Sifl & aifa announce merger release

[eaglegene]

Merger to Change Indoor Football Landscape

DAYTONA BEACH, FL (November 9, 2010) – Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) commissioner Gary Tufford announced today (November 9, 2010) that six teams from the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) have joined the SIFL as part of a merger between the two leagues.

After engaging in strategic discussions, the two leagues have taken a major step that presents an immediate impact on the national indoor football landscape and creates a league that will stretch from New Jersey to Texas.

“The creation of this alliance is most important to teams that want to play regionally under a business model that more appropriately fits their market,” Tufford said. “In order to accommodate such markets we had to build bridges. Regional play within a league structure makes perfect sense at this level. In a time when everyone is looking to be as trim as possible you have to look for partnerships that make sense. We are truly a regional league playing in divisions that define their territory yet play under a super regional umbrella footprint.”

The six teams – Fayetteville (N.C.) Guard, Richmond (Va.) Raiders, Harrisburg (Pa.) Stampede, Erie (Pa.), Trenton (NJ) Steel and Carolina (NC) Speed will play as part of the SIFL in various divisions. AIFA co-founder John Morris who also owns the Harrisburg team, split up the AIFA between East and West entities, and AIFA co-founder Michael Mink will be the sole owner of the new AIFA West that will operate independent of the merger.

“We are very excited to partner with the SIFL, together we will make each other stronger,” Morris said. “This merger will provide for great indoor football all along the east coast and through the southeast and Texas.”

Both Tufford and Morris are seasoned veterans in the business and bring a wealth of knowledge to the alliance. Tufford is a career long football executive and former pro player and coach who has over 30 years experience in pro football and oversees the SIFL from its Florida office. Morris is a successful business owner and entrepreneur. He will concentrate on his team’s operations and act as a special consultant to the league.

The SIFL was founded by Thom Hager in 2008 out of his desire to create an economic model that allows teams to compete on the field while ensuring long-term viability in the business community. With an economic model heralded as being the future in minor league football, the SIFL enters its
third season. The SIFL has grown from its original six teams to the current 16 teams. Hager is also the owner of the Lake Charles-based Louisiana Swashbucklers, one of indoor footballs most storied franchises.

The AIFA was formed in October, 2006 by Mink and Morris from a combination of teams from existing indoor leagues and expansion markets for the purpose of giving players a platform to excel and work to continue their football careers at a higher level.

“We were proud to see a number of our players fulfill their dreams of playing at the next level,” said Morris. “In its four seasons, the AIFA grew from a regional league to a national entity and also was at the forefront of national television exposure for its league members.”

“Now that we (SIFL) have extended our footprint into a “super regional” that includes the northeast it is imperative that we not only grow these new teams but also nurture our existing ones. We have a responsibility to the teams, fans and the sport itself to create great rivalries, quality entertainment and affordable budgets” said Tufford.

The SIFL will kick off the 2011 season in March with 16 teams in all. The member teams are: Erie, PA, Harrisburg PA, Trenton, NJ, Richmond, VA, Fayetteville, NC, Charlotte, NC, Columbus, GA, Albany, GA, Huntsville, AL, Mobile, AL, Lafayette, LA, Lake Charles, LA, Houston, TX, Corpus Christi, TX, Rio Grande Valley, TX, Abilene, TX.

Source: http://www.southernifl.com/index.php...news&Itemid=21

[JeffCapo]

once again, Baltimore fans get the shaft

[super390]

First off, let's congratulate Jerry for standing by this scoop for weeks while others claimed there was no proof.

Now, do we really have a league here or a pairing of two regional leagues? Like AIFA but with better travel costs? Well great, then let's get UIFL and CIFL involved in a 4-league confederation. But that's not what seems to have happened. It's more about the money men than the footprint.

Why is Morris flogging that dead horse in Harrisburg? If he still owns the First Mariner Arena lease, why not make use of it and jettison everything north of Baltimore?

Where's the marketing model for the "Southern" league in New Jersey and Pennsylvania? Where's the synergy? What about the rumors that the AFL is behind all this?

[PIONEERSFAN101]

Maybe I missed it, but what happens to the AIFA West?

[eaglegene]

Maybe I missed it, but what happens to the AIFA West?

Nothin, the West is a seperate entity. They parted ways with the East.

[daytonadan]

once again, Baltimore fans get the shaft

Jeff -- glad to see there's another Justice Society fan here among the message board denizens.

Enjoy your scoop, Jerry.

[JeffCapo]

First off, let's congratulate Jerry for standing by this scoop for weeks while others claimed there was no proof.

Now, do we really have a league here or a pairing of two regional leagues? Like AIFA but with better travel costs? Well great, then let's get UIFL and CIFL involved in a 4-league confederation. But that's not what seems to have happened. It's more about the money men than the footprint.

Why is Morris flogging that dead horse in Harrisburg? If he still owns the First Mariner Arena lease, why not make use of it and jettison everything north of Baltimore?

Where's the marketing model for the "Southern" league in New Jersey and Pennsylvania? Where's the synergy? What about the rumors that the AFL is behind all this?

Super - I agree 100%!!

[Caballo Diablo]

Does this mean the SIFL will finally start posting their transactions?

[BryceGlacier]

So, No Baltimore, but Carolina (Charlotte) is in? Who owns that team, and when were they announced?

[jerry101jlh]

First off, let's congratulate Jerry for standing by this scoop for weeks while others claimed there was no proof.

Now, do we really have a league here or a pairing of two regional leagues? Like AIFA but with better travel costs? Well great, then let's get UIFL and CIFL involved in a 4-league confederation. But that's not what seems to have happened. It's more about the money men than the footprint.

Why is Morris flogging that dead horse in Harrisburg? If he still owns the First Mariner Arena lease, why not make use of it and jettison everything north of Baltimore?

Where's the marketing model for the "Southern" league in New Jersey and Pennsylvania? Where's the synergy? What about the rumors that the AFL is behind all this?

Excellent questions. Some I wanted to ask Commissioner Tufford, but he has decided not to answer my emails. I found the press release to be just what would be expected, lots of words painting a picture, but in reality not much content.

[BryceGlacier]

Is Harrisburg really a bad market? Sure, it makes no sense to have the lease on the First Mariner Arena and keep a team in the PA Farm Show Complex. (No the best possible venue.) J.M. and the Stampede did little to no marketing here last year. I went to a few games last year, and when did a little bit of promotion early the year... (especially with one of the local radio stations tailgaiting there) people showed up at least more than they did any other time.

It's not just Harrisburg, but the potential should be there to draw from York and Lancaster, each between 30-40 minutes. If they can support two Atlantic League baseball teams in this market, how else can you explain Harrisburg failing other than ownership.

[black dog]

Is Harrisburg really a bad market? Sure, it makes no sense to have the lease on the First Mariner Arena and keep a team in the PA Farm Show Complex. (No the best possible venue.) J.M. and the Stampede did little to no marketing here last year. I went to a few games last year, and when did a little bit of promotion early the year... (especially with one of the local radio stations tailgaiting there) people showed up at least more than they did any other time.

It's not just Harrisburg, but the potential should be there to draw from York and Lancaster, each between 30-40 minutes. If they can support two Atlantic League baseball teams in this market, how else can you explain Harrisburg failing other than ownership.
As a Stampede fan, I have commented on this several other times before and I will again say that Harrisburg can be a good market for indoor football.Like you said ownership, which is majority owned by JM, has done a very poor job promoting the team.The team has been around for two years and still most people in Harrisburg have no idea they exist. The other big problem was cost. You can't charge $8.00 to park and then have ticket prices start at$15.00 and end at $32.00.As far as the venue,the Farm Show Complex was doing some renovations at the end of the year, and I'm not sure exactly what improvements were made.I agree, not the best venue, but it has to be cheaper then First Mariner Arena.Believe it or not I sort of like the place because it's alot different then most indoor football venues.My hope is that now that the SIFL/Aifa merger is done JM will concentrate on improving the Harrisburg franchise since he will not have to worry about running a league.Lower ticket prices and do some promotion and then see what the attendance is like.

[daytonadan]

Excellent questions. Some I wanted to ask Commissioner Tufford, but he has decided not to answer my emails. I found the press release to be just what would be expected, lots of words painting a picture, but in reality not much content.

As a sports industry professional, I found the press release satisfactory as far as an introduction goes.

[BryceGlacier]

As a Stampede fan, I have commented on this several other times before and I will again say that Harrisburg can be a good market for indoor football.Like you said ownership, which is majority owned by JM, has done a very poor job promoting the team.The team has been around for two years and still most people in Harrisburg have no idea they exist. The other big problem was cost. You can't charge $8.00 to park and then have ticket prices start at$15.00 and end at $32.00.As far as the venue,the Farm Show Complex was doing some renovations at the end of the year, and I'm not sure exactly what improvements were made.I agree, not the best venue, but it has to be cheaper then First Mariner Arena.Believe it or not I sort of like the place because it's alot different then most indoor football venues.My hope is that now that the SIFL/Aifa merger is done JM will concentrate on improving the Harrisburg franchise since he will not have to worry about running a league.Lower ticket prices and do some promotion and then see what the attendance is like.

That's my hope, too. It wasn't a bad place at all to watch once you got used to the place. The only part of the renevations that I know of from the games late last year was they had removed the "endzone" seats. I'm sure they'd put new ones in there.

Also, I think the last two regular season games of the year, they didn't charge for parking. Concession priceses were VERY salty. A burger and chips and a drink came out to about $10 or $12 bucks. When I compare that to my York Revs experience... it was about 50% more.

[eaglegene]

As a Stampede fan, I have commented on this several other times before and I will again say that Harrisburg can be a good market for indoor football.Like you said ownership, which is majority owned by JM, has done a very poor job promoting the team.The team has been around for two years and still most people in Harrisburg have no idea they exist. The other big problem was cost. You can't charge $8.00 to park and then have ticket prices start at$15.00 and end at $32.00.As far as the venue,the Farm Show Complex was doing some renovations at the end of the year, and I'm not sure exactly what improvements were made.I agree, not the best venue, but it has to be cheaper then First Mariner Arena.Believe it or not I sort of like the place because it's alot different then most indoor football venues.My hope is that now that the SIFL/Aifa merger is done JM will concentrate on improving the Harrisburg franchise since he will not have to worry about running a league.Lower ticket prices and do some promotion and then see what the attendance is like.

Sometimes teams gotta charge higher ticket prices cause the arenas themselves raise their rate. Not sure if thats the case there in Harrisburg but just a thought. I do agree with you though, too expensive. How many fans were in attendance for the last playoff game there last year vs Erie? I watched it on AIFAFANS & i dont think there were more than a few hundred.

Also, you fans need to start a booster club. Every little bit helps in getting the word out. Sometime we fans gotta take the reigns cause some of these teams dont get it, lol.

With the addition of Bernie im hopeful things could improve for the Stampede. He did a remarkable job for the Express & their attendance.

[black dog]

Sometimes teams gotta charge higher ticket prices cause the arenas themselves raise their rate. Not sure if thats the case there in Harrisburg but just a thought. I do agree with you though, too expensive. How many fans were in attendance for the last playoff game there last year vs Erie? I watched it on AIFAFANS & i dont think there were more than a few hundred.

Also, you fans need to start a booster club. Every little bit helps in getting the word out. Sometime we fans gotta take the reigns cause some of these teams dont get it, lol.

With the addition of Bernie im hopeful things could improve for the Stampede. He did a remarkable job for the Express & their attendance.

You're right there were only a couple of humdred fans at the playoff game, and it's a shame because they missed an exciting game. The poor attendance of that game had alot to do with the fact that they held it on the Friday night of 4th of July weekend. Very poor scheduling by the league if you ask me.

[eaglegene]

You're right there were only a couple of humdred fans at the playoff game, and it's a shame because they missed an exciting game. The poor attendance of that game had alot to do with the fact that they held it on the Friday night of 4th of July weekend. Very poor scheduling by the league if you ask me.

I totally agree. Poor scheduling & it was a great game. You guys will get to battle it out with Erie for atleast one more season.

[storm2010]

You're right there were only a couple of humdred fans at the playoff game, and it's a shame because they missed an exciting game. The poor attendance of that game had alot to do with the fact that they held it on the Friday night of 4th of July weekend. Very poor scheduling by the league if you ask me.

Sioux Falls drew 4200 vs Chicago in a 2nd round play-off game over the same weekend in 2010. Wichita also drew 4000+ vs Rochester! Sorry guys, its not the weekend that's the problem..

[black dog]

Sioux Falls drew 4200 vs Chicago in a 2nd round play-off game over the same weekend in 2010. Wichita also drew 4000+ vs Rochester! Sorry guys, its not the weekend that's the problem..

Good for those teams, but it doesn't change that the poor attendance had alot to do with holding the game on a Friday night at 7:00pm on 4th of July weekend. People getting out of work and leaving town for the holiday weekend.Not to mention every other game in the season was held on a Sat night.Harrisburg's attendance is not great to begin with, but that by far was the fewest fans they drew all year.

[Bouncer_Texxx]

Wichita's playoff game that weekend was Friday night 7:05 kickoff that weekend with every other game was on a Saturday. It's not the weekend that is the problem it's the marketing.

[sportznut]

I think it is both.

We did not have that problem last season because I did not schedule any games for that weekend. So our teams did not have to worry about it!


who knows what will happen this season.

[daytonadan]

Hi Rob. How are you?

[BananaCat]

We did not have that problem last season because I did not schedule any games for that weekend. So our teams did not have to worry about it!

who knows what will happen this season.
They'll have Wednesday games and teams playing two games in four days.

[sportznut]

Doing Great Dan, Forgot how much fun Life was before i EVER got involved with ..never mind

[daytonadan]

Doing Great Dan, Forgot how much fun Life was before i EVER got involved with ..never mind

Sometimes, you just have to walk away for awhile ... and then you can say what you really want to on these boards ...

[sportznut]

The Truth!!