October 19, 1998

Birth of a Franchise

Casey Wasserman makes a presentation to Arena Football League officials in New York at the offices of the NFL.  He is immediately and unanimously awarded the Los Angeles franchise, becoming - at the age of 24 - the youngest person to ever own a professional sports team.

 

June 14, 1999

It's the Avengers!

Owner Casey Wasserman announces that his team will be named the Avengers.  The logos are unveiled and www.laavengers.com goes online.

 

August 1, 1999

First Avenger Fans

Avengers fly 100 contest winners to Phoenix for an AFL game between the Arizona Rattlers and Portland Forest Dragons.

 

October 16, 1999

"Downtown Alive '99"

The opening of STAPLES Center is celebrated with a huge daylong block party.  The final audition for the Avenger dance team is one of the highlights (22 of the 150 hopefuls make the squad).

 

October 19, 1999

First Avenger

Ken Haslip, a former USC Trojan defensive back, signs and becomes the first player in franchise history.

 

October 26, 1999

First Coach

Stan Brock is introduced as head coach at a press conference at STAPLES Center.  He was previously the head coach of the AFL's Portland Forest Dragons and a star offensive lineman in the NFL for 16 seasons.

 

December 18, 1999

Pro Ball Back at Coliseum

Avengers hold open tryouts at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the former home of the L.A. Rams and Raiders.

 

January 30, 2000

Super Bowl Party

On Super Sunday, the Avengers welcome fans to a STAPLES Center "open house" to check out the AFL field of play for the first time.  "A-Team" is announced as the official nickname of the Avenger dance team.

 

March 7, 2000

Expansion Draft

Fifteen players are acquired though the 2000 AFL Expansion Draft.  The Avengers make defensive specialist Cliff Green the first pick of the draft.

 

March 19, 2000

Players Hit the Field

Training camp opens at the brand-new Avenger Training Facility at West Los Angeles College in Culver City.

 

March 27, 2000

First Preseason Game

Avengers play their first game and defeat the Arizona Rattlers in a preseason contest, 54-47, at America West Arena in Phoenix.

 

April 9, 2000

Home Sweet Home

Avengers are victorious in their home debut, beating the Oklahoma Wranglers, 54-48, before a massive preseason crowd of 15,928 at STAPLES Center.  It is the largest indoor crowd to ever view the debut of a professional sports team in the history of Los Angeles.

 

April 20, 2000

L.A. Football is Back!

Pro football officially makes its return to Los Angeles for the first time since Dec. 24, 1994 (when the L.A. Raiders played their final game at the Coliseum), as the Avengers play their regular-season home opener versus the Carolina Cobras.

 

June 3, 2000

First Avenger Victory

Avengers win their first regular-season game, 50-46, over the New England Sea Wolves in Hartford, Conn.

 

June 23, 2000

Offensive Explosion

Todd Marinovich ties an AFL record with 10 touchdown passes as the Avengers defeat the Houston ThunderBears in overtime, 72-66.  He also comes within 11 passing yards of another league mark, throwing for 469 yards.  Both teams combine for 892 yards, smashing the AFL record for total yards gained in a single game.

 

August 18, 2000

Rookie of the Year

WR/LB Chris Jackson wins the AFL's "Rookie of the Year" award at the ArenaBall Awards Gala in Orlando.

 

April 14, 2001

Second Season Starts

Avengers open their second season of play in the AFL with a road game against the San Jose SaberCats.

 

June 23, 2001

Historic Victory in Arizona

Quarterback Tony Graziani comes off the bench to throw five second-half touchdown passes in his AFL debut and leads the Avengers to the greatest victory in the franchise's first two seasons, a 54-48 overtime win over the Arizona Rattlers on the road before 13,229 at America West Arena.

 

October 5, 2001

Hodgkiss Era Begins

Ed Hodgkiss, a rising star in the coaching ranks and one of the brightest offensive minds in the AFL, is introduced as the new head coach of the Avengers.  He was the offensive coordinator of the high-powered Indiana Firebirds for the previous three seasons.

 

December 5, 2001

"Ironman" Signs

One of the AFL's most effective two-way players and most sought after free agents, Greg Hopkins signs with the Avengers.  The WR/LB was the league's leading receiver over the course of the previous two seasons with 213 receptions (111 in 2000 and 102 in 2001).

 

March 5, 2002

NBC Partners with AFL

NBC Sports and the AFL reach an agreement to become revenue sharing partners in an historic national television contract beginning with the 2003 season.

 

April 19, 2002

Third Season Kicks Off

Avengers kick off the AFL's 16th season with a 43-25 victory over the New York Dragons at STAPLES Center.

 

June 27, 2002

International Success

In their first game outside the United States, the Avengers defeat the Toronto Phantoms, 58-44, at the Air Canada Centre.

 

July 27, 2002

First Playoff Appearance

After earning a berth into the postseason and securing the No. 5 seed, the Avengers host the Tampa Bay Storm at STAPLES Center.  Unfortunately, the Avengers are defeated in their first playoff game, 66-41.

 

August 16, 2002

Awards Night

Three Avengers earn major honors at the ArenaBall Awards Gala in San Jose.  Owner Casey Wasserman accepts the "Commissioner's Award" on behalf of the entire organization.  WR/LB Greg Hopkins is selected as "Ironman of the Year" and team president Todd Merkow takes home "Executive of the Year" honors.

 

February 2, 2003

Fourth Season Starts

With nine games scheduled to be televised on NBC, the Avengers kickoff their fourth season in the AFL with a 60-48 victory over the New Jersey Gladiators at STAPLES Center.

 

February 9, 2003

L.A. Shocks S.J.

Overcoming a 20-point deficit, the Avengers defeat the defending ArenaBowl champion San Jose SaberCats, 73-72, on a two-point

conversion pass from Tony Graziani to Greg Hopkins with a second remaining.

 

March 30, 2003

Miracle Finish at Orlando

In one of the more miraculous finishes

in AFL history, the Avengers overcome a 12-point deficit in the final 35 seconds to beat the Orlando Predators, 64-63.  On the game's final play Tony Graziani throws a "Hail Mary" pass off the rebound net and into the hands of

Greg Hopkins for the victory.

 

April 18, 2003

"D" Dismantles Destroyers

Avenger defense establishes a new team record, allowing the Buffalo Destroyers to score only two touchdowns in a 65-14 rout at STAPLES Center.  Los Angeles led 35-0 late in the second quarter.

 

May 10, 2003

Nineteen in Two

By virtue of a 45-34 Avenger victory over the Colorado Crush, Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss wins his 19th game.  No head coach in AFL history has won more games in his first two seasons than Hodgkiss.

 

May 17, 2003

Always Improving

Avengers finish the 2003 regular season at 11-5, becoming the first team in AFL history to improve upon its record in three consecutive seasons.  Los Angeles was 5-9 in 2001, and 8-6 in 2002.

 

June 1, 2003

Second Round of Playoffs

After earning the AFL's No. 4-seed and the first-round bye that goes with it, the Avengers make their first appearance in the second round of the postseason.  Unfortunately, the Arizona Rattlers beat Los Angeles, 70-63.

 

June 3, 2003

Big Day for C.J.

Seemingly simultaneous, Avenger offensive specialist Chris Jackson is selected as the AFL's "Offensive Player of the Year" and signs a two-year contract with the Miami Dolphins.

 

February 8, 2004

Fifth Season Kicks Off

Avengers face the Arizona Rattlers for the third time in their last five games.  This meeting marks the beginning of L.A.'s fifth season of play in the 18-year-old AFL.

 

April 3, 2004

Avengers Unload on Austin

Chris Jackson scored a team-record seven touchdowns in an 81-70 Avenger victory over the Austin Wranglers.  L.A.'s 81 points were the most scored in the AFL during the 2004 season and also established a new all-time franchise high.

 

May 1, 2004

Remy Reaches 100

Avenger kicker Remy Hamilton boots his 100th AFL field goal, a 28-yarder versus the Arizona Rattlers.  Only three other players in league history have made more field goals.

 

June 6, 2004

Third Playoff Berth

For the third consecutive season, the Avengers earn a berth into the AFL Playoffs.  Unfortunately, the Arizona Rattlers beat Los Angeles, 59-42, at America West Arena

 

November  2, 2004

L.A. Trades for Kaleo

Quarterback John Kaleo, who ranks among the AFL's all-time greats with 26,078 passing yards and 425 touchdown tosses, is acquired in a trade with the Austin Wranglers for WR/DB Sean Morey and future considerations.

 

February 20, 2005

Three in a Row

The Avengers win their third game in a row, beating the defending ArenaBowl champion San Jose SaberCats, 71-69, at STAPLES Center.  Offensive specialist Tony Locke scores three first-half touchdowns in his Avenger debut.

 

April 10, 2005

Terrible Tragedy

Avenger offensive/defensive lineman Al Lucas passes away from a spinal cord injury suffered in L.A.'s 66-35 victory over the New York Dragons.  Two days later, Al's father, David, addresses the team and urges them to go on with football and life, the way his son would want them to.

 

May 7, 2005

Satisfaction in San Jose

The Avengers win their third consecutive game, beating the defending ArenaBowl champion San Jose SaberCats, 54-42.  It is L.A.'s first victory over the SaberCats on the road at HP Pavilion in San Jose.

 

May 14, 2005

Winning the West

The Avengers clinch their first Western Division championship after defeating the Las Vegas Gladiators, 63-60, at STAPLES Center.  Quarterback John Kaleo threw for five touchdowns and his teammates rushed for four more scores.

 

May 29, 2005

Fourth Playoff Berth

For the fourth consecutive season, the Avengers participate in the AFL Playoffs.  This time they host the Chicago Rush, who emerge victorious, 52-45.

 

January 29, 2006

AFL's 20th Season

The Avengers open their seventh season of play in the 20-year-old Arena Football League against the Arizona Rattlers at STAPLES Center.  The team unveils it Western Division Championship banner on the arena's wall prior to kickoff.