Arena Football One kicks the Orlando Predators into touch, fined $1.2 million and membership terminated

Orlando Predators have had their league membership terminated, with a war of words erupting between Predators owner John Cheney and Arena Football One chairman Steven Titus.

Arena Football One has terminated the Orlando Predators membership in the league after the Predators owner John Cheney informed league officials via email on March 4 that he had made the decision that his team would not compete in the upcoming AF1’s inaugural season.

The Predators who were due to kick off the season at home in downtown Orlando's Kia Center in a matter of days, issued a statement to fans, with Cheney informing them that, "due to unforeseen medical circumstances, significant cost overruns, a severe lack of national sponsorships, minimal local sponsorship support, and other unexpected challenges, I am considering multiple paths forward. After extensive consultation with various stakeholders, it has become clear that my vision for a successful season does not align with the financial realities we are facing."

Hours later, Arena Football One chairman Steven Titus issued a scathing press release on behalf of the league, which included immediate termination and expulsion for the Predators, together with a huge $1.2 million fine, describing the move by Cheney as an “about-face and betrayal of the fans of Orlando and fans of Arena Football” that occurred for “self-serving reasons.”

According to Titus, the league were informed that the main reason for Orlando’s withdrawal from the 2025 season was to facilitate a sale of the team.

In the explosive press release, Titus attacked Cheney personally, “In all my years in the arena game, I have never seen someone act with so little regard for their fans. My heart breaks for the Orlando fans and for arena fans worldwide. We are going to continue forward with our committed and dedicated partners to build a game deserving of our fans' trust and fandom.”

The Predators responded with a statement the following day, March 5 issued via their social-media accounts, "We know there are a lot of questions, and we understand the confusion. The AF1 released information that does not fully reflect everything that’s happening"

This was quickly followed by teh Predators sharing a letter sent to the league, with Cheney fighting back, "the league through its official social media accounts and website, issued an inflammatory, defamatory, and disparaging statement that has caused significant harm to the Orlando Predators brand as well as to me personally.”

Cheney also directly responded to Titus, stating his comments were, “outrageous and false” and requested the statement from the league to be retracted and the fine of $1.2 million be voided.

Cheney added. “Additionally, I never submitted a formal withdrawal from the league, as I was actively evaluating options. In fact, in the past two days, two additional groups have come forward, including one with a strong desire to participate in the 2025 season. Mr. Titus’ reckless statements-made via official league communication channels have now placed the league and its member teams in a position of legal liability for defamation and damages.”

In the letter to the league Cheney also issued three requests to the league in response to the decision, with Cheney wanting an immediate public retraction of Mr. Titus’ statement, a cease and desist on any further statements regarding the Orlando Predators without Cheney's express authorization, and an immediate voiding of the $1,200,000 invoice, with Cheney threatening legal action if the leauge do not agree to his requests.

You can read the full letter here:

We have no doubt that this story will continue, watch this space for more on the battle between Orlando Predators and Arena Football One, and ultimetly what is to become of the Orlando Predators.

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