Arena Football at the Convocation Centre in Youngstown

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From the Youngstown Vindicator on 5/16/2006...

Pro football: coming to an arena near you

Most AF2 teams get their players from their own area, the league president said.

By JOHN BASSETTI
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — Rain or not, get used to the weather at the corner of Front and Walnut.

Throughout springtime and the early months of summer starting in 2007, the Valley's new professional football team, the Mahoning Valley Thunder of the Arena2 Football League, will be rumbling at the Chevrolet Centre downtown.

The new franchise became a reality Monday evening when Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams and Thunder co-owners Dr. Michael Slyk, Dr. Jon Saadey and Tim Chesney signed an agreement under a spotlight on a stage shared by county political leaders.

"Pro football has arrived," Williams said, moments after "the Scranton experience," a two-minute video showing clips from a recent trip to Wilkes-Barre, Pa., to observe that area's AF2 team in action.

The fact that local ownership and business involvement are integral parts of the franchise puzzle played a big part in making the Thunder come to fruition.

On their own

Statements by Rep. Tim Ryan echoed the theme that the days of depending upon outsiders for opportunities are over.

"If we've got to do it ourselves, then we'll do it," Ryan said, pointing to the Valley's positive achievements in the past several years, including construction of the Chevy Centre.

The Thunder's season begins with training camp before games start the last week of March or first week of April. A championship game would be the third weekend in August, said Jerry Kurz, AF2 president.

Kurz believes that Mahoning Valley — AF2's 24th member — will be in the Midwest division with Green Bay, Louisville, Ky., and Quad Cities, Ill.

He said that AF2 cities range in population from 140,000 to 400,000.

Youngstown's team will be one of the smallest markets.

"But some of our smallest ones have done the best," Kurz said. "Spokane [Wash.] is a brand new team that had 10,000-plus for its first three games [of 2006].

He said that AF2's identity won't be much different than Arena Football League teams in major markets.

"When you turn the TV on, it [AF2] is the same game you see on NBC."

"This building [Chevrolet Centre] is a five-cash register McDonald's, while Chicago would be a 10-cash register McDonald's. It's the size of the building. But when you walk into this building or one of an AFL team, you'll see the same game being played, the same product, the same service and the same community commitment."

Local talent

Kurz's office gives approval to coaches recommended by member franchises.

However, he didn't know who the Thunder's coach would be.

"It's a local team recommendation," Kurz said. "We'd want someone to fit in the community, hopefully with an Arena football background, but with ties to this area would be great."

There will be no player draft and no territorial rights. Most teams get players from their locale, but recruiting goes on all across the country, according to Kurz.

"Because the football talent is so deep here," Kurz said, "this is a wonderful way to bring all those players who went out of state to college to come back home and play professional football."

While the AFL has a salary cap, AF2's players make $200 a week game pay, get a $50 win bonus and are housed, fed and transported during the season.

"For a six-month job, that's not a bad living," the AF2 president said. "It's full-time work during the six months, but most of them are working to get to the AFL."

He said that one-third of players in the AFL have come from AF2.

One former AFL player, Kurt Warner, went on to the National Football League's Super Bowl XXXIV with the St. Louis Rams.

"John Gregory is coach of the Arkansas Twisters [of the AF2], who gets credit for discovering Kurt Warner," Kurz said. "Warner made his bones, so to speak, in Arena football."

Involvement

Saadey said he didn't look at his investment as a risky venture.

"A level of commitment is necessary in any endeavor that's worthwhile, and we are fully committed," the co-owner said.

He said he's involved for many reasons.

"I've always loved athletics. It's always been a part of my life," said the former Cardinal Mooney High School quarterback, who threw out the ceremonial first pass to Monday's crowd of 400.

Andy Shobel of Canfield caught the ball.

"It was up for grabs," said Shobel, a friend of Chesney's.

"I own a business and will sponsor some seats. It's a great business thing," said Shobel, who owns Litehouse Pools.

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From the WKBN TV27 Web Site...

AFL2 Team Announced

   "Mahoning Valley Thunder! (clapping)".   With much fanfare, the name and logo of Youngstown's new Arena Football 2 team is revealed.  "Thunder": named to represent the valley's strength.  And when the season starts next spring, the three team owners, all from the area, promise a total entertainment experience.

   Team co-owner Jon Saadey:  "Non-stop action. Lots of fun. Whenever there's a time out we'll have cheerleaders out on the carpet, throwing stuff. It never stops."

     They started planning in 2004.  Then that hit a snag.  Despite Youngstown being known as a football town. they had to convince the league a team would work in the community.  Mayor Jay Williams says their presence brings another tenant to the Chevy Centre:   "It was a lot of work by a lot of people, but to see it culminate today in a way that was bigger than we could have ever imagined. The investors and owners have done a tremendous job, and I think the community is going to respond in kind."

     Team owners won't give a specific number of their goal for attendance, expect to say they hope to sell out every game. Across the country, the average attendance of an AF2 game is 5,000 people."

    Dan Skica of Youngstown : "This is a big boost to the valley. The city could use it. It just builds on the tradition of football in Youngstown and surrounding communities in the valley." The Thunder will play 8 home and 8 away games.  With 24 teams in the league, they will mostly battle teams in the Northeast and Midwest.

    If you're ready for some football, 2007 season tickets are now available.  You can call  1-877-298-1008 for season tickets. Single game tickets can be purchased thru the Chevy Centre box office or Get Tix dot com. 

The team's schedule will be available this fall. Tickets will cost between $15 and $40.

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There is a god and it's not named after a dog, it's a mythological god but not a dog nontheless. AF2 annouced that the Mahoning Valley Thunder will begin playing in the Chevrolet Center April 2007. The colors will be Blue, Silver and Black. Sweet. The following press release is courtesy of the af2.com web site.

Yah know the irony of it?? While they didn't 'technically' pick a logo that was a dog, they did pick a logo that was d-o-g spelled backward. Oh what a cruel cruel world

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Thunder on the horizon for 2007 in Youngstown, OH

Courtesy: arenafootball2
Release: 05/15/2006

The af2 Board of Directors approved an application from Insight Entertainment, LLC for an expansion arenafootball2 team in Youngstown, Ohio, the League office announced today.

"We have the utmost confidence in this operating group's commitment to run a top-notch organization both on and off the field for many years," said af2 President Jerry Kurz.  "And we're excited to be able to bring the total entertainment experience of Arena Football to the Mahoning Valley."

The team will be called the Mahoning Valley Thunder and will play its home games at the Chevrolet Centre in Youngstown beginning in April of 2007.

"The af2 is a perfect fit for Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley," said Thunder co-operator Dr. Jon Saady. ""We're very excited to bring professional football to our Valley to continue our great football tradition."

The Mahoning Valley Thunder's team colors are stormy shades of blue, silver and black and its logo features a muscular Thor – mythology's god of thunder, war and strength – with powerful hammer raised.

About Insight Entertainment, LLC

Insight Entertainment LLC is a group of investors local to the Mahoning Valley who serve as the operating company for the Mahoning Valley Thunder of af2. The group has made a long-term commitment to bring the fans of Youngstown, OH and the surrounding area an exciting, entertaining and affordable Arena Football experience.

About af2

In Week 8 of its seventh season, af2 serves as a vehicle to bring Arena Football to second-tier cities and as a developmental league with an unmatched history of sending players, coaches and officials to major professional football leagues each year.  af2 operates under the same Mission Statement and Fans' Bill of Rights as the Arena Football League, which is currently in its 20th season. Log on to www.af2.com for more information. 

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From the WYTV Channel 33 Web Site on 5/5/2006...

Arena Football to Youngstown
Youngstown

We don't know it's name yet, but another sports team will soon call the Chevrolet Centre home.

As Gerry Ricciutti tells us, the new venture will be part of the familiar Arena Football League franchise, which owners believe will mean years of success in the valley.

The Wilkes-Barre Scranton Poineers are the closest example of a team in the Arena Football 2 league.
By this time next year, the valley could have an AF-2 franchise of its own.

This morning, the team's owners invited the community out May 15th to watch the unveiling.

"It's a community product. It's a community team, and we really feel its important to have the entire community there."

Businessmen Tim Chesney and Michael Slyk say they researched various indoor leagues around the country, claiming Arena football is head and shoulders above the rest.

Chesney says, "There seems to be some history with these types of leagues. They're not very stable, and we didn't want that here for the valley. We wanted to bring something in that was going to be appreciated by the community."

Dr. Slyk says, "You can look at it in such respects as there are two divisions of the AFL. There's division 1 and division 2, and we're in division 2."

Owners claim other teams in AF-2 average 3,000 to 4,000 fans per game, something they intend to show local business and community leaders first-hand.

They'll be going to see the Pioneers play in Scranton tomorrow night.

"You know, it's very difficult for us at this point to talk about it, mainly because there's nothing to touch, there's nothing to feel, there's nothing to look at, so what we wanted to do was give everyone a nice introduction to what's out there."

What's the difference between the AF-2 and the other indoor football team that might be coming here as well?

We've been told that other team, which has been named the Mahoning Valley Hitmen, would be part of either the American or Great Lakes indoor leagues.

Both play in smaller venues, such as the Ice Zone in Boardman, where the Hitmen would play.

The AF-2 already has 24 teams, each playing a 16 game schedule, half of those at home.

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From the WKBN TV27 Web Site on 5/5/2006...

Arena Football Team Coming to Chevy Centre

Two different groups will be vying for local football fans next year. Owners announced plans to bring a minor league Arena Football team to the Chevy Center.

Their research indicates they can bring in 3,000-4,000 fans per game. When asked about a news of an indoor football league coming to Boardman's Ice Zone owners said their league is more credible than so called knock-off ventures.

Terry says they're hoping to bring 1,000 fans a game to see the indoor team, to be called the hitmen. More details about the A-F 2 team will come later. Both teams are shooting for early 2007 to begin their season.

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From the WFMJ TV21 Web Site on 5/5/2006...

Football Fans Invited to Major Announcement
Dana Balash

It's a touchdown for arena football in downtown Youngstown. An AF2 franchise, which is a step down from the Arena Football League will begin play next March at the Convocation Centre.

Officials at the Chevrolet Centre and the franchise owners have an agreement in principle for the Youngstown AF2 franchise to begin playing games next year.

Doctor Michael Slyk and Tim Chesney are the owners of the Youngstown franchise. They've been working on getting pro football in Youngstown for about two years.

After looking at several leagues and talking to a lot of people associated with arena football, they felt an AF2 franchise and the Youngstown market go hand in hand.

"I think this is a tremendous asset to the community," says Chesney. "This is a football town and we are excited to be the ones to be able to bring professional football into this market."

The arena team is completely different from the indoor team that are expected to play their games at the Ice Zone in Boardman.

Doctor Slyk and Mr. Chesney are inviting the community to a major announcement on May 15th at 5 PM at the Chevrolet Centre. They are expected to announce the team name, colors and much more.

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And please, for the love of God, can we NOT name the AFL 2 team after a dog, some form of dog, or have a dog mascot.

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Arena Football in Youngstown
Youngstown

People have been talking about arena football at the Chevy Centre for some time now, and tomorrow we should know more about a team in Youngstown.

A news conference is scheduled in the morning at the arena.

We told you Sunday that a deal with an Arena 2 Football Team was about two weeks away, and sources tell us that tomorrow's announcement will come from authorities with the AFL 2.

We've been told the Youngstown team would start games next April at the Chevy Centre.
The usual season is about 18 weeks.

The Arena Two League is one step below the AFL, where players would feed into the larger system.
And just to clarify, this is different than the announcement which came Monday when Jim Terry, a Boardman native, said he's bringing indoor football to the Ice Zone on McClurg Road.

That would start in February.

33 News will be at tomorrow's news conference, and bring you that information at 5 and 6.