What a day yesterday was for the Jersey Bearcats, the American Arena League, AJ Roque and Roger Beck. As we saw at around 4:30 Eastern time, the Bearcats have found a new home in Morristown, the AAL has added Roger Beck to its ownership, and both have entered a new era. If you’re curious about any of the three and how it affects the team and league, look no further.
Who is AJ Roque?
To answer this, we will take a graphic from a recent issue of the Shady Sports Magazine and elaborate:
In 2021, AJ bought the American Arena League and launched the AAL2 in 2023. All the while running what was, at the time, the most successful developmental arena football team in the country, the Jersey Bearcats.
Since buying the AAL, he has run his team successfully and organized the largest developmental arena football league in the country, the AAL2. In that gap from 2021 to 2025, he held onto the branding and the plan of rebooting the league while making moves year over year to bring the league back.
His level of organization throughout the process has been second to none. Even when teams and people did not comply with league rules in the AAL2, he would use his leadership qualities to ensure that every game that could be played was played, and every team was treated fairly. There isn’t a better mind or league-level strategist in all of the sport!
Jersey Upgrades
While the move and the buy-in might be two different things, even we in the media got excited to hear all of the upgrades for the Bearcat. Its welcomed, and it has been a long time coming for an organization that has clawed its way to the professional ranks.
Arena-
Mennen Sports Arena is a 2500 seat arena in Morristown, NJ. It is far from the biggest, and actually the second-to-smallest arena in the league. Though what it lacks in size may be its biggest strength. The venue cost is kept lower, and even a crowd averaging 1000-1300 fans can keep a team playing there stable and steady. Balance is the name of the game, and having an arena suited to what your franchise needs is pivotal. It has also hosted the sport in the past with the New Jersey Revolution and New Jersey XTreme.
Equipment and Fan Experience
In 2027, Jersey will get all-new uniforms, turf, and even have plans for up to four theme nights! As mentioned, it’s not all about scores and the on-field result; it’s about making sure even the most casual fan enjoys themselves before and during the game. AJ isn’t just an Xs and Os guy; he and his team have the vision it takes to draw in every type of fan.
New Partnership
All apparel will now be made by Impressed by Ink, a local apparel manufacturer and distributor in Morristown.
Who is Roger Beck?
Roger Beck is a businessman first off, especially in the car wash industry, where, according to several sources he was a pioneer in the industry and specifically with the Express Car wash, among other ventures. As of late 2025, going into 2026, he is also the owner of the Columbus Lions who he bought from Kaccee Smith and Richard Maslia ( part owners of the Rome Red Cats).
Since taking over as the sole owner of the Lions, he has notably upgraded the franchise, on and off the field. (Check out our in-season article on the upgrades HERE). It was incredible to see how far he took Columbus in such a short time; his focus on the business side showed through as the season progressed, as we saw the attention and fans in seats grow week over week.
How the buy-in from Beck affects the AAL:
The buy-in affects the league in ways that even the most dedicated AAL fan may not see. When you combine the knowledge of the game that comes with AJ and the business knowledge that you’ll find with Roger, it’s a combination that will push the league above and beyond. AJ even stated that the AAL is “the top arena style league”.
Which we believe is true. Roger also has the ability to financially back the league and give AJ and Kevin O’Hanlon the ability to add to and transform the league without the huge worry of how it can happen, but when. So many leagues have ideas and dreams but never the money or people to make it happen, but this trio is the combo that the AAL needs. All three have characteristics you look for. All three possess the vision and have individual attributes that, when together, make for a leadership team, not just ownership or controlling interest.
Congrats to AJ Roque on the move, to Roger Beck on the buy-in, and to Kevin O’Hanlon for helping advance the American Arena League beyond what anyone thought could be done in a single offseason. If you want to hear more on this move, all of the free agency moves, and all the offseason craziness in the sport, hop on to the Shady Sports YouTube and check out Around the Indoor Football World on Saturday morning, then hop over to our Shady Sports Live events channel for simulcast college football!
Check out the long list of AAL related written content from the 2026 season and offseason from Shady Sports:
And Video content:
Also Check out the Shady Sports Network Indoor and Arena Football Magazine:
https://covver.com/magazine/tbsteelers23-wqk1/untitled-magazine-3/1
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