Richard Obert
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 26, 2004 12:00 AM


In a unanimous vote from by teams, the Arena Football League approved playing the championship game this season at a predetermined site.

Since the league's inception in 1987, the ArenaBowl was held at the highest seed's arena.

Rattlers General Manager Gene Nudo said the purpose of playing the game at a predetermined site is to generate revenue for the league.

"From an excitement standpoint, having the ArenaBowl in your own building is unmatched," Nudo said. "But the league needs to generate national revenue. Until they do that, it's hard for teams to break even and make money."

Nudo said it's been difficult to get CEOs of major companies to look at the ArenaBowl on seven days' notice.



Phoenix is a possible site, but the leading candidate appears to be Las Vegas.