Star: Arena Football now coming to KC due to Katrina

tk13 · 10-04-2005, 01:37 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/12810372.htm

Arena football tossed to KC
Players were with New Orleans team

By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star

Kansas City will have an Arena Football League franchise this winter after all.

The Arena League has granted the city an expansion franchise beginning with the 2006 season. The club will be stocked with 15 players who are under contract with the New Orleans VooDoo, which will not operate next season because of the effects of Hurricane Katrina, including damage to the New Orleans Arena.

The franchise, owned by K.C. Arena Sports and Entertainment, signed a two-year lease to play at Kemper Arena when the season begins in late January. Earlier this year, Tyler Prochnow of K.C. Arena Sports and Entertainment, had been unable to secure an expansion franchise because of difficulties in working out a lease for the Sprint Center, which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2007.

But the availability of Kemper Arena, and the extenuating circumstances of the VooDoo, hastened Kansas City’s admission into the 18-team Arena League.

The VooDoo is owned by New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson, who will retain the rights to the franchise, nickname and colors. A news conference is expected this week, when the organization will introduce staff members and its “name the team” contest. The team has established a Web site at www. arenafootballkc.com, where deposits for tickets can be made.

“This is such a great opportunity for the people of Kansas City,” said Prochnow, whose ownership group, which includes former Chiefs star and New Orleans native Neil Smith, paid a $16 million expansion fee. “We feel great we were able to step in and help not only those players but give the people of New Orleans their team to root for.

“It will be the Kansas City team, but we will certainly reach out to them and make sure it’s still their team, too, and welcome their support as they follow us throughout the year.”

Former Chiefs safety Kevin Porter, who had served as defensive coordinator for the VooDoo, is expected to be the head coach. Mike Neu, the VooDoo head coach who led the club to a 9-7 record last year, will remain with the New Orleans franchise.

The club’s best-known player is quarterback Andy Kelly, the Arena League’s all-time leading passer who threw a league-high 96 touchdown passes last season. The game’s smaller field makes for a high-scoring game.

“This is not the way we planned it, but it is the result of a lot of good people who are excited about arena football being in Kansas City,” Arena League commissioner David Baker said Monday.

“Originally, we were going to have Tyler Prochnow’s group approved for 2007, but because of these unusual circumstances involving Hurricane Katrina, they were willing to step up early. The city helped with Kemper Arena and the lease.

“This is a bittersweet experience for Tom Benson and the New Orleans Saints, who are going through a lot. In some respects, I’m sure for Tom this was like putting children up for adoption. You need to know he was very positive on Kansas City as a market and having his players go there.”

Baker said a lease at the Sprint Center was not a requirement for Kansas City at this time. The league was impressed by the groundwork Prochnow’s group had done in setting up a Web site and attracting sponsorships and season ticket requests before it had a franchise.

“They could certainly launch it at Kemper,” Baker said, “and if all goes well with the (new) arena, they can have a second launch.”

Larry Hovick, general manager for Global Spectrum, which manages Kemper Arena, was delighted with his new tenant.

“This is a football town and a major-league town, and this is an AFL major-league tenant,” Hovick said.

Michael Roth, vice president if communications for Anschutz Entertainment Group, which will manage the Sprint Center, said, “We are hopeful of negotiating and entering into an agreement for the team to play in the Sprint Center.”

The Arena League, founded in 1987, averaged a record 12,872 spectators per game last season, the fourth consecutive year it posted an increase in attendance. It has a national television contract with NBC. Prochnow said the average ticket price would be about $26, with most seats priced at less than $40.

The league added an expansion franchise in Utah for next season and stocked that club through a dispersal draft.

“Kansas City is getting the core of what was a pretty good team,” Baker said.

“This is not your basic expansion team. The guys from Utah could have tried to take advantage of the situation and said there should be a dispersal draft, but they really wanted the best for New Orleans and the best for Kansas City, and they voted for this.”

Each team carries a 24-man roster, with 20 active for each game. The Kansas City team can complete its roster during the free-agency period, which begins today.

“We’re honored that Mr. Benson and the VooDoo organization would entrust us with their team,” Prochnow said.

Hammock Parties · 10-04-2005, 01:39 AM

No defense in THIS town, no sir!

10-04-2005, 06:16 AM

I'm thinking season tickets may be in order for me. I really enjoy arena football.

**BigRedChief** · 10-04-2005, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

I'm thinking season tickets may be in order for me. I really enjoy arena football.

Whats their website? Cost of tickets? More info please. Google brings back chit.

10-04-2005, 07:04 AM

http://arenafootballkc.com/

**Skip Towne** · 10-04-2005, 07:12 AM

I'm not watching it if Denver has a team.

**BigRedChief** · 10-04-2005, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

http://arenafootballkc.com/

signed up for the season ticket waiting list. Thanks!

GoTrav · 10-04-2005, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

http://arenafootballkc.com/

worst site ever. WTF is up with all the news delivered in that hideous pop-up? I submitted some inf0z, definately interested in season tickets.

So for the first two years it will be the NO team on loan to us and then we will get our own franchise?

tyton75 · 10-04-2005, 07:42 AM

The details are sketchy... are these players going to be Kansas City players? or are they going back to the Voodoo when they are back ?

Abba-Dabba · 10-04-2005, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

I'm thinking season tickets may be in order for me. I really enjoy arena football.

I think it is boring. I'll never attend or watch another arena game in my life.

**Rain Man** · 10-04-2005, 08:51 AM

I'm disappointed that they can't be named the Kansas City Voodoo.

ArrowheadHawk · 10-04-2005, 09:17 AM

sweet something else i can watch with my basketball

shaneo69 · 10-04-2005, 08:50 PM

How about former Chief Kevin Porter as HC? He was one of my favorite players, pretty much beat out Lloyd Burruss in '90 and '91, then somehow lost his job to Martin Bayless or some other scrub in '92 and got cut. Never could figure out what happened there. Guess Dave Adolph didn't like him.

Good to see he got into coaching. He's probably a better DB coach than Giunta right now.

VonneMarie · 10-04-2005, 08:51 PM

Just what we needed, two football teams with no _efense.

listopencil · 10-04-2005, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

I'm not watching it if Denver has a team.

Hah! The Colorado Crush won it all last year. Not only do we have a team, we are the defending champs. Put that in your pipe and smoke it, old man.

10-04-2005, 01:37 AM
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1692500	Star: Arena Football now coming to KC due to Katrina http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/12810372.htm Arena football tossed to KC Players were with New Orleans team By RANDY COVITZ The Kansas City Star Kansas City will have an Arena Football League franchise this winter after all. The Arena League has granted the city an expansion franchise beginning with the 2006 season. The club will be stocked with 15 players who are under contract with the New Orleans VooDoo, which will not operate next season because of the effects of Hurricane Katrina, including damage to the New Orleans Arena. The franchise, owned by K.C. Arena Sports and Entertainment, signed a two-year lease to play at Kemper Arena when the season begins in late January. Earlier this year, Tyler Prochnow of K.C. Arena Sports and Entertainment, had been unable to secure an expansion franchise because of difficulties in working out a lease for the Sprint Center, which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2007. But the availability of Kemper Arena, and the extenuating circumstances of the VooDoo, hastened Kansas City’s admission into the 18-team Arena League. The VooDoo is owned by New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson, who will retain the rights to the franchise, nickname and colors. A news conference is expected this week, when the organization will introduce staff members and its “name the team” contest. The team has established a Web site at www. arenafootballkc.com, where deposits for tickets can be made. “This is such a great opportunity for the people of Kansas City,” said Prochnow, whose ownership group, which includes former Chiefs star and New Orleans native Neil Smith, paid a $16 million expansion fee. “We feel great we were able to step in and help not only those players but give the people of New Orleans their team to root for. “It will be the Kansas City team, but we will certainly reach out to them and make sure it’s still their team, too, and welcome their support as they follow us throughout the year.” Former Chiefs safety Kevin Porter, who had served as defensive coordinator for the VooDoo, is expected to be the head coach. Mike Neu, the VooDoo head coach who led the club to a 9-7 record last year, will remain with the New Orleans franchise. The club’s best-known player is quarterback Andy Kelly, the Arena League’s all-time leading passer who threw a league-high 96 touchdown passes last season. The game’s smaller field makes for a high-scoring game. “This is not the way we planned it, but it is the result of a lot of good people who are excited about arena football being in Kansas City,” Arena League commissioner David Baker said Monday. “Originally, we were going to have Tyler Prochnow’s group approved for 2007, but because of these unusual circumstances involving Hurricane Katrina, they were willing to step up early. The city helped with Kemper Arena and the lease. “This is a bittersweet experience for Tom Benson and the New Orleans Saints, who are going through a lot. In some respects, I’m sure for Tom this was like putting children up for adoption. You need to know he was very positive on Kansas City as a market and having his players go there.” Baker said a lease at the Sprint Center was not a requirement for Kansas City at this time. The league was impressed by the groundwork Prochnow’s group had done in setting up a Web site and attracting sponsorships and season ticket requests before it had a franchise. “They could certainly launch it at Kemper,” Baker said, “and if all goes well with the (new) arena, they can have a second launch.” Larry Hovick, general manager for Global Spectrum, which manages Kemper Arena, was delighted with his new tenant. “This is a football town and a major-league town, and this is an AFL major-league tenant,” Hovick said. Michael Roth, vice president if communications for Anschutz Entertainment Group, which will manage the Sprint Center, said, “We are hopeful of negotiating and entering into an agreement for the team to play in the Sprint Center.” The Arena League, founded in 1987, averaged a record 12,872 spectators per game last season, the fourth consecutive year it posted an increase in attendance. It has a national television contract with NBC. Prochnow said the average ticket price would be about $26, with most seats priced at less than $40. The league added an expansion franchise in Utah for next season and stocked that club through a dispersal draft. “Kansas City is getting the core of what was a pretty good team,” Baker said. “This is not your basic expansion team. The guys from Utah could have tried to take advantage of the situation and said there should be a dispersal draft, but they really wanted the best for New Orleans and the best for Kansas City, and they voted for this.” Each team carries a 24-man roster, with 20 active for each game. The Kansas City team can complete its roster during the free-agency period, which begins today. “We’re honored that Mr. Benson and the VooDoo organization would entrust us with their team,” Prochnow said.
Posts: 54,998

10-04-2005, 01:39 AM	#2
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4400478	No defense in THIS town, no sir! __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 278,792

10-04-2005, 06:16 AM	#3
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	I'm thinking season tickets may be in order for me. I really enjoy arena football.
Posts: n/a

10-04-2005, 07:04 AM	#5
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	http://arenafootballkc.com/
Posts: n/a

10-04-2005, 07:12 AM	#6
Skip Towne Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: T-Town Casino cash: $10004900	I'm not watching it if Denver has a team.
Posts: 69,689

10-04-2005, 07:42 AM	#9
tyton75 Veteran Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: KC North Casino cash: $5798386	The details are sketchy... are these players going to be Kansas City players? or are they going back to the Voodoo when they are back ?
Posts: 3,279

10-04-2005, 08:51 AM	#11
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3008491 VARSITY	I'm disappointed that they can't be named the Kansas City Voodoo. __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,689

10-04-2005, 09:17 AM	#12
ArrowheadHawk Rock Chalk! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Topeka, KS Casino cash: $7964961	sweet something else i can watch with my basketball
Posts: 15,672

10-04-2005, 08:50 PM	#13
shaneo69 Smug Weasel Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bleachers at Busch Casino cash: $10004900	How about former Chief Kevin Porter as HC? He was one of my favorite players, pretty much beat out Lloyd Burruss in '90 and '91, then somehow lost his job to Martin Bayless or some other scrub in '92 and got cut. Never could figure out what happened there. Guess Dave Adolph didn't like him. Good to see he got into coaching. He's probably a better DB coach than Giunta right now. __________________ "I like Chiefs president Carl Peterson. I respect his business savvy. I envy his management skills and his penchant never to be driven by the whims of popularity. I admire his willingness to take responsibility for decisions that don’t work out the way he would have wanted." - Rufus, from KCChiefs.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 4,910

10-04-2005, 08:51 PM	#14
VonneMarie Don't look over here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $10008987	Just what we needed, two football teams with no _efense.
Posts: 17,644