Bring back Arena Football?

Posted on October 26, 2007 
Filed Under Football

Richmond Speed logo
Richmond Bandits logo

A number of you have already voted in the poll on the right, but in case you haven’t seen it we want to know what new professional sport you want in Richmond? Right now Arena Football is leading the poll by a healthy margin. We’ve had arena football here before with both the Speed and the Bandits. The Speed were in the AF2(minor league for the AFL) and the Bandits were in the AIFL(now the AIFA). The Bandits folded after a disagreement with the league and it looks like there is talk of bringing back the Speed. I’ll see if I can find out more information about that but if you know anything about it leave a comment and let us know.

Comments

9 Responses to “Bring back Arena Football?”

  1. Eric on October 26th, 2007 10:54 am

    I had heard something a year or so ago about them coming back possibly in 08. But I haven’t heard anything recently about it.

  2. Daniel on October 27th, 2007 7:49 am

    I exchanged emails with the guy who was working to bring back the Speed. He says that they were testing the waters last year and didn’t find any qualified potential owners. He says he does not know of any plans for an arena team but he has moved on to another area. I’m waiting to hear back from the coliseum to see if they have had any inquiries about arena football.

  3. James on October 27th, 2007 9:58 am

    I went to a couple of speed games, and was really impressed with the atmosphere and quality of play. There were usually around 4-5,000 people in attendance. I think under the right circumstances and in the right venue, possibly the Siegel Center, an arena team could succeed.

  4. KGJ on March 6th, 2008 12:40 am

    I was on the dance team for the Bandits and I would love to have another team to cheer for in Richmond. The games were so much fun and the team had some great talent. If you find out that they are bringing another team to town, please let me know.

  5. Cowboys CEO on March 27th, 2008 3:50 pm

    Right now the minor league team is the va cowboys and the we are looking to bring back arena football back to the area in 2009. We have been here since 2007 and currently going into our 2nd season. The Cowboys will be the development team for the new arena team that I will be bringing to the city as I am testing the area to see what type of fan base we can generate just from a minor league prospective and transition that to arena ball. As you all know that major sports teams don’t last in this city but we are trying something a little different this time. Players interested in getting a leg up on the others that will attend arena tryout next year can start now with the VA COWBOYS, by contacting our office at 804-269-1669 and also visit our website http://www.vacowboys.com

  6. Alex on June 30th, 2008 10:51 pm

    I would love to see a team back in Richmond. I never got to go to any of the games for the Speed or Bandits before, but I’ve really been getting into the AFL on ESPN. Im all jacked up for some football in Richmond!!!

    Though, I could never root for a team named the Cowboys. Im a huge Redskins fan and even work for them. I couldn’t face my co-workers knowing I was a fan of a football team named the “Cowboys”.

  7. Cowboys on June 30th, 2008 11:12 pm

    Alex, the difference is that you never have to change your NFL preference to support a team thats in your own home town. I think the difference between Richmond and any other part of this state is that no matter what they support their teams and Richmonders don’t. That’s why nothing stays here and people are always scratching their heads and wondering why the teams leave….. Richmonders need to re-evaluate themselves and look at the bigger picture… and that’s my opinion and that of others as well

  8. James Moran on July 10th, 2008 2:46 am

    I’m a huge fan of arena ball back in richmond. I went to almost all the games the Bandits had at home. However, I’m a redskins fan and I know I dont need to change my nfl preference but……

    Anyway I do go to many different sporting events. And I would love to supprt another team here. Considering I seem to be one of the few who are tired of teams leaving the area. I’m glad someone else shares my opinion

    -James

  9. James Moran on July 10th, 2008 2:58 am

    By the way, another reason other teams leave is because I don’t many people I knew heard of the team only I told them. The bandits had 1,000 people a game there and on a good night had 1,500-2,000. I think if you can bring more people there. It will get better.

    Also Cowboys, what arena do you have in mind of using? Coliseum? Seigel Center?

    -James

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