Without the aid of a Delorean, a flux capacitor or good old Doc Brown, the Milwaukee Mustangs are back and in the future of the Cream City for the 2011 season.
Jason Clark, the GM of the former IRON franchise who reprises his role with the 'stangs of the Arena Football League, made the announcement Thursday at a presser at the Bradley Center.
The BC is home to the former and current incarnation of the Mustangs. The new ownership team hopes to rekindle the flame of success the team had when it played there from 1994-2001.
Chris Rebholz, Todd Hansen and Dave Bahl have infused more than just capital into this effort but a marketing strategy and a family-friendly price structure as well.
With the purchase of an adult season ticket, you can buy up to three tickets for children 14 and under in adjoining seats for $5 a game throughout the arena. Partial season ticket packages ('Pick 4') and other group discounts are also in place.
The marketing strategy (or lack thereof) and almost non-existent name recognition of the old Iron team more than anything drove the new owners to re-brand the franchise with its former name.
The Fillies Dance Team, who were very popular with the fans, make their return to the sidelines as well.
Back at the helm is Head Coach Bob Landsee, who guided the Iron last year to a 12-6 mark. Landsee's charges fell just short in the conference title game last season, losing to the eventual Arena Bowl Champion Spokane Shock.
Quarterback Chris Greisen, who finished the season as a member of the Dallas Cowboys, won't be back but the All-time leader among wide receivers, future hall-of-famer Damian Harrell, will likely be the main target of Landsee's new field general.
AFL Commissioner Jerry Kurz praised Landsee as having given many players the chance to advance to the NFL.
The commitment to Milwaukee and the AFL was buttressed by Kurz and the creator of the game itself, Jim Foster. Foster is a consultant to the staff and front office of the Mustangs as they make their return.
"We believe in local ownership," Foster said in an interview after the announcement. "An ownership that has strong ties and a strong commitment to the community and we see that here in Milwaukee and in this great building (Bradley Center)."
The Mustangs Home Schedule:
Monday March 14 Chicago 6:30 PM
Monday March 28 Pittsburgh 6:30 PM
Saturday April 23 Georgia 7 PM
Saturday April 30 Tampa Bay 7 PM
Thursday May 26 Orlando 7 PM
Saturday June 11 Kansas City 7 PM
Saturday July 2 Cleveland 7 PM
Friday July 15 Iowa 7 PM
Continue reading on Examiner.com: The 'stangs are back in MKE and the AFL - Milwaukee Milwaukee Iron | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/milwaukee-iron-in-milwaukee/the-stangs-are-back-mke-and-the-afl#ixzz1CM1f7ybe
