Team To Be Stocked With 15 Former VooDoo Players

NEW YORK – The Arena Football League Board of Directors approved last night in a unanimous vote via conference call to add Kansas City as an expansion team for the 2006 season. The  team will be stocked with players formerly under contract to the New Orleans VooDoo, who suspended play for 2006 because of the effects of Hurricane Katrina. Kansas City will join the Utah Blaze as expansion teams for 2006.

“Although we regret the circumstances that brought us to this solution, we are excited to finally bring the AFL to Kansas City,” said TYLER PROCHNOW, the leader of the team’s ownership group, K.C. Arena Sports & Entertainment (KCASE). “Allowing the VooDoo players to remain together as a cohesive and competitive team was a major incentive for us going forward now instead of 2007.”

Fifteen former VooDoo players, including AFL standouts QB ANDY KELLY and OL/DL B.J. COHEN, will compete for Kansas City for the ArenaBowl XX championship in 2006 instead of becoming free agents.

“Kansas City is a great football town and we’re thrilled to be there,” said Commissioner DAVID BAKER. “This is an exciting solution for a difficult situation. Tyler Prochnow and all the members of KCASE should be applauded for rallying under difficult circumstances to make this opportunity a reality.”

Kansas City will be placed in the Southern Division and will play the 2006 season in Kemper Arena. The team is immediately eligible to begin signing free agents. Season-ticket deposits are now being accepted by calling 800-223-5813 or by logging on to www.arenafootballkc.com. A team nickname and colors will be announced shortly.

Following are the former VooDoo players who will compete for Kansas City in 2006: