After being talked about and hinted at for months by various members of the AFL in different interviews, the AFL officially announced today that select matchups throughout the 2024 AFL season will be broadcast on the NFL Network and NFL+!
This is going to be huge for the AFL, especially for the opening game: NFL Network's schedule of live AFL games begins on Saturday, April 27 following the network's live coverage of the 2024 NFL Draft with the Albany Firebirds hosting the Orlando Predators at 8 p.m. ET
Talk about a lead in to the re-debut of the league! Going straight from the NFL Draft to Orlando-Albany.
A couple matchups jump off the page: Saturday, April 27 – Orlando Predators at Albany Firebirds, 8 p.m. ET
Although these are going to be brand new teams in a brand new league, there is some bad blood between Orlando and Albany dating back to the 2023 National Arena League season.
In 2023, the Albany Empire had their infamous collapse that led to the team dissolving and being dismissed from the NAL. That is a whole saga on its own. Following that, the players on Albany's roster were redistributed to other teams in the NAL - including Orlando.
As a part of that process, the Orlando Predators scooped up star WR Darius Prince, current Albany defensive coordinator Dwayne Hollis, and current Albany head coach Damon Ware, amongst others for the remainder of the 2023 season. Based on some interviews since then, they have alluded to things ending rather unceremoniously in Orlando -- making this the most intriguing season opener possible.
Bravo AFL!
Sunday, May 19 – Salina Liberty at Iowa Rampage, 3 p.m. ET
One of the more interesting aspects of AFL 3.0 is the markets they selected. Iowa has historically had success supporting arena football, but they currently have the established Iowa Barnstormers in the IFL. With all due respect to the state of Iowa, will two separate teams (albeit in different leagues) be able to have sustained success?
Granted, the Rampage will be in west Iowa / the Omaha–Council Bluffs area, while the Barnstormers will be in Des Moines (roughly two hours) -- so it could work under the right circumstances. Looking at Salina, they've had success in previous years in other leagues and will be making a big jump to the AFL. This entire 2024 season will be a huge opportunity for Salina to showcase how a smaller market can support a professional sports team and continue to build on their sustained success.
This matchup will be a showcase of smaller, less traditional markets on a national stage -- and will be critical for both teams success in 2024 and beyond.
Thursday, May 23 – Oregon Blackbears at Washington Wolfpack, 8 p.m. ET
Indoor & Arena Football has had a few different iterations of teams in the pacific northwest, including the Portland Forest Dragons in the 90s, and the. Portland Steel & Spokane Shock in the 2010s. Venturing into the pacific northwest with not one, but two different teams in the re-debut of AFL 3.0 is a bold move but could pay huge dividends.
Establishing successful franchises in both Oregon & Washington will be crucial for the long term success of the league and creating a foothold in both Salem, OR & Everett, WA. But in order for these teams to be successful, they need each other.
If one of these teams fails, the other team will be on a regional 'island' of sorts -- making life more difficult for both the team and the league. Delivering entertaining games on the national stage will be so important for not just for the league, but for each of these teams as well.
Thursday, June 6 – Nashville Kats at Minnesota Myth, 8 p.m. ET
Nashville will have SEVEN games on the NFL Network next season, tied the Orlando & Philadelphia for the most in the league, and will be one of the returning 'legacy' AFL brands in 2024. They will be looking to re-establish themselves in middle Tennessee and pick up where the left off in the 2000s.
Minnesota, on the other hand, will be one of the brand new expansion franchises working through things for the very first time and figuring things out -- both on and off the field. Minnesota's new home at the Target Center will be one of the premier venues in the league, so the Myth (and the league) will have a chance to showcase an elevated product on the national stage.
This will be one of the really good 'old vs new' matchups throughout the season.
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