There's A New Kat In Town, As Adams Plans Nashville AFL Team
Titans Owner Bud Adams informed AFL execs yesterday that he "will exercise his option to purchase the rights" to an AFL expansion franchise in Nashville, according to Jeff Legwold of the Nashville TENNESSEAN. The Kats played in Nashville from '97-01, but relocated to Atlanta after last season and became the GA Force. Adams: "As of [yesterday] I've formally purchased a team in the Arena League. I want everybody to know the Kats are back." Legwold writes that Adams "now has to find an arena for the team to call home, and he has to do it by the time the AFL's 2004 season kicks off in February of that year." While Adams said "the best, maybe the only, choices" for the team are the Gaylord Entertainment Center (GEC) and Municipal Auditorium, Legwold notes "there are significant hurdles for Adams to clear in both places before his team could play." At GEC, Adams would have to negotiate a deal with the Predators. Adams said that if he "doesn't get the team on the field by 2004, he will either forfeit the $4[M] expansion fee or will have to sell the franchise rights to another buyer to try to recoup the money." Adams: "We need to get the right venue. If we get one fast, we could play as soon as the 2003 season. If it takes longer, we'll have to get on track to play in 2004" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 5/1).
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