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AA American Association

Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report

by Dan Krieger
July 28, 2008 - American Association (AA)


BASEBALL

American Association: The AA has rejected on offer from the Northern League for inter-league play next season. The league was not happy with the Northern League's proposed move into Burnsville (MN), near the market of the AA's St. Paul Saints. Northern League teams in St. Paul (MN), Sioux City (IA), Sioux Falls (SD) and Lincoln (NE) left for the AA when it was formed in 2006.

Arizona League: The rookie-level Arizona League recently started its 2008 season and it has the same nine clubs as last season-Angels, Athletics, Brewers, Cubs, Giants, Mariners, Padres, Rangers and Royals. There are no separate divisions in the Arizona League standings.

Gulf Coast League: After adding three new clubs last season, the rookie-level GCL has started its 2008 season with the same team alignment for its 16 teams. The Eastern Division includes the Cardinals, Dodgers, Marlins, Mets and Nationals; the Northern Division includes the Blue Jays, Braves, Indians, Phillies, Tigers and Yankees; and the Southern Division includes the Orioles, Pirates, Reds, Red Sox and Twins

BASKETBALL

American Basketball Association: The ABA's Modesto Sabers franchise has come under new ownership and the team has been renamed the Modesto Bearcats. The Knoxville Storm team is now listed as the Knoxville Thunderbolts. The league's new Winston-Salem franchise selected the "Storm" as its nickname. The league announced that an expansion team has been added in Wichita Falls (TX) for the 2008-09 season. The Gallup (MN) Talons franchise will return to the ABA for the 2008-09 season. A team called the Gallup Talons played in the 2005-06 season and came under new ownership as the Gallup Outlaws for part of the 2006-07 season. Several teams like the Las Vegas Lights, Monterrey Veneno (Poison), Orange County Gladiators, Quebec Kebekwa and Strong Island Sound are no longer listed as 2008-09 teams. The North Las Vegas Aces are now listed as the Las Vegas Aces. The city of Oakland (CA) has been added as a 2009-10 franchise location.

United Basketball League: The UBL 2008 championships featured the Central Texas Stars (Temple), Texas Wranglers (Dallas), Arkansas Warriors (Little Rock), and the San Antonio Soul filling in for the Oklahoma OnPoint Hoops. The Dallas Outlaws and North Missouri Hawks (Tarkio) played an exhibition game prior to the playoffs.

Continental Basketball Association: The possibility of the Yakama Sun Kings returning to the CBA has dwindled after a former owner lost interest and another potential owner has not moved forward to purchase the franchise. Nothing definite has been heard about an upcoming 2008-09 season. At one time, the league was pursuing the Wichita Falls (TX) and Columbus (OH) markets. Teams in the Montana cities of Butte and Great Falls are not expected to return.

FOOTBALL

United Indoor Football: The eight-team UIF and the nine-team Intense Football League announced that the two leagues have officially merged. With the merger, there has been speculation the league will try to expand to 20 teams by 2009 with the possible addition of Midwest markets like Fort Wayne (IN), Hoffman Estates (IL) and Rockford (IL).

Arenafootball2: Nearing the end of the 2008 af2 season, possible changes for next season have surfaced. The Texas Copperheads are expected to move to Jacksonville (FL) and the Augusta-based South Georgia Wildcats could fold or possibly move to Tallahassee (FL). The af2 could add teams in El Paso (TX) and Sarasota (FL). The Grand Rapids Rampage of the Arena Football League is rumored to be moving to Minnesota, so the af2 could move into the vacated Grand Rapids market. The Louisville Fire is expected to move up to the AFL when a new arena is completed in the city, but the team is expected to play in the af2 for the 2009 season.

National Indoor Football League: The NIFL, which sat idle during the 2008 indoor football season, could be making an attempt to return in 2009 with 12 teams.

Canadian Football League: Partial demolition has started on Ottawa's Frank Clair Stadium that could lead to stadium renovations and a possible return of a CFL franchise in the city. Apparently, a group of investors wants to bring an Ottawa team back to the league and a team would need a better home venue.

HOCKEY

Midwest Hockey League: The A-level professional MWHL plans to start its inaugural season in 2008-09. The league recently announced a new team called the Indianapolis Trax. The league has three other teams currently listed-Evansville (IN) IceMen, Louisville Chill and the Columbus (IN) Rage. The MWHL plans to play a 40-game schedule starting in November 2008.

ECHL: After losing its affiliation with the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League, the Augusta Lynx signed a new affiliation deal with the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning and the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League. These two teams had been affiliated with the ECHL's Mississippi Sea Wolves.

International Hockey League: The Port Huron Icehawks have threatened to leave its current arena if the team cannot obtain more control of the arena operations.

SOCCER

Major League Soccer: The Vancouver Whitecaps of the United Soccer League's First Division have officially announced the team will pursue one of two MLS expansion franchises to be added by 2011. The league confirmed it plans to grow to 18 teams for the 2011 season. The MLS currently has 14 teams, with Seattle to join in 2009 and Philadelphia in 2010. Atlanta, Las Vegas, Montreal, Ottawa, Portland, St. Louis and a second New York team are also under consideration by the league for an expansion team.

OTHER

National Lacrosse League: The NLL recently held its 2009 expansion draft for 13 clubs, which was the number of clubs in the 2008 season. The new Boston Blazers franchise will start play in 2009, but the Arizona Sting has ceased operations and will not return in 2009.

Dan Krieger is the creator of "Leagues, Teams & Nicknames", which tracks the changes in league alignments, franchise movements and team nicknames in today's sports world. The latest version can be found at http://www.lulu.com/content/2533047. Dan can be contacted at dankrieger@leaguesteamsnicknames.com.

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The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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