Jon interview, Dallas Fort Worth Star Telegram

CHAT ROOM: Jon Bon Jovi, AFL team owner
By Anthony Andro
Star-Telegram Staff Writer


GETTY IMAGES/DON MURRAY
Jon Bon Jovi

Jon Bon Jovi is going from playing sold-out arenas to trying to make a splash with an expansion Arena Football League team. The frontman for the rock group Bon Jovi is co-owner of the Philadelphia Soul, the 18th franchise in the AFL. The die-hard New York Giants fan has been looking for a way to get involved in football and is excited about joining the AFL, which begins its season in February.

I don't want to say that the AFL is going to use you, but the AFL is going to use you. How does that feel? I'm ready to be used. I'm going to commit a lot of time. ... I'm so happy that the [Bon Jovi] tour was successful, but I'm happy that it's over because the amount of time I put into this effort and that simultaneously is enough to kill a horse. If I can focus all my energies on this for a while, it will be an easier workload.

What do you think you bring to the AFL? Good looks. Really, I think we're going to lend the AFL a different perspective with marketability and access to things the AFL wouldn't have had prior. The AFL, of course, is going to be wonderful for us because I'm such a football fanatic.

Do you hope for an alignment with the NFC East like Dallas, New York and Philly? Sure, I think that's the intention of the league, and they're currently realigning the divisions. The idea of setting it up like the NFC East is going to be appealing to the arena football fan.

You're a Giants fan. Are you worried about the reception from the Philly fans? Yes. Look, I'm not making any bones about being a [New York] Giants fan, and I've taken a razzing on sports radio already. But I'm only going to tell the truth. It would be hypocritical of me to turn on my Blue after all these years. So, they are going to be tough. All we're asking of Philadelphia is a chance to represent the city well -- both on and off the field.

What advice did Desperados general manager Jerry Jones Jr. give you? Off the field, I can't tell you the amount of respect I had walking through those offices. The time Mr. Jones Sr. spent with both [co-owner] Craig [Spencer] and I in those offices is probably -- no, definitely -- what put us over. His vouching for us with the league and my being convinced of the viability of a team in Philadelphia because of him. I can't tell you how helpful they were, with regard to their faith in this league; because of what we discussed in the marketing of this league. We saw eye to eye right away.

Do you already hate Dallas? I'm sorry to say it, but since I was a little kid, I hated the Dallas Cowboys. Nothing personal against the city, I have played there often, and I get razzed every time I come down there. But, there is just a natural rivalry there.

What will your role be? After I'm done parking the players' cars, I plan to clean uniforms. Actually, I've been involved in every aspect thus far -- naming, the logo, the uniforms, interviewing both our head coach and general manager, giving them the opportunity to then bring on their team and knowing where your limitations are. I'm going to be very, very involved but also know where my and Craig's limitations are.


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Cool. Nice black and white picture of Jon

Cool article...thanks Becky

Stephanie