COMMISSIONER JERRY KURZ
When entering a new era in history, it’s always good to have someone experienced along for the ride.

Commissioner Kurz has been involved with Arena Football for the past 24 years, including five seasons as president with the arenafootball2 (af2) league.  Out-tenured only by the creator of Arena Football, Jim Foster, Kurz has dedicated his life to furthering the sport with a strong business ethic and core values meant to bring the highest quality product to the ever-growing fan base of arena football fans.

In his time as the chief of the af2, the league saw extensive growth in small-to-mid sized markets, building an extremely dedicated fan base across the country. That foundation helped to fuel the return of the Arena Football League in 2010 after a year on hiatus due to financial instability. Kurz and a group of enthusiastic investors arranged the acquisition of the AFL’s assets in bankruptcy court in late 2009 and revived the league in early 2010, fulfilling the promise that arena football would be played in 2010.

While this is his first stint in the position of commissioner, this is not Kurz’ first role in the AFL. He has also served as the AFL’s Vice President of International Development, where he was in charge of the League’s international exposure. During his tenure, he was responsible for administering the H3 Visa program, allowing international players to play for AFL teams stateside. He also arranged and executed all internationally played games for the Arena Football League.

Arena football isn’t Kurz’ only claim to fame. He is also a founding member of Gridiron Enterprises, Inc., a sports consulting firm based out of Chicago. Gridiron Enterprises, consisting of Kurz, Foster and attorney William Niro, is the original founder of the AFL.

Kurz has been a player, a coach, a general manager and an owner during his lifelong involvement with the game of football. He is also a member of four football Hall of Fames, including membership in the first class of the Arena Football Hall of Fame as well as membership in the arenafootball2 Hall of Fame.