OREM, Utah (October 23, 2008) – The American Indoor Football Association has awarded its second Utah expansion franchise in as many days. Fresh on the heels of announcing a team for Ogden, Utah, the AIFA has awarded an expansion franchise to Orem, Utah for the 2009 season. The team will be owned and operated by Dave Affleck, owner of Data Storage Solutions.

Orem is located approximately 45 miles south of Salt Lake City. Nearby Provo is the home of BYU, making the area a football hotbed. There are approximately half a million people located in the region. The two Utah franchises are roughly 80 miles apart.

The team will play in the AIFA's Western Division, joining the Wyoming Cavalry, the Arizona Adrenaline, the New Mexico Wildcats and the Ogden, Utah franchise announced yesterday. The team will play its home games at the state-of-the-art McKay Center at Utah Valley University in Orem. The arena will hold approximately 7,500 for indoor football.

“We are very pleased to bring this franchise into the fold,” said AIFA co-founder John Morris during a recent visit. “The potential here is unquestionable. In time, I believe this franchise will distinguish itself and be one of our league's best. I see great possibilities for both of our Utah franchises.

“The Orem market area was targeted by several rival leagues,” Morris said. “It is therefore particularly satisfying that we have the right owner in place for this team to be very successful.”

“I'm feeling great,” Affleck told This Week in the AIFA. “I feel like they (AIFA co-founders John Morris and Michael Mink) are going to help me be successful out here. We are excited. This is a great football area.”

Mink met Affleck while working with the Utah Saints last season. A former wide receiver at BYU, Affleck followed the team on a road trip to New Mexico. It was there where he first experienced the AIFA brand of football in a showcase environment (the Santa Ana Star Center in the Albuquerque suburb of Rio Rancho).

“We thought, my goodness,” he said. “We can make something if we have a good venue to play in. The fact that we were able to get the McKay Center is absolutely huge.”

“I am convinced more than ever that Western expansion has been great for the AIFA,” said Mink. “This franchise will strengthen the league footprint in the West, and the rivalry between Ogden and Orem will be outstanding.

“In regards to further expansion, there's still more to do.”

Dave Affleck will appear as a guest on the next edition of This Week in the AIFA, which will be distributed early next week.