The NFL's investment in the AFL brings the indoor
football league the "promise of sponsorship, inroads to
larger markets" and "greater bargaining power" with TV
networks, according to Patrick Wampler of the ORLANDO
SENTINEL, who writes the AFL is "about to hit the big time
as it enters a merger with the NFL." AFL revenues in '99
are projected at $24M, and Predators President Brett Bouchy
estimates that they will rise to $100M "within the first
year" of the NFL's involvement. Bouchy: "Budweiser wouldn't
even talk to us a couple of months ago, but now they're
probably going to come on as our first big sponsor. Let's
say Budweiser does come on and offers the league $2 million
to be a sponsor. That means we have a chance to make
$300,000 of that amount [through revenue sharing]." The
league's TV deal with ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 is up at the end
of this season and the "competion" among ESPN, TNT, Fox
Sports Net and USA Network "should drive up the price."
Bouchy: "In the new contract we will look for rights fees
and a better promotion package. I'm thinking stuff like a
half-hour preview show during the playoffs." AFL
VP/Communications David Cooper: "Our first option will be to
stay with ESPN and ABC" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 7/21).
LOGO A SUITOR? In Indianapolis, Sean Horgan reports
that the AFL is expected to announce today that it wants to
place a franchise in Conseco Fieldhouse. Pacers GM David
Kahn said that the team "remains interested in the concept,
but that it is far too early to discuss whether it would
take an ownership stake in the team." Colts Owner Jim Irsay
"decided against" investing in the team, but sources said
that Logo Athletic is "interested" (STAR-NEWS, 7/21).
CASEY'S L.A. HOPES: In L.A., J.A. Adande profiled
Avengers Owner Casey Wasserman, as the AFL returns to the
L.A. market next season and will play its games at the
Staples Center. Wasserman wants "to reach out to the
burgeoning Latino market, and even has Spanish versions of
the team's insignia ... in the works" (L.A. TIMES, 7/20).