Post by Banana Cat on Aug 12, 2010 19:25:18 GMT -5
www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100812/A_SPORTS/8120330
Arena football team eyes Stockton
San Jose Wolves hope to relocate
By Scott Linesburgh / Record Staff Writer
August 12, 2010
STOCKTON - Arena football might kick off in Stockton again.
Officials from Stockton Arena and the San Jose Wolves of the American Indoor Football Association are talking about moving the team to Stockton, which has been without arena football since the Lightning of arenafootball2 suspended operations following the 2009 season.
The Wolves played their home games last season - their first in the league - at the Cow Palace in Daly City. General manager and coach Bennie King said he is considering other locations, though he declined to name them.
But he singled out Stockton.
"We're currently looking at different markets that could work for the product we have, and Stockton definitely would be at the top of the list," King said. "We're very excited about the possibility of coming to Stockton. It's a great minor league market, and we think we can appeal to the Lightning fans and football fans and do well there."
Stockton Arena general manager Charles Kemp initiated contact with AIFA officials, asking if any franchises were looking to relocate. King returned the call, and Kemp already has sent a contract proposal to the city.
City officials weren't available for comment.
"We've had some good conversations; obviously we'd be happy to get football back," Kemp said. "Football is perfect for this building because it's the summer months, which is usually a down time anyway. It's perfect."
The AIFA schedule runs from March to July.
King said he's aware that International Facilities Group is scheduled to turn over management of the arena to SMG in the near future, but doesn't believe it will affect negotiations.
The Wolves are owned by Ryan Petersen, chief executive officer of OCZ Technology, a computer hardware manufacturing company in San Jose. The Wolves originally negotiated to play home games at HP Pavilion in San Jose, but settled on the Cow Palace. The Wolves drew between 1,416 and 3,000 fans, based on available numbers, and went 9-5. They advanced to the Western Division title game in the 13-team AIFA.
King said Stockton would be a better fit.
"We feel the AIFA will work better in a smaller market," King said. "That's what we like about Stockton, and the Lightning did well there."
The Lightning averaged about 4,000 fans per game its final season. The af2 folded in 2009, and some teams merged into Arena Football 1. Former Lightning owner Michael Reinsdorf, who sold the Stockton Thunder hockey team earlier this year, has stated he is not interested in reviving the Lightning.
Thunder president Dan Chapman said he'd welcome a new team at the arena.
"I think it would be great for the arena to get football back here," Chapman said. "We don't conflict much at all schedule-wise with arena football, just a little bit, and definitely in the playoffs. But we've dealt with it before."
The Thunder play from October to April. King said he hopes to have a new home by late September or early October.
"That's the latest we would want to make a decision," King said. "We want to move in and integrate ourselves into the community and to become part of the community wherever we go."
San Jose Wolves hope to relocate
By Scott Linesburgh / Record Staff Writer
August 12, 2010
STOCKTON - Arena football might kick off in Stockton again.
Officials from Stockton Arena and the San Jose Wolves of the American Indoor Football Association are talking about moving the team to Stockton, which has been without arena football since the Lightning of arenafootball2 suspended operations following the 2009 season.
The Wolves played their home games last season - their first in the league - at the Cow Palace in Daly City. General manager and coach Bennie King said he is considering other locations, though he declined to name them.
But he singled out Stockton.
"We're currently looking at different markets that could work for the product we have, and Stockton definitely would be at the top of the list," King said. "We're very excited about the possibility of coming to Stockton. It's a great minor league market, and we think we can appeal to the Lightning fans and football fans and do well there."
Stockton Arena general manager Charles Kemp initiated contact with AIFA officials, asking if any franchises were looking to relocate. King returned the call, and Kemp already has sent a contract proposal to the city.
City officials weren't available for comment.
"We've had some good conversations; obviously we'd be happy to get football back," Kemp said. "Football is perfect for this building because it's the summer months, which is usually a down time anyway. It's perfect."
The AIFA schedule runs from March to July.
King said he's aware that International Facilities Group is scheduled to turn over management of the arena to SMG in the near future, but doesn't believe it will affect negotiations.
The Wolves are owned by Ryan Petersen, chief executive officer of OCZ Technology, a computer hardware manufacturing company in San Jose. The Wolves originally negotiated to play home games at HP Pavilion in San Jose, but settled on the Cow Palace. The Wolves drew between 1,416 and 3,000 fans, based on available numbers, and went 9-5. They advanced to the Western Division title game in the 13-team AIFA.
King said Stockton would be a better fit.
"We feel the AIFA will work better in a smaller market," King said. "That's what we like about Stockton, and the Lightning did well there."
The Lightning averaged about 4,000 fans per game its final season. The af2 folded in 2009, and some teams merged into Arena Football 1. Former Lightning owner Michael Reinsdorf, who sold the Stockton Thunder hockey team earlier this year, has stated he is not interested in reviving the Lightning.
Thunder president Dan Chapman said he'd welcome a new team at the arena.
"I think it would be great for the arena to get football back here," Chapman said. "We don't conflict much at all schedule-wise with arena football, just a little bit, and definitely in the playoffs. But we've dealt with it before."
The Thunder play from October to April. King said he hopes to have a new home by late September or early October.
"That's the latest we would want to make a decision," King said. "We want to move in and integrate ourselves into the community and to become part of the community wherever we go."