New arena football team in Atlantic City to be named Blackjacks

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Atlantic City’s new Arena Football League franchise is paying homage to the city’s gambling history.

The team will be named the Atlantic City Blackjacks.

The franchise name and logo was unveiled Thursday night. Its uniforms have not yet been unveiled, but they will use the team’s red and black color scheme, reflecting the two main colors of a blackjack table.

The Blackjacks are joined by the Columbus Destroyers as the two newest franchises in the six-team Arena Football League.

Last season, the league welcomed the Albany Empire into the fold. They joined the Philadelphia Soul, Washington Valor and Baltimore Brigade.

Team owners have said the availability of gambling, and particularly legal sports betting, is one of the primary reasons they selected Atlantic City for an expansion franchise.

"Gaming and gambling are built into our game," said John Adams, president of the Arena Football League. "It's going to be even better than it was."

Team and league officials have predicted the fast-paced, high-scoring indoor football games will be popular with bettors who like to see rapid-fire scoring.

Atlantic City Mayor Frank Gilliam Jr. said the city should quickly embrace the franchise.

"This town is in need of a team that they can wrap their arms around and say, 'This is ours.'"

The franchise will be funded by the AFL and operated by Trifecta Sports and Entertainment, of which former Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski is a partner. Jaworski helps operate the Soul and the Empire.

The 12-game regular season begins in late April, with Atlantic City in town to face the Soul on April 27 at the Wells Fargo Center.

The Blackjacks will play their home games at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall; they’ll host Columbus on May 4 in their home opener.