Firebirds, UPN Indiana Announce Partnership
December 19, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release
INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Firebirds of the Arena Football League have a signed a two-year agreement with UPN Indiana (WNDY-TV23) to televise a minimum of four regular season games over the next two seasons. The announcement was made during a press conference held this afternoon at the Adams Mark Hotel in downtown Indianapolis
The Firebirds first broadcast on UPN Indiana will their season opener versus the Detroit Fury on February 2nd. Airtime is set for 7:00 p.m. Other games slated for the UPN Indiana broadcast are mid-season match-ups against new division rival Dallas Desperados (March 29th) and non-divisional games against the defending ArenaBowl champion San Jose SaberCats (April 19th) and the Buffalo Destroyers (April 26th). All Firebirds broadcast on UPN Indiana will be on the road.
With the Firebirds schedule to have nine games televised regionally on NBC sports and four games locally on UPN Indiana, the two deals provide the organization an extremely comprehensive broadcast package.
"The Firebirds are extremely please to have UPN Indiana as a broadcast partner," said Firebirds general manager Joe Hennessy. "They were looking for local sports programming and we were looking for a new home, we believe that this will be a true partnership in every sense of the word. It was obvious after out first meeting that we were both looking to achieve similar goals both in the short and long term."
Ari Wolfe will handle the television play-by-play calls for the Firebirds this season. Wolfe, who also is the Firebirds radio play-by-play announcer, is entering his six season with the organization. In addition to his radio work with the Firebirds, Wolfe has been part of the Firebirds TV play-by-play crew during the teams first two seasons in Indianapolis. In 2002, Wolfe served as a television play-by-play announcer for Fox Sports coverage of NFL Europe. During the basketball season, Wolfe has filled in as a play-by-play announcer for Indiana University Men's Basketball on the Indiana Radio Network.
Wolfe will be joined in the booth by color analyst, former Indianapolis Colt Tight-End Charles Arbuckle. This will be Arbuckle's third season with the Firebirds organization. In recent years, Arbuckle has worked with both the Indianapolis Colts Radio and Television broadcasts. In addition to his work with the Colts, Arbuckle has handled color commentary for ESPN Plus and Fox Sports Regional during the College Football season. A 1990 graduate of UCLA, Arbuckle was a three-year starter at Tight End.
Arbuckle was also an ESPN & UPI All-American while at UCLA. Following successful showings in the East-West Shrine Game and Hula Bowl in 1990, Arbuckle was drafted in the fifth round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. Arbuckle's career spanned over five years with four teams. He ended his career with the Colts in 1995.
UPN Indiana is affiliated with the United Paramount Network (UPN) and offer television programming such as ENTERPRISE, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER And THE HUGHLEYS. In Addition, Each Night, They Broadcast EYEWITNESS NEWS AT 10 On UPN INDIANA, Produced In Partnership With WTHR, Channel 13. UPN Indiana Offer A Wide Variety Of Syndicated Fare, Including KING OF THE HILL, ANDY GRIFFITH, THAT '70s SHOW, SPIN CITY And SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH.
"We are very excited about the partnership we have formed with the Firebirds," said UPN Indiana VP/General Manager John Satterfield. "When we were looking for local programming, we looked at the Firebirds and saw a perfect fit. We are looking forward to the excitement of Firebirds Football and the Arena Football League on UPN Indiana."
The 2003 season marks the historic debut of the AFL on NBC. The network will broadcast 71 games next season, including all playoff games and ArenaBowl XVII on June 22. The Firebirds kick off the 2003 regular season on Sunday, February 2nd on the road against the Detroit Fury which will be aired on UPN Indiana. The Birds home opener is slated for Sunday, February, 16th versus the Chicago Rush live on NBC Sports. Firebirds' season tickets for the 2003 season are on sale now and can be purchased by calling a Firebirds' ticket representative at 317.472.8080. Firebirds merchandise is also available at Home Court Gift Shop. For merchandise information, please call 317.917.2755.
UPN Channel 23 2003 Indiana Firebirds Telecast Schedule
Sunday February 2 at Detroit Fury 7:00 p.m. (Tape Delayed)
Saturday March 23 at Dallas 8:30 p.m.
Saturday April 19 at San Jose 9:30 p.m.
Saturday April 26 at Buffalo 6:00 p.m.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from December 19, 2002
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