At the same time the Rosemont Horizon is being resurrected as the Allstate Arena, another rebirth is taking place there: the resurgence of arena football.

After a decade-long absence, the Arena Football League will return to the stadium in 2001, with Chicago Bear legend Walter Payton as one of four investors in the local team.

Played on a 50-yard field with eight players, arena football is noted for its fast pace and high scoring.

The Rosemont Horizon was one of the original venues when the Arena Football League debuted in 1987. But the team, the Chicago Bruisers, folded in 1989, at which time the league restructured.

The new, yet-to-be-named team will come to the Allstate Arena as part of the league's plans to double its size from the current 16 teams. The team will play 16 regular season games between May and August, giving NFL fans a tonic for their summer football withdrawals.

Allstate Arena management has approved a five-year lease with Chicago Football Limited Liability Corporation, which includes Payton and Californians Arthur Price, Alan Levin and his son, Peter Levin.

"We are thrilled to be bringing arena football back to Chicago and thrilled that Walter Payton is one of our partners," Alan Levin said. "He is not only an expert on football, but he also brings us a great deal of business experience."

Levin, a former CBS Entertainment executive and owner of three minor league baseball teams, said the team explored playing at the United Center in Chicago but decided that the Allstate Arena was closer to its target market.

"The Allstate Arena is an icon in the Chicago market and is located in the heart of our fan base. We're delighted to be playing there," Levin said.

Though viewed as an upstart upon its introduction, the Arena Football League has gained legitimacy in recent years and a tentative endorsement from the National Football League. In February, the NFL signed an option to acquire 49.9 percent of the arena league over the next three years. The two leagues believe an alliance could create a virtual year-round menu of football.

Harry Pappas, executive director of the Allstate Arena, remembers when arena football launched its maiden voyage in the old Rosemont Horizon.

"We were in on it from the beginning," Pappas said. "We put it together with chewing gum and paper clips. We improvised. It turned out to be a very good endeavor, but the timing wasn't right."

Pappas has greater expectations for the new team.

"The opportunity now exists for an arena football team to be successful here," Pappas said. "Chicago is a great sports market with great fans. They will love it."