

October 28, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release

NEW YORK – Nineteen teams – including four new markets – the "War on I-4" and brand new division rivalries highlight Week 1 of the Arena Football League's 18th regular-season schedule, which begins the second weekend of February.

An odd number of teams means at least one team will have a bye each week throughout the 17-week regular season. It also means the 2004 playoffs will go from four rounds to three, including ArenaBowl XVIII, with only eight teams qualifying for the postseason instead of 12.

The 2004 season begins with the Detroit Fury hosting the San Jose SaberCats on Thursday, February 5 and culminates with the NBC broadcast of ArenaBowl XVIII on Sunday, June 27.

NBC enters its second season broadcasting the AFL on a regional basis each regular-season Sunday plus all playoff games for up to 60 contests, which would be the second-most games on network television of any sports league behind only the NFL. NBC will kickoff its 2004 broadcast schedule by showing five Week 1 games. NBC will broadcast Week 2 games on Saturday, February 14 instead of Sunday and will not broadcast any games in Week 8 due to scheduling conflicts. In Week 12, NBC will broadcast its first AFL doubleheader with games at noon and 3 p.m. ET.

Flexible scheduling opportunities exist during a number of weeks throughout the season to allow the most compelling match-ups in the most exciting arenas to be broadcast on NBC.

The defending champion Tampa Bay Storm and seven-time ArenaBowl winning head coach TIM MARCUM kick off their title defense by renewing the "War on I-4" and with a rematch of last season's semifinal against six-time ArenaBowl champion JAY GRUDEN and the Orlando Predators at St. Pete Times Forum on Sunday, February 8 in Week 1 on NBC.

The expansion Philadelphia Soul, co-owned by JON BON JOVI, make their debut on NBC by hosting the expansion New Orleans VooDoo, who are operated by New Orleans Saints owner TOM BENSON on Sunday, February 8 at Wachovia Center in Week 1. The VooDoo's first home game will come against the Indiana Firebirds on Saturday, February 14 in Week 2 on NBC.

The expansion Austin Wranglers, who have a bye in Week 1, travel to Orlando on February 13 in Week 2 for their first game. Austin's home debut in the Frank Erwin Center is against the defending ArenaBowl champion Tampa Bay Storm on Sunday, February 22 in Week 3 on NBC.

The Columbus Destroyers, who relocated from Buffalo during the off-season will play at Indiana on Saturday, February 7 in Week 1. The Destroyers first home game in their new city will be against the Carolina Cobras on Friday, February 13 in Week 2 at Nationwide Arena, while their first NBC game is slated for Sunday, February 29 at home against the Dallas Desperados.

NBC's Kickoff Weekend coverage on Sunday, February 8 also includes:

A 2003 Quarterfinal rematch between Western Division rivals, the Los Angeles Avengers and the Arizona Rattlers, at America West Arena in Phoenix. The Chicago Rush host the Grand Rapids Rampage in a Central Division battle of 2003 playoff teams at Allstate Arena in Chicago. 2003 Quarterfinal participants square off when the Georgia Force host the New York Dragons at The Arena at Gwinnett Center (Ga.).

Four additional games will be played Kickoff Weekend:

*The 2004 season kicks off with a match-up of two 2003 playoff teams when Detroit hosts ArenaBowl XVI champion San Jose on Thursday, February 5 at The Palace at Auburn Hills.

*The SaberCats begin their 10th Anniversary season by trying to win their fifth straight Western Division crown.

*The second-year Colorado Crush, co-owned by former NFL quarterback JOHN ELWAY, host the Las Vegas Gladiators, who were a 2003 playoff team, at Pepsi Center on Friday, February 6.

*Former NFL QB STEVE DEBERG makes his AFL head coaching debut against former Ohio State coach EARLE BRUCE and the Columbus Destroyers on Saturday, February 7 at Conseco Fieldhouse.

*The Dallas Desperados, owned by JERRY JONES, host the Carolina Cobras on Sunday, February 8 in a battle of new Eastern Division opponents at American Airlines Arena.

WEEK-BY-WEEK SCHEDULE
(All times are Eastern; Subject to change.)
DATE WEEK 1 TIME
Thursday, February 5 San Jose at Detroit 7:30 p.m.
Friday, February 6 Las Vegas at Colorado 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 7 Columbus at Indiana 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 8 Carolina at Dallas 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 8 Los Angeles at Arizona 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 8 Grand Rapids at Chicago 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 8 New York at Georgia 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 8 New Orleans at Philadelphia 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 8 Orlando at Tampa Bay 3:00 p.m.
Bye: Austin

WEEK 2
Friday, February 13 Georgia at Tampa Bay 7:30 p.m.
Friday, February 13 Carolina at Columbus 7:00 p.m.
Friday, February 13 Austin at Orlando 7:30 p.m.
Friday, February 13 Detroit at Arizona 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 14 Colorado at Grand Rapids 12:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 14 Chicago at New York 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 14 Indiana at New Orleans 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 14 Los Angeles at Las Vegas 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 15 Philadelphia at Dallas 4:00 p.m.
Bye: San Jose

WEEK 3
Saturday, February 21 Columbus at Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 21 Arizona at Carolina 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 22 Las Vegas at Grand Rapids 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 22 San Jose at Los Angeles 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 22 Colorado at Chicago 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 22 Tampa Bay at Austin 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 22 New Orleans at Georgia 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 22 Dallas at New York 3:00 p.m.
Monday, February 23 Indiana at Detroit 7:30 p.m.
Bye: Orlando

WEEK 4
Friday, February 27 Austin at Colorado 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 28 Orlando at Carolina 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 28 Grand Rapids at San Jose 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 29 New York at Arizona 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 29 Chicago at Indiana 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 29 Philadelphia at Tampa Bay 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 29 Dallas at Columbus 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 29 New Orleans at Las Vegas 3:00 p.m.
Monday, March 1 Georgia at Los Angeles 10:30 p.m.
Bye: Detroit


DATE WEEK 5 TIME
Thursday, March 4 Detroit at Colorado 9:00 p.m.
Friday, March 5 Columbus at Arizona 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 6 Indiana at Orlando 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 6 Grand Rapids at Dallas 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 7 Las Vegas at Georgia 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 7 San Jose at New York 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 7 Chicago at Philadelphia 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 7 Tampa Bay at New Orleans 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 7 Carolina at Austin 3:00 p.m.
Bye: Los Angeles

WEEK 6
Friday, March 12 Georgia at Orlando 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 12 Detroit at New Orleans 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 13 Philadelphia at Columbus 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 14 Los Angeles at Grand Rapids 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 14 New York at Tampa Bay 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 14 Dallas at Carolina 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 14 Indiana at Austin 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 14 Colorado at San Jose TBA
Sunday March 14 Arizona at Las Vegas 6:00 p.m.
Bye: Chicago

WEEK 7
Thursday, March 18 Austin at Detroit 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 18 New Orleans at Arizona 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 20 Columbus at New York 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 20 Georgia at Indiana 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 20 Las Vegas at San Jose 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 21 Orlando at Chicago 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 21 Colorado at Philadelphia 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 21 Tampa Bay at Carolina 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 21 Los Angeles at Dallas 4:00 p.m.
Bye: Grand Rapids

WEEK 8
Friday, March 26 Grand Rapids at Indiana 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 26 Los Angeles at San Jose 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 27 Tampa Bay at Georgia 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 27 Las Vegas at Orlando 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 27 Carolina at New Orleans 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 27 Arizona at Colorado 9:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 28 Detroit at Chicago 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 28 Philadelphia at Austin 3:00 p.m.
Bye: Columbus, Dallas, New York



DATE WEEK 9 TIME
Thursday, April 1 Georgia at Detroit 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 3 Indiana at Colorado 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 3 Austin at Los Angeles 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 4 San Jose at Tampa Bay 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 4 Orlando at Columbus 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 4 Dallas at Philadelphia 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 4 Arizona at Grand Rapids 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 4 New York at Carolina 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 4 Chicago at Las Vegas 6:00 p.m.
Bye: New Orleans

WEEK 10
Friday, April 9 New Orleans at Orlando 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 10 New York at Columbus 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 10 Grand Rapids at Detroit 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 10 San Jose at Dallas 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 10 Las Vegas at Arizona 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 10 Colorado at Los Angeles 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 11 Carolina at Indiana 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 11 Tampa Bay at Chicago 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 11 Georgia at Austin 3:00 p.m.
Bye: Philadelphia

WEEK 11
Friday, April 16 Chicago at San Jose 10:30 p.m.
Friday, April 16 Detroit at Los Angeles 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 17 Philadelphia at Carolina 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 17 Indiana at Grand Rapids 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 18 Austin at Tampa Bay 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 18 Dallas at Arizona 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 18 Columbus at New Orleans 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 18 Colorado at New York 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 18 Orlando at Georgia 3:00 p.m.
Bye: Las Vegas

WEEK 12
Friday, April 23 Grand Rapids at Colorado 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 24 New York at Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 25 San Jose at Georgia 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 25 Tampa Bay at Columbus 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 25 Dallas at Orlando 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 25 Arizona at Indiana 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 25 Detroit at Las Vegas 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 25 Los Angeles at Chicago 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 25 New Orleans at Austin 3:00 p.m.
Bye: Carolina


DATE WEEK 13 TIME
Saturday, May 1 Columbus at Carolina 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 1 New Orleans at San Jose 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 1 Arizona at Los Angeles 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 1 Austin at Grand Rapids 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 2 Indiana at Las Vegas 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 2 New York at Dallas 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 2 Philadelphia at Colorado 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 2 Chicago at Detroit 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 2 Tampa Bay at Orlando 3:00 p.m.
Bye: Georgia

WEEK 14
Saturday, May 8 Carolina at New York 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 8 Chicago at Grand Rapids 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 8 Las Vegas at Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 8 Detroit at Indiana 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 9 Los Angeles at Tampa Bay 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 9 San Jose at Arizona 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 9 Dallas at Austin 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 9 Georgia at Columbus 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 9 Orlando at New Orleans 3:00 p.m.
Bye: Colorado

WEEK 15
Friday, May 14 Grand Rapids at Columbus 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 15 Arizona at Detroit 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 15 Carolina at Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 15 Georgia at New Orleans 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 16 San Jose at Las Vegas 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 16 Los Angeles at New York 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 16 Dallas at Chicago 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 16 Colorado at Indiana 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 16 Orlando at Austin 3:00 p.m.
Bye: Tampa Bay

WEEK 16
Saturday, May 22 Grand Rapids at Carolina 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 22 Columbus at Dallas 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 22 Philadelphia at San Jose 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 22 Las Vegas at Los Angeles 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 23 Indiana at Chicago 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 23 Colorado at Detroit 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 23 Austin at Georgia 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 23 New Orleans at Tampa Bay 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 23 New York at Orlando 3:00 p.m.
Bye: Arizona



DATE WEEK 17 TIME
Saturday, May 29 Detroit at Grand Rapids 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 30 Arizona at San Jose 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 30 Columbus at Las Vegas 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 30 Orlando at Los Angeles 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 30 Chicago at Colorado 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 30 Philadelphia at New York 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 30 Austin at New Orleans 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 30 Carolina at Georgia 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 30 Tampa Bay at Dallas 4:00 p.m.
Bye: Indiana

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 28, 2003

• Philadelphia Soul Sign First Two Free Agents - Philadelphia Soul
• New Markets Highlight Schedule - AFL I
• Los Angeles Avengers announce 2004 schedule - Los Angeles Avengers
• Rampage Release 2004 Schedule - Grand Rapids Rampage
• Crush Reveal 2004 Schedule - Colorado Crush
• Fury Announce 2004 Schedule - Detroit Fury
• Philadelphia Soul Releases Inaugural Schedule - Philadelphia Soul
• AFL Releases 2004 Schedule - AFL I
• Chicago Rush 2004 Schedule Announced - Chicago Rush
• SaberCats Announce 2004 Schedule - San Jose SaberCats
• Desperados Announce 2004 Schedule - Dallas Desperados
• Firebirds Announce 2004 Schedule - Albany/Indiana Firebirds

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