AFL, CBS Sports Network to flex Week 17 matchup

Monday June 29, 2015

 LAS VEGAS – The Arena Football League and CBS Sports Network have announced that the Week 17 "Arena Football on CBS Sports Network" matchup will now feature the Cleveland Gladiators (7-7) hosting the Orlando Predators (8-6) in a rematch of last year’s American Conference Championship Game at 6:00 p.m. ET on July 18. The originally scheduled contest between the Las Vegas Outlaws and LA KISS will now air on ESPN3 at 10:00 p.m. ET.

The Week 17 showdown will be the rubber match between the two franchises, as the Gladiators claimed a 56-55 overtime victory in Week 6 against the Predators in Orlando, while the Preds returned the favor in Cleveland, taking down the defending American Conference champions, 63-42, in Week 10.

As the playoff picture continues to take shape, Cleveland and Orlando are joined by the Tampa Bay Storm and Jacksonville Sharks in a four-team race for the final three spots in the American Conference bracket. The South Division-leading Predators presently hold the No. 2 seed in the conference, while the defending conference champion Gladiators currently occupy the final wildcard spot. The result of the third and final regular season meeting between the two squads will no doubt be pivotal in deciding not just playoff seeding, but potentially who will be the odd team out in 2015.

Kickoff from Quicken Loans Arena is set for 6:00 p.m. ET Saturday, July 18 on CBS Sports Network.

About the AFL
Since its inception in 1987, the Arena Football League has showcased a fast-paced and exciting game to millions of fans in a myriad of markets across the country. The ESPN family of networks and CBS Sports Network will nationally broadcast AFL games each week for the entire 2015 season. This season will also be the first with Scott C. Butera leading the way as Commissioner. The AFL schedule culminates with ArenaBowl XXVIII Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.