Toronto Phantoms join Arena League

by AFL Press Release
October 17, 2000 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)

AFL Press Release

Rogers Majority Owner of Canadian Team to Start in 2001 Season

CHICAGO/TORONTO – The Arena Football League Board of Directors has approved the sale and relocation of the New England Sea Wolves from Hartford, Connecticut to Toronto, Ontario, AFL Commissioner David Baker announced today. Majority owner Rogers Communications Inc. is joined by minority owners Ronnie Strasser (on behalf of the Strasser family and Phantom Industries Inc.), Peter Shoniker on behalf of Firstrock Capital Corp. and Simon Serruya. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.

The team will be named the "Toronto Phantoms" and will begin competing in April 2001 at the state of the art Air Canada Centre, which is also home to the NBA's Toronto Raptors, NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs and NLL's Toronto Rock. In addition, the Phantoms have announced the hiring of Rob Godfrey as President and CEO, and Sea Wolves Assistant Coach and Director of Football Operations Mark Stoute as Head Coach and General Manager.

"Toronto is a world class city perfectly suited for the high-scoring sport of Arena Football," said Baker. "We are convinced that Arena Football will be embraced by Canadian fans."

The AFL's popularity has exploded, as an ESPN/Chilton Sports poll recently concluded that Arena Football is one of the "hottest new sports" that has emerged over the last 10 years. Not only will the AFL continue to expand in the United States, but it is also discussing plans for more expansion into Canada as well as Europe, Mexico, and the Pacific Rim.

The AFL will kick off its 15th anniversary season in April of 2001, with an all-time high 19 teams, including expansion teams in Detroit and Chicago. For the fifth consecutive season in 2000, attendance exceeded one million fans. For the third consecutive year, the AFL's championship game, Arena Bowl XIV, was broadcast live on ABC to more than 1.5 million viewers, with the Orlando Predators defeating the Nashville Kats, 41-38, to win their second title in the past three seasons.

"Rogers is pleased to add majority ownership of the Toronto Phantoms to our recently announced acquisition of the Toronto Blue Jays," said Tony Viner, President and CEO, Rogers Media Inc. "Arena Football is an exciting action-packed sport which we believe will earn an enthusiastic Canadian audience."

The Sea Wolves competed in Hartford for the past two seasons and last year earned a playoff spot with an 8-6 record. The returning nucleus is one of the AFL's most promising, with the expected return of quarterback and Rookie of the Year contender Chad Salisbury and offensive specialist Damian Harrell. The Phantoms will also boast Rookie of the Year runner-up wide receiver/defensive back Anthony Derricks.

The AFL remains the second-longest running professional football league in United States history, behind only the National Football League. On February 8, 1999, NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue announced that the NFL agreed to purchase an exclusive option to acquire an equity interest in the Arena Football League. The alliance between the NFL and the Arena Football League originated on May 22, 1998, when an amendment to NFL rules was adopted allowing NFL owners to invest in AFL teams in their own markets.

Rogers Communications Inc. [Toronto: RCI.A and RCI.B; NYSE: RG] is Canada's national communications company engaged in cellular, Digital PCS, paging and data communications through Rogers Wireless Inc; in cable television, high-speed Internet access and video retailing through Rogers Cable Inc., in radio and television broadcasting, tele-shopping, publishing and new media businesses through Rogers Media Inc. and holds a majority ownership position in the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club (subject to Major League Baseball approval).

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 17, 2000

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