NEW YORK -- The dates for the 2009 AFL Dispersal Draft and the beginning of the free-agent signing period have been set for Wednesday, December 3 and Thursday, December 4, respectively, the League announced today.

The Columbus Destroyers will hold the first pick of the Dispersal Draft which begins at 1 p.m. ET. All 16 teams will have a chance to acquire key players such as 2008 All-Rookie and All-Arena Second Team selection LB NORMAN LEJEUNE, as well as proven AFL veterans DL HENRY BRYANT and WR DERRICK LEWIS.

The free-agent signing period begins at 12:01 a.m. ET on December 4 with 172 free agents eligible to sign with any team. This year’s class is headlined by 2008 Champs Sports Quarterback of the Year MATT D’ORAZIO (with Philadelphia in 2008) and 2008 Russell Athletic Team Leader of the Year QB MARK GRIEB (San Jose). 

You can follow the Dispersal Draft live on www.arenafootball.com next Tuesday.  Below is the order in which teams will select:

First Round

1.             Columbus

2.             Kansas City                                      

3.             Los Angeles

4.             Cleveland from Grand Rapids

5.             Colorado

6.             Los Angeles from Utah

7.             Tampa Bay

8.             New York

9.             Arizona

10.         Orlando

11.         Cleveland     

12.         Georgia

13.         San Jose

14.         Chicago

15.         Dallas

16.         Philadelphia

Second Round

17.         Columbus

18.         Kansas City

19.         Los Angeles

20.         Grand Rapids

21.         Colorado

22.         Utah

23.         Tampa Bay

24.         New York

25.         Arizona

26.         Orlando

27.         Cleveland

28.         Georgia

29.         San Jose

30.         Chicago

31.         Dallas

32.         Philadelphia

Third Round (if necessary)

33.         Columbus

34.         Kansas City

35.         Los Angeles

36.         Grand Rapids

37.         Colorado

38.         Utah

39.         Tampa Bay

40.         New York

41.         Arizona

42.         Georgia from Orlando

43.         Cleveland

44.         Georgia

45.         San Jose

46.         Chicago

47.         Dallas

48.         Philadelphia