Springfield Stallions join AIFL

[tony-o]

http://www.springfieldstallions.com/home.php

It's been rumored they would join either the AIFL or UIF this offseason.

[Freedom]

Reportedly more than 20 players last season were signed by Canadian Football League and Arena Football League teams.

Anyone know who these players are, what AIFL teams they were with, what CFL, AFL teams signed them

[AK53]

QB Marcus Brady and DE John Bowman both went with Montreal
Dwayne MOrgan signed with Edmonton
Reggie Poole signed with the Ga Force

[gonzo13]

DB Russel Green also went to Montreal.

[AllTheRage]

http://www.springfieldstallions.com/home.php

It's been rumored they would join either the AIFL or UIF this offseason.

It may have been ill advised for the Stallions to join the AIFL unless the league is planning a lot more teams in their area that have not been announced. I have a feeling that they chose the AIFL because the franchise fees are much less than the UIF. But they will more than make up the difference in travel costs, if things stand as they are now.

The UIF would have been a much better geographical fit for them from a travel cost perspective.

[FortWayneBballfan]

Actually, if you look at all the new additions to the UIF. Travel would have also gotten up there eventually and the costs would be alot more than other leagues. There are more closer teams, but the distance could end up to be alot worse in the future. With Danville close and the rest farther east, it will give them 6 nice road trips. I think the AIFL is also heading in the right direction right now.

[AllTheRage]

Actually, if you look at all the new additions to the UIF. Travel would have also gotten up there eventually and the costs would be alot more than other leagues. There are more closer teams, but the distance could end up to be alot worse in the future. With Danville close and the rest farther east, it will give them 6 nice road trips. I think the AIFL is also heading in the right direction right now.

CURRENT 7 UIF TEAMS CLOSEST TO SPRINGFIELD:
Bloomington, IL............ 67 miles
Peoria, IL.................... 73 miles
Rock River, IL...............174 miles
Evansville, IN...............254 miles
Fort Wayne, IN.............331 miles
Lexington, KY...............401 miles
Omaha, NE...................470 miles
Ohio Valley...................513 miles
Sioux City, IA................535 miles
(I included 9, in case some were to drop out)

CURRENT 7 AIFL TEAMS CLOSEST TO SPRINGFIELD:
Huntington, WV..............470 miles
Danville, OH...................479 miles
Tupelo, MS....................495 miles
Canton, OH....................515 miles
Pittsburgh, PA.................571 miles
Erie, PA..........................620 miles
Montgomery, AL...............676 miles
Reading, PA.....................810 miles
Richmond, VA..................845 miles
(I included 9, in case some were to drop out)

So you can see that you are incorrect. Springfield's FARTHEST trip in the top 7 UIF teams would be the same as the SHORTEST trip in the AIFL.

Also, if St. Louis goes to the UIF, there is another trip for Springfield that is another short one (103 miles).

I know that you are a big fan of the AIFL, but this is about facts, not feelings.

[PIONEERSFAN101]

Let's all welcome the UIF rejects to the AIFL!! Wonder if Haines let them in for free? He's gotta be getting desparate....

[AK53]

I bet Springfield got in for nothing, Lakeland in for nothing, Huntington back for nothing , or nest to nothing. Where's Andrew gonna generate the revenue to support these teams that he does not have owners for ! Or do the new kids on the block in Mtgy have extra deep pockets ?

[FortWayneBballfan]

CURRENT 7 UIF TEAMS CLOSEST TO SPRINGFIELD:
Bloomington, IL............ 67 miles
Peoria, IL.................... 73 miles
Rock River, IL...............174 miles
Evansville, IN...............254 miles
Fort Wayne, IN.............331 miles
Lexington, KY...............401 miles
Omaha, NE...................470 miles
Ohio Valley...................513 miles
Sioux City, IA................535 miles
(I included 9, in case some were to drop out)

CURRENT 7 AIFL TEAMS CLOSEST TO SPRINGFIELD:
Huntington, WV..............470 miles
Danville, OH...................479 miles
Tupelo, MS....................495 miles
Canton, OH....................515 miles
Pittsburgh, PA.................571 miles
Erie, PA..........................620 miles
Montgomery, AL...............676 miles
Reading, PA.....................810 miles
Richmond, VA..................845 miles
(I included 9, in case some were to drop out)

So you can see that you are incorrect. Springfield's FARTHEST trip in the top 7 UIF teams would be the same as the SHORTEST trip in the AIFL.

Also, if St. Louis goes to the UIF, there is another trip for Springfield that is another short one (103 miles).

I know that you are a big fan of the AIFL, but this is about facts, not feelings.

I am thinking about rumors that I have heard about the UIF expanding out west..Colorado and I have even heard California in the future.

I have never said I am an AIFL fan, I am just a fan of indoor football. I enjoy the GLIFL, UIF and the AIFL. I see positives and I see negatives about each league.

Its Danville, Illinois..not Ohio. That is a short trip. Not that it makes a huge difference in the big picture.

I realize that right now, geographically it makes sense with the UIF..but if they add all of these teams out west, travel expenses add up. With the way bus companies make deals now. A team may have more travel than in another league, but if dues and league costs are higher in another league, then when the bottom line is there, you may not see a huge difference in profits. It costs more to play in the U than the A. Travel would cost more in the A than the U. But with a good bus deal, the difference may not be much at all. If you are a business person looking at two leagues..you have to look at the travel costs now and what it could be in the near future as well. The bottom line is over all costs. You may spend more traveling in the A, but spend much less with league fees and dues as compared to the U.

This has nothing to do about feelings...its about money and the bottom line. I guess I could have explained my thinking a little better in the previous posts.

[AllTheRage]

You are basing your thoughts on speculation and yes, the UIF could expand to the Far West, but how is that different than the AIFL adding teams like Tallahassee or Lakeland. Reading and Richmond are both 800 mile trips, as well.

So, your logic does not really hold true. The AIFL has already named those teams. The UIF expansion is just speculation, but probably will happen.

If you go by the teams that are currently in the leagues, the UIF makes far more sense for Springfield than the AIFL.

Also, away games will be to teams that are the closest geographically and it can be easily seen the UIF has more teams that are closer geographically to Springfield.

I think the bottom line is the AIFL has little or no franchise fee and the UIF holds the line of their franchise fees and league dues.

Additionally, with the price of gasoline sky-rocketing, all teams are going to need to look to keep their travel distances down.

[Tatonka]

Travel expense aren't just the fees for the bus... if I have 8-10 hour road trips every-other weekend, what are the chances that this team is going to need to stay the night a few times? I'd say pretty good.

Most teams get to their destinations by 2-3 at the latest for pre-game meal then walk-throughs. If I have an 8 hour drive ahead of me, and I want to be there by 2, my team has to leave at 6 in the morning? I don't think so. So either tired players or expensive hotel stays are gonna get you one way or the other.

[exit322]

I grew up in Danville, Ohio. There's nowhere to play there, though I'm sure the 1,050 people in Danville would love to see something like that. The Danville with an AIFL team is in Illinois.

[FortWayneBballfan]

The cost of travel in the A compared to the cost of dues and fees in the U is less. More travel, but still less spending overall.

Bottom line is, either way you are going to spend the same amount of money. More out of pocket later with travel, more out of pocket instantly with dues and fees in the U.

[capcom]

I think I remember the Herb guy saying that the AIFL was a better fit, how? After looking at your chart you made, he made the wrong choice I thought this minor league stuff was for bus trip type leagues. If I owned a team, there is no way i'm paying for a 16 total hour trip anywhere.

[Interested Observer]

just as a point of reference I booked a bus trip 6 months ago which is a 7 hr trip for $1900 the same trip now with fuel prices is $2895 so if you use that as a measuring stick say $2500 x 7 trips $17,500 without hotel rooms and that is just an average the further you travel the more it will cost also the more days you have to stay the more it will cost. Also the drivers can only drive for 10 hours so if it is over 10 hours you pay for a second driver to go on trip also. Just a little FYI

[capcom]

That's alot of cash to shell out, better hope to sell out some home games.

[11HP20]

Regardless of how many teams end up in the west, the UIF wouldn't make an eastern team go play them all. Springfield would have lower travel expenses in the UIF period. The UIF could have made a division of Illinois teams and I bet tickets sales would go up for those teams. Talk about a division of rivals. Springfield joined the league with the weaker teams. That's a fact. I think that was a contributing factor. That's a thought.

[FortWayneBballfan]

Regardless of how many teams end up in the west, the UIF wouldn't make an eastern team go play them all. Springfield would have lower travel expenses in the UIF period. The UIF could have made a division of Illinois teams and I bet tickets sales would go up for those teams. Talk about a division of rivals. Springfield joined the league with the weaker teams. That's a fact. I think that was a contributing factor. That's a thought.

Travel expenses are much more in the AIFL.

Leagues and dues are much more in the UIF.

When all is said and done, more money can still be made in the AIFL than in the UIF, even with the higher travel costs. Its about the bottom line. And the bottom line says that the AIFL gives you a much better chance at making a profit than the UIF.

[preeths]

Travel expenses are much more in the AIFL.

Leagues and dues are much more in the UIF.

When all is said and done, more money can still be made in the AIFL than in the UIF, even with the higher travel costs. Its about the bottom line. And the bottom line says that the AIFL gives you a much better chance at making a profit than the UIF.

I'm not sure you can say that with any certainty. I don't find any evidence of that from last season.

[herbenator21]

That is true when I did the budgets and compared AIFL vs. the UIF it's about $100,000 difference give or take a few thousand. All I have to say is this about the UIF is this, you have to have all your ducks in a row. One duck out of place they won’t let you in. Haines was allot easier to work with. Like I said there is pro's and con's to each League. Haines always has the League in mind. He tries to make the best decisions for the League. He isn't perfect. There was only one Man that walked the earth that was perfect.

[capcom]

If Haines always had the leauge in mind why did he try to sell it? why did he loose most of his teams in the south? Why did a team in the north leave and join another league? Thats kinda tellin me something different. Teams dont leave because of one mistake they leave because of multiple mistakes. How can you join a league that in one week lost 5 teams? The UIF lost no teams and you would fit in great there, now your looking at 6 and 7 hour trips I dont understand what you were thinkin.

[11HP20]

If Haines always had the leauge in mind why did he try to sell it? why did he loose most of his teams in the south? Why did a team in the north leave and join another league? Thats kinda tellin me something different. Teams dont leave because of one mistake they leave because of multiple mistakes. How can you join a league that in one week lost 5 teams? The UIF lost no teams and you would fit in great there, now your looking at 6 and 7 hour trips I dont understand what you were thinkin.

I think Herb covered that. He was thinking "Hummm $100,000." Your points are valid but I bet Herb knows his situation better than the rest of us. If the AIFL has another NIFL like season then I'm sure Herb will regret his decision. If Haines really starts a turn around then I'm sure no one there will regret being in the league. Odds are the UIF will have a great season. I'd say there is a 50/50 chance of the AIFL improving over last season. Either way there is a $100,000 issue to consider.

I'll go back to my earlier point also. The competition in the AIFL will likely provide the Stallions with more wins than the UIF would. Winning fills seats. Losing empties them. No one joining a league will say that though. It's not really good for ones public image to do so. Also some league owners are loath to deal with that kind of reality. You can see that in the way they delete things from their message boards.

[Interested Observer]

I have got to admit, wether we agree or disagree with Herb and the stallions going to the AIFL over the UIF atleast he has the backbone to come on here an interact wit the fans to inform us of what helped contribute to his decision making process. I give him the utmost respect for that and I will make the 2 1/2 hour drive to see his team play atleast 1 game just because I resspect the man. Still might not agree but atlease he is honest and upfront.
Herb thanks for bieng a stand up guy when it comes to the fans on here. You could have ignored everyone and left when people criticized you but you didnt.

Thanks and best of luck to the stalllions

[herbenator21]

Thank you

Trust me you wont be disappointed when you see the Stallions play.

[CarpetMuncher]

herbenator21, is the aifl putting teams closer to you or are they leaving you out there on an island? i'm looking at a map and i see you are a good 8 to 10 hours plus from most of the teams you will have to play this year. i think the uif would have been a good fit for the stallions if you were worried about driving all the time.

[rams80]

herbenator21, is the aifl putting teams closer to you or are they leaving you out there on an island? i'm looking at a map and i see you are a good 8 to 10 hours plus from most of the teams you will have to play this year. i think the uif would have been a good fit for the stallions if you were worried about driving all the time.

I may be wrong, but I think the reason Springfield isn't in the UIF is because the UIF had somewhat more stringent ownership recquirements.

[herbenator21]

There is a team in Danville Il. which is 130 mi away. the rest is very very far far away.

[AllTheRage]

The reason the Stallions passed on the UIF is because they didn't have the capital to afford being in the UIF. The travel cost in the AIFL is going to kill them. They won't make the season.

But, likely they would not have made the season in the UIF because they don't have the money to step up to the plate. The UIF is not semi-pro and tht seems to be the mentality of the Stallions, based on their recent tryout signings.

I don't wish them ill, but according to my sources in the Rage who know a little about the Springfield ownership, they will be fighting an uphill battle.

The problem with too many teams in indoor football is that they start out undercapitalized. Then it becomes like shooting craps, they bet on the come. The problem is that the come never comes and they end up going under or making cash calls from the owners. To do that the owners have to have pretty deep pockets and I don't think that is the case in Springfield.

My point is that if the UIF scared them away, then they are already undercapitalized to run a team in any league.

[herbenator21]

Travel will not cost an arm and a Leg. Guess How Much?

[rams80]

Travel will not cost an arm and a Leg. Guess How Much?

With Illinois gas prices...both arms, both legs, and your firstborn son?

[Freedom]

1st factor will be - how many times will you play Danville? For the rest of the away games, guessing about 12-grand if you travel to and from on the same day. Being decent about it by providing over night lodging, per diem, and so on and those costs will raise quite a bit. Depends on how you want to treat your players. . .

[preeths]

Let's say they play Danville four times, twice at home and twice away. I think anything more than that is overkill. That leaves six long trips to pay for.

This is probably the line-item that shocks new teams the most. They come in thinking, "There's no way I'll have to pay x for travel. I can do it this way and save a fortune." Then reality hits, and they end up exceeding x by a good margin. Rule number one when playing in a league with a big geographic footprint: over-budget for travel!

[phydeaux72]

I'm a close business associate of one of the majority owners of the Rio Grande Valley Dorados (af2). Their closest opponents this past season were Amarillo and Bossier City, which are about a 10-12 hour road trip each. According to him, those road trips alone cost RGV around $20,000 each time give or take, and those are their cheepest road trips of the season. This is one of the reasons that the af2 is pushing to get into the Katy & Laredo markets, even though they've already failed miserably in Laredo before (just not a good market for indoor/arena football for many factors, in my opinion). RGV may be moving to a more "roadtrip friendly" league next season, or sitting the season out, if the af2 doesn't get them some closer competition.

Springfield should have at least made a push for the GLIFL if they didn't have the stacks to play in the UIF.

[Ravens117]

Maybe that the Stallions did make contact with the GLIFL but the league could of balked at the Stallions ownership if they felt that they were not finacially sound to survive in the GLIFL

[FortWayneBballfan]

Judging from the press conference yesterday to announce the new owners. It is safe to say that they are not hurting financially and spending for this team will not be issue.

[Tatonka]

Stallions ownership now is different than Stallions ownership a few months ago, isn't that right Herb?