Runyan Added to Ownership Group
February 27, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
San Diego Riptide News Release
SAN DIEGO - The ownership group of the San Diego Riptide is getting bigger... much bigger. The Riptide announced Friday that 6-foot-7-inch, 330 pound All-Pro Tackle Jon Runyan has purchased a minority interest in the team.
Runyan, 30, will be entering his ninth season in the NFL when the Philadelphia Eagles begin training camp this summer, but his latest investment will give the former Michigan Wolverine a chance to catch the game from a different perspective.
Runyan had been interested in getting involved in arena football for some time and after a suggestion from one of his San Diego area business advisors, the discussions began.
"I am very excited to be on board with the Riptide," Runyan said. "Arena Football is an exciting game with a bright future and I think the Riptide have a chance to play a major role in the growth of the sport."
The burly right tackle helped open up running lanes for Eddie George and the Tennessee Titans for four years before joining the Eagles, leading the team to within one yard of a Superbowl XXXIV victory. In four years in Philadelphia, Runyan has gained a reputation as a stand-out pass-protector, keeping defensive linemen away from star quaterback Donovan McNabb and making his first Pro-Bowl appearance in 2002.
"We wanted to get him in some games," said General Manager Gil Saidy, "but he wasn't too interested in the $200 per game salary."
Runyan plans on attending several games throughout the season and will participate in various community events as well.
Runyan will be in San Diego this week to take part in the John Lynch and John Allred Celebrity Golf Classic, taking place at Fairbanks Ranch Country Club in Rancho Santa Fe. He will also be appearing on the Mighty 1090 on Monday between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m.
The addition of Runyan is just one of many changes for the Riptide's third season in arenafootball2. Arena Group 2000, the primary owners of the ECHL's San Diego Gulls and the San Diego Sports Arena, have also joined the Riptide ownership group, helping to further increase the team's presence in San Diego. The team also announced the addition of new head coach Mouse Davis, an arena football innovator and former NFL coach.
The Riptide will kick off their 2004 season on April 3 in Little Rock, AR before taking the field for the first time this year at the Sports Arena on April 9 against the Green Bay Blizzard.
Individual game and season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the Riptide offices at (858) 404-0232 ext. 7.
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