DAYTONA BEACH , Fla. - As the inaugural season for the Daytona Beach Thunder winds down, the process for the all-important "Year Two" - a phrase rarely heard in Daytona Beach sports - has begun. Zack McDonald, Kevin McDonald and Antone Smothers, owners of the American Indoor Football League franchise, announced at Sunday's home finale that they have finalized game dates at the Ocean Center for the 2007 season and have secured their initial sponsorships for the team's second campaign.

"We're coming back," Zack McDonald said. "As we've said before, failure is not an option. We've learned from our successes and failures and will continue to set a standard for running a football team with trust and integrity.

"We also appreciate the Ocean Center and are continuing to foster a positive working relationship," McDonald added. "Everything we're doing is to insure that the Thunder will be in Daytona Beach a long, long time."

The seven home dates include three Saturdays, two Sundays and two Mondays. The Thunder's inaugural season had three Thursdays, three Saturdays and one Sunday. Opening night is Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007.

"Thursdays don't work," McDonald said. "Five weekend dates and the possibility of two Monday nights give us a much better platform to succeed."

Dedicated sponsors will also give the Thunder a better platform as well. Already, 2006 sponsors have renewed their agreement for the upcoming, led by Diamond Suzuki, Pomeroy Appraisers, Florida Power and Light, TUI Business Machines and Ormond Beach Design Center, just to mention a few.

"Sponsors will be player a bigger role in our success in 2007," McDonald said. "We can not do this alone. The business community and the fans will step up, I have no doubt about that. "

Outside of the Daytona Cubs baseball team, the Thunder will be one of the few Daytona Beach sports teams to make it to the second year. Two teams didn't even finish a complete season.

"We've proven that we are committed to doing indoor football right," McDonald said. "We've paid our bills, we've gotten involved in the community and built a foundation for years to come. We're coming back, and we're going to stay."

DAYTONA BEACH THUNDER
2007 HOME DATES 
1) Sunday, February 11, 2007
2) Monday, February 26, 2007
3) Saturday, March 31, 2007
4) Sunday, April 22, 2007
5) Saturday, April,28, 2007
6) Saturday, May 12, 2007
7) Monday, May 21, 2007
Times and Opponents TBA