AFL Soul co-Owner Ron Jaworski on Saturday prior to his team's 48-39 loss to the Rattlers in ArenaBowl XXVI said that he was "going to make a push for Philadelphia to host" next year's game, according to Ed Barkowitz of the PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS. Jaworski was "effusive in his praise for Orlando, site of this year's championship game and quite critical of last year's host, New Orleans." There is a "debate among AFL leaders on whether the championship game should be held at a neutral site or awarded to the team with the best record." Jaworski said, "I didn't think New Orleans did a very good job of presenting the ArenaBowl last year. But the Orlando Predators organization and the city of Orlando did a magnificent job of presenting this game." Meanwhile, AFL Commissioner Jerry Kurz "pointed out that having the game at a neutral site is better for planning and other logistics." The "problem in Philadelphia's case would be whether the game could be enough of a draw if the Soul wasn't playing." Orlando has "much deeper arena football roots than Philadelphia and Saturday's crowd was announced at 12,039." Jaworski said that he will "kick it around and bring it up" at the league's BOD meetings in October (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 8/19).
COMING UP ROSES: In Portland, John Canzano reported the Trail Blazers on Friday met with AFL officials to "discuss relocating a franchise" to the Moda Center in '14. The AFL "did not make an announcement regarding its television deal or the relocation of franchises on Saturday during the Arena Bowl as expected," but a Blazers source said that this "wasn't a sign that the organization wouldn't land a team." The source said, "There's just more work to be done. ... We are still deciding if we will do it." The source said that the Blazers and AFL on Friday "engaged in lengthy discussions" (OREGONLIVE.com, 8/17).
