Utah Blaze: Team will be back in ESA this weekend

The Utah Blaze will return to EnergySolutions Arena this weekend.

The Arena Football League, in association with the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies, announced Wednesday afternoon that the franchise has rectified its rent obligations with the Larry H. Miller Group, adding the Blaze will be at home to take on division rival San Jose at 7 p.m. Saturday at EnergySolutions Arena.

The organization was evicted from the downtown arena June 20 after failing to meet rental obligations. The impending return had been in flux the past week as the Blaze were waiting for a new key investor to sign on and provide a fiscal infusion to the franchise.

"Not only have we secured the immediate future of the franchise, but we have taken the first step toward building a foundation for long-term success," Utah Blaze owner Kim Brown said in the release. "We realize the length of this process may have created question marks in the minds of some of our fans, but rest assured the Utah Blaze is here to stay."

According to a release, "EnergySolutions Arena will remain the home of the Utah Blaze throughout the 2013 season and beyond, as the franchise resumes its original multi-year contract," which initially was slated to run through the 2014 AFL season.

"We are pleased that the contractual obligations have been resolved, and we look forward to Utah Blaze Arena Football at EnergySolutions Arena on Saturday and in the future," said Jim Olson, Chief Operating Officer of Miller Sports Properties in the release.

The Blaze will commemorate the return to ESA by releasing an exclusive T-shirt at RallyMe.com. Fans are encouraged to wear orange and black to this Saturday's game to rally behind the Blaze and show their support. —