UPN 57 to broadcast Philadelphia Soul games
February 11, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
Philadelphia, February 11, 2004 â UPN 57 (WPSG-TV), the station that brings viewers broadcasts of the Eagles, Sixers, Flyers and Phillies games locally, has extended its sports franchise by becoming the local television partner of the Philadelphia Soul, the new arena football team in Philadelphia, Vice President and General Manager Kevin O'Kane has announced.
UPN 57 will broadcast six of the team's inaugural year games and partner with the team in local promotions during the season. "The excitement that the Soul has already generated in Philadelphia makes the team attractive programming for UPN's local sports line-up," says O'Kane. "It's obvious that owners Craig Spencer and Jon Bon Jovi really âget' Philadelphia fans and their love of the game, and that should make the Soul a fun team to watch."
"We're excited to be on UPN 57 locally," said Spencer, "because we know that Kevin and the station are dedicated to the local aspect of Philadelphia sports. They certainly demonstrated that with their broadcast of the closing ceremonies at Veterans' Stadium. They know that sports is sacred to Philly fans and we recognize that too."
AFL veteran broadcaster Ari Wolfe will serve as the play-by-play announcer for the Soul on UPN 57. Wolfe was the TV/Radio play-by-play announcer for the Indiana Firebirds Arena Football Team for the past six years. Wolfe made his network debut last fall doing NFL sideline reporting for Fox Sports. He also has worked as a play-by-play announcer for Fox Sports coverage of NFL Europe for the past two seasons. During basketball season, Wolfe has served as a play-by-play announcer for Indiana University Men's Basketball on the Indiana Radio Network. Wolfe also called games for both the Men's and Women's Basketball teams at the College of Saint Rose, a top Division II program, on ESPN Radio 1300 (WTMM-AM) in Albany for four years.
Wolfe will be joined in the booth by Darrin Kenney, who will serve as the color analyst for the Soul's television broadcasts. Kenney spent 11 years in the trenches of Arena Football League as an offensive/defensive lineman. Kenney split his career between four teams, Tampa Bay Storm, Albany Firebirds, Arizona Rattlers and San Jose SaberCats. A three-time ArenaBowl champion, Kenney has won a championship in each ArenaBowl appearance (1993 Tampa Bay, 97 Arizona, 02 San Jose). Kenney finished his career with 56.5 tackles, six sacks, 16 pass break ups, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. A Philadelphia area native, Kenney attended Archbishop Wood High School. Kenney has worked as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Lycoming University in Williamsport, PA.
Rounding out the broadcast team will be SportsRadio 610 WIP personality Rhea Hughes. Hughes, who will serve as the sideline reporter, has been a member of the station's morning show for the last seven years and has spent the last 10 years as a Philadelphia Eagles reporter for the station. A native of Philadelphia and Temple University graduate, Hughes is the public address announcer for Temple women's basketball and has also served as its play-by-play voice.
The Philadelphia Soul's network games will be broadcast on NBC, home of the AFL. The team's schedule is listed below.
UPN 57 (WPSG-TV) is owned and operated by the Viacom Television Stations Group.
The Philadelphia Soul was the 18th team to join the Arena Football League and the second expansion team announced this year. Co-owners of the team include rock-ân-roll icon and actor Jon Bon Jovi and Philadelphia real estate developer Craig A. Spencer. Bon Jovi bandmate, Richie Sambora, is a member of the ownership group, and former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, Ron Jaworski, serves as team president. The team will play its eight home games at a combination of the Wachovia Center and adjacent Wachovia Spectrum. Season tickets are on sale now at 1-800-PHIL-AFL and www.philadelphiasoul.com.
# # #
Philadelphia Soul Schedule Sun. Feb. 8 NEW ORLEANS VOODOO 3 p.m. NBC
Sun. Feb. 15 @ Dallas Desperados 4 p.m. UPN 57
Sat. Feb. 21 COLUMBUS DESTROYERS 7:30 p.m. UPN 57
Sun. Feb. 29 @ Tampa Bay Storm 3 p.m. NBC
Sun. Mar. 7 CHICAGO RUSH 12 p.m. NBC
Sat. Mar. 13 @ Columbus Destroyers 7 p.m. UPN 57
Sun. March 21 COLORADO CRUSH 12 p.m. NBC
Sun. March 28 @ Austin Ranglers 3 p.m. not televised
Sun. April 4 DALLAS DESPERADOS 12 p.m. NBC
BYE WEEK
Sat. April 17 @ Carolina Cobras 7:30 p.m. not televised
Sat. April 24 NEW YORK DRAGONS 7:30 p.m. UPN 57
Sun. May 2 @ Colorado Crush 3 p.m. NBC
Sat. May 8 LAS VEGAS GLADIATORS 7:30 p.m. UPN 57
Sat. May 15 CAROLINA COBRAS 7:30 p.m. UPN 57
Sat. May 22 @ San Jose SaberCats 10:30 p.m. not televised
Sun. May 30 @ New York Dragons 4 p.m. NBC
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 11, 2004
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