Risa Balayem, director of communications at Ford Field since 2002, is leaving to become head of communications for the Atlanta-based All American Football League starting Thursday.

Her successor hasn't been named, Balayem said. With the AAFL, she'll be responsible for all league-level communications along with media and community relations. She worked in media relations for the Detroit Lions and Ford Field for 11 years and for the University of Michigan before that.

The AAFL's Team Michigan, which will play home games at Ford Field, opens its season April 12 at Tennessee. The team's first game at home is April 19. The schedule is at www.allamerican footballleague.com/Michigan. Ticket information is pending.

The six-team AAFL is a for-profit spring league aimed primarily at recent college players who didn't make rosters in the NFL and other pro leagues. Besides Tennessee, the other AAFL teams are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida and Texas.

-- Bill Shea