Preds get Hummers for Major Sponsor
Jason Lucas
Thursday January 13, 2005
The deal includes naming rights to the field, with the Predators playing on Hummer field at TD Waterhouse Centre now. (Waits for snickers.) The deal is also the largest financial deal in team history and the Arena Football League.
Coach Jay Gruden got himself a Hummer out of the deal. (Sighs and waits again for snickers.) The Predators players got two vans so they can have team outings and all travel around town together. Joe Hamilton, Kenny McEntyre, and Cory Fleming represented the players at the press conference.
Furthermore, this title sponsorship with Hummer of Orlando will help the Predators keep ticket prices at the same level they have been for two years. Predators’ owner Brett Bouchy feels that keeping ticket prices down is a big key to having a better mix of fans in the stands.
“We have to keep our tickets affordable for the next 15 to 20 years,” Bouchy said. “I think the key to the success of the AFL is affordability.”
Personally, I believe we can all agree with that statement. For years fans have complained about inflating ticket prices and now, finally, here is a team who is actively trying to keep costs down. A deal like this one benefits the fans not only to save money, but also to enjoy watching the greatest franchise in AFL history kick some butt on the turf named after Hummer of Orlando.
As far as I am concerned, let the double innuendoes begin for Preds fans. We are already known for the great inflatable flying penis incident of last season. Now we are going to be known for having a turf called “Hummer Field”. Maybe we should change the title name of the cheerleaders too. Can you already picture those halftime shows? I can tell you one thing, nobody will be running to get those halftime refreshments until after they watch a performance by the Hummer girls.
Preds’ fans enjoy this season with your 2005 Orlando Predators presented by Hummer of Orlando.
Training Camp Notes
Back-up QB Ryan Schneider looked to be held out with a shoulder injury. It did not appear to be anything serious.
The defense dominated today’s drills holding the offense on several occasions from the one- yard line. The receivers could not get anything going today against Kenny McEntyre and company.
Joe Hamilton had lots of reps in practice. He did not appear to be very sharp today, but it is the first day of training camp after all.
All practices are open to the public. They start at 9:30 in the morning and conclude around Noon.
Jason Lucas is a part-time freelance writer based in the Orlando, Florida area. A former director of media relations with the Orlando Predators, Jason is making his return to Arenafan.com after a short stint as a public relations assistant with the UFL‘s Florida Tuskers in 2010. Lucas has followed the AFL since 1992 and began covering the Predators for Arenafan during the 2004 season. He held that position until being picked up by the Preds front office after the 2007 season. Jason‘s knowledge of arena football and love of the game is what drives him to continue covering the sport.
