There will be "no Alliance of American Football team in St. Louis next year," as the league yesterday picked San Antonio as the "eighth and final franchise," according to Jim Thomas of the ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH. The AAF "wanted to use the Dome at America's Center, formerly the Edward Jones Dome, for games." But according to St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission President Kitty Ratcliffe the venue "didn't have dates available in February," which is when the AAF will begin play. Faurot Field at the Univ. of Missouri "seemed to make sense as a site that could be used for a game or two in February." However, MU Deputy AD/Communications Nick Joos said that the school was "not contacted" by the AAF. San Antonio joins Atlanta, Birmingham, Memphis, Orlando, Phoenix, Salt Lake City and San Diego in the AAF's first season (STLTODAY.com, 6/20).
ODDS NOT IN THEIR FAVOR: In San Antonio, Tom Orsborn in a front-page piece cites sources as saying that former Nebraska football coach Mike Riley is the "leading candidate" to coach San Antonio's AAF franchise. Sources also said that former NFLer Daryl Johnston is a "strong candidate" for GM. Orsborn notes the team will "play its home games at the city-owned Alamodome." In choosing San Antonio, the AAF will be "attempting to succeed where so many others have failed." Since '75, at least "nine outdoor teams and three indoor clubs have come and gone in the Alamo City." It would seem the "odds would be stacked against the AAF succeeding" in San Antonio. But observers "like that the league has stacked its front office with an array of former NFL players and executives" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 6/21).
MONEY IN THE BANK: In Orlando, Annie Martin in a front-page piece notes UCF will "play host" to an AAF team coached by Steve Spurrier. UCF "isn’t releasing the details of the arrangement, including the rent the league will pay for use of Spectrum Stadium." UCF AD Danny White "touted the money that could be made from the deal." White said, "I look at that stadium as an asset. We should be trying to find more ways to generate revenue." Martin notes the new AAF team will play "at least five games each season at the stadium on UCF’s campus for three years." White said that the league will "take on all game-day expenses" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 6/21).
