Jaguars Owner Wayne Weaver "has filed an application to
purchase" an AFL expansion team, according to Michael
DiRocco of the FLORIDA TIMES-UNION. While a group led by
David Berkman is "dropping its team" in the Xtreme Football
League and "have applied to purchase" an AFL2 franchise for
$150,000 for Jacksonville, DiRocco wrote that if Weaver is
"awarded the team" and the city "follows through" on the
plan to build a new arena, the Berkman group faces "a
possible merger or buyout." AFL Dir of Media Relations
David Cooper "would not confirm" whether Jacksonville "would
be awarded" a franchise at the league's board meetings this
month, but he did say that there "would be some good news
for Jacksonville." The AFL2 franchise could "eventually
become a Weaver-owned" team if the city builds an arena that
holds "at least" 10,000. When the NFL acquired an option to
buy as much as 49.9% of the AFL over three years in
February, league owners "were given the chance" to purchase
AFL expansion teams for $3M. Other investors "will pay at
least" $5M (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 7/17). Meanwhile, Browns
Owner Al Lerner has filed an application to buy an AFL
franchise and "has six months to decide whether to complete"
the purchase. Browns President Carmen Policy: "This is an
affordable game for parents to take kids to, and it's a
perfect portal to the ultimate game -- the NFL." Policy
said that the AFL team could play in Gund Arena or the
Cleveland State Convocation Center (PLAIN DEALER, 7/17).
