Five-Time World Champion Tampa Bay Storm Return to Arena Football

Published on December 10, 2009 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


TAMPA BAY - The Tampa Bay Lightning and Arena Football One are partnering to bring the Tampa Bay Storm back to the St. Pete Times Forum. The Storm becomes the 15th team to compete in the new league, which will play a 16-game schedule, beginning in April 2010. Head coach and general manager Tim Marcum will return for his 15th season with the team. Marcum has led the Storm to three of its five world championships and he has led arena teams to seven world championships overall.

"We are very pleased to be able to bring back arena football and the Storm back to the fans and the community of Tampa Bay," said Oren Koules, owner and governor of the Tampa Bay Lightning, which operates the St. Pete Times Forum. "This means another 100,000 people or more will pass through the Channelside District this summer. And everyone knows there is no arena football in Tampa Bay without coach Tim Marcum. We are excited to be working with him and look forward to fielding the top notch competitive team that Storm fans expect."

Formed in 2009, the Arena Football One league boasts teams from coast to coast and will commence its inaugural season in the spring of 2010. The league recently completed the purchase of the assets of the former Arena Football League, which means teams in Arena Football One have the option of adopting former AFL team names and logos.

"With Arena Football One being the only league playing Arena Football in 2010, we are extremely pleased to welcome the storied Tampa Bay market to our roster of teams," said Commissioner Jerry Kurz. "Under the leadership of legendary coach Tim Marcum, with the NHL's Lightning being a partner in the team, which is playing in the St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa Bay will be a great success. The Storm will offer Arena Football fans the best of play and entertainment."

The Storm was universally recognized as one of the leading teams in the Arena Football League, setting numerous attendance records in its 19 years. The team also won world championships in 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996 and 2003, winning the last championship in front of a sell-out crowd of 20,496 at the St. Pete Times Forum.

"In many respects, we see this as a rebirth of the arena football product that Tampa Bay fans have long enjoyed," said Marcum, who is acknowledged as arena football's greatest coach ever. "We have high expectations, we intend to win, and many of the players our fans have come to enjoy watching will be back with us. The best news for fans is that because of the new financially responsible model being put forth by the league and its ownership, ticket prices will be much more fan friendly than in the past."

Beginning immediately, fans can place a $25 deposit on a season ticket for the 2010 Tampa Bay Storm season by calling 813 301 6600. Those that make a deposit in the next 48 hours will receive a complimentary Lightning single game ticket in the same seating area for the game of his or her choice, based on availability. Season ticket prices will be significantly lower in all seating areas for 2010 than they were in 2008 (the last year the Storm competed in the Arena Football League before the league folded), some by as much as 50%. A new, family-friendly indoor tailgate area will be added to the St. Pete Times Forum for Storm fans.

Fans should look for several exciting announcements from the team on a regular basis, including special promotions and ticket offers for former Storm season ticket holders. Those former season ticket holders will receive priority seating. The Storm intends to relaunch tampabaystorm.com shortly.

As previously referenced, the Storm become the 15th team committed to play in Arena Football One in 2010. Other solidified markets include Alabama, Arizona, Bossier-Shreveport, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Iowa, Jacksonville, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Spokane, Tulsa, and Utah. Orlando's presence in the new league means the "War on I-4," arena football's greatest rivalry, will continue.

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