Oregon Blackbears facing $30k outstanding balance at OSFE Center from 2024 season
SALEM, Ore — The Oregon Blackbears and Arena Football Management LLC are dealing with more troubles that will likely lead to legal action.
The Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center informed Arena Insider that AFM, which is owned by former Commissioner Lee Hutton III, and the Blackbears organization have yet to pay $30,948.88 in venue fees and many of its vendors are also seeking payment.
An OSFE representative stated they contacted an attorney for further review.
The team hosted three games at the center – an exhibition on April 20 against the Washington Wolfpack, the April 27 season opener against the Wolfpack and against the Georgia Force on May 4.
Following the league’s realignment on May 29, the Blackbears were left out of the mix of the remaining nine teams at the time. The team shortly shut down for the remainder of the season but stayed hopeful for a return next year.
“Due to the uncertainties regarding our scheduling issues with the AFL, we were unable to confirm opponents for our last two home contests,” Blackbears Presdent Pat Johnson said on June 19. “At the close of business on June 17, we have begun reimbursing any remaining ticket holders for our June 22 and June 29 home contests. We will immediately begin preparations for our 2025 season launch.”
AFL CEO Chris Chetty did not share specific details behind the decision at the time.
“We tried to make some things work but based on logistics and legal relationships we feel its best right now, the nine teams will finish the season.” Chetty told Arena Insider.
Arena Insider reviewed public business filings from the Oregon Secretary of State Office. The team’s business name was registered under Oregon Arena Football LLC on December 7, 2023 by former AFL CEO Travelle Gaines.
Gaines, who filed through LegalZoom, listed OSFE’s location on 17th street in Salem as his mailing address and the team’s business address.
OSFE said it was not aware of the filing which is active as of August.
The claim appears to be a growing trend of venues stating its missing payment from some Arena Football League teams this past season.
According to a Louisiana Illuminator report, the University of Louisiana Lafayette is owed more than $30,000 from the Louisiana Voodoo using Blackham Coliseum. ULL supposedly sent former commissioner Lee Hutton III a letter demanding that amount which is half of the full required payment.
The Blackbears’ situation is one of a few flaws that plagued the organization and AFM.
On May 27, New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux told Arena Insider he was never part of the Blackbears or had any affiliation with the AFL. Before the season, the league announced Thibodeaux as the team’s majority owner.
“[The league] used my name for publicity.” Thibodeuax said
This remains a developing story and this post will be updated with more details if it becomes available.
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