Something old, something new in 2004
February 4, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
NEW YORK â Nineteen teams â including four new markets â highlight Week 1 of the Arena Football League's 18th regular-season schedule, which begins Thursday, February 5.
NBC enters its second season broadcasting the AFL on a regional basis each regular-season Sunday (except week 8), plus all playoff games for up to 60 contests, which would be the second-most games on network television of any sports league, behind only the NFL.
The defending champion Tampa Bay Storm and seven-time ArenaBowl winning head coach TIM MARCUM kick off their title defense by renewing the "War on I-4" with a rematch of last season's Semifinal against six-time ArenaBowl champion JAY GRUDEN and the Orlando Predators at St. Pete Times Forum on Sunday, February 8 in Week 1 on NBC.
Gruden will look to former Georgia Tech standout JOEY HAMILTON to lead the Predators offense, while Marcum will have SHANE STAFFORD back as the starter after last starting for the Storm in 2002.
The expansion Philadelphia Soul, co-owned by JON BON JOVI, make their debut on NBC by hosting the expansion New Orleans VooDoo, who are operated by New Orleans Saints owner TOM BENSON, on Sunday, February 8 at Wachovia Center. The VooDoo's first home game will come against the Indiana Firebirds on Saturday, February 14 in Week 2 on NBC.
The 2004 season begins with the Detroit Fury hosting the San Jose SaberCats on Thursday, February 5 and culminates with the NBC broadcast of ArenaBowl XVIII on Sunday, June 27.
The expansion Austin Wranglers, who have a bye in Week 1, travel to Orlando on February 13 in Week 2 for their first game. The Destroyers, who relocated from Buffalo to Columbus, will play their first game with head coach EARLE BRUCE at Indiana on Saturday, February 7 in Week 1.
Games this week: San Jose at Detroit on Thursday; Las Vegas at Colorado on Friday; Columbus at Indiana on Saturday; Los Angeles at Arizona (NBC), Grand Rapids at Chicago (NBC), New York at Georgia (NBC), New Orleans at Philadelphia (NBC), Orlando at Tampa Bay (NBC) and Carolina at Dallas on Sunday.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 4, 2004
- Columbus Destroyers game notes - Columbus Destroyers
- Colorado Crush game notes - Colorado Crush
- Something old, something new in 2004 - AFL I
- Home Opener Thursday - Detroit Fury
- Big prizes, up-to-date information now available to fans at AFL Fantasy Central - AFL I
- Dragons Announce 2004 Roster - New York Dragons
- John Berry to sing national anthem at force home opener - Georgia Force
- Anthony J. Nicholson Partners With Orlando Predators - Orlando Predators
- Georgia Force help AFL stand for "All Fun League" - Georgia Force
- Comcast to broadcast seven Crush games - Colorado Crush
- Chicago Rush game notes - Chicago Rush
- Detroit Fury Announce Broadcast Schedule - Detroit Fury
- New Orleans VooDoo to be heard and seen weekly on the airwaves - New Orleans VooDoo
- Sports Byline USA to debut AFL's first ever national radio program this Thursday - AFL I
- AFL's first ever national weekly television program debuts on Fox Sports Net February 9 - AFL I
- Rampage-ALLTEL Kickoff Classic Week starts Monday - Grand Rapids Rampage
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