Arena Football League names Butera new commissioner

Sep 22, 2014 - 5:15 PM Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - The Arena Football League has selected Scott Butera as its new commissioner.

Butera will leave his post as CEO of Foxwoods Resort Casino to become the seventh commissioner in Arena history.

"I am extremely excited to be joining the Arena Football League as its next commissioner," said Butera in a statement Monday. "The AFL has a rich history and it provides fans with a high quality, highly entertaining brand of football at prices fans can afford. With a strong core product and owners who are truly committed to the long-term success of the league, I am convinced that we can leverage our media contracts to produce increased exposure for the league and the sponsor revenue opportunities that go along with it."

Butera has spent most of his career in top management positions with nationally recognized entertainment brands such as Foxwoods and Tropicana Entertainment. At Foxwoods, he secured sports partnerships with professional teams in Boston (Red Sox) and New York (Yankees, Rangers, Knicks, Nets, Madison Square Garden).

Jerry Kurz had been the AFL's commissioner since 2010 and will remain as the league's president.