Is the SIFL dead

[jerry101jlh]

after this season or just in need of a complete makeover, including leadership?

[never was]

In my humble opinion, I would not agree that the SIFL (as it was created for this first year under this name) was a viable league anyway. Start with 7 teams, lost one before the season started (Houston), essentially has lost GVL (it will be tough to put a team back in GVL with the bad taste, and this being the 3rd indoor team that has closed the doors), as well as the issues with a potential new Augusta team next year (ownership issues after they were in, and not fixed at this point).

Yes everyone, Albany and Columbus have done well (as far as I know), but the LA teams seem to be in a little bit of downturn (Swashbucklers ownership change, Lafayette with President issues). So I am not convinced that this would qualify (in most folks eyes) as a solid entrinched league...at this point.

Don't get upset at me - just stating my opinion! I am wrong a good bit of the time anyway!

just sayin...

[mace]

You know never was, you are right in many ways but there are growing pains in EVERYTHING. Do you own your own business? Did you know that there is an unwritten rule that says "make sure that you have at least enough capitol to make it five years". This is because most businesses have the most difficulties in the first five years, thus the fail time. I do know that there are supposed to be some good teams coming on next year, but we have to be able to make it through this year first.

It goes without saying that the XFL was a good example of this, great idea but bad implementation. The SIFL has a good business plan for low overhead and efficient travel costs, but most of the growing pains have been with teams that weren't financially stable enough to even hold a fund raiser at the local high schools. From a league standpoint this could all work, but there has to be better screening during the financial process.

To say that this league is over is a little premature, there are good ownerships here. Some that have good ownerships but bad front offices, and just the opposite too. The possibilities are endless, if these teams that are "supposed" to come into the SIFL come in, then this league should become one of the most "competitive" leagues in the Nation. I do think that there is always room for growth in EVERY thing that we do, even as a nation. But does that mean that our Nation is failing... Wait.. bad example!! LOL



BUCKLE UP!!

[jerry101jlh]

All good points on both sides, but don't you feel that with major and they are major, same problems in the first two years it may cause teams looking for a new league or new ownerships to think twice before going SIFL?

In my opinion when you find errors in the model, you fix them. The SIFL didn't fix the problems of year one which leads me to question if they would ever be fixed.

[mace]

All good points on both sides, but don't you feel that with major and they are major, same problems in the first two years it may cause teams looking for a new league or new ownerships to think twice before going SIFL?

In my opinion when you find errors in the model, you fix them. The SIFL didn't fix the problems of year one which leads me to question if they would ever be fixed.

Maybe after the first year they didn't think that this would happen again, but they can't fall on that excuse again. They now know that people are not all honest and that there are crooks in this profession too. I would hope that after year two these things are corrected. But I do have to say, that if it is the same song and dance next year... me, my family and all of the other season ticket holders that I have brought into the Louisiana Swashbuckler family... will not return.

All we can do is hope that this has been a LARGE learning opportunity and that the front office of the SIFL and all of the current ownerships have gained some valuable knowledge. Because people that don't study history, are doomed to repeat it.


BUCKLE UP!!

[King Of The Jungle]

I try not to make a habit of agreeing with "Fan of the Year" Mace (I demand a recount) But, if I understand him right, this time I do. This is still a new and young league. After being in 2 others this is by far my favorite and I believe Thom Hagar is a Stand up guy. Is he perfect? No, but he is a damn site closer to it than other league owners. Do I agree with him all the time? No again, but more often than not I do and when I don't, at least I can see his logic.
I know this isn't a GF blog but, in so many ways that was a lose lose situation and Solomon couldn't have straightened it out. It is a bad situation when everyone loses and that is exactly what happened in G'ville. Like everyone else I hate it most for the players. But, I from what I know, not much could legally be done. I hope that moving forward, there will be legal mechanisms in place to correct a problem like this if it ever arises again.
This league will bigger next year and with that size will become more structure and that will be a good thing. Don't give up on the SIFL yet, there is a lot of good in it and a lot more good yet to come.

GO LIONS!

[jerry101jlh]

The problem is the SIFL repeated the mistakes of the first year. These issues should have been solved after the first season, yet nothing was done. Is Hager a stand up guy, yes, but I question his ability to run a league at this point and speaking of running the league, isn't Dan Blum still commissioner? On the SIFL site he is still listed.

[mace]

Yes Dan is still the commissioner but you need to remember that the team owners VOTE as a league on most all of these matters, so to say that this is all Thom Hager is a little absurd. True enough, they did make these mistakes the first year, but maybe they thought that they had implemented enough fail safes to keep this from happening again. I don't know, but like I said in my last post.. if this happens for a third season, I won't be back and I for one will be leading the party trying to BADMOUTH the league for 3 years of the same mistakes.


BUCKLE UP!!

[RawDogg]

Mace.....I have to say that this is my first year on this thread and I have enjoyed it with all that has gone on here....I do hope that the league will get things together for next year cause I am a football fan....weather it's indoor or outdoor's....I think the league is a good one to be in but somethings has got to be change to make it better..

[mace]

Mace.....I have to say that this is my first year on this thread and I have enjoyed it with all that has gone on here....I do hope that the league will get things together for next year cause I am a football fan....weather it's indoor or outdoor's....I think the league is a good one to be in but somethings has got to be change to make it better..

RawDogg, I totally agree!! Things have to change in order to grow and to continue to get better. But we can't just write it off just yet.


BUCKLE UP!!

[Caballo Diablo]

I wouldn't write them off either, but these problems will haunt them for awhile. Like Mace, I agree the first few years are full of growing pains, but as Jerry said, some are the same old problems rearing their ugly head.

Last season with the one Houston team pulling out before the season even started, the kings, the Pirates, Houma, created a nightmare for the SIFL office. This season once again a Houston team pulled out before the season started, the Hurricanes decided not to move to Beaumont, the team we're not allowed to mention unless we're forced to, the drunken sailor owner, have repeated the nightmare.

At this moment the facts or reasons might not even matter, it's perception that scaring some about coming to the SIFL. Many ownership groups have talked with the SIFL about the possibility of joining, but I've heard several of them are re-evaluating their choices.

We can list some negatives about the CIFL, AIFA, and the IFL. Many teams between these 3 are in trouble and it might be a mistake to try and rebrand them in another league. The leagues themselves have some major issues to correct in the off-season, and some of the moves/decisions could be MAJOR.

I've even heard the possibility of a couple more guys wanting to create a new league. Enjoy the playoffs guys because this off-season could be a rough one for all of the leagues.

[never was]

Good points all, and a great discussion. I haven't written off the league just yet, however the changes that need to be made for long term survival ARE MAJOR! At this point, I do not believe that TH has the makeup to design a solid plan, or the ability to rally the owners in a single direction (could be wrong on that), and not sure if the owners - as a group - see the big picture at this point. That being that the league must come first - voting to make changes for the good of the league, even if it hurts their own team in some ways. Until egos go away and owners are allowed to "do their own thing", the league will not move forward.

just sayin...

[jerry101jlh]

I could just as easily picked the AIFA, CIFL or even the IFL when I posed the question since these issues are facing all of the leagues, but as Paul said in another thread somewhere that one or two of these issues in smaller leagues more likely to fold the league than in ones with twice, three times or more the number of teams. Doesn't make the issue any less important though.

In my opinion the league is charged by the teams to perform certain duties, one of which is to watch their back. When a team applies for membership there is certain criteria that must be met according to each leagues laws and rules. It is the leagues job to research and find out if applicants meet the criteria or not. In my opinion the league office does its members no favors by bringing teams that fall short to a vote. Again apparently every league office has been guilty of this. Teams may vote to allow a team in that fails the qualification process for any number of wrong reasons, location, etc. This is why applicants shouldn't be brought up for a vote if they fall short. By doing so not doing anyone, including the applicant any favors.

The CIFL and SIFL could easily disappear if this kind of expansion continues, although the CIFL has survived this crap since its inception and the SIFL very well could as well, but the CIFL because of this practice has failed to grow and only be a revolving door for teams. The SIFL could easily become a revolving door as well to stay alive.

Right now I'm very critical of the leadership in all the leagues. There isn't one of them that doesn't know better and have all seen first hand with the NIFL what happens long term when you continue to expand with teams that can not even sustain one seasons play.

I like Thom Hager, think he's a good man, but he is allowing things to happen in his league that he claims caused him to leave the NIFL. Bensgio and the Intense league withdrew from the NIFL for these reasons as well. The UIF, same deal. The CIFL looked at the NIFL and said they could do better, but look at their record. Only the AIFA is different. Those guys couldn't have their way in the NIFL, so left to create their own version and have mirrored the NIFL very well.

[storm2010]

RawDogg, I totally agree!! Things have to change in order to grow and to continue to get better. But we can't just write it off just yet.


BUCKLE UP!!

No offense but 6 teams is not a league, it's a division !

[preeths]

The SIFL needs to honestly reevaluate its position in the off-season. The league was formed as a less expensive option to the IFL in the South. The root problem is that less expensive options tend to attract deadbeats and dreamers. Sure, you may also grab an occasional strong team such as Columbus, but often you're forced to allow in the weak sisters in order to have enough teams to play a schedule. That's been the problem with the SIFL from day one.

I have to believe the SIFL knew there were problems in places such as Houston, Greenville and Houma ahead of time, but in their eyes, what could they do? You hold all the teams to the same standards, and you may not be left with enough to have a league. If they didn't allow Greenville in, for instance, would Columbus have joined? If neither were in, the SIFL probably wouldn't have won, and probably wouldn't have tried to secure, the building lease in Albany. Then what's left? Probably not enough teams to even have a league.

The SIFL needs to take a good hard look at what it has secure for 2011, and what it is likely to gain heading into that year. Don't put too much emphasis on expressed interest from existing teams in other leagues or new markets. Every league gets some interest in the off-season, but if all the league does is reshuffle the same, tired cards, they'll be no further ahead next year than this. If the SIFL isn't making progress as a separate entity, then it needs to look at other options.

[jerry101jlh]

Change rarely comes without a cost. That cost may be only less teams, but still a cost. With the SIFL teams having a vote on change it comes down to whether they want to accept the cost of any change.

In my opinion the major mistake the SIFL has made is not adhering to their own rules and bylaws where expansion is concerned. What I see top date has been panic decisions, not rational ones.

[preeths]

I'm not sure about panic, though you could be right, but at the very least I think it's safe to say the SIFL has been forced to make some decisions that ideally it did not want to make. There's no way the league wanted to deal with the headaches in Greenville, but especially after Houston bailed on the eve of the season, the league probably felt as if it had little choice but to suck it up and not disrupt any more of the schedule.

That's why I say a reevaluation is in order: a frank, honest appraisal of what the league is, where it's going and what it is likely the achieve. Has it simply been a matter of execution or is the game plan itself fatally flawed?

[jerry101jlh]

I'm not sure about panic, though you could be right, but at the very least I think it's safe to say the SIFL has been forced to make some decisions that ideally it did not want to make. There's no way the league wanted to deal with the headaches in Greenville, but especially after Houston bailed on the eve of the season, the league probably felt as if it had little choice but to suck it up and not disrupt any more of the schedule.

That's why I say a reevaluation is in order: a frank, honest appraisal of what the league is, where it's going and what it is likely the achieve. Has it simply been a matter of execution or is the game plan itself fatally flawed?

My problem with Houston and Greenville is not those specifically, but that they made those same errors in the first season with Florida, Texas and I believe Houma. At what point do you say I screwed up and going to learn and not repeat history.

[preeths]

But I think the deeper question is were these just isolated instances or are they a systemic problem of the league's raison d'être?

[jerry101jlh]

Two years in a row, looks like a pattern to me

[mace]

Come on now... you can do things more than twice without it being called a "pattern". I do agree that if they repeat themselves for a 3rd season that its looks REAL BAD, but until then we have to stay optimistic. In the first few years of any business there are growing pains... and some are easier learned than others, I just hope for the love of this sport that it does get worked out. I want to believe!!

BUCKLE UP!!

[jerry101jlh]

Come on now... you can do things more than twice without it being called a "pattern". I do agree that if they repeat themselves for a 3rd season that its looks REAL BAD, but until then we have to stay optimistic. In the first few years of any business there are growing pains... and some are easier learned than others, I just hope for the love of this sport that it does get worked out. I want to believe!!

BUCKLE UP!!

I am too jaded to believe anymore lol

[Caballo Diablo]

Second star to the right and on `til morning. Maybe we all can find our lost marbles.

[Minor League Mania]

I would not so much like to defend the SIFL as just point out that a lot of the drama that has been caused this year was a result of falling behind in the season preperation leading up tp opening kickoff 2010. Columbus and Greenville being added to the league really seems like the high point from the off-season. Everything really went down hill from there. There were and still are so many questions that were never answered. Things such as what is really going on with Augusta and the Makos, why was the Mississippi Mudcats on the site for all of one day, and all the larger internal issues with team owners and management. Will Greenville be in the league next year or will this be the end in 2010? I would like to see what the SIFL can do with a full off-season. Ending with a possitive, who knew that Albany was going to wnd up as solid of a team as they did considering they got in the league at the very last moment.

[never was]

Sorry, I just had to...

That team from Houston is holding a strong 4th in the latest Massey Power Rankings. They are number one in defense, but last in offense, home field advantage and toughness of schedule!! Now that one is funny!

Lafayette and Greenville are a close 5th and 6th!


just sayin...

[Gusher]

Well Houston is undefeated for the season.

ya know

(I just felt like I needed a catchy line at the end just to fit in.)

[cdmiller]

I really hope to see a Greenville team next year.This area has fans, great place to play and a very high level of local talent.The first year of the Carolina Rhinos (AF2),they were second in the league for attendance,so the fans will come.
Now we need to find some honest people who want to own and run a PROFESSIONAL indoor football team.

[jerry101jlh]

I really hope to see a Greenville team next year.This area has fans, great place to play and a very high level of local talent.The first year of the Carolina Rhinos (AF2),they were second in the league for attendance,so the fans will come.
Now we need to find some honest people who want to own and run a PROFESSIONAL indoor football team.

honest? professional? uh this is indoor football. Not sure those monikers fit. OK, ok, I know, but just had to say it anyway lol

There are good honest owners in all the leagues that do try to operate in a professional manner. My hope is that every franchise might benefit from that kind of ownership in time.

[Gusher]

honest? professional? uh this is indoor football. Not sure those monikers fit. OK, ok, I know, but just had to say it anyway lol

There are good honest owners in all the leagues that do try to operate in a professional manner. My hope is that every franchise might benefit from that kind of ownership in time.Jerry if you find one looking for a market send them down Beaumont's way.

[jerry101jlh]

Jerry if you find one looking for a market send them down Beaumont's way.

Of all the failed markets in my 10 years Beaumont was always my favorite, well maybe second to Evansville lol Its a shame you guys had such crap ownership. Nothing would make me happier than to see all of you die hard Driller fans get a good franchise down there.

[super390]

All the leagues have problems, but can you imagine what a comedy it would be if one of these SIFL owners had to deal with having his arena destroyed by a tornado 6 days before a home playoff game? There are definitely owners in this sport who have their act together more than others. If they'd just be willing to get together and build a wall high enough to keep out the jokers... but then there's always the allure of expansion fees and the desire for short bus trips.

Maybe there needs to be something like the baseball commissioner's office and the national agreement that determines which minor leagues are official and what their territories are. It would have to be run by a non-owner, and it would have to control a resource that would discourage outlaw leagues, which seem to be far too easy to organize. The only such resource I could imagine is a low-grade cable TV contract that allowed interleague play and regional games. It would use part of the TV money to cover workers' comp for all the players, and a fund for emergency pay. One thing we know about players, they will play for peanuts, but they want to know the peanuts are really there. This would starve the outlaws of any possible financial advantage to operate outside the system.

[daytonadan]

Truthfully, it's easier sometimes to deal with the major catastrophes than the ongoing minor ones that plague the sport. I will give credit to the IFL for handling the BIllings tornado crisis.

I knew the SIFL's 2010 was going to be rocky the moment John Sisson walked in the door and Tony Wells' name came up.

2011 will be okay if ownership groups are qualified and this Ray guy is tempered.





All the leagues have problems, but can you imagine what a comedy it would be if one of these SIFL owners had to deal with having his arena destroyed by a tornado 6 days before a home playoff game? There are definitely owners in this sport who have their act together more than others. If they'd just be willing to get together and build a wall high enough to keep out the jokers... but then there's always the allure of expansion fees and the desire for short bus trips.

Maybe there needs to be something like the baseball commissioner's office and the national agreement that determines which minor leagues are official and what their territories are. It would have to be run by a non-owner, and it would have to control a resource that would discourage outlaw leagues, which seem to be far too easy to organize. The only such resource I could imagine is a low-grade cable TV contract that allowed interleague play and regional games. It would use part of the TV money to cover workers' comp for all the players, and a fund for emergency pay. One thing we know about players, they will play for peanuts, but they want to know the peanuts are really there. This would starve the outlaws of any possible financial advantage to operate outside the system.

[jerry101jlh]

I would disagree with you on one point Dan, the IFL did nothing in the Billings incident, all on the Outlaws and a good thing they have the practice facility. I know this is the SIFL section, but you brought it up here. I think to play this weekends games at the Sportsplex a decent stop gap fix, but to play all remaining home playoff games there a mistake. Seating for 12-1500 when they average over 3000 and ticket prices of 28 and 38 bucks????

I don't know what the thinking is, but its not fair to the fans that want to go, but can't get a ticket. Their fans would be better served by moving the games to Great Falls only 3 hours away. I can't even imagine the United Bowl being played there is Billings gets that far and has home field advantage. The IFL should have encouraged the Outlaws to look at alternative venues if their playoff run extends beyond this one game. I would give the IFL credit then for doing something, that in my opinion, is good for the fans.

[sportznut]

Dan,
John Sisson is not responsible for anything that took place in the SIFL this season.

[jerry101jlh]

Dan,
John Sisson is not responsible for anything that took place in the SIFL this season.

Its ok nut, we're all blaming you lol

[Caballo Diablo]

All the leagues have problems, but can you imagine what a comedy it would be if one of these SIFL owners had to deal with having his arena destroyed by a tornado 6 days before a home playoff game? There are definitely owners in this sport who have their act together more than others. If they'd just be willing to get together and build a wall high enough to keep out the jokers... but then there's always the allure of expansion fees and the desire for short bus trips.
This was a terrible tradgedy, thankfully it didn't happen the day before during a game. And the Billings ownership deserves props for being able to play their upcoming game locally.

I'm not sure it's because they've got ther act together more than everyone else but because they've got more money than most. Their practice facility is as good or better than what some teams play in on a regular basis. Most teams don't have a practice facility let alone one this nice.

Many good owners and markets have suffered more from lack of money than lack of having their act together. Most owners can't get the rules and situations they want by threatening to pull their companies sponsorship from the league if they don't get their way. Many teams struggle to put their guys in housing, while others can afford to put two rosters up in hotels and have a list of potential backups when injuries occur.

Yes, Billings is a fantastic franchise and has worked hard to put a good product on the field. Money and power have a way of making this easier.

Maybe there needs to be something like the baseball commissioner's office and the national agreement that determines which minor leagues are official and what their territories are. It would have to be run by a non-owner, and it would have to control a resource that would discourage outlaw leagues, which seem to be far too easy to organize. The only such resource I could imagine is a low-grade cable TV contract that allowed interleague play and regional games. It would use part of the TV money to cover workers' comp for all the players, and a fund for emergency pay. One thing we know about players, they will play for peanuts, but they want to know the peanuts are really there. This would starve the outlaws of any possible financial advantage to operate outside the system.
I don't buy that for one second.

[daytonadan]

Yeah, Rob, but the SIFL wasted a lot of time in the off-season with the likes of John Sisson, Andre White, Pastor Watkins and all those Florida wannabees. Like you and I have chatted, you don't get into the expansion presentation with a cahsier's check and either a line of credit/performance bond anymore.

I'd still march into hell for Thom Hager and take a Ray Ronquillo punch in the face for you guys. Let the hothead pay for my kids education.

AIFA made the same mistakes with Ogden and Hans Deemer. Our boy Benizio did the same with Alaska and a few other who aren't paying the bills. Same result, different year.

And Jerry and Cabby and all us usual suspect can recycle our posts forever and forever, things ain't gonna change until we elevate the standards in lieu of having the most teams.

[jerry101jlh]

Dan I think we can all agree that there are changes needed, but at the present time teams aren't going to allow those changes. In fact my opinion is that it would take a complete collapse of the sport and a fresh start to get needed changes.

Again as long as teams vote on rule changes, little will change. It takes a new league to build into the foundation (bylaws) those changes, but then would teams want to join when there are still leagues that allow all the crap????

[daytonadan]

Then why continue to waste our time, other than we like to look smart on these boards?

PR people can only do so much.

[jerry101jlh]

Then why continue to waste our time, other than we like to look smart on these boards?

PR people can only do so much.

Been preaching to the choir for the better part of ten years now so why stop lol

[sportznut]

Its ok nut, we're all blaming you lol

Well, more air time for me, yay... lol

[super390]

Dan I think we can all agree that there are changes needed, but at the present time teams aren't going to allow those changes. In fact my opinion is that it would take a complete collapse of the sport and a fresh start to get needed changes.


I'm not particularly a fan of the IFL, but it is only a few AIFA, CIFL and SIFL franchise collapses away from getting the game almost all to itself. At that point, the IFL is in the same position as the American Hockey League. Any new league like the UIFL will be clearly be a lower, regional level along with eastern AIFA. So order will be imposed at least at the national level. The embarrassments we spend our time discussing here could be relegated to the regional leagues, and that will attract no more notice than the comings and goings of Single-A hockey and baseball.

It's a shakeout, and long overdue. Recessions do that. The problem is getting the IFL to accept its victory and stand pat, which as you all observed seems to be impossible in this sport.

[jerry101jlh]

Doubtful all three will collapse, but in any case the IFL clearly the dominant league. This off season should see many changes throughout the sport. The UIFL stands poised to take on teams from the AIFA and maybe get some new ones that might have been CIFL bound. The SIFL will pretty much stand pat, add a couple teams maybe, but pretty much use this off season to regroup. The CIFL is rumored to be looking at sweeping changes in its bylaws, so who knows what that effect might have on the league. The AIFA is in serious trouble although you won't see its leadership saying anything close to that. The AIFA model too closely resembles that of the NIFL and could end up out of business as well. IFL leadership has come under fire internally and there are those that are looking for a change, but that aside the IFL could pick up as many as 10 teams, but lose two to three. The losses are good ones, teams that are too weak financially to hold on another season without causing the league more embarrassment.

My prediction for 2011 is this, AIFA, cut in half, maybe seeing as few as 8 teams for 2011. The CIFL enters 2011 with approximately 6 teams again, same for the SIFL. The IFL will grow to 30+. The new UIFL most likely will enter the game with 6-8 teams. The Texas based PIFL and Florida based RIFL are iffy at this stage and even though claim to be at the same level as the other five mentioned are no more than semi pro and their models not survivable past a season or two.

The AIFA and CIFL will not see any leadership changes. The SIFL might see Thom Hager looking for a stronger voice to replace Dan Blum or evebn take the Commissioner job himself. The IFL will look for new leadership, but unknown if they have the votes to get a new face.

[daytonadan]

Been preaching to the choir for the better part of ten years now so why stop lol

Maybe it's time to get a life?

[suge night]

LOL Good line daytonadan,

Jerry you make some good points since we have all the answers on this message board, and not in the field of battle. Here is my thought !

The IFL is not the 300 lbs beast it has teams not making payroll itself this season and as for the Ownership now that the economy has changed throwing cash away on these hobbies are not going to bring in smart people who don't see the league making the teams any cash.

Whatever league finds a way to offer up a return on the owners investment will become the beast, not the number of teams, do you see any big money guys lining up to buy teams, that are in money trouble sure the IFL sold a couple of teams but how long can those guys lose cash.

Its a new game in the sports industry and its called (Show me some Money and I'll spend some in your league)

Things will shake out over the next 2 seasons for sure the beast of indoor football will be able to stand alone by then and the rest will find a place at the table as it should be, and it would be nothing wrong with that every other minor league sport has that.

And this one needs it you don't see these silly conversations about who is the big dog league in other sports, once it happens things will start to move on growing the game which should have already taken place but now has no choice but too because of the economic condition.

[cdmiller]

honest? professional? uh this is indoor football. Not sure those monikers fit. OK, ok, I know, but just had to say it anyway lol

There are good honest owners in all the leagues that do try to operate in a professional manner. My hope is that every franchise might benefit from that kind of ownership in time.

I meant,honest and professional in the full indoor football definition.:)

[super390]

My prediction for 2011 is this, AIFA, cut in half, maybe seeing as few as 8 teams for 2011. The CIFL enters 2011 with approximately 6 teams again, same for the SIFL. The IFL will grow to 30+. The new UIFL most likely will enter the game with 6-8 teams.


I am terribly unknowledgeable about the finances of indoor football, but it seems to me that any team drawing less than 1000 per game should fold. Right now I'm seeing evidence that's happening to Harrisburg, Maryland and the NJ Revolution. And the buzzards are supposedly over Austin, Fayetteville, West Michigan, Fort Wayne, Chicago Cardinals, and maybe even Arkansas. San Jose and one of the Richmond teams will have to go. Added to the teams that have already lost their home arenas or suspended operations, that might be 14 teams down.

With the CIFL, UIFL and eastern AIFA fighting for replacement franchises, I think one league could end up with less than 4 teams, and that would be the end, wouldn't it? For instance, why should the guy who owns both Cincinnati and the Miami Valley road team keep the latter when the former is far and away the best operation in the CIFL? He could consolidate and jump ship. That leaves 3 CIFL teams, and by the time they dig up a replacement Ft. Wayne or Chicago could go under. So Wisconsin should get itchy.

I think you're implying that AIFA will abandon the west, but I'm not sure even 4 eastern teams will make it unless they steal from the CIFL.

How do teams like Harrisburg keep operating with no apparent income? That's a mystery I'd love to solve.

I find all this a lot more entertaining than watching normal, viable sports. It brings a whole new dimension to sudden death overtime.