ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta has been chosen to join Orlando as franchises in the new Alliance of American Football that will begin play next February.
The Atlanta Alliance has hired former NFL coach Brad Childress as its head coach, with Michael Vick serving as Childress' offensive coordinator. Atlanta is the second city to get a franchise in the league that was created by Pro Football Hall of Fame member Bill Polian and longtime TV and film producer Charlie Ebersol. The Alliance has a television deal with CBS and plans to open its first season the week after next year's Super Bowl.
Another veteran coach, Steve Spurrier, is in charge of the Orlando team.
"There is a tremendous amount of players and coaches who deserve a chance to compete at a professional level, but only a limited and finite amount of roster spots and positions in the sport today," Childress said. "The Alliance of American Football offers an exciting opportunity for players and coaches to launch or continue their career at the professional level during the spring, and I'm particularly impressed with its strong focus on the relationship between players, fans and the game."
The team will play at Georgia State Stadium, the former Turner Field that was home to baseball's Atlanta Braves.
