ArenaCup 2002 to be televised on Vision Channel
Published on August 12, 2002 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release
The arenafootball2 league office announced today that the af2 championship game, ArenaCup 2002, will be telecast live nationwide on The Vision Channel via DISH Network on August 23 at either 4:30pm or 5:30pm PDT depending on which of the four remaining teams hosts the game.
The Vision Channel will carry ArenaCup 2002 - Presented by Built Ford Tough - on Channel 223 of DISH Network, which serves 7.2 million customers. In addition, television outlets will have the ability to work with their local teams to pick up the August 23 game via satellite for broadcast in all af2 markets.
"One of the rewards for our players, coaches and teams in advancing to ArenaCup is the television exposure our championship game provides," af2 Executive Director Jay Marcus said. "We're excited about the opportunity to reach a nationwide audience and, at the same time, reach out to our hometown markets with local over-the-air and cable broadcasts."
This will be the second af2 game telecast on the Vision Channel; the first was the playoff contest between the San Diego Riptide and Bakersfield Blitz on August 3. The Riptide won 40-27.
"The Vision Channel ironically had the "vision" to put on Arena football with our playoff game," said Riptide C.O.O Gil Saidy. "I'm ecstatic that they enjoyed the Riptide-Blitz game enough go into partnership with the af2 to broadcast the ArenaCup. "
Eli Gold, the distinctive voice of af2 and the Arena Football League on The New TNN, will handle the play-by-play duties. Gold, who recently completed his third season as the play-by-play man for TNN's AFL telecasts, will call the ArenaCup Championship Game for the third straight year.
"Over the last couple of years, the ArenaCup telecast has been one of the most enjoyable games to do," Gold said. "Anytime one game settles a year-long battle for a championship, emotions are high, the building is electric and it makes for a great telecast. I'm sure this year's edition will be no different."
af2 serves as a developmental league for players, coaches and officials with teams in small- to mid-size markets throughout the United States. Following a 16-game regular season featuring an all-time high 34 teams, the 2002 ArenaCup Playoffs began with 16 teams the first weekend of August. Four teams remain.
This Saturday, the Cape Fear Wildcats will host the Florida Firecats in the American Conference Championship Game and the Birmingham Steeldogs will host the Peoria Pirates in the National Conference Championship Game, with the winners advancing to ArenaCup 2002.
The Vision Channel satisfies the existing demand for consistent wholesome programming. The Vision Channel's goal is to be known as the premier network promoting traditional family values, coupled with uncompromised entertainment standards. For more information on The Vision Channel, call 803.547.8950 or log on to www.thevisionchannel.com.
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