Thursday, Sep. 17, 2009

Spokane targets new indoor football league

From Herald news services

SPOKANE -- Nothing is finalized, but there are growing indications that the Spokane Shock soon will be part of the top tier of a revamped arena football league.

Shock majority owner Brady Nelson told the Spokesman-Review that he can't discuss specifics because details are still being worked out, but the new league could have 12-15 teams, including four former af2 franchises, several from the defunct AFL and a few expansion teams.

Former af2 teams could include Spokane, Tulsa, Iowa and Milwaukee. Utah, Arizona, San Jose, Orlando, Tampa Bay and Chicago -- all part of the AFL, which folded after the 2008 season -- have been mentioned as candidates for the new league.

There's also expected to be a lower-tier league that would include Boise and Tri-Cities, Spokane's rivals in the af2 West Division.

At this point, crossover games aren't anticipated.