What if ......

[spider]

Maybe some of the best teams in the af2 might consider moving up to the AFL ( Arkansas, Tulsa, and others) and let the weaker teams go to the NIFL.
Looks like it just not fesible to play af2 in mid size markets. Why would you even consider large markets for af2 unless the owners don't want to pay more than $200 a player.
Sounds like a racket to me. It's all about money and a lot of the af2 owners are hanging on by a thread.
I agree, the NIFL is the answer to mid size market football.

[hawk174md]

Great idea!! :D

[Magnum357]

Exactly. I think you are going too see other Indoor Leagues sprout up much like the IFL and NIFL.

[SignGuyDino]

Problem is, the NIFL teams are "feast or famine" themselves. Logos that are usually subpar, poor management in some teams, improper facilities, etc. Now some teams do quite well. There's definately serious potential for the NIFL if they can correct some serious marketing issues. Those logos do matter.

I don't see the new Greenville team succeeding in the Bi-Lo Center, for example. This is a very rare example of an arena that's too nice (and more imporantly, too big) for a NIFL team.

It's a tough battle. Some cities don't have suitable arenas to play. And those that do need a real long grassroots effort in high schools and such, not just for fans, but for potential future players.

The shame is that minor league sports (especially those that aren't baseball) is controlled by a small put powerful fickle group of potential fans, who don't need much to decide not to support a team. Bad facilities, improper behavior by players, rumors of bad management, etc.

Bottom line is, you only get what? 7-9 home games a year. You really need good long term marketing, and that does take some money.

We're looking at some instability in indoor football for some time to come.

[Micro67]

Just my two cents. I think relegation would be a great system that could work with effective management. The problem would be with the AFL which would have little incentive to get involved with smaller markets and lesser known brands.

Other leagues like the NIFL and APFL might go for it. As a fan it would be great.

The big advantage would be that even the teams at the bottom of the table would have incentive to play to win (unlike in the NFL).