TULSA, OK–The Tulsa Talons head coach Mitch Allner has been a busy man since the 2009 af2 season ended. Indeed, it’s been a busy off season for all those who surround the Talons organization as big changes took place right after the and of the 2009 season.
This season, the Talons will be playing true “major league” arena football with the launch of the new Arena Football One. Instead of playing in towns like Sioux Falls and Quad City, Tulsa will entertain the likes of teams from Chicago, Jacksonville, Dallas, Cleveland and Tampa Bay. What happened was that a new league was born from the wreckage of the old AFL, which ceased operations after the 2008 season amid extreme financial distress.
The sister league of the AFL, known as Arena Football 2, flourished under a different business dynamic and parlayed that success into the formation of a new league, Arena Football One. The new league will utilize the same business model that will feature strong league based ownership of the teams and strict control over player salaries. The league office will be based right here in Tulsa, home of the most successful franchise in the history of the af2.
Coach Allner wasted no time in getting his key players signed for the 2010 campaign. Talons fans will see many familiar faces in the black and blue this season.
In November, Talons QB Justin Allgood signed as did all time points leader Jeff Hughley. Also signed in November was all-purpose lineman and occasional running back Antwan Floyd and wide receiver Zack Edwards. OSU product Jamar Ransom will return at the fullback/lineback position, and McNeese State alum Carlese Franklin also recently signed with the Tulsa squad.
Even with all the excitement of the off season the Talons have not forgotten what is important and they recently assisted the Tulsa chapter of the Salvation Army in their annual bell ringing donation campaign. During the holidays, the local professional sports teams compete to raise money by ringing bells over the familiar red kettles to raise money for the less fortunate. The Talons organization raised more money than bot the Tulsa Drillers and Tulsa Oilers combined this year.
The 2010 schedule for the league is being finalized at press time. The Talons will play their normal 16 game schedule and will play in the amazing BOK Center again this season. Tickets start as low as $105 and more information on season tickets can be found at tulsatalons.com or by phone at 918-294-1000.