IFL 2010 MAP (Current Standing)

[Gene Duryea]

http://www.oursportscentral.com/boards/attachment.php?attachmentid=154&stc=1&d=1257818528

*** Please keep in mind that there is nothing official
*** about this map. It is simply something I created
*** to help facilitate discussion.

The IFL currently has 23 teams signed up to play in the 2010 season. All appear to be reasonably stable to completely solid markets.


RED SQUARES are teams that carried over from the 2009 season

1 Alaska Wild
2 Abeline Rough Riders
3 Billings Outlaws
4 Bloomington Extreme
5 Colorado Ice
6 Corpus Christi Hammerheads
7 El Paso Generals
8 Fairbanks Grizzlies
9 Maryland Maniacs
10 Odessa Roughnecks
11 Omaha Beef
12 Rochester Raiders
13 San Angelo Stampede Express
14 Souix City Bandits
15 Souix Falls Storm
16 West Michigan Thunderhawks
17 Witchita Wild


BLUE SQUARES are teams that have entered the 2010 season as expansion franchises or have come over from another league.

18 Amarillo Dusters (af2)
19 Austin Turfcats (SIFL)
20 Chicago Slaughter (CIFL)
21 Green Bay Blizard (sf2)
22 La Crosse Spartans (Expansion)
23 Richmond Revolution (Expansion)


YELLOW DOTS are teams that have not yet joined the league but might come in under the wire before January 1 of 2010.

- Alaska -
* Arctic Predators
(Approved to join in 2010 but has not secured complete financing. Some people fear Wasilla is too close to Anchorage)

- Rocky Mountain States -
* New Mexico Wildcats
* Ogden Knights (Utah)
* Wyoming Cavalry
(These 3 teams are the far western segment of the AIFA, an East Coast League. The Utah Thunder has already left to join the af1. These three are interested in the IFL because of its geographic closeness to them.)

- North Central States -
* Fort Wayne Freedom (now Firehawks)
* Marion Mayhem
* Miami Valley Silverbacks
* Milwaukee Bonecrushers
* Wisconsin Wolfepack (Madison)
(The CIFL is currently in danger of folding. Since the end of the 2008 season, more than half its teams have folded or left to join another league. Additionally, teams which were considering joining for the 2010 season have backed away. Milwaukee is in serious financial trouble. Fort Wayne was troubled but has secured new financing. Marion, Miami Valley, Madison and Fort Wayne would bring in a strong set of additions to the North Central portion of the IFL footprint. Milwaukee might be a good addition if it can get its act together.)

- Missouri -
* River City Rage
(River City is not currently a part of the 2010 schedule but the business corporation has not shut down. A few buyers are interested in acquiring the franchise if the price is right.)


I would seriously love to see the IFL begin the 2010 season with a package of 28 competitive and economically viable teams. But I'm happy that they're not making the NIFL / CIFL mistake of pushing expansion at any cost.

I'm looking forward to seeing what happens.

[Minor League Man]

Arctic Predators: They did a lot of fan support, and seem to have their act together already. So why didn't the IFL accept them? (unless the AK Wild blocked the process, then I understand)
New Mexico Wildcats: Perhaps the most troubled team in the AIFA. I was shocked to see them play in 2010, and would be startled if they made it this year.
Ogden Knights: New ownership, Wyoming, Wenatchee, and Yakima would be their closest opponents. Would the Golden Spike Arena meet IFL standards, I wonder?
Wyoming Cavalry: The IFL makes more sense for them than the AIFA, and it's what the fans want. Problem is, the ownership likes their annual trip to (and loss in) the title game with the AIFA-after all, they stuck with the NIFL all the way 'till it was a mere speck of dust-I say they'd go in for 2011 if the fans raise enough of a stink for the 2010 AIFA season.
Fort Wayne Firehawks: Would be PERFECT for the IFL-but only if they get their funding together (THAT IS THE KEY!)
Marion Mayhem: Solid-all around, best team still in the CIFL. Problem is, does their arena meet IFL standards?
Miami Valley Silverbacks: Hmmm...could go either way. I'd say they might try moving to Hara Arena before too long, though...
Milwaukee Bonecrushers: The fact they didn't outright fold after the Iron's arrival is a testament to how much Wisconsin LOVES ITS FOOTBALL! The key is scheduling home games on nights where neither the Iron nor the Brewers have any home games...a tricky scenario, but it is possible. If that doesn't work, a move to the Dells, Wausau, or maybe Eau Claire would work out (MAN I WISH RACINE HAD AN ARENA IN TIMES LIKE THIS!)
Wisconsin Wolfpack: Did pretty good in their first year. A move to the "I" would be a blessing, as rivalries with Green Bay and La Crosse (and Chicago too) would attract lots of fans! It'd be the return of the old Mad Dogs-Bombers-River Rats derby (in new forms)
River City Rage: SOMEBODY BUY THEM RIGHT NOW! The IFL-and the Family Arena-NEEDS THEM! They're too good to just shut down completely!

Overall, good assessment. I think the Canton Legends (most recently of the AIFA), if they're still coming back, might consider the IFL too...

[Gene Duryea]

From what I'm hearing on the predators ... The fan support is Ok but they're weak on the sponsorship. The ABC car dealership and the XYZ furniture store are reluctant to get behind them because they're too close to Anchorage and the prospective sponsors aren't sure if they'll bring in the business for them.

As far as Anchorage is concerned ... They'd love to have them there. It's one less long trip for them.

[50 Yard Fan]

and are now the Cincinnati Commandos

http://www.cincinnaticommandos.com/

http://www.twenty53.com/commandos/comingsoon.jpg

[Bouncer_Texxx]

I think....ney... I hope the IFL is done expanding for the 2010 season. Two reasons. Schedules should be out before Thanksgiving, and the teams that come on late are always WAY behind in the hunt for sponsorships and season ticket holders in a down economy.

I'd love to have the IFL "back" in Casper and Fort Wayne.

[Gene Duryea]

In certain ways ... I agree with you about stopping 2010 expansion right now. On the other hand, if CIFL does fold (which is looking very likely) I really want to get Madison, Fort Wayne and the two Ohio teams into the IFL for 2010 if it is possible and reasonable (don't just hand them spots in order to have them). It could go a long way towards further handicapping af1.

IFL is (in my opinion) the major league for 2010. af1 is going to have to prove that they can overtake and outplay IFL without spending themselves into oblivion.

I think....ney... I hope the IFL is done expanding for the 2010 season. Two reasons. Schedules should be out before Thanksgiving, and the teams that come on late are always WAY behind in the hunt for sponsorships and season ticket holders in a down economy.

I'd love to have the IFL "back" in Casper and Fort Wayne.

[Caballo Diablo]

IFL Announces Franchises for 2010 Season
11/10/2009
http://goifl.com/news/?article_id=2063

League Continues to Grow in Quality and Numbers

Richmond, VA: The Indoor Football League is proud to announce the 24 franchises which will be competing for the 2010 United Bowl. Returning to the league are the defending champions Billings Outlaws, as well as; Abilene Ruff Riders, Alaska Wild, Bloomington Extreme, Colorado Ice, Corpus Christi Hammerheads, El Paso Generals, Fairbanks Grizzlies, Maryland Maniacs, Odessa Roughnecks, Omaha Beef, Rochester Raiders, San Angelo Stampede, Sioux City Bandits, Sioux Falls Storm, West Michigan ThunderHawks (previously know as the Muskegon Thunder which have changed their name and moved their franchise to Grand Rapids, Michigan), and Wichita Wild.

In addition to the returning league members, the IFL has added 7 new franchises to the continuously expanding league from across the United States. Among these new franchises are 3 expansion teams, Arctic Predators, La Crosse Spartans, and Richmond Revolution, and 4 teams making the transition from other indoor leagues, Amarillo Dusters, Austin Turfcats, Chicago Slaughter, and Green Bay Blizzard. Each of theses teams earned the reputation of being among the top teams in their previous leagues and come to the IFL looking for increased competition. "We are excited about the 2010 IFL season and are eager to begin play in the spring" stated IFL Commissioner Tommy Benizio. "The mixture of the 17 returning teams and the 7 new franchises will only add to the quality of play and continue to make the IFL America's premier indoor football league."

Arctic Predators
The Predators join the IFL as an expansion franchise from Wasilla, Alaska. They are the third team from Alaska competing in the IFL. A scheduled press conference for early next week will give more details on this franchise.

Amarillo Dusters
The Dusters are entering their 7th season of indoor football and join the IFL after achieving success in both the Intense Football League and the af2. In their inaugural season the Dusters won the 2004 Intense Bowl while participating in the Intense Football League.

Austin Turfcats
The Turfcats join the IFL after being a charter member of the Southern Indoor Football League's inaugural 2009 season. In their first season of play, the Turfcats posted a 10-3 record and made it to the SIFL league championship game

Chicago Slaughter
The Slaughter are entering their 4th season of indoor football. The previous 3 season the Slaughter have competed in the Continental Indoor Football League and in 2009 finished the season undefeated while capturing the CIFL championship.

Green Bay Blizzard
The Blizzard are entering their 8th season of indoor football and join the IFL after competing in the af2. The Blizzard have achieved tremendous success, making the playoffs 5 out of the 7 years of their existence. In addition, the Blizzard are under new and experienced ownership for the 2010 season.

La Crosse Spartans
The Spartans join the IFL as an expansion franchise. Their inaugural season will be played at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Former NFL player Gilbert Brown will lead the team as head coach.

Richmond Revolution
The Revolution join the IFL as an expansion franchise. Their inaugural season will be played at the Arthur Ashe Athletic Center in Richmond, Virginia before moving to the new SportsQuest arena in nearby Chesterfield, Virginia in 2011.

Two franchises will not be returning to the IFL this season. The Saginaw Sting will not compete in indoor football this year. Saginaw, which is located outside of Detroit, Michigan, has felt the effects of the economic downturn more so than others due the automobile industry crash. The RiverCity Rage, which share common ownership with the Omaha Beef, have decided to focus their attention on the Beef this season. There are efforts in the works to resurrect the franchise for the 2011 season.

The 2010 IFL schedule and division structure is slated to be announced later in the month of November. For further information on these or any other Indoor Football League topics, please visit www.GoIFL.com or call (804) 643-PASS (7277).

[Gene Duryea]

Lovely!

Would still like to see them pick up Madison, Fort Wayne and the 2 Ohio Teams. That would greatly reduce travel time in the East and make the division allignment really easy to do.

[Gene Duryea]

I can think of 2 different ways of grouping the 24 teams that are currently in the league.

- PLAN A -

UNITED CONFERENCE

Eastern Division
* Bloomington Extreme
* Chicago Slaughter
* Maryland Maniacs
* Richmond Revolution
* Rochester Raiders
* West Michigan ThunderHawks

Central Division
*Green Bay Blizard
* La Crosse Spartans
* Omaha Beef
* Souix City Bandits
* Souix Falls Storm
* Witchita Wild


INTENSE CONFERENCE

Longhorn Division
* Abeline Ruff Riders
* Amarillo Dusters (could be handed to Western to make a 6 / 6 split)
* Austin Turfcats
* Corpus Christi Hammerheads
* El Paso Generals
* Odessa Roughnecks
* San Angelo Stampede Express

Western Division
* Alaska Wild
* (maybe: Abeline Ruff Riders)
* Arctic Predators
* Billings Outlaws
* Colorado Ice
* Fairbanks Grizzlies


Tournament is played by the same rules as 2009. Each division sends its top 3 teams to the playoffs. Each division leader gets a pass on the first game.


- PLAN B -

UNITED CONFERENCE
* Bloomington Extreme
* Chicago Slaughter
*Green Bay Blizard
* La Crosse Spartans
* Maryland Maniacs
* Richmond Revolution
* Rochester Raiders
* West Michigan ThunderHawks


INTENSE CONFERENCE
* Alaska Wild
* Arctic Predators
* Billings Outlaws
* Colorado Ice
* Fairbanks Grizzlies
* Omaha Beef
* Souix City Bandits
* Souix Falls Storm


LONGHORN CONFERENCE
* Abeline Ruff Riders
* Amarillo Dusters
* Austin Turfcats
* Corpus Christi Hammerheads
* El Paso Generals
* Odessa Roughnecks
* San Angelo Stampede Express
* Witchita Wild

Each conference sends its top 4 teams to the playoffs.

There will be 4 brackets in the playoffs ... United, Intense, Longhorn & Wildcard.

Each conference leader takes the top slot in that bracket.

The team with the best win/loss record (not a conference leader) takes the top slot in Wildcard.

The remaining 8 teams have their names drawn from a hat and are plopped into the bottom tiers of each of the 4 brackets.

Each bracket leader gets a free pass on the first round.


IFL Announces Franchises for 2010 Season
11/10/2009
http://goifl.com/news/?article_id=2063

League Continues to Grow in Quality and Numbers

Richmond, VA: The Indoor Football League is proud to announce the 24 franchises which will be competing for the 2010 United Bowl. Returning to the league are the defending champions Billings Outlaws, as well as; Abilene Ruff Riders, Alaska Wild, Bloomington Extreme, Colorado Ice, Corpus Christi Hammerheads, El Paso Generals, Fairbanks Grizzlies, Maryland Maniacs, Odessa Roughnecks, Omaha Beef, Rochester Raiders, San Angelo Stampede, Sioux City Bandits, Sioux Falls Storm, West Michigan ThunderHawks (previously know as the Muskegon Thunder which have changed their name and moved their franchise to Grand Rapids, Michigan), and Wichita Wild.

In addition to the returning league members, the IFL has added 7 new franchises to the continuously expanding league from across the United States. Among these new franchises are 3 expansion teams, Arctic Predators, La Crosse Spartans, and Richmond Revolution, and 4 teams making the transition from other indoor leagues, Amarillo Dusters, Austin Turfcats, Chicago Slaughter, and Green Bay Blizzard. Each of theses teams earned the reputation of being among the top teams in their previous leagues and come to the IFL looking for increased competition. "We are excited about the 2010 IFL season and are eager to begin play in the spring" stated IFL Commissioner Tommy Benizio. "The mixture of the 17 returning teams and the 7 new franchises will only add to the quality of play and continue to make the IFL America's premier indoor football league."

[Big Easy]

Interesting map. I only have one question. Is Austin the center of the IFL Universe? :mrgreen:

[Caballo Diablo]

Interesting map. I only have one question. Is Austin the center of the IFL Universe?

You know it !!

[Gene Duryea]

No.

Chicago and Bloomington are the center of the universe.

Interesting map. I only have one question. Is Austin the center of the IFL Universe? :mrgreen:

[raider22]

My Division Alignment would be different, Top team from each division makes playoffs, 3 top remaining teams in each conference are the wildcards.

United Conference

East:
Rochester Raiders
Richmond Revolution
West Michigan Thunderhawks
Maryland Maniacs

Midwest:
Bloomington Extreme
Chicago Slaughter
LaCrosse Spartans
Green Bay Blizzard

West:
Sioux City Bandits
Sioux Falls Storm
Omaha Beef
Wichita Wild

Intense Conference

North:
Arctic Predators
Alaska Wild
Fairbanks Grizzles
Billings Outlaws

Southwest:
Colorado Ice
Amarillo Dusters
El Paso Generals
Odessa Roughnecks

South:
Austin Turfcats
Abilene Ruff Riders
San Angelo StampedeExpress
Corpus Christi Hammerheads

[50 Yard Fan]

- PLAN B -

UNITED CONFERENCE[/B]
* Bloomington Extreme
* Chicago Slaughter
*Green Bay Blizard
* La Crosse Spartans
* Maryland Maniacs
* Richmond Revolution
* Rochester Raiders
* West Michigan ThunderHawks


INTENSE CONFERENCE
* Alaska Wild
* Arctic Predators
* Billings Outlaws
* Colorado Ice
* Fairbanks Grizzlies
* Omaha Beef
* Souix City Bandits
* Souix Falls Storm


LONGHORN CONFERENCE
* Abeline Ruff Riders
* Amarillo Dusters
* Austin Turfcats
* Corpus Christi Hammerheads
* El Paso Generals
* Odessa Roughnecks
* San Angelo Stampede Express
* Witchita Wild

Each conference sends its top 4 teams to the playoffs.

There will be 4 brackets in the playoffs ... United, Intense, Longhorn & Wildcard.

Each conference leader takes the top slot in that bracket.

The team with the best win/loss record (not a conference leader) takes the top slot in Wildcard.

The remaining 8 teams have their names drawn from a hat and are plopped into the bottom tiers of each of the 4 brackets.

Each bracket leader gets a free pass on the first round.

The problem with plan b is your travel cost could spike come the playoffs.
Bloomington may have to travel to Corpus Chisti while San Angelo travels to Chicago, with the winners traveling to Anchorage and Maryland.

And teams with better records may not get home playoff.
Teams 1 - 4 get a bye, by the luck of the draw team 5 could play team 6 and team 11 could play team 12.
Team 6 and 11 may come from the same divison but team 11 gets the home playoff game.

[grandmarquis84]

I think the IFL should do as much as possible to stick to their current playoff system.

[nksports]

I like Raider 22s plan the best. It is about as tight as you can get (except for Billings). You'd almost have to have, for a 14-game season, the Alaska teams playing three or four games in Alaska, spending the next seven weeks on the road, and the remaining weeks back in Alaska.
My guess is the Alaska market is about full, so to tie them together for 2011, you almost need an expansion team in Juneau, Yellowknife, Whitehorse, Prince George or Dawson Creek.

[raider22]

With all the recent developments let me re-do the alignment,
United Conference

East:
Rochester Raiders
Richmond Revolution
West Michigan Thunderhawks
Maryland Maniacs
Tennessee Valley Vipers

Midwest:
Bloomington Extreme
Chicago Slaughter
LaCrosse Spartans
Green Bay Blizzard
Toledo Bullfrogs

West:
Sioux City Bandits
Sioux Falls Storm
Omaha Beef
Wichita Wild
Billings Outlawz

Intense Conference

North:
Arctic Predators
Alaska Wild
Fairbanks Grizzles
Central Valley Coyotes
Tri Cities Fever

Southwest:
Colorado Ice
Amarillo Dusters
El Paso Generals
Odessa Roughnecks
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz

South:
Austin Turfcats
Abilene Ruff Riders
San Angelo StampedeExpress
Corpus Christi Hammerheads
Arkansas Twisters

[afdave]

Where the heck are you getting the 6 extra teams?

I've heard the Arkansas rumors, and they have their Press Conference tomorrow.

Central Valley, OKC, Tenn Valley, are all on the arenafootballone.com website menu right now still. Not to say that that is gospel, but, that will be an embarrassment a bit if they went forward with the site menu launch, and all of them then pop over to the IFL. Arkansas is NOT on the arenafootballone website, so, that makes sense that they are coming aboard the IFL.

Toledo has publically said they are out for 2010. Are you saying they have now been convinced to come back in to play?



With all the recent developments let me re-do the alignment,
United Conference

East:
Rochester Raiders
Richmond Revolution
West Michigan Thunderhawks
Maryland Maniacs
Tennessee Valley Vipers

Midwest:
Bloomington Extreme
Chicago Slaughter
LaCrosse Spartans
Green Bay Blizzard
Toledo Bullfrogs

West:
Sioux City Bandits
Sioux Falls Storm
Omaha Beef
Wichita Wild
Billings Outlawz

Intense Conference

North:
Arctic Predators
Alaska Wild
Fairbanks Grizzles
Central Valley Coyotes
Tri Cities Fever

Southwest:
Colorado Ice
Amarillo Dusters
El Paso Generals
Odessa Roughnecks
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz

South:
Austin Turfcats
Abilene Ruff Riders
San Angelo StampedeExpress
Corpus Christi Hammerheads
Arkansas Twisters

[Gene Duryea]

Wikipedia is saying that Arkansas has decided to leave af1 and join IFL ... Which is why the press conference was called.

Other resource areas are saying similar things about other franchises.

This may be a case of a handfull of people causing micshief by posting false information. Or it may be a sign that the af1 is not as strong as it has been trying to pretend. There has been a lot of grumbling that it is trying to do too much way too fast and that it is expecting the teams to fork over a lot of money for the priveledge of being involved in it.

[Caballo Diablo]

The AFL and af2 never seemed to understand the country has been going through difficult economic times. Or that the 50 yard game is a niche sport kept alive by discretionary income.

The leagues always acted like they were above the rest and their franchise owners would continue to lose money indefinitely just for the priviledge of being a part of it.

The AF1 may be a cheaper business plan than the AFL, but Teir II is more expensive than the af2. Inexpensive football needs regional rivalries, the teams can't afford a national schedule let alone the fans.

Indoor football has closer road trips, cheaper arenas, less equiptment, cheaper fees, and less arrogance.

[Minor League Man]

Toledo has publically said they are out for 2010. Are you saying they have now been convinced to come back in to play?

The Alaska Wild had publically said they were out for 2007 at one point, but later announced they were joining the Intense Football League...and the rest is history.

So, you never know...

[Gene Duryea]

In its initial press release (and on its web site) Toledo has said that the management was firmly committed to joining AF2 if it had been able to play a 2010 season. Since af1 is an untested business model, Toledo management has decided to push things back one season and see how the situation shakes down with af1, IFL and AIFA.

With IFL having made a profit for 2009 and returned several thousand dollars back to the member teams ... With it increasingly looking like af1 might play 2010 as one single league that has a very expensive operating cost per team ... Toledo could decide that its best bet is to go ahead and jump into the IFL in 2010.

In essence, af1 may have already answered Toledo's question.

[Bouncer_Texxx]

man, and I had JUST finished my personal site toe site driving time calculator based of the 24 team press release

[Gene Duryea]

Yeah.

Sorry to hear that this has become such a burden on you (sigh).

But in all seriousness ... I am one of the people who would love to have a concrete schedule up and running already. But I also understand that there's this massive realignment of the Inside Football World going on because of the closing down of the AFL and AF2. IFL has to be a bit more flexible in all of this or its going to lose out on some great opportunities.

man, and I had JUST finished my personal site toe site driving time calculator based of the 24 team press release

[afdave]

Yeah.

Sorry to hear that this has become such a burden on you (sigh).

But in all seriousness ... I am one of the people who would love to have a concrete schedule up and running already. But I also understand that there's this massive realignment of the Inside Football World going on because of the closing down of the AFL and AF2. IFL has to be a bit more flexible in all of this or its going to lose out on some great opportunities.

Agreed, and I wish Fort Wayne would have had the ownership in place to get back into the IFL, instead of trudging around in the CIFL.

[Bouncer_Texxx]

A properly placed emoticaon would have helped preperly set the intended tone of my previous post :P

I'm interested to see what the league is up to, my tiny bit of extra googling is not a big deal :)

[raider22]

Now that Tri Cities management has comfired the league will now have 26 teams, schedules were planned to come out on the 20th, but with recent developments the league has gone back to the drawing board. I would place 13 teams in each conference, with a 12 team playoff.


United Conference

East:
Rochester Raiders
Richmond Revolution
West Michigan Thunderhawks
Maryland Maniacs

Midwest:
Bloomington Extreme
Chicago Slaughter
LaCrosse Spartans
Green Bay Blizzard

West:
Sioux City Bandits
Sioux Falls Storm
Omaha Beef
Wichita Wild
Billings Outlawz

Intense Conference

North:
Arctic Predators
Alaska Wild
Fairbanks Grizzles
Tri Cities Fever

Southwest:
Colorado Ice
Amarillo Dusters
El Paso Generals
Odessa Roughnecks

South:
Austin Turfcats
Abilene Ruff Riders
San Angelo StampedeExpress
Corpus Christi Hammerheads
Arkansas Twisters

[Gene Duryea]

If the exodus ends there.

[Bouncer_Texxx]

And goodness get billings (Outlaws btw) out of the same division with Sioux Falls.. Not a big Billings fan, gee i wonder why :)

[phydeaux72]

And goodness get billings (Outlaws btw) out of the same division with Sioux Falls.. Not a big Billings fan, gee i wonder why :)

More than likely Billings will end up in a division with Tri-Cities and the three Alaska teams.

[mrsummitcitypigskin]

Looks like the soonest we'll know anything concrete about the CIFL is Dec. 5.
League meetings are planned in Fort Wayne. The rumor mill is running rampant,
but this is what I am surmising: 8 team league (as of now)
-Marion Mayhem (Marion, Oh.)
-Cincinnati Commando's (old Miami Vly.)
-Wisconsin Wolfpack (Madison, Wi.)
-Chicagoland Cardinals (old Milwaukee Bonecrushers) will play in Chi. suburb of Villa Pk.
-Johnstown, Pa. (old Wheeling, WV franchise relocating)
-Fort Wayne FireHawks (old Freedom w/ new ownership)
-Lexington, Ky. (the old af2 Horsemen w/ new ownership)
-Canton Legends (previously of the AIFA)

The league says they would like to expand to 10 or 12 teams in 2011.
Some possibilities:
-Evansville (will have a brand new arena)
-Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St.Paul area)
-Quad Cities (if they can find new ownership)
-Indianapolis (a team for the Coliseum @ the Fairgrounds)
-Rock River (Rockford, Il. may reconsider for 2010, like Mia Vly. did last year)
if they can get dates at the MetroCentre.
-Peoria, Il. (if they get new ownership)
-Kalamazoo, Mi. (nice building ~ Wings Stadium) Economy is better in W. Mi. then E. Mi.

[Gene Duryea]

Based on the current number and location of IFL teams, I'm going to go out on a limb and call for a five division League for 2010.

http://www.pup-stc.com/rainbow/IFL5.pdf

ATLANTIC
Bloomington Extreme
Chicago Slaughter
Maryland Maniacs
Richmond Revolution
Rochester Raiders
West Michigan ThunderHawks

UNITED
Green Bay Blizzard
La Crosse Spartans
Omaha Beef
Souix Falls Storm
Souix City Bandits

PACIFIC
Alaska Wild
Arctic Predators
Billings Outlaws
Fairbanks Grizzlies
Tri Cities Fever

INTENSE
Abeline Ruff Riders
Amarillo Dusters
Arkansas Twisters
Colorado Ice
Wichita Wild

LONESTAR
Austin Turfcats
Corpus Christy Hammerheads
El Paso Generals
Odessa Roughnecks
San Angelo Stampede Express

1 - Each division sends its top 2 teams to the playoffs

2 - The two teams that have the best records, but were not one of the top teams in their division, get added as wild cards. This gives us a 12 team tournament.

3 - Of the 5 division leaders, the 4 with the best records become the top seeds. They get a pass on the first round. The division leader with the least favorable record falls into the bottom rung of the tournament..

4 - The bottom 8 teams will grouped into 4 sets of 2. Each paring will correspond as closely as possible to 1 of the 4 division brackets that are represented by the top seeds. The division leader that did not make the top seed will have the best preference on travel time and weakness of the opponent. The 2 wild cards will have the least preference on these factors.

5 - All of the Round 1 winners will move up and play the Number 1 seed of their bracket. The 4 bracket winners will then pair off and play based on a predetermined allignment.

6 - The two winners will play for the championship.

[lrrrhino]

Let's just hope that whatever the divisions are that each team at least play the teams in their own division and not 2 or 3 games against the same team from outside the division.

I know dates that arena's have open has alot to do with the schedule but let's look at that when aligning divisions. It just sucks when you don't play each team in your division once at home and once on the road at least.

[Froztbyte]

I think a reasonable divisional alignment this season could go like this....

UNITED CONFERENCE
Atlantic Division
Green Bay Blizzard
La Crosse Spartans
Maryland Maniacs
Richmond Revolution
Rochester Raiders
West Michigan ThunderHawks

Central Division
Arkansas Twisters
Bloomington Extreme
Chicago Slaughter
Omaha Beef
Sioux City Bandits
Sioux Falls Storm
Wichita Wild

INTENSE CONFERENCE
Lone Star Division
Abilene Ruff Riders
Amarillo Dusters
Austin Turfcats
Corpus Christi Hammerheads
El Paso Generals
Odessa Roughnecks
San Angelo Stampede Express

Pacific Division
Alaska Wild
Arctic Predators
Billings Outlaws
Colorado Ice
Fairbanks Grizzlies
Tri-Cities Fever

[afdave]

I guarantee you they will get Green Bay and Chicago in the same division. You can't pass that up as a rivalry.