So, is AF2 failing as a viable option for minor league fb?

[Jamie]

The NIFL seems solid... while the AF2 cannot keep teams from folding.

I'm beginning to think that the NIFL model is the one that can survive at this level.

What is killing all these teams?

Besides incompetent ownership?

[Jeremy]

I think it is a joke for an owner to bail after just 1 season. That just tells me those people should not be running a football team to begin with. It has been said many times, unless you are lucky you will lose money for a few years. All these owners folding up shop 1 year into existance should have never been granted a franchise to begin with, these are the people who ruin markets for other teams/owners/leagues, as it leaves a bad taste in people's mouth.

[LewInDenver]

I never thought I would say this, but the NIFL is starting to put the af2 to shame. If I was a potenial team owner or an arena looking to place a team in your building, the NIFL is the most viable league for the small market. Since Mary Ellen Garling has left the af2 has become a complete joke, if I was the NIFL I would target Cinncinati ASAP, 4500 a game is a successful team in their league. I have always liked the Arena style of play better then the outdoor game played indoors, that hasnt stoped me from supporting the NIFL (Casper) for the last 3 years and I own 8 season tickets for the Venom in the front row. With CS at the helm of the NIFL, I never thought this would happen, but I am glad that the Ft Collins team is in the NIFL not the af2. Colorado Springs isnt even a consideration for the Crush at this time, it isnt the money that it costs, but I believe the stability of the league and the profit that can be gained from a team in the league.

A change is needed at the top of the af2, a clear cut go to guy that addresses the problems the league suffers from. The af2 has media spokesman(s) that only appear in times of expansion or the Arena Cup. Its time for the parent (AFL) to right the problem of the Child (af2). It s time to stop treating this league as a part time job for the AFL.

And Jamie, your right they should have gone to Dayton.

Just Ranting,

Lew

www.electricarenafootball.com (Where teams NEVER fold.)

[Jamie]

While I did my best to be supportive of the move to Cinci, I have always thought that the market was too large for AF2 or NIFL. When you already have two major league teams it is hard to get attention.

Dayton's IFL attendance was abismal. I don't think it would have supported an NIFL team well... but that had a lot to do with the bad venue. Hara arena stinks. Any new team should be in the large, modern and accessible Nutter Center, where the Bombers hockey and WSU basketball play.

[hawk174md]

Even if the U.S. Bank Arena and the Cincinnati Swarm dissolved relations for the 2004 season, I am sure that the Swarm could move up to AFL (remember the Cincinnati Rockers in 1992 adn 1993?).

Heck, it's worth a try. :)

[Fez]

The rumors were that they considered putting the Swarm in Dayton last year, but went to Cinci because of the better lease deal. I can't imagine the folks who run Nutter Arena are holding out for big $$. I'd love to see the Dayton Swarm! I used to go to Dayton Dynamo and Dayton Wings (!) games there and I think it could work. You're too far from the field for soccer, but for Arena football it could work.

[Jamie]

Oh, they were more than rumors. They were in negotiations with the Nutter Center. This information was confirmed by the NC and was discussed in the Dayton Daily News. I even had email and telephone contacts in the Hamister organization. We were ready to start the Booster Club as soon as they announced the team.

Then they suprised us with the move to Cincinnati. Supposedly USBank Arena offered a better deal. They may have had a better deal, but they should have looked closer at the market.