Arena Football League is coming to Atlantic City.
ATLANTIC CITY The Arena Football League officially announced its expansion to Atlantic City with its first new team to begin play this spring at historic Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. The team will be operated by Trifecta Sports and Entertainment, which operates the Philadelphia Soul and Albany Empire. It has not yet been named and fans will have the opportunity to submit and vote on team names.
Atlantic City is a great market for the Arena Football League,AFL Commissioner, Randall Boe said. The AFL is focused on fan engagement and the integration of sports betting, fantasy and fan gamification with our games. Atlantic City is a perfect fit with that strategy and will be a great city for the Arena Football League.
The league is working with diligence and intention with its expansion moves, and Atlantic City fits the AFL's vision of growth and innovation moving forward, according to a release.
We are thrilled that Atlantic City will be the next great arena football town, Monumental Sports and Entertainment Chairman and CEO Ted Leonsis said. Arena football is a game that's tailor-made for an integrated sports betting experience, and Atlantic City is a perfect fit to help realize our vision for the AFL as the next frontier in sports betting and gaming."
The deal is subject to final approval and execution of a license agreement with the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. TSE is owned by a group of businessmen including Ron Jaworski, George Hearst III, Craig Spencer, Dan Nolan, Ed Swyer, Dick Vermeil, Marques Colston and Jahri Evans. The group was custom designed to operate Arena Football League teams, with the goal to maximize teams' resources and operating efficiencies.
As former TSE president, John Adams, transitions to his new role as president of the Arena Football League, George Manias assumes his new role as TSE president. Manias will oversee operations for TSE, including those of the Philadelphia Soul, the Albany Empire and the launch of Atlantic City's new team.
I couldn't be more excited that Arena Football is coming to Atlantic City, said Ron Jaworski, AFL Executive Committee Chair and TSE Owner. We are going to bring a family friendly affordable entertainment product to AC, and bring a team that will become an integral part of the community, giving people in the area a team to be proud to call their hometown team.
AFL expansion chairman and TSE owner Stewart Anmuth shares in similar excitement.
I'm enthusiastic about the AFL's expansion and am confident that Atlantic City will be a tremendous addition to our League, Anmuth said. It's an exciting time in Atlantic City, and we are pumped to add to the City's momentum. This is also just the beginning of a series of announcements for the League.
The 2019 season will feature a 12-game regular season schedule. The new team is currently conducting a search for a head coach, which will be announced in the coming weeks. The head coach will be responsible for assembling the team's football coaching staff and team roster. The time, date and location of open player tryouts will be announced soon.
As a way to involve the public directly with the new team, fans are able to go to www.AtlanticCityAFL.com to submit a suggestion for the new team's name. The final name choices will be selected and subsequently made available for fan vote. The winning name will be announced a few weeks after the voting period has ended, and the individual who submitted the winning team name will receive a special AC team prize pack.
Fans may secure season tickets now for the new Atlantic City Arena Football team with a $50 deposit per seat, or $75 for VIP seats, by calling 609-783-9494. A team representative will contact those who have submitted a deposit within a week, and individuals may provide their seat location preferences. Seat selection priority will be determined by the order in which deposits are received.
