25 August 2000

'Outlaws' to prey on XFL

The Las Vegas team in the new professional football league reveals its nickname and logo.
By Kevin Iole - Las Vegas Review-Journal

The XFL likes to brag that its football television broadcasts will be state of the art when the league, jointly owned by the World Wrestling Federation and NBC, kicks off in February.

But judging by Thursday's announcement of the eight team nicknames and logos, which was done simultaneously in Las Vegas and the other XFL cities, there is a lot of work to do.

As general manager Bob Ackles and consultant Rich Rose announced that the Las Vegas entry would be known as the Outlaws, they were plagued by a poor sound system that screeched and crackled each time they tried to speak.

But the technical glitches hardly dulled the enthusiasm of those connected with the Outlaws, whose primary color is gold -- Las Vegas Gold in WWF-ese -- with black and red trim.

"This name really tested well, and we think it fits well with the town," Rose said at a news conference at Gordon Biersch Brewing Company. "I think we have a great logo, and now people can put a name to the face. We really want to be Las Vegas' team, and this gives us a connection with the town now."

The helmets are gold with a black facemask and an interlocking LV in gold with a red and black background. The uniforms will be unveiled later, though Rose said the road jersey will be white. He said several combinations still are being considered for the home jersey.

In addition to the nickname and logo, the Outlaws announced several additions to the coaching staff. Joining coach Jim Criner, offensive coordinator Vince Alcalde and defensive coordinator Mark Criner will be linebackers coach Tommy Mason and defensive line coach Kevin Peoples.

Ackles said the Outlaws will hire three more coaches.

Tickets will go on sale Oct. 2, and the league will have its draft Oct. 28.

The Outlaws will bring 70 players to camp Jan. 2 at Sam Boyd Stadium, with an active roster of 38 per game plus a seven-player taxi squad.

In addition to training camp, the Outlaws will have two minicamps, with the first scheduled to begin in November.

Also, the Outlaws hired Trey Fitz-Gerald as director of communications and former Las Vegas Stars announcer Jon Sandler as vice president of sales and marketing.

Fitz-Gerald most recently was the director of information/new media for Major League Soccer.