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Arena Football’s Louisiana Voodoo moving to Lafayette from Lake Charles

George Faust
·3 min read

LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — News 10 Sports learned late Thursday night from Louisiana Voodoo team officials the team would be moving from Lake Charles to Lafayette.

Moments before air it was confirmed through multiple sources the Voodoo, an Arena Football League team, will play their games at Blackham Coliseum.

The Voodoo’s first game is just over a week away, on April 27 against the Philadelphia Soul, in Lafayette.

Sources told News 10 the main reason for the switch of the city is the inability to work with the management group ASM. ASM runs the Lake Charles Civic Center, and one official told News 10, “it’s been a nightmare.”

In addition to the change of venue for the upcoming season, former Saints Quarterback John Fourcade and former Saints return specialist, aka Beerman, Michael Lewis are on the coaching staff. Former Cajun Damon Mason, along with Gabe Northern also join head coach James Shiver in guiding this team.

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Gene Thibodeaux, Attorney and Spokesperson for ASM, shared the following statement on behalf of ASM:

“ASM is an internationally recognized company with a long track record of success in the management of arenas and event centers around the world. Working with the City of Lake Charles, ASM did everything in its power to make the inaugural season for the Louisiana Voodoo a reality for Lake Charles.  The AFL signed and agreed to lease terms that required the team to provide lease payments, insurance certificates, and other functions in connection with their use of Lake Charles Event Center.  Ultimately, the Arena Football League (AFL) did not pay their rent, nor did they provide a certificate of insurance as outlined in the executed contract, leading to the contract’s termination. The City and ASM would have been irresponsible in protecting the taxpayers’ best interest had they allowed the team to host any games at the Lake Charles Event Center without paying rent or providing a certificate of insurance.”

Team officials say the field will be installed this weekend, and the netting system will be put in place next week.

On behalf of the city of Lake Charles, Mayor Nic Hunter offered the following statement:

“In their short time of managing the Lake Charles Event Center, ASM has delivered on their promise of booking high quality entertainment for the Lake Charles Event Center. The recently sold out Parker McCollum concert is a testament to their ability to attract major performances that will bring visitors from all over the country into Lake Charles. With additional nationally touring shows already booked for this year, including Whiskey Myers later this fall,  we remain confident in ASM and their goals for the Lake Charles Event Center. The City agrees with the decision to require Event Center tenants to pay their rent and provide certificates of insurance.”

Visit Lake Charles CEO Kyle Edmiston released this statement on behalf of Visit Lake Charles:

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to being the Youth Sports Capital of Louisiana and Louisiana’s Playground. Our community continues to offer numerous opportunities for sports enthusiasts and families alike, ensuring that Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana remain a world-class destination. The Lake Charles Event Center, under the direction of ASM and the City of Lake Charles, has made tremendous strides in recovery from the pandemic and hurricanes from 2020, the level of entertainment options is now at an all-time high and we look forward to seeing what’s next. We support the City and ASM in their decision to require any tenant to pay their rent and provide certificates of insurance.”

In two weeks, the game against Orlando is scheduled to be the first of four games on the NFL Network.

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