ORLANDO, Fla., May 30 /PRNewswire/ --
Orlando Predators Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: PRED) In Street & Smith's
Sports Business Journal dated May 21-27, 2001, Bert Sugar noted the learning
experience the National Football League has observed since the folding of the
XFL. The article also highlights the benefits this event may provide the Arena
Football League's future with the NFL.
"Now that the XFL has become the ex-FL, word heard is that the NFL is
taking steps to ensure there will be no more McMahon-like attempts to invade
its 'territory' by acquiring the Arena Football League...Roger Goodell,
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue's right-hand man, has taken to calling the owners
of the 14 arena teams not already owned by NFL teams on a weekly basis. If the
deal is completed, the NFL, which already has allocated space for the AFL in
its New York offices, would have wall-to-wall football for all but six weeks a
year, thereby effectively shutting out any more "Spring" football attempts
like the XFL. According to sources, the plan is for the NFL to add a 10
percent premium to its existing contracts to sponsor arena games, which will
be branded with the NFL name, and receive 49.9 percent of all AFL revenue --
including expansion fees, rights fees, radio and TV, and merchandising. And
maybe, according to one source, even fold NFL Europe into the AFL. Seems like
the McMahon experience taught the NFL something."
The entire article can be viewed in this week's Street and Smith's Sports
Business Journal in 'The Show' section.
Orlando Predators Entertainment, Inc. ("OPE") owns and operates the
Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League, the Peoria Pirates (beginning
play in 2001) and Bismarck Bandits (beginning play in 2002) of arenafootball2,
one additional arenafootball2 franchise to play in 2002 or 2003 and also has
an additional 8 percent equity interest* in the Arena Football League. The
Company also owns a telemarketing division that specializes in season-ticket
sales for other professional sports franchises.
*As an equal partner, the Predators own one share, or roughly 4%, of the
Arena Football League. OPE, Inc. acquired an additional two shares (roughly
8%) from the League in 1998. The actual percentage of the league ownership
could be diluted by other factors, including the admittance of additional
expansion teams, exercise of the NFL option to purchase 49.9% of the league
and other factors.
Except for the historical information contained herein, certain matters
set forth in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. Prospective
investors should read the following information in conjunction with the
Company's audited financial statements and should carefully consider such
information as well as other information contained in this release before
making an investment in the Company's securities. Information contained herein
contains "forward-looking statements" which can be identified by the use of
forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "may," "should" or
"anticipates" or the negative thereof or other variations heron or comparable
terminology, or by discussions of strategy. No assurance can be given that the
future results covered by the forward-looking statements will be achieved.
Many factors (including intense competition from other professional sports
teams in the Orlando area, possible need for additional capital, the Company's
business concentration, risks associated with the Orlando Arena lease,
dependence on key personnel, competitive success of the Predators, possible
increase in players' salaries, risk of players' injuries, player labor
disputes, risks associated with AFL membership and uncertainties regarding
game attendance and broadcast contracts) could also cause actual results to
vary materially for the future results covered in such forward-looking
statements.
SOURCE Orlando Predators Entertainment, Inc.
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.predinvestor.com
CONTACT:
Jeff Bouchy of Orlando Predators,
407-447-7337
|
