AFL Announces 2017 Broadcast Schedule

Thursday March 23, 2017

 League Partners With CBS Sports Network For Fifth Straight Season

LAS VEGAS (March 23, 2017) – The Arena Football League’s 30th Anniversary Season is set to begin as the 2017 AFL television schedule was officially released today. Expansion teams will kick off the season at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., when the Washington Valor host the Baltimore Brigade on Friday, April 7 at 7 p.m., ET on CBS Sports Network.

CBS Sports Network returns as the AFL’s television partner for the fifth consecutive season. The Network will televise a slate of 18 regular season games and one semifinal contest. The complete schedule is listed below.

“CBS Sports Network has been a long-time partner and we are pleased to have AFL games televised on the Network for our 30th Anniversary season,” AFL Commissioner Scott C. Butera said.

CBS Sports Network is available across the country through local cable, video and telco providers and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 221 and Dish Network Channel 158. For more information, including a full programming schedule, and channel finder, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com.

Schedule Highlights Include:
• Opening Weekend will have two expansion teams – Baltimore Brigade and Washington Valor – face off at the Verizon Center on April 7. Former AFL MVP QB Erik Meyer and 2016 Defensive Player of the Year Tracy Belton lead the Valor, while former All-Arena performers DL Khreem Smith and WR Reggie Gray spark the Brigade.

• Week 2 features the defending champion Philadelphia Soul and former AFL MVP QB Dan Raudabaugh starting their title defense on the road against QB Randy Hippeard and the Tampa Bay Storm on CBS Sports Network.

• Week 3 offers a battle of new head coaches, as Ron Selesky and his Cleveland Gladiators face new head coach Ron James and his Tampa Bay Storm. Cleveland’s returning QB Arvell Nelson will look to hook up with 2016 Playmaker of the Year WR Brandon Thompkins, while Tampa Bay’s Randy Hippeard has a new target with 2016 Offensive Player of the Year WR Joe Hills.

• Week 12 features a showdown at “The Q” between rivals Philadelphia and Cleveland. AFL Head Coach of the Year Clint Dolezel guides the Soul against Selesky and the Gladiators. Possible star matchup has former All-Arena performers – Soul WR Darius Reynolds and Gladiators DB Rayshaun Kizer – lining up against each other.

About the AFL

The Arena Football League will enter its 30th Anniversary Season in 2017. 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. Teams slated for 2017 include: Baltimore, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay and Washington D.C. CBS Sports Network nationally broadcasts AFL games each week during the regular season. ArenaBowl XXX is slated for Saturday, August 26.