In a press conference from Tulsa, Okla., former arenafootball2 commissioner Jerry Kurz announced the formation of a brand new arena football league – Arena Football 1 – and Kurz will be the commissioner.

“(Arena Football) has done well before, but not as well as it will be done now,” said Kurz in a teleconference. “With this transition to AF1 our message to our fans, our sponsors and to everyone to get ready because Arena Football 1 is going to make arena football better than it ever was.”

The AF1, to be headquartered in Tulsa, Okla., home of the AF2’s Tulsa Talons, lists 16 teams committed, but is taking applications until Oct. 9 for teams or organizations wishing to participate in the inaugural season slated to begin in April 2010.

The 16 teams include four in markets where the former AFL had clubs: Chicago, Phoenix, Salt Lake City and Orlando.

The new league also has teams from the af2 as well as at least one team from another indoor league.

The new league indicated its markets include Bossier-Shreveport, La.; Arkansas; Fresno, Calif.; Des Moines, Iowa; Jacksonville, Fla.; Kentucky; Milwaukee; Oklahoma City; Spokane, Wash.; Alabama; Kennewick, Wash.; and Tulsa, Okla.

“All the previous efforts were well intended and good,” said Kurz. “The owners who put this league together took the time to do it right We want to make sure that we don’t grow for the sake of growing. We want to grow in markets that want us”.

Kurz went on to say more details about the league will be released in the weeks to come and hinted at some of the changes fans can expect in the new league.

“Fans of arena football can expect the AF1 to be as real as arena football can get,” Kurz said.

Questioned about the status of the Florida Firecats with regard to the new league, Kurz said that as of Monday no application had been received from the organization and the money owed to the AF2, which kept the Firecats out of the playoffs last season, would have no impact on their admittance into the AF1.

When contacted for comment, Firecats public relations manager Dave Parks said that as of Monday the team did not know whether it will apply to become a part of the new league, but he expected a decision to be made soon.