Jerry Hewitt( Phantoms one of the Worst?)

[phantom1]

Dear Mr: Jerry Hewitt:

How do you figure that the Phantoms are one of the worst teams in the NIFL? Our record? If you ask the teams that we have played I think that you would take that statement back. This team has had its share of problems being a new team and at no time did we have players not wanting to be here. We are a very strong team that has pulled together to save this season. I will tell you this we are going to Fayetteville to play hard core football and expect to win. If you look at our talent you would agree that we really should be 4-0 right now. We are learning this game every day and its getting better as we go. Anytime you want the truth about the Phantoms post a message on this site with a number and I will call you myself to get record straight. Or call the league and they will give you my number. Last but not least I would like to say thanks to The Phantoms for playing hard and bringing a win back home. Thank you very much and have a nice day.


Sincerely,

Mike Lind-Team Owner
Palm Beach Phantoms

[fred1965]

But shouldn't you be more concerned about getting your team a place to play instead of message board posts?

And from what we read you about in the Palm Beach Post and Ft. Lauderdale News and Sun Sentinel, are you justified in calling out someone else's credibility?

And since we have you on the line, how do you feel about the situations in Montgomery, and St. Joe, and Rapid City, and Arkanasas? How do you feel that the person in charge of your league let owners with hideous track records continue to cause unneccesary drama?

Oh well, you're more interesting in message boards posts than addressing real issues. Have a good day.

[phantom1]

We are working on that. I really think you don't know much about what is happening here in Palm Beach. We have decided to play on the road the rest of the season which brings no revenue this way. Most people in this situation would have quite but not me. Don't believe all what you read in the paper. I talked to the paper once and that's all it took not to comment again since they fabricated alot what was said. I'm just interested in the rest of the season not other teams. I hope all can work out for the people that may have problems.

[fwp]

The inability to secure a home venue taints their image, and automatically gives people the impression that they're just like other failing franchises.

But if you look a little closer, the fact that they've been very competitive in most of their losses, and the upset over Osceola shows that you're keeping a competitive team together.

Although I'd at least like to see the website updated occasionally(another sign of life), you aren't the only team that doesn't seem to stay on top of their site.

I still want to wish your team the best of luck! There are enough signs that there's at least an honest effort being made.

[fred1965]

Ah, yes. The classic "the media didn't get it right" angle. Seems to be a pattern in this league.

Mr. Lind, you do deserve credit for continuing as a travel team. I will say that.

But your failure to secure a home venue for your team, especially with it being a he laughable attempt of staging an indoor football game on a outside tennis court has made this league even more of a joke than it already is.

If you have the resources to do it right, do it right for the sake of everyone involved. Thank you for listening.

By the way, how do you feel about the other situations?

[phantom1]

Thank you for the comment. We are having problems with our website and should have that resolved by the end of the week. I really didn't think that running a team would be hard. I found out other wise. We hired the wrong staff at the start and found this out to late. We are on the road the rest of the season with no income but I decided to to take a loss so that we didn't hurt our players, coaches, and other teams that need the revenue for the season. If I'm a bad person for this so be it. We are heading to Fayetteville where I lived for ten years and my family is still there. I hope for a win. Thank you.


Mike Lind-Team Owner
Palm Beach Phantoms

[outside source]

On PB, more goes into being considered good or bad as a team. As to the truth on matters, I've seen and heard Mr. Linds side, I've also heard the city of Delrays side.

Used to be in the NIFL you had a valid lease agreement with a venue before even being allowed in the league. Whether the Phantoms ever did or not, no idea, but no venue now certainly makes one wonder.

I'm sorry Mr. Lind if I offend you with my words, but I find it difficult to give the Phantoms much credibility as a "professional" team when they don't even have a home to call their own. Road only teams in the NIFL in the past have always been a joke as they were replacement teams for failed franchises. Not saying your team is a joke, but until you actually have a place to call home, I'm not going to put your organization up there with some of the NIFL or and leagues best either.

I could care less about your history as the press is always going to dig up the worst on people, but as long as you pay the bills, don't pull any HP Patterson stuff and handle your team in a professional manner, I could care less about anything in your past. I'm no angel either.

As to calling you for the truth, pass, always two sides of the story, but what's the point?

[phantom1]

Fred1965: Using a Tennis Stadium was what we had at the time. I started this team in January and did'nt have the time like all the other teams to secure a arena. We tried our best. At least we are still here. It will get better.


Sincerely,

Mike Lind-Team Owner
Palm Beach Phantoms

[fred1965]

His heart's in the right place. Just not sure where his head is.

Started in January? No chance to succeed.

[outside source]

Mr. Lind is a successful business person in his own right or at least I assume he isfrom things I've read. Idon't remember seeing anywhere that he has any experience with sports teams.

A start up in January usually signals failure or at least a very rough road, filled with monitary losses the first year.

I really doubt Mr. Lind had a clue on what faced him, was probably sold on some song and dance that it'll work, no big deal. Whatever the sales pitch, the Phantoms are here now.

New teams need all of six months to get ready for their first season. There is no way a team can be successful with only three. They may make it through the first season and return, but the road won't be as smooth as it could have been had they had more time to prepare. Is this Mr. Lind's fault or just another questionable decision by NIFL leadership?

[phantom1]

All we can do is try. I hope that isn't true. Yes, January and we will be ok. It would be nice to make the playoffs and I think that will change everyones mind that has bad things to say. As far as HP Patterson I don't know him and don't care who he is. The Tennis center issue is this. They agreed to $5500 rent for each game and 1 week before the game it jumped to over $17000.00 and we were not ready for that. Why should we have honord that we we didn't agree to that? There is more to this but I don't want to waste time on a dead issue. We are moving forward and hope for the best.



Sincerely,

Mike Lind-Team Owner
Palm Beach Phantoms

[phantom1]

You don't know nothing about me my friend. Come work with me for a day and you will see. I can't cry because maybe I started too late and you think because of the past that I can't do it. I don't know what can't means. I took a gamble and I'm a true Warrior/ Leader. I invite you and I will pay the tab work with me for a day and I will change your mind. No one has as much energy as me BANK ON THAT!!! I work hard every day and run to businesses. I planned on playing for the team but don't have the time. I would like to know who you are if you don't mind. I'm sure you are perfect. What's your story?

[outside source]

You don't know nothing about me my friend. Come work with me for a day and you will see. I can't cry because maybe I started too late and you think because of the past that I can't do it. I don't know what can't means. I took a gamble and I'm a true Warrior/ Leader. I invite you and I will pay the tab work with me for a day and I will change your mind. No one has as much energy as me BANK ON THAT!!! I work hard every day and run to businesses. I planned on playing for the team but don't have the time. I would like to know who you are if you don't mind. I'm sure you are perfect. What's your story?

Not sure who you are asking who is who, but if it's me, indoorbowl@yahoo.com is my email

[rams80]

1 win.

Many forfeits

No arena (and the stadium you had didn't even have a roof in the National INDOOR Football League)

Looks like one of the worst to me.

[phantom1]

What's your game cock roach? Did we do something to you? Please don't get me started on you!! What is Rams80? {Deleted by admin}

[fwp]

Suddenly, I'm hoping that this isn't really the owner of the Phantoms.

[preeths]

phantom1, the big rule on this board is no personal attacks. I expect you will follow it from here on out.

[Minor League Man]

phantom1, would you be willing to give the South Florida Expo Center another chance next year?
I really respect you guys. No place to play, left for dead by many, but still playing your hearts out. Keep it up, and hopefully the Expo Center will work out.

[kristin411]

I put a post on here (In the "Palm Beach playing outside"thread) a while back trying to make the point that this team is doing what it takes to keep going and is giving it 110% even when faced with challenges and setbacks. Isn't that really what a "team" is supposed to be about? Most of the people on here just seem to want to focus on the negative aspects (which I know there are plenty) of everything going on in the NIFL. This team has had an uphill battle from the start and despite the obvious venue problem and forfieted games, has held their own on the road. I know with all of the other problems going on in the NIFL people looking in from the outside may be quick to judge Mike Lind and the Phantoms. In this team and the owners' defense,, my boyfriend plays for the team and even though he has had some complaints and things haven't been ideal,, he is still there for a reason. Mike Lind has stuck it out with them. He didn't turn and run at the first sign of problems. He didn't fire the players if they complained. He has shown them dedication and is sincerely trying to iron out the wrinkles and fix the problems. Is Mike Lind perfect? Without any history of any kind of problems? Of course not,, but then I doubt many other people on here are either. They just may not have the media dragging their skeletons out of the closet for all to see. A side note to Mr Lind; You will soon see who the ones on here are that are always going to do nothing but complain (nothing you can say or do will ever make a difference to them). Then there are those who try to remain objective enough to actually see the bigger picture and realize that things ( like running a team) aren't always as easy as they seem. You will garner their respect and admiration for not turning your back on your team. I am one of them. Hang in there,, you have some great players (one that I am particularly fond of myself) and a team with the dedication and ability to go a long way.

[Jamie]

What's your game cock roach? Did we do something to you? Please don't get me started on you!! What is Rams80? {Deleted by admin}

Is this the same guy that was questioning someone's credibility?

[fred1965]

We gave Mr. Lind the credit for sticking it out this season, but when an owner of a professional football team uses that kind of language in a public forum? What does that say?

[Malepig]

I was really hoping and was going to see the game on the tennis court. But if this Phantom is him then I will give him kudos for coming on here. I will give him credit for riding out this fiasco for this year. However there is no excuse for not having a venue in place before the team announcement was made. I can say dealing with the expo center is hard(I tried to book an event there once and ended up in Davie instead) but there should always be an agreement before making a team announcement.

[phantom1]

Fred1965: It says that I will tell you how it is not what you want to hear. You made comments about my team and I said what I said. Don't take it personal I work to hard to hear the crap I hear about this team that is untrue. I apologize to you and others, but I will defend this team no matter what. I have a dirty mouth sorry. Have a good day.


Sincerely,

Mike Lind -Team Owner
Palm Beach Phantoms

[preeths]

Unfortunately, one of the big black eyes suffered by the NIFL this season has been the Palm Beach team. Not the players and coaches, but the organization as a whole. Cancelling all the PB home games AFTER the schedule was announced is going to earn you a fair share of criticism. Doing so after scheduling all home dates at an outdoor tennis center is going to bring even more. The problems were compounded by the fact that the team did not return at least some phone calls regarding the situation and didn't do nearly enough to inform NIFL fans what was going on, especially during the first cancellation. Like it or not, it has all the appearance of a mess, and most observers are going to call it that way.

[fred1965]

that an owner of an indoor football team that has lost four of its five games and does not have a home venue uses improper comments in a public forum that had to be deleted because it was offensive.

It's not a matter of what I want to hear, sir. It is a matter of what you are saying and how you say it and its the proper way to communicate in public.

Would you use those comments around a family with children attending one of your home games if you had a home game?

[ronaldoswalt]

at least they are trying more than i can say for some teams -- just take a trip to monroe --- this facility is terrible ---

[fwp]

He apologized.

I agree with Paul, on the other hand, although this is way late it is refreshing to finally hear the other side. There is the appearance that, other than not having a homefield, this team is battling on. While the record doesn't show it, still a competitive bunch.

I'm glad to see it, just hope you can build a thick skin, phantom1.

Thanks for finally giving us a little news about the Phantoms, and good luck in the future.

The NIFL has had a lot of well deserved black eyes this year. There are many good stories out there, as well. I like to see the record set straight, even when the situation still isn't perfect.

[fred1965]

You know, Mr. Lind did apologize. And the Phantoms are still playing.

So he deserves our respect in some sense, and also a smack upside the head from his mother for his mouth.

Win some, lose some.

I love this game.

[LewInDenver]

I would like to thank Mr. Lind for sacking up and bringing it to the people who love the sport. We may not agree with the way its been done in WPB, but at least his team is still playing. I think the NIFL as the parent organization is at fault for letting him in that late. No way it should of happened this way but it goes to show what some organizations will do to cash your check. I have owned a franchise company and the amount of disclosure issues you need to go through is unbelievable. I think Mr Lind has to have issues with them for setting him up to fail. I have one question for Mr Lind, could you share with us what the home jerseys would have looked like since we wont get to see them this year.

LewInDenver

President
Club Crush
The Official Booster Club of the World Champion Colorado Crush.

www.clubcrush.org

www.electricarenafootball.com

[tooterty109]

You know, Mr. Lind did apologize. And the Phantoms are still playing.

So he deserves our respect in some sense, and also a smack upside the head from his mother for his mouth.

Win some, lose some.

I love this game.

I can't do that to my son , he is taller then me and I don't think he will bend down so I can smack him. He is a good person ,his father taught him to tell it like it is.

MIKES MOM

[phantom fan031]

Fred1965
I can say this since you really don't know Mike Lind you really have no reason to degrade him about anything he does atleast He is trying and to me doing a wonderful job at it on making things work out for the best. when it comes to how he is with family personally I can say he is Wonderful to his family he is there for his family like he is for his team we support him like he supports us and to have you talk crap like you do when you hardly know anything at is actually pretty funny to me.

Thumbs up Mike

[phantom fan031]

You know, Mr. Lind did apologize. And the Phantoms are still playing.

So he deserves our respect in some sense, and also a smack upside the head from his mother for his mouth.

Win some, lose some.

I love this game.

yet again since you really don't know anything why should his mom smack him when all he is doing is speaking his mind like he was taught to do. Like I said before you say stuff learn the true facts please. Hearsay is not true facts

I don't mean to offend just getting tired of the trash talk when hardly anyone knows what is actually what about Mike Lind

[TalonFan7]

phantom 1, mr Lind,

how much did you pay upfront to the NIFL to be able to field a team for this season.

what were your franchise fees?

[sportznut]

Wow, I am glad our owners dont talk to the fans like that.... hahahhaahhaha

[fred1965]

Mr. Lind deserves a lot of credit for keeping the Phantoms going under the current situation. For that, I salute him.

My only issue is that he used vulgarity in his posts today and questioned a complete stranger's sexuality in a public forum. The forum administrators agree with this and have cleaned up that post and reprimanded him. There is a differance between "telling it like it is" and being rude and offensive. Mr. Lind was that today, and he admitted it.

Had the owner of a major league team made similiar comments, the media would be having a frenzy, no not the team in Miami.

I know nothing else about Mr. Lind, will not judge him on anything else in his life, and wish him well.

And I commend those who have rose to his defense. Such loyalty has been earned.

It is now a new day. Let us learn from Monday's dialogue and be productive.

[curiousity]

yet again since you really don't know anything why should his mom smack him when all he is doing is speaking his mind like he was taught to do. Like I said before you say stuff learn the true facts please. Hearsay is not true facts

I don't mean to offend just getting tired of the trash talk when hardly anyone knows what is actually what about Mike Lind

May I interject as an outsider looking in for months of reading all of this data and becoming overly curious as to why and what all of this boils down to??? If in fact you are his family, then you may not be so quick to defend negative statements placed on this site just for your own self gratification, because having had known Mr. Lind, I would not put any of this negative behaviorisms past him. I have seen his verbal rages and disrespect for others. And what family are you referring to? As it is public knowledge that he has a infant out of wedlock.. WAIT- isn't he married with children? Or should I be asking you Mr. Lind personally as to what and how you feel is the proper lifestyle you would like to portray to your world that is watching you so closely?
You personally stepped up to the bat to defend yourself (months later) once there was a positive that came from the TEAM, though seemingly trying to pass the buck onto any other business involved, and all you had positive to state was that you were honestly trying to make a great effort with having to run multiple companies you owned, and that it was placing a financial burden upon YOU for doing so. Isn't that what business is about?
Why didn't you make mention of your familie(s)? Where is your honesty there? I can see a family standing behind their family, especially a mother. But why on earth didn't she originally state her claim to you?
If this all comes down to brass tax, and you are willing to do whatever it takes to defend your TEAM and its members- shouldn't you be able to be honest and have done such months ago?
And what about that new baby out of wedlock? Do you juggle many lives as well as many companies?
How on earth do you find the time to do anything for this TEAM at all? I am impressed with what the TEAM has accomplished without your support, or so it seems from what you posted "Thanks to the Phantoms for playing hard and bringing a win back home." Wouldn't that seem that they saved you in the end, and gave you enough back so that you could come on here and verbally badger others for seeing the TRUE you?
May I also make it common knowledge that the FACTS I HAVE PLACED ON THIS SITE ARE TRUE AND CORRECT. Thus informing you, Mr.Lind that slander/ defamation cannot apply, as I said it is PUBLIC RECORD!!!

[curiousity]

I can't do that to my son , he is taller then me and I don't think he will bend down so I can smack him. He is a good person ,his father taught him to tell it like it is.

MIKES MOM

Mom steps up to the bat too?

May I ask you Mrs. (Lind?)- now referring to yourself as MOM, just how proud of a mother are you? I can see a parent wanting to show pride when their child accomplishes something good, but may I ask why you were not willing to confess to being his mother in the past comments placed on here? That seems a bit awkward!
None the less, are you also a proud grandmother to this child born out of wedlock? I quote you as saying " He is a good person, and his father taught him to tell it like it is.", though wondering why you yourself couldn't TELL IT LIKE IT IS and why there are so many mysteries surfacing if he tells it like it is?
Do you know of said child, or shall I ask in a manner of - Did he tell you like it is?
Signed... Curiousity. and lets not forget a very old statement " The truth shall set you FREE!"

[LewInDenver]

Come on now, the Jerry Springer board is 2 doors down on your right, lets talk football. Lets keep the topic on the field not in the bedroom.

Thanks

LewInDenver

[preeths]

Agreed. Mr. Lind made a poor decision in the words he used on this board and that has been dealt with. We don't really need anymore family testimonials or startling revelations.

[curiousity]

This is and should only be about the game, I agree! And your placing such a response to LewInDenver is the most appropriate reply. As it is with any game, the records should be set straight, and I was compelled to do such. Again, I can only apologize for bringing such circus events to an end, but obviously it took someone such as myself to prompt the end.
I wish the team and any team the best of luck as they stride for the best at what they do, in hopes of being recognized solely for that!

[outside source]

A good end in my opinion would be for people to stop posting in threads that have my name in the title. I am so tired of my name being in the spotlight.

I would agree 100& with Paul that this is about football and a persons personal life doesn't belong here, whether it's the person themselves telling everyone how good they are or someone else doing the same or countering with howbad that person is. Unless it affects the team of that person, it doesn't belong.

[tooterty109]

Mr.or Mrs. Curiousiy I am a proud MOTHER of MIKE and grandparent to this child and no matter how you try to put Mike down and degrade him, he will always be a better person and FATHER then you will ever be.lol

You put trash on here but when Mkie defended himself and his team all heck broke loose.THATS ALL IT IS AND WAS trash.

TO the question that was ask ( Why did I not say who I when I first came on here ?) It did not say that I had to put my name as my ID

I will no longer look at the trash that goes up on here about any of the teams.

Good Night and Goodbye

Mrs. Lind