Cleveland, Philadelphia and Tampa Bay Next in line for Alliance Franchise
Soul, Storm and Gladiators Join the Alliance
April 18, 2018
Philadelphia, PA - Former Philadelphia Eagles starting Quarterback and Philadelphia Soul minority owner Ron Jaworski announced this morning that he along with majority owner George Randolph Hearst III and Trifecta Sports and Entertainment LLC would be bringing their Philadelphia Soul to the Alliance of American Football starting with the 2019 season.
Joining the Soul in the move will also be the Cleveland Gladiators and the Tampa Bay Storm. The Gladiators are currently owned by the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert and Cleveland Sports LLC, while the Tampa Bay Storm is currently owned by the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeffrey Vinik and Tampa Bay Sports and Entertainment LLC.
Joining Ron Jaworski and minority owners of the Soul amongst the Trifecta Sports and Entertainment LLC include former NFL stars Jahri Evans and Marques Colston along with former Philadelphia Eagles' Head Coach Dick Vermeil. Other NFL names involved here are former Cleveland Browns starting Quarterback Bernie Kosar as a minority owner of the Gladiators, while former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Linebacker great Derrick Brooks and current Washington Redskins Head Coach Jay Gruden as minority owners for the Storm. Gruden also played for the Storm from 2001 to 2006.
The three teams plan on beginning their searches for their coaching staffs and General Managers immediately and publicly naming them by August to begin preparation for the October expansion draft. Jaworski also hinted at the chance that a few of the current coaches and players may also be joining the move to the Alliance.
The three teams joined the AAF for a combined $75M upfront bringing even more money and exposure to the young league. Now, the Alliance is more than likely in the search of a 20th franchise to join the league for the 2019 season. It's highly unlikely the league will play with an odd 19 teams.