San Jose fined $20,000 for operations violations
June 10, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
NEW YORK â The San Jose SaberCats have been fined $20,000 for operations violations relating to their Quarterfinal Round playoff game against the Tampa Bay Storm on June 5, the AFL announced today.
Prior to the game, the team distributed cowbells to fans as they entered the building. AFL operating rules seek to keep either team from gaining a competitive advantage due to artificial noise and state:
"Teams are not permitted to âpump' in artificial noise nor provide fans with noisemakers unless approved in advance..."
Since the SaberCats did not seek or obtain approval in advance, the team was fined $10,000 for this violation.
The SaberCats also did not cooperate with NBC to put microphones on various players and coaches during the broadcast. AFL operating rules state:
"If requested, players and coaches from each team are required to cooperate with NBC in being equipped with microphones for NBC broadcasts."
The team was fined an additional $10,000 for this violation.
The AFL playoffs continue this weekend on NBC. San Jose hosts Chicago on Saturday and Arizona hosts Colorado on Sunday. Both games begin at 3 p.m. ET.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 10, 2004
- Must-see matchups: semifinals - AFL I
- Quick hitters: semifinals - AFL I
- San Jose fined $20,000 for operations violations - AFL I
- New Orleans' Mike Neu named Coach of the Year - AFL I
- John Elway, Danny White Q&A - AFL I
- New Orleans VooDoo Coach Mike Neu named Arena Football League's Coach of the Year - New Orleans VooDoo
- SaberCats announce All-Decade Team - San Jose SaberCats
- AFL Q&A: Colorado OS Damian Harrell - AFL I
- Ron Jaworski to chat live on USAToday.com this Friday - AFL I
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