AFL returning in April, eyes Philly in 2011

By ED BARKOWITZ, barkowe@phillynews.com
Posted: February 18, 2010

Arena Football is coming back!

Just not back to Philadelphia.

At least not yet.

After being dark for a season, the AFL will resume in April with 15 teams. There are no teams in the Northeast section of the United States, but commissioner Jerry Kurz hopes a franchise could be in Philly by 2011.

"[Our] expansion committee has been in communication with a group that we very much want from the Philadelphia market," Kurz said. "No one has done more to help brand and become a part of the community than the Philadelphia Soul's previous ownership did."

The Soul won the 2008 championship behind a leadership group that included ESPN analyst and former Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski and rocker Jon Bon Jovi. Jaworski says his group continues to explore the possibility of resuming the Soul. "And we have been since play was suspended," he said.

"We've extended an offer and hope very much they are with us next year," Kurz said. "We could imagine no one better to bring a team back than that group."

Kurz said he has not heard from anyone else interested in bringing a franchise back to Philadelphia.

In addition to Philadelphia, Kurz also pointed to Denver, Pittsburgh, and Southern California as specific targets for expansion in 2011.

The 2010 AFL will consist of teams from Alabama, Arizona, Bossier-Shreveport (La.), Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Iowa, Jacksonville, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Spokane, Tampa Bay, Tulsa and Utah.

The single-entity ownership league has a TV deal with the NFL network and begins play on Friday, April 2.

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