The Kent-based Seattle Mist could have a chance to play in the women’s Lingerie Football League’s first World Bowl in 2014 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Lingerie Football League officials announced Thursday plans to expand in the next couple of years to Canada (2012), Australia (2013) and Europe (2014), according to the league website. The champions of the three leagues plus the United States league would contend for the first World Bowl title.
Seattle, which plays at the ShoWare Center, will play its third year in the 12-team league when it opens the 2011-12 season Sept. 30 at the Green Bay Chill. The Mist opens the home season Nov. 4 against the Las Vegas Sun.
“The past 34 months since premiering LFL Football in September 2009 have been an incredible journey culminating in this announcement,” said Mitchell S. Mortaza, founder and chairman of the league. “Here in the U.S. through our first two seasons, we have drawn more attendance, national television viewership and growth than popular sports brands such as the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship mixed martial arts) and WWE (professional wrestling) through the same period of time.
“As much early success as we have had here in the U.S., the appetite for LFL Football has been even greater internationally. Through several key international partnerships, our game is truly set to transcend borders in the coming years leading up to our World Bowl.”
The league plans to have six teams in Canada in 2012 with one franchise already awarded to Toronto. Edmonton, Vancouver, Regina, Calgary and Montreal are the front-runners to be awarded franchises
Seattle returns to the ShoWare for their third season. All games will be broadcast live on MTV2.
The 12-team league features scantily clad women playing seven-on-seven tackle football on a 50-yard field. They play 17-minute halves. Each offense features a quarterback, center, two running backs and three receivers.
The players wear helmets with clear face shields, shoulder pads, sports bras, panties, elbow and knee pads.
League officials plan to play its first Australian exhibition game in Spring 2012. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide have been designated as the four inaugural season market teams.
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