AFL Hires Meadow Lemon as President of Portland Steel

(photo credit: Portland Steel/Twitter)

On Tuesday afternoon, the Arena Football League announced the hiring of Meadow Lemon as President of the Portland Steel. The league had been running the team since taking control from previous owner Terry Emmert after negotiations regarding operating procedures caused an irreparable rift between the two sides. According to the league, some of the responsibilities Lemon will be undertaking include managing front office operations, securing operations partnerships, obtaining new corporate partnerships, and overseeing game day operations logistics.

Lemon is the son of former Harlem Globetrotter legend Meadowlark Lemon and himself was associated with the team for some time as their Marketing Director and Road Manager. In addition to experience on the business side of the sports industry, Lemon has spent his share of time on the football field. In his eight years as a coach at Linfield College, he won an NCAA Division III National Championship in 2004. He had an additional four years at Lewis and Clark.

Through the league website, AFL Commissioner Scott Butera proclaimed, “Meadow is a tremendous asset for the Arena Football League and the Portland Steel. He brings a wealth of football knowledge and experience and has great familiarity with the Portland market. Meadow is a great reflection of his storied sports lineage and is an enthusiastic proponent of the AFL. I am confident he will bring success to the Portland Steel and its loyal fan base.”

“Arena Football belongs in Portland,” Lemon commented through the league. “I look forward to working with everyone in the area and utilizing these great relationships to ensure that the Steel experience is something the City of Portland will be proud of.”

The Steel are currently 1-9 and in last place in the National Conference. They host the Cleveland Gladiators (5-6) this Saturday at 7 p.m. PT.