BILLINGS — Coming off of a big 66-26 win over the Wichita Regulators in their Arena Football League opener in front of 2,119 rabid spectators at First Interstate Arena at MetraPark on Saturday, the Billings Outlaws thought they were headed to Salem, Oregon, for their next contest.
The Outlaws were originally to play the Oregon Blackbears on May 4.
But Wednesday, Billings owner Steven Titus said the AFL approached the Outlaws on Sunday about changing their opponent and location for their game this week.
Now, the Outlaws will be in Everett, Washington, to play the Washington Wolfpack (0-1) on Sunday at 4 p.m.
Titus said the reasons given by the AFL for changing the location and opponent of the contest were the pads on the walls at the facility in Salem were on cattle fencing — which isn’t a proper structure and could lead to safety issues — the internet at the Salem Pavilion Arena wasn’t powerful enough to stream the game and the rebound nets weren’t up to league standards.
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However, Titus said what was puzzling was that Georgia Force were now scheduled to play at the Blackbears on Saturday. Titus did say that the Oregon team is owned by the AFL.
“Your guess is as good as mine,” said Titus of why the Blackbears were going to be able to host the Force this weekend but not the Outlaws.
Regardless, the Outlaws are focused on this week and blocking out any outside noise, said coach Cedric Walker. Walker said his team would be ready to play on Sunday in Everett against the Wolfpack.
“I don’t get caught up in that. Wherever they tell us we are going to play is where we are going to play,” said Walker. “We’ll keep doing what we are doing.”
So, what is Walker’s message to the Outlaws?
“I tell the players the same thing I would tell you, ‘I don’t worry about anybody but in this house,’” he said. “I know Steve runs a tight organization and pays his bills and we will be where we need to be. I don’t worry about any other teams. That’s not my job.”
It was announced and reported on that 30 AFL games would be broadcast on the NFL Network beginning with the opening weekend. This past weekend’s games didn’t appear on the NFL Network.
Titus said to his knowledge the games that were to be broadcast by the NFL Network this weekend won’t be either.
“The league is not doing something right,” said Titus.
The Outlaws are scheduled to have an NFL Network home game at the Metra against the Albany (New York) Firebirds at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 20.
Titus said he believes that game will still be broadcast on the NFL Network.
“I hope our league’s leadership will be able to fix any problems with the NFL Network as soon as possible,” Titus said.
With a strong start in their home opener and AFL debut with quarterback Isaac Harker throwing for seven touchdowns that produced a throwback feel to the glory days of a previous Billings Outlaws indoor football franchise that played at the Metra, Billings appeared to be on a roll in the AFL.
And although a Week 2 schedule change and problems with a TV deal could worry local fans who have experienced both the highs and lows of indoor football in Billings, Titus and Walker both said they have aspirations of winning an AFL title in the Magic City.
“Right now, all we are doing is 1-0,” said Walker. “We go 1-0 each week until we figure out who is going to be the champion.”
Or, as Titus phrased it: “We are committed to bringing an Arena Football League championship to Billings in July regardless of what commissioner’s name and signature is on our championship football.”
NOTES: Titus said there would be a watch party at the Red Door on Sunday and that he would be in attendance, as would the Outlaws dance team. The watch party begins at 3:30 p.m.
Email Gazette Sports Editor John Letasky at john.letasky@406mtsports.com or follow him on X/Twitter at @GazSportsJohnL