We can call them the Warriors.
At least for now.
Utah's new Arena Football League team will be the current Utah Warriors, formerly of the National Indoor Football League, just in the bigger league.
According to a statement to be released today from NIFL headquarters, the Utah Warriors will withdraw from the NIFL and play in the AFL.
Whether the team name will carry over, the official comment from a team spokesperson is "no comment."
According to the NIFL, the Warriors will not play in 2005 but rather prepare for the 2006 AFL season.
Under the contract the Warriors have with the E Center — their home for the past two seasons — the Warriors must pay for the use of the E Center, whether they play or not.
A source within the team said that while the Warriors have not officially made a decision on next season, they are "contemplating whether or not to remain dormant for 2005."
The current Garff ownership group will still hold the rights to the NIFL franchise and will be looking to relocate the franchise to another city in the western United States.
"We wish the Warriors the very best and will be rooting for them every game," NIFL president Carolyn Shiver said. "We appreciate the compliment paid to our league by the AFL commissioner and board of governors."
The move at the very least could imply that the current Warriors ownership group, including the Garff family, is connected on some level to the new AFL franchise.
The official stand the marketing team for the AFL franchise is taking is, "We are currently awaiting word on a lease to come through before we announce the current ownership. We expect to make an official announcement soon."
The stumbling block for current ownership group continues to be the arena agreement. While the E Center has been its home for the past two seasons, anything may be possible. That could include a move to Utah's only other venue that could hold the new team, the Delta Center.
Team spokespeople are hesitant to comment on the move because of the potential problems that could arise during current negotiations.
Former Warriors head coach Lee Leslie, who reportedly will be connected to the AFL team, offered this comment: "We are really excited about the possibilities this team brings. We are looking forward to some great things happening soon in Salt Lake City."
Danny White, the soon-to-be head coach for Utah's expansion team was in town Wednesday and Thursday to meet with the ownership group, but was not available for comment.
No date has been given for the announcement about the team's future.
E-mail: acole@desnews.com