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The Alliance of American Football Introduces Their Seventh Team, Alliance Birmingham

June 6, 2018 - Alliance of American Football (AAF)
Birmingham Iron News Release


BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Today, The Alliance of American Football introduced their seventh team, Alliance Birmingham, and unveiled Tim Lewis as head coach. Alliance Birmingham home games will be played at legendary Legion Field Stadium, home to the UAB Blazers, while the city's new downtown stadium is constructed. Fans looking to secure tickets early for the inaugural season can purchase season ticket seat deposits for $50 on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Wednesday, June 6, at 11:00 AM CT on AAF.com or by calling (833) AAF-2019.

"Birmingham is the largest city in one of the most-populated states without a professional sports team. For a market with such a passion for the game of football, we knew early on that we needed to address that and expand the football offering for fans," said Charlie Ebersol, co-founder and CEO, The Alliance. "There are a number of exciting changes happening in Birmingham that make it an ideal destination for a professional sports team, including a new stadium currently under construction. We look forward to becoming an integral part of the community and I know this community will rally around and support Alliance Birmingham."

He added, "Our league is driven by opportunity. The Alliance is an opportunity for players to begin, extend and/or revitalize their careers. It's also an opportunity for coaches, especially those who have long deserved a head coaching position to take their next step. Tim Lewis is a respected and accomplished coach and I cannot wait to see him take the field in February as head coach of Alliance Birmingham."

For more than two decades, Tim Lewis coached in the NFL with stints as a secondary coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks and Atlanta Falcons. Lewis was the defensive backs coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1995-1999 and defensive coordinator of the Steelers from 2000-2003. During his tenure with the Steelers, the team secured five division titles and reached Super Bowl XXX. He also served as defensive coordinator for the New York Giants from 2004-2006. Most recently, Lewis worked as the secondary coach in Atlanta from 2010-2014, guiding the Falcons to three-straight playoff appearances, including a berth in the 2013 NFC Championship.

"Tim's experience as a player and coach in the NFL is invaluable, both for The Alliance and the players he will be leading in Birmingham," said Bill Polian, co-founder and head of football, The Alliance. "He started coaching at a very young age and has since displayed leadership qualities that make players want to win for and learn from him. He is deserving of a head coaching role, and we're pleased to have him on our sidelines competing for a championship."

"The Alliance is an opportunity for me to take the next step in my coaching career. The organization's leadership team has communicated an unwavering commitment to putting high quality, professional football on the field, which immediately captured my attention and interest," said Tim Lewis, head coach, Alliance Birmingham. "I look forward to working closely with a group of hungry, talented players and making a mark in year one. This region produces high-caliber football players, many of whom haven't had a chance to really prove themselves on the field at the professional level. They'll get to show what they can do here with Alliance Birmingham, and I'm committed to helping them succeed on and off the field, while making a positive impact in this community."

Lewis was a standout cornerback at Pittsburgh from 1979-1982. His senior year he was named an NEA All-American and Defensive MVP of both the Senior Bowl and the East-West Shrine games. In 1983, the Packers chose Lewis with the 11th overall selection in the NFL Draft. Lewis played 52 games for the Packers, twice led or shared the team lead in interceptions and finished his career with 16 interceptions. His 99-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Rams in 1984 is still the Packers' team record. In his third game of the 1986 season, a Monday night contest against the Chicago Bears in Lambeau Field, Lewis suffered a career-ending neck injury. He began his coaching career the following year as a graduate assistant coach at Texas A&M, followed by assistant roles at SMU and University of Pittsburgh.

Ticket pricing and seat locations for Alliance Birmingham home games will be released later this summer. The Alliance has committed to making a limited number of $35 sideline seats available for purchase. These will be among the best seats in the house but will not be the least or most expensive available, as there will be tickets with pricing to accommodate every budget.

About The Alliance of American Football

Led by some of the most respected football minds in the game, The Alliance of American Football is a dynamic professional football league fueled by an unprecedented Alliance between players, fans and the game. Founded by TV and film producer Charlie Ebersol and Hall of Famer Bill Polian, The Alliance will feature eight teams with 50-player rosters playing a 10-week regular season schedule in the spring beginning February 9, 2019 on CBS, followed by two playoff rounds and culminating with the championship game the weekend of April 26-28, 2019.

Seven of the eight cities and head coaches have been unveiled to date, with the final market set to be announced next week:

Alliance Orlando - Steve Spurrier

Alliance Atlanta - Brad Childress

Alliance Memphis - Mike Singletary

Alliance Salt Lake - Dennis Erickson

Alliance Phoenix - Rick Neuheisel

Alliance San Diego - Mike Martz

Alliance Birmingham - Tim Lewis

Fans will be able to stream Alliance matchups live via the free Alliance app while accessing integrated fantasy options with real rewards - for themselves and the players they are cheering on. With a focus on player well-being on and off the field, The Alliance will provide players with a commitment to safety and state-of-the-art equipment as well as a comprehensive bonus system, post-football career planning, financial counseling and scholarship support for postsecondary education.

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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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