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ORLANDO, Fla. - The Orlando Predators are back!
The Arena Football League announced the return of the Orlando squad Monday after a seven-year hiatus from the league, according to a press release. The Predators previously competed from 1991 to 2016 and won two titles in ‘98 and ’00. Since the team's departure from the AFL, however, the Predators have been competing for the past five years in the National Arena League.
Central Florida entrepreneur John Cheney will own the franchise whose games will be played at Orlando's Amway Center. Shawn Knapp will lead the transition from the NAL to AFL as the general manager and director of operations.
06 June 2015: June 6, 2015: Orlando Predators wide receiver Larry Brackins (1) attempts to catch a pass among the crowd during the game between the Orlando Predators and the Jacksonville Sharks at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) 29 May 2015: Orlando Predators QB Bernard Morris (5) gets a play from offensive coordinator Siaha Burley during the game between the Orlando Predators and Cleveland Gladiators at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH. Orlando defeated Cleveland 63-42. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) 29 May 2015: Orlando Predators QB Bernard Morris (5) under center during the game between the Orlando Predators and Cleveland Gladiators at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH. Orlando defeated Cleveland 63-42. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) 29 May 2015: Orlando Predators DB Nick Taylor (32) has Cleveland Gladiators WR Dominick Goodman (16) by the jersey during the game between the Orlando Predators and Cleveland Gladiators at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH. Orlando defeated Cleveland 63-42. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) 06 June 2015: Jacksonville Sharks wide receiver Tiger Jones (11) during the game between the Orlando Predators and the Jacksonville Sharks at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) 20 Aug 2000: James Brown #4 of the Nashville Kats passes the ball down field during the Arena Bowl Game against the Orlando Predators at the TD Waterhouse Centre in Orlando, Florida. The Predators defeated the Kats 41-38.Mandatory Credit: Eliot J. Schechter /Allsport 06 June 2015: Orlando Predators wide receiver Larry Brackins (1) celebrates after a score during the game between the Orlando Predators and the Jacksonville Sharks at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) "The excitement of Orlando Predators returning to the AFL is yet another example of our commitment to hand select the best of the best in Arena Football," AFL Commissioner Lee Hutton said in a news release. "We are extremely pleased that Orlando chose the AFL to continue their legacy in arena football."
The AFL will launch in 2024 with 16 teams that will play a 10-game regular season.
The Predators previously suspended AFL operations in 2016, citing a "reduced number of teams remaining" and "pending disagreements" with the league.