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- Storm roster to date
- Storm announces 2010 schedule
- Ex-Storm QB Dietz selected in UFL draft
- Marcum hosting football camp
- O'Hara lands new job
- AFL nearing return
- Avengers fold AFL franchise
- Policy Resigns As AFL Commisioner
- Marcum Tosses Out First Pitch At Local Baseball Tournament
- Live Coverage: Saladino Quarterfinals
- Live Coverage: Saladino Quarterfinals
- Storm Owner Kern In Critical Condition
- AFL Takes Big Step Towards Return
- Report: AFLPA Rejects Suspension
- AFL To Suspend Season, Pending AFLPA Approval
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Tampa Bay coach Tim Marcum has been busy putting together the roster for the Storm’s inaugural season in the newly-created Arean Football One.
Below is the team’s roster to date, as provided by the Storm’s media relations department. Many of the players should be familair to Storm fans, as they were on the team when the Arena Football League folded.
OL Emmanuel Akah
FB/LB Chad Cook
QB Brett Dietz
WR Hank Edwards
WR/DB Anthony Ivy
DB Byron Jones
WR/DB Reggie Lewis
DB James McCoy
K Garrett Rivas
DL Terrence Royal
WR Tyrone Timmons
OL/DL Thomas Kaleita
OL/DL Cliff Dukes
DB Daryon Brutley
WR/DB John Robertson
OL/DL Dennis Conley
WR/DB DeAngelo Woodie
OL/DL Jermaine Smith
QB B.J. Hall
FB/LB James Bear
OL/DL Alfred Peterson
The Tampa Bay Storm has announced its 2010 schedule. It will be the Storm’s first season in the newly-created Arena Football One.
All home games will be at the St. Pete Times Forum.
April 3 at Tulsa Talons, 8 p.m.
April 16 vs. Dallas Desperados, 7:30 p.m.
April 24 at Milwaukee Iron, 8 p.m.
May 1 vs. Arizona Rattlers, 7:30 p.m.
May 7 vs. Jacksonville Sharks, 7:30 p.m.
May 15 at Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings, 8:05 p.m.
May 29 at Orlando Predators, 7:30 p.m.
June 5 vs. Oklahoma City Yard Dawgs, 7:30 p.m.
June 12 at Alabama Vipers, 8:30 p.m.
June 19 at Utah Thunder, 9:05 p.m.
June 26 vs. Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings, 7:30 p.m.
July 2 vs. Chicago Rush, 7:30 p.m.
July 9 at Dallas Desperados, 8:30 p.m.
July 17 at Jacksonville Sharks, 7:05 p.m.
July 24 vs. Alabama Vipers, 7:30 p.m.
July 31 vs. Orlando Predators, 7:30 p.m.
Former Tampa Bay Storm quarterback Brett Dietz will get a shot to resume his playing career.
Dietz, who has been out of football since the AFL ceased operations prior to the 2009 season, was selected Thursday night in the draft for the new four-team United Football League, going to the San Francisco club.
Dietz, who played his college ball at Hanover, was one of three quarterbacks drafted by San Francisco, joining Shane Boyd (Kentucky) and Liam O’Hagan (Harvard).
The UFL is set to kick of its inaugural season in October. You can view the entire draft results, which included 24 rounds, HERE.
Tampa Bay Storm head coach and general manager Tim Marcum will host a five-day football camp beginning Saturday at the St. Pete Times Forum for youth football players between 10 and 18 years old.
The camp will focus on teaching skill, fundamentals and technique. The camp is divided into three sessions (two two-day sessions and one one-day session) based on age and position.
Along with Marcum, several current and former Tampa Bay Storm players will serve as coaches at the camp, including Storm greats Sylvester Bembery, Stevie Thomas, Lawrence Samuels and Jay Gruden, the current coach of the Orlando Predators.
In addition, former Tampa Bay Bucs coach Jon Gruden will serve as a guest instructor during Sunday’s session and will also speak to the campers in attendance.
The camp still has openings, according to the Storm’s media relations department. For more information, visit http://www.timmarcumfootballcamps.com
It didn’t take long for Pat O’Hara to land on his feet.
O’Hara, the former Tampa Bay Storm assistant who lost his first head coaching job when the Los Angeles Avengers folded its franchise, has been hired as the new head coach of the af2’s Tri-Cities Fever, according to a report in the Tri-City Herald.
O’Hara replaces Richard Davis, who was fired following the Fever’s 69-33 loss to Manchester on Friday, which put the team at 0-5 on the season. There are 11 games left in the af2 regular season.
The Arena Football League announced that a new business model has been finalized, and that the formation of that should lead to the league returning in 2010.
According to a statement posted on the league’s website on Friday, the restructuring process, which has been led by Columbus Destroyers co-owner and Chairman of the AFL Executive Committee Jim Renacci, should be completed within the next 30 days.
“We are working diligently to ensure the future viability of the AFL, so the league can return to play next season,” Renacci said in the statement. “A plan was finalized last week that allows for the resumption of play in 2010, and we will be sharing the details of that plan with owners over the next two weeks.”
The Los Angeles Avengers have ceased operations after nine seasons, meaning former Storm player and assistant coach Pat O’Hara’s first head coaching job has ended - before it even really got started.
According to a story in the Los Angeles Times, Avengers owner Casey Wasserman sent an email Saturday to notify new acting commissioner Jim Renacci of the decision to fold the franchise.
“The LA Avengers has terminated its participation in the Arena Football League,” a statement on the Avengers’ official team site reads. “The entire Avengers organization extends heartfelt thanks to the fans who cheered on their team, it was their faithful support that kept the Avengers vibrant and energized for nearly a decade.”
O’Hara, who played and coached for the Tampa Bay Storm, was hired as Los Angeles’ new head coach in July. It was O’Hara’s first head coaching job, and a homecoming for the southern California native.
O’Hara was able to formulate a staff, but never got the chance to serve in his new capacity during a game. The AFL suspended operations in December prior to his first season, and the league has been left in limbo since while trying to come up with a new business model.
AFL acting commissioner Ed Policy abruptly resigned this week, according to a report in the Sports Business Journal.
The report quotes Policy, who had taken over as head of the league when former commissioner David Baker resigned a week before the 2008 AFL championship game, as saying that if the league successfully relaunches under a new business model that it calls for a CEO to serve as the head of the league and not a commissioner. Policy, who has been with the AFL for eight years, said he has no interest in that position.
A new acting commissioner has not been named at this time, though the report states Columbus Detroyers owner Jim Renacci, who is spearheading the group formed to determine a new business model for the league, likely will serve in the lead role for the time being.
There still has been no word on whether the AFL will return to the field in 2010.
Tampa Bay Storm head coach and general manager Tim Marcum took some time Tuesday afternoon to take part in one of the biggest high school events in the local community.
Marcum was at Brandon High School to throw out a ceremonial first pitch before the East Bay-Freedom matchup in the 29th annual Tony Saladino Tournament, the premier high school baseball event in the area.
Marcum, who like everyone else associated with the Arena Football League, remains in limbo as the AFL tries to come up with a better business model to get the league back on track. The 2009 AFL season was suspended a few months ago pending a new economic structure being formed.
As for the pitch, it wasn’t bad. A little low, but much better than some of the others who have done so during the tournament.
The announcer deemed it “A Storm-ing Success.”
Tampa Bay Storm minority owner Peter “Woody” Kern is currently in critical condition after undergoing surgery for an aortic aneurysm, the team announced Tuesday.
Kern, 61, is currently in the intensive care unit at Memorial Herman Heart & Vascular Institute at the Texas Medical Center in Houston.
“Woody is a great friend of mine and we are deeply concerned for his health and well-being,” Tampa Bay Storm head coach/general manager Tim Marcum said in a statement released by the team. “We are keeping Woody in our thoughts and prayers.”
According to a statement from the team, doctors diagnosed Kern with an aortic aneurysm during a routine check-up. He underwent surgery on March 25.
Kern is president and CEO of PCK management located in Denton, Texas. He purchased the Storm in 1994 and was the principal owner of one of the AFL’s most successful franchises before selling a majority stake in the team in December 2007 to local orthopedic surgeon Dr. Bob Nucci, who runs the Nucci Spine Institute in Tampa.
The Storm won three AFL championships (1995, 1996 and 2003) while Kern was the majority owner.
In an effort to get teams back on the field in 2010, the AFL and the AFLPA reached an agreement to amend the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The ammendment will help in restructuring the entire league in hopes of a re-launch next year. There are still some detials to be worked out before play can resume next year, but today’s announcement is a great indication things are moving in the right direction.
“This is a critical step forward for our game, the men who play it, and the fans who love it,” explained AFL Acting Commissioner Ed Policy. “The AFL is working tirelessly to develop a comprehensive plan to ensure that the League not only survives but thrives as a business enterprise. This revised deal with the players provides a fundamental and vital foundation upon which we can rebuild the economic model of our League and its teams.”
AFLPA Acting Executive Director, Richard Berthelsen added, “AFL players have remained steadfast in their love for their sport and their appreciation of their fans. The players are doing everything reasonably possible to ensure that the AFL re-launches in 2010 and grows in the years to come. Players are making economic concessions now in return for a share of expected increases in the League’s value and revenue, because the players believe in the future of the AFL.”
AFLPA President, James Baron said, “AFL players have always addressed any challenge head-on. We’ve done the same thing here—working with the owners in a spirit of partnership to get through a tough year, but also share in the future success of the AFL. We’re looking forward to getting back on the field, playing for the best fans in the world.”
UPDATE: There’s been an update from ArenaFan, quoting Grand Rapids Rampage player Ahmad Hawkins that there hasn’t been a vote from the AFLPA’s Executive Board on the matter of suspending the season, but rather that the “The [Executive] Board got together and more or less stated that they didn’t agree with the suspension.”
According to one internet report, it seems the saga involving the Arena Football League has taken yet another turn.
The website ArenaFan, citing an anonymous AFL Players Association team representative, is reporting the AFLPA’s executive board has voted against suspending the 2009 season.
A statement released Monday by the AFL announcing the league’s board of directors had voted to suspend operations for 2009 stated the move was subject to the approval of the AFLPA.
An AFL spokesperson said Monday afternoon that he wasn’t sure what would happen if the AFLPA voted against suspending operations.
Storm veteran Nyle Wiren, the team’s AFLPA union representative, said Monday via text message that he was participating in discussions with other AFLPA team representatives via conference call. Wiren was not immediately available to comment on what the AFLPA had decided or to comment on the ArenaFan report.
The Arena Football League just released a statement confirming the 2009 AFL season has been suspended, pending the approval of the AFL Players Association.
The following is the statement released from the league:
NEW YORK The Arena Football League Board of Directors will suspend the 2009 season subject to agreement and cooperation with the Arena Football League Players Association while the League works on developing a long-term plan to improve its economic model.
“Every owner in the AFL is strongly committed to the League, the game, and, most importantly, the fans,” said Acting Commissioner Ed Policy. “Owners, however, recognize that, especially in light of the current unprecedented economic climate, the AFL, as a business enterprise, needs to be restructured if it is to continue to provide its unique brand of this affordable, fan-friendly sport.”
The Board of Directors conducted a meeting via conference call Sunday night and voted in favor of a motion to suspend the 2009 season. Columbus Destroyers co-owner and vice chairman of the AFL Executive Committee Jim Renacci was asked by the Board of Directors to spearhead the restructuring process.
“Ownership truly appreciates Acting Commissioner Policy’s steady hand and stewardship in what has been a challenging time for the AFL,” said Renacci. “Our owners will work in conjunction with Policy to develop a plan that ensures the future of the AFL.”
“We, the owners of the Arena Football League, realize we have the most fan-friendly, affordable and accessible sport anywhere,” said Jon Bon Jovi, co-owner of the ArenaBowl champion Philadelphia Soul. “These are trying economic times. The revamping will ensure that the AFL continues to provide value to its fans and not only survives but thrives in the years to come.”
“Our involvement with the Arena Football League was always geared toward promoting football on a year-round basis,” said Dallas Desperados owner Jerry Jones. “Our experience with the Desperados has accomplished those goals and has been very positive. As we move forward we will explore all of the options that are available in regard to the future of the AFL and the Desperados.”
After 22 seasons, the second-longest tenure of any U.S. pro football league, the decision to suspend the 2009 season was not made lightly. AFL ownership has conducted multiple meetings over the past several weeks, discussed numerous options and concluded that this decision is in the best interests of the 16-team AFL and its fans.
“As a four-year owner of the Georgia Force, I have enjoyed our affiliation with Arena Football. In addition, our club is very proud of its leadership position in the league in many areas on and off the field,” said Georgia Force owner Arthur Blank. “We want that to continue for our fans, so we support the decision to focus our energies on securing the long-term success of the Arena Football League.”
“Although it is disappointing to suspend the 2009 season, the Arena Football League and its owners feel it is essential to reevaluate the current business model to ensure the livelihood of the AFL in the future,” said John Elway, Co-Owner, CEO Colorado Crush.
“We remain grateful to the greatest fans in the world for their avidity and their patience. It is with them in mind that the AFL, its owners and its players remain committed to resuming play as soon as it is feasible,” concluded Policy.
Tampa Bay Storm head coach Tim Marcum has confirmed the AFL board of directors has voted to suspend operations for the 2009 season.
Marcum said the board voted 12-5 Sunday evening in favor to suspend operations, with hopes of returning to the field in 2010 with a better business model in place. Marcum added Tampa Bay, San Jose, Arizona and New York were the teams that voted to continue playing, as well as the representative for Gridiron Enterprises.
The board is comprised of a representative from each of the league’s 16 teams and one representative from Gridiron Enterprises, which holds the patent for the league.
The board voted on Wednesday to not suspend the 2009 season. That vote was 10-7 in favor of suspending operations. Marcum said Chicago, which previously was pushing to play, switched sides during the week, which brought the board back for another vote. Marcum said the decisive vote Sunday was made by Orlando, which gave the board the two-thirds majority it needed to move forward with suspending operations.
The Arena Football League Players Association still needs to give its approval for the league to move forward with suspending operations for 2009. It is unclear how the league would proceed if the AFLPA does not give its approval.
Stay with TBO.com for more updates.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer and New York Times are reporting the Arena Football League has decided to suspend the 2009 season.
The AFL’s board of directors met via conference call Sunday evening to vote for the second time in five days on whether to suspend operations for the 2009 season. On Wednesday, the board voted not to suspend the 2009 season at that time.
A two-thirds majority vote was needed to suspend operations, meaning 12 of the 17 members were in favor of the issue. The Plain Dealer, citing a league source, said the league will look to resume operations in 2010.
Tampa Bay Storm head coach and general manager Tim Marcum declined to comment on the matter late Sunday evening.
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