AFL sets Nov. 20 deadline for expansion applications

The Arena Football League has set Nov. 20 as the deadline for prospective owners to apply to start expansion teams in 2004. The league's board of directors will begin winnowing the list of candidates at a Dec. 11 meeting in New York.

There may be only one spot open, depending on whether Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder decides to field his team in 2004 or 2005. Two other NFL owners — Tom Benson of the New Orleans Saints and Bud Adams of the Tennessee Titans — have already bought teams and been approved by the league to start play in 2004.

Commissioner David Baker said it's unlikely the league would want more than four new teams opening in any one season.

Other cities with interest in having teams start play in '04: Boston, Columbus, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia and St. Louis.

— Ross Nethery