Los Angeles Avengers announce 2004 schedule
October 28, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Avengers have finalized their 2004 schedule and will kick off their fifth season of play in the 18-year-old Arena Football League with a trio of games versus their Western Division rivals, beginning on Feb. 8, against the Arizona Rattlers at America West Arena in Phoenix, Ariz.
After their first visit to the Thomas & Mack Center to face the Las Vegas Gladiators on Feb. 14, the Avengers will settle into the friendly confines of STAPLES Center on Feb. 22, as they take on the San Jose SaberCats in their home opener. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
Each of those first three games will be televised live by NBC, which is the AFL's national television partner for the second consecutive season. As many as five other Avenger regular-season games will be televised on NBC, including a Week 14 match-up against the defending ArenaBowl champion Tampa Bay Storm on May 9, at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Fla.
Fourteen of L.A.'s 16 regular-season games will be against teams that participated in last season's playoffs, which is the most of any team in the AFL.
"Without question, this is a very challenging schedule, but it will be extremely exciting," Avenger president and chief operating officer Todd Merkow said. "Coach Ed Hodgkiss and his staff have been hard at work this offseason, preparing for our fifth year in the AFL."
In addition to the home opener against San Jose, the Avengers also will host seven other formidable teams at STAPLES Center, as the Georgia Force (March 1), Austin Wranglers (April 3), Colorado Crush (April 10), Detroit Fury (April 16), Arizona Rattlers (May 1), Las Vegas Gladiators (May 22) and Orlando Predators (May 30) come to Los Angeles.
Four of L.A.'s eight home games will be played on Saturday night and each contest will feature promotional giveaways and post-game autograph sessions.
NBC will broadcast up to 60 AFL contests on a regional basis, including all playoff games, which comes with the distinction of being the second-most games on network television of any sports league behind only the NFL.
Each of the AFL's 19 teams will have one bye week. L.A.'s week of rest comes at a good time during Week 5, before the Avengers head out on a three-game road swing to Grand Rapids (March 14), Dallas (March 21) and San Jose (March 26). The other two road games on the Avenger schedule are at Chicago (April 25) and New York (May 16).
Avenger season tickets are now on sale and can be purchased by calling 1-888-AVENGERS.
The complete 2004 Avenger schedule follows below. It is also attached in a separate document, along with a special "Fifth Season" logo, which will be tied to several events and programs designed to celebrate Avenger history throughout the year.
LOS ANGELES AVENGERS 2004 SCHEDULE
REGULAR SEASON
Date, Opponent, Time (PT)
Feb. 8, @ Arizona *, Noon
Feb. 14, @ Las Vegas *, Noon
Feb. 22, San Jose *, Noon
March 1, Georgia, 7:30 p.m.
March 14, @ Grand Rapids *, 9 a.m.
March 21, @ Dallas, 1 p.m.
March 26, @ San Jose, 7:30 p.m.
April 3, Austin, 7:30 p.m.
April 10, Colorado, 7:30 p.m.
April 16, Detroit, 7:30 p.m.
April 25, @ Chicago *, Noon
May 1, Arizona, 7:30 p.m.
May 9, @ Tampa Bay *, Noon
May 16, @ New York *, Noon
May 22, Las Vegas, 7:30 p.m.
May 30, Orlando *, 1 p.m.
PLAYOFFS
Date, Round, Time (PT)
June 5-6, Quarterfinals *, TBD
June 12-13, Semifinals *, TBD
June 27, ArenaBowl XVIII *, TBD
* -- NBC telecast
All times are Pacific
All home games at STAPLES Center
All dates and times are subject to change
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