HDNet to Televise AFL Games
Published on May 23, 2002 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
NEW YORK and DALLAS (May 23, 2002) -- HDNet and the Arena Football League announced an agreement to broadcast live high-definition coverage of AFL games during the second half of the 2002 regular season. AFL action on HDNet's channel 199 on DIRECTV begins on June 1 when the Los Angeles Avengers host the Dallas Desperados at 10:30 p.m. ET.
"We are excited to be partnering with HDNet in broadcasting AFL games this year as we continue to provide our fans with the most optimal football experiences available," said AFL Commissioner David Baker. "Avid and casual AFL fans will love the presentation on HDNet because it provides a view of nearly the entire field on every play and will help bring the in-arena experience into the viewer's home."
"Once viewers see an Arena Football League game with the crystal-clear picture quality and widescreen format of HDTV, they will be hooked on AFL in HD," said Mark Cuban, co-founder and president of HDNet. "HDNet is committed to providing HDTV viewers with a wide variety of sports, news and entertainment programming, and the hard-hitting action of the AFL is a great addition to our broadcast schedule."
The HDTV broadcasts will be produced in 1080i HD format using HDNet's mobile production units, cameras, and crew.
The following schedule lists the live 2002 AFL game broadcasts on HDNet (all times are Eastern and are subject to change). A complete schedule of programming, including rebroadcasts of these games, is available at www.hd.net.
Date Game Time (ET)
Sat., June 1 Dallas at Los Angeles 10:30 p.m.
Sat., June 8 San Jose at Los Angeles 10:30 p.m.
Fri. June 14 Georgia at Carolina 7:30 p.m.
Sat., June 29 San Jose at Dallas 8:30 p.m.
Sat., July 6 Detroit at Dallas 8:30 p.m.
Sat., July 20 Buffalo at Los Angeles 10:30 p.m.
About Arena Football League
The Arena Football League consists of 23 teams (16 active for 2002 season), including eight in the 10 largest U.S. media markets. An additional seven expansion teams have already been approved to begin to play over the next three years. The AFL and NBC Sports have reached a network broadcast agreement to begin February 2, 2003.
Current AFL ownership includes: Jerry Jones, Jerry Jones Jr., and Stephen Jones, Dallas Desperados (NFL's Dallas Cowboys ownership); William Ford Jr., Detroit Fury (NFL's Detroit Lions); K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr., Nashville Kats (NFL's Tennessee Titans); Tom Benson, New Orleans Voodoo (NFL's New Orleans Saints); Jerry Colangelo, Arizona Rattlers, (NBA's Phoenix Suns and MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks); Dan DeVos, Grand Rapids Rampage (NBA's Orlando Magic); Charles Wang, New York Dragons (NHL's New York Islanders); Rogers Communications, Toronto Phantoms (ownership, MLB's Toronto Blue Jays).
Additionally, four other NFL owners have applied or been approved for ownership of future AFL expansion teams, including Denver Broncos' Pat Bowlen, Washington Redskins' Daniel Snyder, Jacksonville Jaguars' Wayne Weaver, and San Francisco 49ers' Denise DeBartolo York.
About HDNet
HDNet, (www.hd.net), the leader in high definition broadcasting, produces and televises more hours of HDTV programming each week than any other network. Available on DIRECTV channel 199, HDNet broadcasts a full schedule of sports, entertainment and news programming. Featured programming includes live Major League Baseball and National Hockey League games, NBC's HDTV coverage of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, and the first-ever HDTV war-zone reports. Co-founded by Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin, the company has offices and facilities in Dallas, Texas and Denver, Colorado. HDNet is available at no extra charge to all DIRECTV customers with an HDTV set, receiver, and elliptical dish.
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