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NL Approves Transfer of Dukes to KC

September 4, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Portland Forest Dragons News Release


WYANDOTTE COUNTY, KAN. — The Northern League announced today that it has approved the relocation of the Duluth, Minn. franchise to Kansas City, Kan.

"The relocation to the Kansas City area was made official after careful deliberation on the part of league ownership and the league office," according to Northern League Commissioner Mike Stone. "The League is very enthused about establishing a relationship with the Kansas City community, and we feel that this franchise will be highly successful here. We look forward to a long and fun-filled relationship with baseball fans in the area."

The Northern League is widely regarded as the premier independent baseball league. The 10 teams in the Central Division are located throughout the upper Midwest and Canada. Kansas City will play in the South. Eight of the 10 teams play in relatively new stadiums, and they draw near-capacity crowds during a 90-game schedule, which includes 45 home games.

The Constitution and By Laws of the Northern League are structured to achieve competitive balance between all teams in the league. As a result, fans can experience exciting baseball, with all teams having a good chance of winning the league championship each season. Northern League games are a wholesome form of affordable family entertainment, and the league is committed to presenting the sport in a spectator-friendly fashion.

Stone continued, "The relationship between a Northern League franchise and the community in which it exists is of paramount importance to the future of the League. I am confident that the ownership and staff of the Kansas City franchise will do everything possible to be positive contributors to the quality of life in the community."

John Ehlert, CEO of Dukes Baseball LLC, said a new stadium will be constructed in Village West, the tourism district of Wyandotte County (Kan.).

The new 4,500-seat stadium will be built in conjunction with the Legends at Village West Shopping Center being developed by RED Development. The as-yet-unnamed ballpark will join a neighborhood that is already home to the Kansas Speedway, Cabela's, and Great Wolf Lodge Family Resort, and will have a Nebraska Furniture Mart opening in Fall, 2003.

The stadium is being designed by local sports facility architects Heinlein Schrock Stearns and will be built by Titan Construction Organization.

"We are excited to bring the affordable family fun that is Northern League Baseball to the Kansas City market," said Ehlert. "The family demographics of the area, its rich baseball heritage, the enthusiastic cooperation of the local government units and a robust business climate make this an exciting area. This move will further allow the Northern League to continue its steady growth as the pre-eminent independent baseball league in North America."

"In addition," Ehlert continued, "the new stadium will host dozens of other events annually that maintain the family nature of our business, such as fairs, concerts, shows, rallies and community events to showcase the best the Kansas City area has to offer its citizens."

Stone noted that the new Kansas City stadium will be the ninth ‘new' stadium in the Central Division, "which is a great testament to the baseball and family fun our league offers."

The new baseball team's name will be chosen by the area fans in a name-the-team contest soon to be announced.

Ehlert also announced the appointment of the baseball team's top local official. Michael Hurd, most recently publisher of The Olathe Daily News, has been named executive vice president of KCNL Baseball, and will head the team's marketing and operations.

Ehlert also announced that his son, Adam, general manager of the Dukes and a part owner of the team, will be relocating to Kansas City and will retain his position with the team. Additional management personnel will be announced as their hiring is finalized.

Season ticket plans, luxury suite sales, advertising and employment opportunities will be featured soon on the team website at kcnlbaseball.com. The team can be contacted at P.O. Box 13365, Edwardsville, KS 66113. Phone 913-328-BALL (2255).

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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