Media Day News: LA KISS To Begin Play in 2014
Adam Markowitz
Thursday August 15, 2013
On Wednesday, the Arena Football League made an announcement promising an historic announcement at Thursday's ArenaBowl XXVI Media Day. The promised was fulfilled right at the top of the hour when the announcement was made that the rock band, KISS was partnering up with Brett Bouchy to form the LA Kiss. Bouchy will be an owner and the Operating Partner of the team.
Ever since Brett Bouchy resigned as the Managing Partner of the Orlando Predators, reports swirled that he was looking for a partner to take to the Los Angeles market. Gene Simmons and KISS make for a perfect partner for the AFL, and following their involvement in ArenaBowl XXVI, the rock band will officially become part of the newest franchise in the AFL.
"This is about the future. This is about taking the AFL to heights it has never been before," said Gene Simmons, the front man of KISS. "We're going to really make this into a worldwide story. It's not just going to be a local thing. It's going to be some big stuff."
Bouchy is now involved in his third different franchise in the AFL. He owned the Orlando Predators for a decade and a half and was the Managing Partner for the Arizona Rattlers for two years.
The KISS will be the fourth franchise in Arena Football League history to be in the greater Los Angeles area. The Los Angeles Cobras played in 1988 at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. The Los Angeles Avengers played from 2000 through 2008 under the ownership of Casey Wasserman, and the Avengers played at the Staples Center. The Anaheim Piranhas played at the Honda Center in 1996 and 1997 as well.
Bouchy has already announced that 2014 season ticket holders for the KISS will be given a free KISS concert at some point during the 2014 campaign. Season tickets can be had for as little as $99.
"Once you go, you'll be hooked," said Paul Stanley.
The team's website will be http://www.lakissfootball.com. The KISS also have a new Twitter account as well @LAKISS_AFL.
