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Press ReleaseOREM, Utah -- After going 11-4 and making the playoffs in its first-ever season in the American Indoor Football Association, the Utah Valley Thunder is switching leagues and will now play in Arena Football 1 beginning in April 2010.
"This is a huge step for us," Utah Valley Thunder owner Dave Affleck said Monday after the official announcement of the new league and its 16 teams was made from Tulsa, Okla., the home of the new league office.
"To now be playing at the highest level of arena football there is is a huge step for us," he said.
In addition to Salt Lake City, three cities which played in the Arena Football League in 2008 will have teams in the new league: Chicago, Phoenix and Orlando.
The Thunder will mostly likely play their games at the E Center in West Valley City.
"The fans in Salt Lake City supported the (Utah) Blaze really well when they were around and those Blaze fans will be happy to have a team back playing," he said.
In addition to Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Orlando and Chicago, teams will be based in Bossier-Shreveport, La,; Arkansas; Fresno, Calif., Des Moines, Iowa; Jacksonville, Fla., Lexington, Ky; Milwaukee, Wis.; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Spokane, Wash.; Huntsville, Ala., Kennewick, Wash., and Tulsa, Okla.
(Courtesy Utah Valley Thunder)
