The IFL is Done

[yellowpages]

Mediation between the IFL and the NIFL took place yesterday in Midland, TX.

The IFL will not be around in 2006. Laredo, TX will announce their intention to join the NIFL soon. San Angelo, TX may follow them if they can reach an agreement with the NIFL. Odessa is trying the same, but may not succeed. If not, new ownership will takeover there and in Corpus Christi, TX. SW Louisiana will not play anywhere in 2006. Their arena will not be repaired in time for them to play. As for Central Texas, no idea what their intentions are as they are owned, in part, by the Corpus Christi owner.

The IFL leadership miscalculated their ablity to beat the NIFL in a court battle.

[CiscoandMe]

Frisco is waiting for the NIFL vs IFL lawsuit to conclude to make any announcement regarding the 2006 season. If there is an IFL, it is most likely they will play. If not, they will need to wait until 07' to determine what league is in best interest for the Frisco community. I think they should look at the AF2 due the market size and growth of North Texas.

[Minor League Man]

...and may the Intense Football League rest in peace. (Places flowers on casket)

[nksports]

The NIFL couldn't even afford to put up the bond required to enforce a restraining order against the IFL. Most of the teams were breaking away because of how bad the NIFL was operating last season. If the IFL has indeed lost any judicial proceedings, I imagine they'd shut down for a year rather than operate with the NIFL.
I still don't see the NIFL attempting to open its books in open court due to the fact of its operations last year would be a breach of contract to any franchise.
I imagine there are just some NIFL interests trying to buffalo the IFL interests. I wouldn't lower the casket on the IFL just yet.
The only reason the NIFL has survived to this season is they convinced suckers to send more money down the rat holes where old money has gone.
There have been signs that because of so many bad minor league operations in the past couple of years, more arena operators are asking for more money up front as well as proof of insurance and the ability to operate the franchises, so look for some of these expansion teams to not be able to take the field.

[grimreaper]

Sad to hear all this news since I am from California and have followed the IFL there first year. Since then, I have followed the IFL, NIFL, UIF and AIFL.
The San Diego AF2 team folded so now I will have to follow other leagues including the new GIFL.
Does anyone have any updates or other leagues I should be following since CA does not have much action with arena football except the LA AVENGERS.
Thank you,

[yellowpages]

nksports...talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

IFL is not any better than the NIFL when it comes to money and owners. Neither side can afford to take this to court.

It only makes smart business sense for venue operators to make sure the people they partner with can afford to see their teams through the long haul. It's too bad that their are still ownership groups out there that think minor league sports is "easy" money. The best they can hope for is that their franchise can pay for itself in two-three years.

[nksports]

nksports...talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

I'm not the pot or the kettle, I just call them as I see them.
I hate to get off on a rant here, but:
If you look at what's happened with the indoor teams in the market I live in, it's a wonder we have a team at all — in a span of about six or seven years, three teams (Warlords, Stealth, Aviators) in three different leagues (IFL, af2, APFL) with about four different ownership groups (two league groups, an individual whose non-football business went bankrupt, current ownership group undisclosed, but Ralph Adams is probably the majority owner) with two or three different management groups (Orlando, Oklahoma City and Grand Rapids of the AFL). Add in arena questions, which scared potential investors away (there may not have been an arena to play in for up to three years) and it's added up to an interesting run.

The first team was a mixture of D-I guys and local guys that played so inconsistent. The af2 team looked more like a pro team with some real talent. The APFL is mostly local talent. A lot of KCAC players (area NAIA conference) mixed with some D-I and D-II guys who've had a cup of coffee at the higher level.

My beef with the NIFL is it's rate of failure. We've had two teams in this region —*Enid, Okla. (a complete bust on the field and in the box office) and the Kearney, Neb.. team (got off to a decent start, but flamed out). You got people mortgaging their houses to pay the franchise fees and they have nothing to run the team with. And the only thing coming out of the front office is Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy.

It aint all rosy with the AFL and af2, but they make you put your money up front and they make sure you finish the season.
Their constant realignments never allowed Wichita to develop any rivalries — one year they'd be in with Louisville and Green Bay, the next, they'd be in with Hawaii and Fresno. There were only a couple years where they'd be in with teams fans could relate to like Tulsa, Oklahoma City and the like.
The best concept might be the UIF (not as expensive as the af2, but better capitalized than the NIFL, that's why they broke away), but they've stubbed their toes here and there. They at least make you finish the season (with the exception of Dayton, near my old home town, which never started the season).
The AIFL is the one I know least about (they are the farthest away from where I am. They seem to have some good markets and some struggles. They had one team go under last year before it started, which prompted the all-road Ghostriders (I may start looking for some of their gear). They apparently had one team go bust before the start of this season. They may have over-expanded as well.
The GLIFL and Intense-II, who knows?
Indoor football is where the NFL was in the 1920s and 1930s, so it may take years or even decades to find stability. Or it may go the way of pro indoor soccer, which lost it's luster after 20 years (especially when the MLS got going).

"But that's just me, I could be wrong."
--Dennis Miller

[yellowpages]

nksports...You are right about the other leagues.

Some have their good points, as well as their bad points. The AF2 probably does their due diligence better than anyone when it comes to ownerships and their ability to perform financially.

When it comes down to it, you have to weigh the pros and cons of each. Wish there was a league out there that understood the demands, struggles and rewards of doing things the right way. You may be right about the UIF, but, I think any league will be hard press to find stability at this level.

[futbolkrazee]

It seems many theories are being delivered as facts when they are complete falsehoods. The NIFl has discontinued seeking an injunction against the IFl and the IFL is certainly not dead. It's amazing how quickly gossip transforms into truth!

[Luv Indoor Football]

I think that we should just be happy that it all worked out just fine! Atleast we have the IFl back!

[NoBallinPDX]

I have followed indoor football for many years now. It has certainly had its ups and downs. Leagues coming and going as well as ownership. In my heart I would LOVE to see any league; any franchise not only survive, but prosper. For the sake of the sport, for the sake of the fans and the cities they represent. Unfortunately, 'stuff' happens. Too many good things die off. I've seen nifty logos, cool colors and uniforms and a good many players and coaches put in a lot of time and effort towards an ultimately lost cause.
Money makes the world go round. Sad but true. NIFL is a prime example. Sinse their inception they have had FAR too many failed teams and defections. The AIFL, UIF, Newly reborn Intense and others are all spawned/ break-aways from NIFL. Something is CLEARLY wrong with front office management of this league.
Each year, NIFL promises pie in the sky expansion and good times for all. Then they turn around and waste money on lawsuits attempting to silence and put break-away leagues out of business.
This is shear greed , egotism and stupidity! Let the sport grow and thrive any way it can. Hell, times are expensive enough as it is.
NIFL needs to do two things, at least. Get rid of the league front office personell. They should go back to selling appliances or used furniture. This seems what they are best suited for. Second is, fulfill promises to fans, venues and cities they represent.
Failed leagues and failed teams only hurt the sport and drive away fans whole would otherwise spend their dollars in support.

[sportsguy]

That could possibly be the greatest post of all time, on any message board...period.

I applaud you.

[yellowpages]

I humbly eat my words about the IFL. The NIFL has obviuosly proved me wrong. Anything is better then the NIFL.

[Roughnecks Fan]

I have been an Odessa Roughnecks season ticket holder from the start, and I am also a Houston Texans season ticket holder from the start. The minor league football leagues all seem to have their share of troubles, but the games are as fun and as entertaining as the NFL as far as I am concerned. I sincerely hope the IFL is able to stick around and add a few new teams in the future. Our local owners have worked themselves silly trying to provide stability to the team and build a fan base. I want to compliment them and urge everyone to attend the games. No matter the league, the players and coaches deserve fan support.