NEW ARENA TEAM PICKS A NAME
LOS ANGELES (AP) - While the city still doesn't have an NFL team, it does have the Avengers. Casey Wasserman, owner and president of Los Angeles' expansion franchise in the Arena Football League, announced the team's name at a news conference Monday.

Wasserman said he selected Avengers after a list of possible nicknames was compiled. "It really stuck out above all," he said. "It was what I was looking for, new and unique, and captured all the emotion and excitement I thought the team should have. The Knights was the runner-up choice, he said.

The Avengers' team colors will be bright red, dark blue, dark gold and bright gold, with the Avenger logo on their red helmets. The team will begin play next April at the Staples Center, now under construction. Wasserman said he plans to hire a coach and general manager in August. The team will be able to sign players Aug. 24, a day after the league's championship game. The team will also be stocked by an expansion draft scheduled for November.


Copyright 1999 The Associated Press.