Revived Soul team up with Front Row Marketing

PHILADELPHIA (July 28, 2010) - The Philadelphia Soul and Front Row Marketing Services announced today that they are teaming up, once again, to bring back the Arena Football League Championship Title. 

With this partnership, Front Row Marketing Services (FRMS) – a subsidiary of the Philadelphia-based sports and entertainment firm Comcast-Spectacor that specializes in generating incremental revenue and evaluating sponsorship investments and handled the sponsorship sales for the Philadelphia Soul from 2004-2008 – will continue in that capacity as the Soul prepare to return in 2011.

“We are happy to have Front Row Marketing Services back with the team,” said Soul co-majority owner, Craig Spencer. “FRMS was a valuable asset for the Soul in our previous five seasons and we look forward to continued success.”

Consistently placing in the top two in sales in the AFL, FRMS will pick up where they left off selling inventory such as dashboards, turf squares, banners, promotions, naming rights, and team entitlements. FRMS will provide corporate marketing and sales of the commercial rights assets for the ArenaBowl XXII Champions, including sponsorship and signage.

“I have been a fan and a sponsor of the Soul from the very beginning and knew they would be a great addition to the Philadelphia sports scene,” said Pete Ciarrocchi, owner of Chickie’s & Pete’s and co-owner of the Soul.  “I couldn’t have been happier, watching in New Orleans, as the Soul broke the curse of William Penn and brought the ArenaBowl Championship to Philadelphia.  I so much see the value the Soul brings to Philadelphia, as well as my business, that I wanted to increase my commitment and become a co-owner and do whatever I can to help make the Soul an even bigger success.”

The AFL canceled its 2009 season, ending a 22-year run. The AFL began play again in April 2010 with games televised nationally by NFL Network every Friday night at 8 p.m. ET. The Soul announced its return to compete for the 2011 championship in June 2010. NFL Network will carry Soul games next season.

“Front Row Marketing Services has an understanding and passion for our product that we wouldn’t find anywhere else,” said Soul co-majority owner, Ron Jaworski.  “They bring tremendous value to the franchise and we are exited to have them as part of the Soul family.”

The 2011 regular season runs April through July leading into the playoffs and ArenaBowl in August. The Soul, which returns to play home games at the Wells Fargo Center (formerly the Wachovia Center), capped their previous five seasons with an ArenaBowl XXII championship in 2008, defeating the San Jose SaberCats, 59-56.

“We are thrilled to reunite with the Philadelphia Soul franchise and their passionate and devoted owners,” said Senior Vice President of Business Operations, Adrian Staiti. “The Philadelphia Soul will kick off their return with success both on and off the field.”

The current 15-team league includes: the Arizona Rattlers, Alabama Vipers, Bossier-Shreveport BattleWings, Cleveland Gladiators, Chicago Rush, Dallas Vigilantes, Iowa Barnstormers, Jacksonville Sharks, Milwaukee Iron, Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz, Orlando Predators, Spokane Shock, Tampa Bay Storm, Tulsa Talons and Utah Blaze. The Kansas City Brigade and San Jose SaberCats will also join the AFL in 2011 with the Soul.