AFL teams to commemorate anniversaries in 2009

NEW YORK - Three Arena Football League teams will celebrate significant milestones in 2009 and each will recognize its achievement with commemorative patches and/or new logos to be displayed throughout the season.

The San Jose SaberCats will celebrate their 15th anniversary this season, the Los Angeles Avengers commemorate their 10th, and the New York Dragons have new ownership, a new logo and team colors.

Since winning its AFL debut in 1995, San Jose has posted a regular-season record of 136-70, which ranks as the highest winning percentage (.660) of any team in professional football over the 15-year span. The SaberCats have captured eight Western Division titles and three ArenaBowl Championships.

"Being in the league for 15 years and having the success we've enjoyed proves that San Jose is one of the premiere organizations in the Arena Football League," explained head coach DARREN ARBET. "I've been with the franchise from the beginning and have witnessed first hand the growth of the SaberCats and the league."

The Los Angeles Avengers are commemorating their 10th season with a new patch and helmet design. While red and blue remain the team's primary colors, yellow has been replaced by white as an accent color. The patch, which features the logo surrounded by a blue circle with the words "Los Angeles Avengers Celebrating 10 Seasons," will be worn on all uniforms throughout the season.

"Our franchise is proud to have provided the southern California community with an affordable, fan-friendly entertainment option for the past nine years," remarked Avengers team president MATT WIKSTROM. "With new head coach PAT O'HARA at the helm, we look forward to building the kind of championship team that our loyal fans deserve."

Earlier this summer, the New York Dragons unveiled their first major logo change since 2001. While black remains one of the primary colors, green and silver have replaced orange, red, and yellow in the team's color scheme. As for the logo itself, gone is the fire-breathing black dragon and in its place is a green dragon wrapped around the letters "NY."

"We want to bring a brand new start to the Dragons football team," Dragons new managing partner STEVEN SILVA said of the team's new look. "Updating the logo is just the beginning. From putting the best football team possible out on the field every night, to making sure fan involvement and customer service is the best it can be, this is the 'new' New York Dragons."