Commissioner Jerry Kurz said on a conference call yesterday that the league has had serious negotiations to place teams in Philadelphia, Southern California, Denver, and Pittsburgh beginning with the 2011 season.

The Soul won the last AFL title in 2008.

"We would love nothing more than for [former Soul owners] Jon Bon Jovi, Craig Spencer and Ron Jaworski to join our league," Kurz said. "Our ownership has already extended an offer to them to join us."

Spencer and Jaworski did not return messages seeking comment last night.

Kurz says a new group of owners spent $6.1 million for the assets of the defunct Arena Football League, including the name, history and records. It will relaunch in April with 15 teams - about half of them from the former AFL and the remainder from what used to be known as arenafootball2.

There were 17 AFL teams when the league went bankrupt last year, and an additional 25 participated in af2.

"I think that horizon is open. Our ownership is dedicated to expansion and covering the country," Kurz said. "However, they're also dedicated to bringing in expansion markets and teams as it is appropriate - when we can make sure that there's great ownership in a city, great community support and it's appropriate - not just to have teams here and there."

Kurz said the new AFL will follow the model of Major League Soccer in having all players and coaches employed by the league instead of by individual teams in a bid to "correct an economic model that failed."

All players will be paid a uniform amount, Kurz said, although he kept that figure confidential.

The AFL has already reached a one-year deal with the NFL Network to broadcast a Friday night game of the week, beginning with Chicago at Iowa on April 2. Kurz said 14 of the 15 teams will be featured during the regular season.

The eight-team playoffs and Arena Bowl, which will be played at the home of the higher seed, will also be televised.

Team owners and executives include former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka, former Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Danny White.

Former AFL teams that will resume operations are Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Arizona, Utah, Orlando, and Tampa Bay.

Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Alabama, Bossier-Shreveport, Iowa, Spokane, Jacksonville, and Milwaukee will move from af2 into the new league.