ESPN, ESPN2 to air 20 Arena games in 1999
This past season, on Aug. 23, 1998, the AFL made its debut on national network television on ABC with the live telecast of ArenaBowl XII -- won 62-31 by the Orlando Predators over the Tampa Bay Storm at the Ice Palace. The game earned a 1.6 rating. "ABC Sports' second year of live coverage of the ArenaBowl reflects the growth and escalating popularity of Arena Football," said Neal Pilson, television consultant to the AFL and former president of CBS Sports.
In a related announcement, ESPN, the worldwide leader in sports, and ESPN2, the nation's fastest growing cable network, have agreed to televise four Arena Football League playoff games in addition to 16 regular season games (11 on ESPN2 and 5 on ESPN). Included in the regular season package is 11 Monday Night contests on espn2.
"This is a continuation of ESPN's successful relationship with the Arena Football League," said John Wildhack, senior vice president for programming for ESPN. "We value the growing popularity of the sport and the excitement it brings to sports fans." The third annual Hall of Fame Founder's Game between the defending ArenaBowl Champion Orlando Predators and the Iowa Barnstormers will kick-off the 1999 television slate on Sunday, May 2 (ESPN2, 3 p.m. ET tape delay).
"We are excited to partner with ESPN for an eleventh season to deliver the excitement of Arena Football League action into the homes of millions of fans," said Commissioner Baker. "This season, fans will have a regular Monday Night experience with 11 games, which will follow ESPN2's NFL 2Night studio show. It's a fan's fix for professional football during the NFL off-season."
ESPN, ESPN2 Schedule
In a rematch of last year's title game, the Storm and Predators face off on each other's home turf in a pair of national broadcasts. The Storm venture to Orlando on Monday, June 14 (ESPN2, 8 p.m. ET) while the Predators return to the site of their first crown on Sunday, July 11 (ESPN, 2 p.m. ET). The Predators have a 10-9 lead in the historic rivalry. The Storm look to return to the ArenaBowl for a record tying sixth time in team history (Detroit Drive 1988-93). The Orlando Predators lead the circuit with four appearances on ESPN and ESPN2, while the Arizona Rattlers, Milwaukee Mustangs, and Tampa Bay Storm each make three. The league's newest team, the Buffalo Destroyers will make their national television debut against the Albany Firebirds on Monday, June 21 (ESPN2, 8 p.m. ET). The Arena Football League begins its 13th season in April having eclipsed the one million-attendance mark three straight seasons. Fifteen teams will compete in 1999, including the expansion Buffalo Destroyers. Teams in Los Angeles and New Orleans begin play in April of 2000. On Feb. 8, 1999, the NFL acquired an exclusive option to purchase up to 49.9 percent of the Arena Football League. The option can be exercised over the next three years, and is subject to the approval of NFL owners. According to a 1998 ESPN Chilton Sports poll, more than 72 million Americans are fans of the Arena Football League. In fact, Americans who are familiar with the sport prefer Arena Football games to nearly every other comparable sport, including Major League Soccer, professional Golf, Boxing events, and Auto racing. In addition, according to an ESPN Chilton Sports Poll, Arena Football was named as one of the hottest newsports that has emerged in the United States over the last 10 years.
1999 Arena Football League National Television Schedule
Regular Season
Sunday, May 2 Orlando Predators at Iowa Barnstormers 3 p.m. ESPN
Monday, May 10 Florida Bobcats at Nashville Kats 8 p.m.ESPN2
Monday, May 17 NJ Red Dogs at Portland Forest Dragons 8 p.m.ESPN2
Monday, May 24 San Jose SaberCats at Milwaukee Mustangs 8 p.m. ESPN2
Sunday, May 30 Houston ThunderBears at Arizona Rattlers 12 a.m. ESPN
Monday, June 7 Orlando Predators at Albany Firebirds 8 p.m. ESPN2
Monday, June 14 Tampa Bay Storm at Orlando Predators 11 p.m. ESPN2
Monday, June 21 Albany Firebirds at Buffalo Destroyers 8 p.m. ESPN2
Monday, June 28 Game TBD
Sunday, July 11 Orlando Predators at Tampa Bay Storm 2 p.m. ESPN
Monday, July 12 Florida Bobcats at Arizona Rattlers 9 p.m. ESPN2
Sunday, July 18 Milwaukee Mustangs at Grand Rapids Rampage 12 a.m. ESPN
Monday, July 19 Houston ThunderBears at Iowa Barnstormers 8 p.m. ESPN2
Sunday, July 25 Arizona Rattlers at Milwaukee Mustangs 12 a.m. ESPN
Monday, July 26 NJ Red Dogs at New England SeaWolves 8:30 p.m. ESPN2
Monday, Aug. 2 New England SeaWolves at Tampa Bay Storm 8 p.m. ESPN2
Playoffs
First-round
Saturday, August 7, Teams TBD,12 a.m., ESPN
Sunday, August 8, Teams TBD, 12 a.m., ESPN2
Semifinals
Saturday, August 14, Teams TBD, 8 p.m., ESPN
Sunday, August 15, Teams TBD, 12 a.m., ESPN2
ArenaBowl XIII
Sunday, August 22, Teams TBD, Time TBD live ABC-TV