The AFL yesterday announced the addition of a new Portland-based franchise for next year, and the league and team Owner Terry Emmert "claim it will be different" than when the AFL Forest Dragons played just three seasons in the city from '97-99 before relocating to Oklahoma City, according to Nick Daschel of the Portland OREGONIAN. Emmert purchased the AFL Milwaukee Mustangs, a "franchise placed into dormancy” following the '12 season. But AFL Commissioner Jerry Kurz said that “in reality, it’s an expansion team.” Emmert opted to purchase the team “after conferring for several months" with AFL Spokane Shock Owner & CEO Brady Nelson. Emmert said inquiries for tickets and sponsorships "have been overwhelming" in the hours after word leaked about the new franchise. Team President Jared Rose said that season tickets at the 17,000-seat Moda Center “would be priced as low as $99.” He added the team's roster will feature “tremendous local flavor.” Rose said of bringing on players from area college football teams, "We’ll have Beavers, Ducks and Vikings, maybe some Cougs and Huskies." Emmert plans to “stage a name-the-team contest” through local schools, where classes will submit suggestions for both a team nickname and mascot (Portland OREGONIAN, 10/3).
