Lehigh Applies for IFL Official

[Hockey]

http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?cmenuid=1&url=phillyoutlawz-org&sid=1052184608

UPCOMING OUTLAWZ EVENTS:

Aug 20th - Outlawz apply for membership in IFL.

[phydeaux72]

Thanks for that tidbit. But for most of those who have been following the development of the IFL, this is relatively old news.

[Hockey]

This forum has a tendancy to deliver information embded in out of control threads. Page 13 of the "IFL loses players shoes" thread may contain the most current info.

Sorry for the repost.

[CHOS3N ON3]

So is Williamsport definitely going to have a team or is it still just a rumor?? And if so, does anyone believe the new IFL will actually allow them in or would they be a CIFL team???

[sportsguy12]

So is Williamsport definitely going to have a team or is it still just a rumor?? And if so, does anyone believe the new IFL will actually allow them in or would they be a CIFL team???

Where would W-port play? They don't have a suitable arena, if any.

[CHOS3N ON3]

I have a friend in Williamsport and he said they do have an arena there and that it would be big enough to support arena football, my only concern is the fan support.

[Hockey]

See how this thread is no longer about the subject. This should be OSC ADD Forum.

[preeths]

The Williamsport team will be owned by the same guy who owns Lehigh Valley, Jim DePaul. There's the connection.

[phydeaux72]

Where would W-port play? They don't have a suitable arena, if any.

That's the same thing I pointed out in another thread. The facility that they do have doesn't have any seating. According to the photos I've seen, it amounts to nothing more than a huge barn or warehouse. However, supposedly they are installing permanent seating that should be ready in time for the start of the 2009 season. Who knows.

[rams80]

See how this thread is no longer about the subject. This should be OSC ADD Forum.

Any other constructive criticism, or are you going to focus on purchasing an ABA team instead?

[Hockey]

I don't think its a smart idea for the AIFA to try to expand to Wenatchee.

[Pounder]

...not to mention the PASL or NAHL, but I digress...

[Hockey]

Tacoma, Kent, Everett, Portland, Wenatchee. Any four of those and it works. Maybe Seattle instead of Tacoma. Key Arena is looking for tennants.

[CHOS3N ON3]

Thanks for the info on the Williamsport team guys...

[rams80]

Tacoma, Kent, Everett, Portland, Wenatchee. Any four of those and it works. Maybe Seattle instead of Tacoma. Key Arena is looking for tennants.

Key Arena doesn't really "work" for indoor/arena football fields. Which is one of the reasons why it is looking for tenants.

[Pounder]

Since Wenatchee and AIFA are mentioned, this is why, at LEAST, Portland and Tacoma won't have anything to do with it. Due diligence usually comes from experience.

http://www.oursportscentral.com/boards/showthread.php?t=2749

I say at least Portland and Tacoma. Industry people do tend to talk amongst themselves, you know.

[Minor League Man]

Got this e-mail from the Outlawz today-notice what's bolded:

**For Immediate Release**

The Lehigh Valley Outlawz are pleased to announce our 2009 Coaching Staff, including Stacy Johnson, Chris Collins, Michael DePaul and Andre Collins.

Stacy Johnson returns in 2009 as Head Coach after assisting the Outlawz last season. Stacy is a former QB at the University of Michigan (under Bo Schembechler) and studied Engineering at both Michigan and Lehigh Universities. He is currently employed as an Engineer with the City of Camden.

Chris Collins comes on board after several seasons coaching in a rival league and brings 8-man experience to the Outlawz. Chris, a player and graduate of Penn State University has served on the NFLPA and is currently a Marketing Executive and Editor of his own newspaper based in NJ.

Michael DePaul returns for his 4th season of indoor coaching. He was the Defensive Coordinator of the Outlawz last season with the #3 defense in the CIFL and was formerly a player at Abington HS (known for RB Eddie George).

Andre Collins (cousin of Chris) joins the team as a player scout and consultant for 2009. Andre was a star at Penn State under Joe Paterno and has a Super Bowl ring from his stellar NFL career with the Washington Redskins.
A strong advocate of literacy, Andre has also written and published his very own children's book.

After a 2008 start which included many distractions, rookie coaching staffs and player rotation; the Outlawz found veteran leadership in the above coaches and finished the 2008 season strong, making it all the way to the 2008 CIFL Conference Championship in Saginaw, MI.

After all of the CIFL disruptions of 2008, the Outlawz and affiliated team, Williamsport, researched and have joined the newly formed Indoor Football League (IFL). The IFL is a 30+ member Pro Football League based in Omaha, NE - which now has a National footprint from coast to coast. The IFL is the result of the former United Indoor Football and Intense Football League merger, along with several former CIFL teams. Thus, creating a Super League of indoor football.

Outlawz Season Tickets and Sponsor Packages go on sale September 1st with Early-Bird specials. Be sure to get involved early and SAVE.

With your support, we have a great new season and future ahead of us.

Darlene Manne, Outlawz Staff Writer.


You can visit our site at LehighValleyOutlawz.com .



Wow...according to this, the Outlawz & Williamsport are officially in..."along with several former CIFL teams"..."Super League of indoor football"...

Good luck with that...I wonder if it's too late to be the Continental States Football Union! :D

[Indoorfootballguy]

It will not be good if the IFL has over 30 teams in there first year together, the CIFL and AIFA could be in real trouble if they do have over 30 teams in 2009.

A lot of CIFL and AIFA teams don't even have the money for the IFL, so letting them in could be a huge mistake for the IFL

[exit322]

The size of the IFL will have NO bearing on the success or failure of the CIFL and AIFA. Only their actions will affect how long they survive.

[Minor League Man]

The size of the IFL will have NO bearing on the success or failure of the CIFL and AIFA. Only their actions will affect how long they survive.
We're just saying...the last indoor football league to have this many teams was a league that will never be mentioned on this forum again.

Look where THEY ended up.

[Indoorfootballguy]

I think the IFL at the most should have 24 teams in 2009

[exit322]

I'll bring back the tried-and-true statement I've used for years.

QUANTITY IS NOT THE PROBLEM! QUALITY IS!

If the CIFL when they expanded for 2007 and 2008 brought in 15 ownership groups as solid as Marion, no one would've bat an eye at it.

When the CIFL brought in people like Davenport (Wooster/Steuby) and Ellis (FW), overexpansion is a problem.

It only becomes overexpansion when that next ownership group is terrible. When the IFL added a couple teams awhile back and Laredo was one of them, that was overexpansion. When the original UIF had Dayton, that was overexpansion. If they add ten teams and all are solid, that isn't overexpansion!

[phydeaux72]

We're just saying...the last indoor football league to have this many teams was a league that will never be mentioned on this forum again.

Look where THEY ended up.

Actually, the last league to have that many teams was the af2. They had 30 teams in 2007. Now they're down to 29. And the way things are looking they'll be at 25 or less by the time the 2009 season starts.

Anyway, the 30+ figure stated in the Lehigh Valley article is grossly inflated. I suspect the IFL will start the 2009 season with about 23 teams, 25 at the most.

[preeths]

I have to agree with Josh on this one. Team ownership is the key, not the raw number of new league members.

[Indoorfootballguy]

af2 will have more than 25 teams

[Pounder]

af2 will have more than 25 teams

Should they?

I hear the initial "this isn't working in Boise" rumblings. Of course, they'll slog through next year.

[exit322]

I have to agree with Josh on this one. Team ownership is the key, not the raw number of new league members.

And the IFL members have proven fairly adept at getting pretty good ownership (what few teams they've expanded, anyways) - and the difference between the IFL and other leagues right now...when problems arise, they get fixed.

I'm still not convinced the IFL will be a rousing success, but it can't be argued they don't have the best chance at it in the long term.

[The TRUTH]

I wish them all well in whatever league they end up in.

TRUTH

[Minor League Man]

Just one question...Who are the Syracuse Force?

[cRUSHer]

af2 will have more than 25 teams

the af2 will have more than 25 folded teams. ;-)

[cRUSHer]

I'll bring back the tried-and-true statement I've used for years.

QUANTITY IS NOT THE PROBLEM! QUALITY IS!



and it's so true.
If the NIFL had their 64 teams they bragged about
having, and all were rock solid in every aspect, there
would be no problem. They'd be one swinging league.

Alas, ultimately they could not get 6 such entities.:confused:

[exit322]

Likely the Syracuse team is affilliated/owned by Rochester Raiders management.

If that's the case, they're fine financially.

[preeths]

I don't believe that's the case, though. I believe the connection is with Syracuse and LV, though the information I have indicates the LV ownership doesn't hold a stake in Syracuse, just brought them to the table.

[50 Yard Fan]

I have confirmed that, in addition to the Lehigh Valley Outlawz and Williamsport, the following teams have also made application to the IFL. Final decisions should be made on these applications on Sept 11 in Omaha, NE:

Rochester Raiders (2007 CIFL Champions)
Saginaw Sting (2008 CIFL Champions)Maryland
Muskegon Thunder
Syracuse Force
New England Surge


blanketman
There will be a league (CIFL). Chicago, Rock River, Marion,Wheeling,New Jersey,Kzoo,Miami Valley are the locks. Eric and Jeff can make a nice league with marion and chicago being there leaders.As for the other teams from the cifl of last year, "the truth" is correct .Rochester has no affiliation with the syracuse franchise. Having syracuse, williamsport,le high Valley and New england in our division makes this a great footprint for us.

Saginaw and Kalamazoo are owned by the same group, are they not?
Why would you want your teams in two different leagues?
And if one team is not good enough to apply, why would the other team be okay?

Or am I missing something here?:confused::confused::confused:

[Bruiser]

...Or am I missing something here?:confused::confused::confused:
Ya, you forget it's the off season and people waste their
time feigning insider knowledge and speculating on very
silly scenarios. Que sera sera.

[exit322]

I don't believe that's the case, though. I believe the connection is with Syracuse and LV, though the information I have indicates the LV ownership doesn't hold a stake in Syracuse, just brought them to the table.

I stand corrected.

[Minor League Man]

So, does this league even have a website yet?

[50 Yard Fan]

So, does this league even have a website yet?

Temporary site.

http://www.goifl.com/

[NatePreds05]

Don't you mean "sight"? as in what is written at the bottom of the page:

"Coming Soon! Full IFL Sight Under Construction"

Very professional and at least they can see :razz:

[The TRUTH]

Sad, very sad....

The TRUTH

[nksports]

coming soon to a arena near you http://www.marylandarenafootball.com/cool:

They better a.) change the name of their web address pretty darn quick.
or b.) hire a pretty good lawyer(s), because the AFL doesn't take to kindly to anyone other than them using the name arena.

[nksports]

do u any idea what your talking about perry mason :confused: a mind is a terrible thing to waste:eek:
Darn skippy I do Coach. If you are involved in ownership you could be liable. Arena Football is a trademark owned by the AFL. They are very, very, very protective of that trademark and aren't afraid to go after anyone who misuses it. You can use the words indoor football to your heart's content, but don't put the words arena+football together.
I don't see anything that indicates your team is AFL or af2 (on your website or the AFL's), so I reckon you don't have the rights.
If I'm wrong, and you are AFL or af2, I apologize (then why in the Wide World of Sports are you posting on an IFL forum?). But if I'm right, you might have some worries (and I accept your apology and forgive you. I hold no grudges). You will probably get a very formal letter with the words cease and desist at the top of it. And you're probably out the money to register the original web site and will have to dish out a little more for say xxx.marylandindoorfootball.blah.

It's not unusual, especially with some of the older non-AFL entities, to put the following legaleze on their web sites:

"(insert team here) are a member of the (insert league here). The (said league), and its member teams, are not affiliated, sponsored, or associated with the Arena Football League (AFL) or any of its member teams."

[Indoorfootballguy]

The Chesapeake Tide who are in the CIFL are located in Maryland and are changing there name, so that might be there temporary website

[exit322]

If you're not an AFL/AF2 team (and the CIFL certainly is not), the term "arena" is off limits and should be removed sooner than later.

[cRUSHer]

Just my take on the subject matter.

I am under the impression that anyone can use the
generic term "arena football", but the proper name
"Arena Football", is what is off limits as it is the
proper name of a pateneted game system blah blah blah

Indeed, the AFL/af2 uses the generic term "indoor football",
as opposed to the proper name "Indoor Football", when
describing the sport in their various websites and publications.

[Championbuilder]

Well lets stop talking about this and find out first hand!!!

I just emailed this whole thing to Scott Wentzel at the AFL League office! I guess we will know soon enough!

[rams80]

Well lets stop talking about this and find out first hand!!!

I just emailed this whole thing to Scott Wentzel at the AFL League office! I guess we will know soon enough!

I'm sure the "Cease and Desist" letter is already in the mail.

[phydeaux72]

I doubt that it's really that big of a deal. More than likely, by the time the AFL or af2 get around to doing anything about it, the team's official website will be up and this temporary website will be a thing of the past. Besides, the only place that "arena football" is even mentioned is in the the URL itself.

[sportsguy12]

I have confirmed that, in addition to the Lehigh Valley Outlawz and Williamsport, the following teams have also made application to the IFL. Final decisions should be made on these applications on Sept 11 in Omaha, NE:

Rochester Raiders (2007 CIFL Champions)
Saginaw Sting (2008 CIFL Champions)
Maryland
Muskegon Thunder
Syracuse Force
New England Surge

I also know that MANY other teams have expressed interest from all other leagues. Will they apply before the deadline or be left out? Who knows. Several others simply have no chance of meeting these higher standards of the IFL. I wish them all well in whatever league they end up in.

This new league structure and future plans are very promising for the sport of indoor football. Finally, indoor football being done right.

You can have all the league structure and higher standards you want, but if the market doesn't support it, then its not going to work. Syracuse is not a good market ... they didn't support minor league hoops or lacrosse, so I doubt indoor football will work. Why would Rochester go AIFA then promptly change leagues again.

Nice grandstanding.

[sportsguy12]

what's all the fuss about, it's freakin URL address and a temp one at that. i sure hope the owners of this league aren't like these clowns on this talk board, the name Arena Football is patiened on the way the game is played and not just the name "Other people have started their own indoor football minor leagues. These leagues do not technically play arena football or use the name Arena Football which is a registered trademark, because of the patent on the rules (specifically for the rebound nets, and related rules [1]) that Foster obtained in 1990 (which is actually held by Gridiron Enterprises, Inc. of which Foster is one of three partners)." just check out the web site or not,

The reason you get a trademark is so others can't profit or use something that your own. That "freakin" name Arena Football is trademarked and cannot be used in any way.

I don't work for AFL or af2, I just get tired of reading dumb comments.

[Geoff]

what's all the fuss about, it's freakin URL address and a temp one at that. i sure hope the owners of this league aren't like these clowns on this talk board, the name Arena Football is patiened on the way the game is played and not just the name "Other people have started their own indoor football minor leagues. These leagues do not technically play arena football or use the name Arena Football which is a registered trademark, because of the patent on the rules (specifically for the rebound nets, and related rules [1]) that Foster obtained in 1990 (which is actually held by Gridiron Enterprises, Inc. of which Foster is one of three partners)." just check out the web site or not,

The reason the name isn't patented is because you can't patent a name. It is trademarked however.

[SYRFORCE]

You can have all the league structure and higher standards you want, but if the market doesn't support it, then its not going to work. Syracuse is not a good market ... they didn't support minor league hoops or lacrosse, so I doubt indoor football will work.

Well I have to disagree ... the Syracuse Crunch does extremely well and they play in the same facility that the Force will play in. I have already begun securing sponsorship and the vibe I get is that the area is ready and willing to support an indoor football team.

[Minor League Man]

Well I have to disagree ... the Syracuse Crunch does extremely well and they play in the same facility that the Force will play in. I have already begun securing sponsorship and the vibe I get is that the area is ready and willing to support an indoor football team.
Three words:

AIFL's Syracuse Soldiers.

Need I say more?

[exit322]

No, you don't. Luckily, Andrew Haines doesn't own the team.

[rams80]

what's all the fuss about, it's freakin URL address and a temp one at that. i sure hope the owners of this league aren't like these clowns on this talk board, the name Arena Football is patiened on the way the game is played and not just the name "Other people have started their own indoor football minor leagues. These leagues do not technically play arena football or use the name Arena Football which is a registered trademark, because of the patent on the rules (specifically for the rebound nets, and related rules [1]) that Foster obtained in 1990 (which is actually held by Gridiron Enterprises, Inc. of which Foster is one of three partners)." just check out the web site or not,

So anyway, I entered the following post into "Babelfish" and it came out as "you fail."

[SYRFORCE]

Three words:

AIFL's Syracuse Soldiers.

Need I say more?

You dont need to say anymore ... but just know that I am not bringing a team to Syracuse in the same manner that the AIFL did. Even the first couple games the Soldiers had pretty decent attendance. their downfall was that they were rushed into the area .. and no one really knew about them. They did little to no advertising. Well my approach is different. As I mentioned i have already contacted individuals in the Syracuse area and am working on a plan to get the word out and do it year round.