Cifl ifl???

[Alhammer]

Maybe CIFL should partner with IFL . IFL is seeking teams. Rumors are flying that maybe down to 14 teams. Cross country travel and higher player and Work. comp. Tough road to hold.

CIFL needs the IFL just as bad. Some really good owners in mid west might make it all work and reduce travel

[Minor League Man]

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.190304267683982.45121.120144958033247&type=3 (Victory Sports Complex, home of the Knights)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/arilius0/5810250941/ (The Forum at Fishers, home of the Enforcers)

Do you REALLY think the IFL would let their teams play in arenas like that?

[MarshalMan35]

hey man it's better than being a travel team

[Trish_lvs_Baltimore]

hey man it's better than being a travel teamTrue, but let's be honest here. The IFL has "standards". Those "standards" aren't suitable for most of the indoor football teams in america.

I'm not knockin' their "standards" at all; I'm just sayin'......

[IndoorExpert]

In a league that deems themselves professional, why would there not be standards? If people want to see recreational football, join up with the APFL. They will take any teams that are relatively close to their other teams.

[nksports]

In a league that deems themselves professional, why would there not be standards? If people want to see recreational football, join up with the APFL. They will take any teams that are relatively close to their other teams.

The past couple of years, I've felt like the CIFL needs to look at the APFL as a model. Most of the arenas are in the 1,500-6,000 range (some even smaller), with budgets to match. You're looking at towns 50,000 to 200,000, so big budgets are out anyway. You want to keep all of the cities within about a 6 to 8 hour bus ride at the very most. You're in an area with plenty of football talent.

[RevolutionX]

I think this small market business plan can succeed. Too many teams go into these large arenas and the overhead/ costs alone just to rent the facility to play a game is tremendous. How can any team survivve. Factor in salaries, staff, refs, balls (thats footballs for game). Your talking tens of thousands of dollars a night. Now if you play in a smaller arena, say 1,500 to 3,000 seats, and you market the team, teams can survive. It makes it a little bit easier. Lets face it, nobody is going to get rich in these independent indoor/arena leagues, so accept what it is is and make it the best possible product for the venue. The only thing you may not have at smaller venues is alcohol. Ok. But you can still have a "professional" expirience just the same, a make it fan freindly. I would rather sell out a 2,500 seat arena and have the place rockin, than have 1,000 people show up in a 15,000 seat arena.

[RevolutionX]

The other thing is ticket sales. You dont have to charge a ton of money for a ticket. Yes, smaller venues might not have luxary boxes and such, but they can be just as good. The NJ Revolution, CIFL/Independent/AIFA) played is such an arena. 2,500 capacity. Ceiling was a bit low, but if, if the team owners CSE, would have marketed the team in the local area or advertised, they would have drawn better attendance, not to mention had a professional playing surface, not pieced together with duct tape and indoor/outdoor carpet from homedepot, professional uniforms,had one paid employee other than themselves, had not expected everyone to give them stuff and services for free, screw over sponsors, you know they played their for four years and 98% of their local market NY/NJ, still doesnt know they ever existed, come on man.... sorry, got sidetracked. For example, Their home field like 6, 000 a night. Izod or Prudential, big time arenas 30-35,000 a night. Do the math. I think some teams price themselves out trying to compete with AFL. It is what it is.

[RevolutionX]

The other thing is ticket sales. You dont have to charge a ton of money for a ticket. 10-15. Yes, smaller venues might not have luxary boxes and such, but they can be just as good. If the organization commits to a professional expirience. The NJ Revolution, CIFL/Independent/AIFA) played is such an arena. 2,500 capacity. Ceiling was a bit low, but if, if the team owners CSE, would have marketed the team in the local area or advertised, you know 98% of their market doesnt even know they ever existed and they played there for four years. They would have drawn better attendance, not to mention if they had a professional playing surface, not pieced together with duct tape and indoor/outdoor carpet from homedepot, professional uniforms, had one paid employee other than themselves, had not expected everyone to give them stuff and services for free, screwed over sponsors.... sorry, got side tracked. For example, their home field like 6, 000 a night. Izod or Prudential, big time arenas 30-35,000 a night. Do the math. How can teams survive, factor in travel all over the country with accomodations. Smaller regional leagues would better suit. I think alot of people should follow suit

[Trish_lvs_Baltimore]

The past couple of years, I've felt like the CIFL needs to look at the APFL as a model. Most of the arenas are in the 1,500-6,000 range (some even smaller), with budgets to match. You're looking at towns 50,000 to 200,000, so big budgets are out anyway. You want to keep all of the cities within about a 6 to 8 hour bus ride at the very most. You're in an area with plenty of football talent.I have always thought that the APFL & the CIFL should merge, but I'm guessing that the topic wasn't brought up at all because both leagues' brands of football are probably totally different (rules, stability, etc)

[nksports]

I have always thought that the APFL & the CIFL should merge, but I'm guessing that the topic wasn't brought up at all because both leagues' brands of football are probably totally different (rules, stability, etc)

Biggest obstacle is distance. Topeka, Council Bluffs, Sioux City, Springfield, Sedalia is quite a haul from Dayton, Muncie, etc.

[Tommy T]

Maybe CIFL should partner with IFL . IFL is seeking teams. Rumors are flying that maybe down to 14 teams. Cross country travel and higher player and Work. comp. Tough road to hold.

CIFL needs the IFL just as bad. Some really good owners in mid west might make it all work and reduce travel

You are so right. The benefits are there for the taking if Peoria, GreenBay, and Bloomington, as an example, would just do it. It would help financial woes with reduced travel costs and excess fees. Time is running out but these franchises need to contact the CIFL quickly.

[Tommy T]

Maybe CIFL should partner with IFL . IFL is seeking teams. Rumors are flying that maybe down to 14 teams. Cross country travel and higher player and Work. comp. Tough road to hold.

CIFL needs the IFL just as bad. Some really good owners in mid west might make it all work and reduce travel

As for the APFL and the CIFL joining hands and have some interleague play would be great for both Leagues. If we add in some teams from the IFL- Bloomington and Green Bay , only examples, this would be a great fan friendly opportunity.

[BananaCat]

The IFL's raided the CIFL in the past. They won't be doing it again as there is nothing left there that they want.