OK Crude

[FAN]

Anyone know any truth to the Crude backing out of the NIFL? Could this be the NIFL team headed for the APFL? Just curious.

[Anonymous]

No, this is the first I have heard of this. That would really be something if this was true though. Although I would like to see the Crude stay around in the NIFL, if the APFL gets a couple more teams (and I'm not talking about some Semi-pro teams) and actually becomes a Professional league, moving to the APFL might be a wiser option. Travel within their division in the NIFL was still rather long.

On the other hand, it could be a big risk to the Crude going too an unproven league. Ya, Topeka is strong, but you got to get at least 5 teams (maybe even 6) solid teams that actually pay players to be considered a legitamate success. Although the Crude have somewhat struggled ever since they started playing the NIFL, I think the odds are low that they will move to the APFL.

[FAN]

I think a move to the APFL would be better than closing up shop, especially since they were just bought by local owners last year. I heard they were dropping out of the NIFL on the NIFL message board and the person posting it said his source was the coach. Just wondering if anyone else has heard this elsewhere to kind of validate it. The move to the APFL was just my speculation.

[Magnum357]

So let me get this straight, is this just speculation by you FAN or did you at least hear it by rumor by someone?

Well, if the Crude had to move to the APFL to survive I would support it because I wouldn't mind to see them still keep playing. I don't know what their attendence figures where this last season (The crude stats page seems incomplete) but I would imagine it was not very good compared to someo of the more powerful franchises. But I did here that in the first year of the franchise, they did pull in something like 1500 too 2000 fans a game. It might be a plausable solution to move too the APFL if it really is cheaper. On the other hand, if they don't pay the players in that league, then OSC will never support the league on this website.

On a final note, I have heard that the APFL teams (most specifically the Topeka franchise) do not house their players like many NIFL and AF2 franchises. This means that any APFL team most likely would have too pull players in the local area for their teams. This might help a little for the Crude if they where to move to a cheaper alternative. Their might be a few other cost saving features that could help out too.

[FAN]

It is not speculation by me that the Crude are pulling out of the NIFL. It was posted on the NIFL message board by someone who claims that his source is their coach. The speculation by me was that this could be the NIFL team moving to the APFL.
Also, the APFL does pay their players, but not on the same scale as the NIFL or AF2, although it is their goal. Currently, players are being payed on an attendance scale. However, it is true that they did not house their players last season. Topeka had players travel in from out of town, Manhattan, KC, and Omaha for games, but players paid their own travel expenses. I don't know if there are any plans as of now to begin housing out of town players, but I can understand that last year was the first season of the league, and you have to begin somewhere.

[indoor fan]

do you really think an owner of a team cares if OSC covers a league or not?

[Jerry]

do you really think an owner of a team cares if OSC covers a league or not?

Actually believe it or not, many do. Free PR.

[Popa L]

I'm the one that posted the info. on the NIFL site. But there more news the owners of the Crude have gotten another investor. So the the Crude may be back for the 2004 season.

[Magnum357]

Well that is pretty cool, but are they going to stay in the NIFL or possibly move to the APFL?

[Popa L]

I don't know that?

[ridin spinners]

its official, a good source informed me that the crude will be back for another season, i hope they have a better year than the 2 previous :twisted: