Minor League Man
08-09-2006, 10:25 AM
http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/sports/15229353.htm
Vipers get the boot
City terminates lease with team
BY DAMON LAWRENCE
Staff Writer
Uncertainty surrounding the future of the Chattahoochee Valley Vipers was cleared up by Columbus City Manager Isaiah Hugley on Tuesday evening.
Hugley said he will send the Vipers a written letter today, notifying the team of the city's plans to cancel its lease agreement, thus ending the team's tenure in Columbus.
The Vipers had a contract with the city, running from March of 2006 through Aug. 31, 2007. Either party has the right to cancel the agreement by providing 180 days written notice.
"That's the cancellation clause and we're going to exercise that," Hugley said.
Apparently unaware of Hugley's plans, Vipers co-owner Dwayne Robinson said the team looked forward to continuing operations in Columbus.
"As far as I'm concerned the Vipers are going to be here well into the future," Robinson said. "We are in the process of changing leagues, but as far as the Vipers not being here, I haven't heard that."
The Vipers finished their inaugural season at the Columbus Civic Center in June. They made the American Indoor Football League playoffs and ended up with an 8-7 record.
"This has been working for a little while," Civic Center general manager Dale Hester said of the situation with the Vipers. "There's been some issues coming up and we just felt like it's better to look at other avenues."
The city's desire to part ways with the Vipers stems from the team owing $5,000 in back rent. Termination of the lease doesn't mean the debt is forgiven. Hugley said the city plans to collect.
"When we are owed money by others we pursue it with all efforts," he said.
Robinson declined comment when asked if the team owed the city money.
"That's information that I would care not to share right now," he said.
Calls to the AIFL office Tuesday evening were not returned. Troubled teams are nothing new to the league. The AIFL created a travel team to replace the Carolina Ghostriders after the franchise folded in March. The league suspended the Richmond Bandits from this year's playoffs for violating league rules.
Departure of the Vipers doesn't mean the Civic Center will be without indoor football next year. Hugley said other options will be explored.
"I'm going to leave that to the Civic Center director," Hugley said. "If other teams come to them and they've got a good record and they've got an attractive offer that would be of value to the quality of life of the citizens of Columbus and the region, I think it's worth listening to and exploring."
Hester, who was out of town on Tuesday, said a football team will play at the Civic Center next year with one safe bet:
"AIFL will not be back," he said.
I'm guessing:
1. The Vipers are going to relocate and join the WIFL
And:
2. Columbus will get a WIFL expansion team.
Vipers get the boot
City terminates lease with team
BY DAMON LAWRENCE
Staff Writer
Uncertainty surrounding the future of the Chattahoochee Valley Vipers was cleared up by Columbus City Manager Isaiah Hugley on Tuesday evening.
Hugley said he will send the Vipers a written letter today, notifying the team of the city's plans to cancel its lease agreement, thus ending the team's tenure in Columbus.
The Vipers had a contract with the city, running from March of 2006 through Aug. 31, 2007. Either party has the right to cancel the agreement by providing 180 days written notice.
"That's the cancellation clause and we're going to exercise that," Hugley said.
Apparently unaware of Hugley's plans, Vipers co-owner Dwayne Robinson said the team looked forward to continuing operations in Columbus.
"As far as I'm concerned the Vipers are going to be here well into the future," Robinson said. "We are in the process of changing leagues, but as far as the Vipers not being here, I haven't heard that."
The Vipers finished their inaugural season at the Columbus Civic Center in June. They made the American Indoor Football League playoffs and ended up with an 8-7 record.
"This has been working for a little while," Civic Center general manager Dale Hester said of the situation with the Vipers. "There's been some issues coming up and we just felt like it's better to look at other avenues."
The city's desire to part ways with the Vipers stems from the team owing $5,000 in back rent. Termination of the lease doesn't mean the debt is forgiven. Hugley said the city plans to collect.
"When we are owed money by others we pursue it with all efforts," he said.
Robinson declined comment when asked if the team owed the city money.
"That's information that I would care not to share right now," he said.
Calls to the AIFL office Tuesday evening were not returned. Troubled teams are nothing new to the league. The AIFL created a travel team to replace the Carolina Ghostriders after the franchise folded in March. The league suspended the Richmond Bandits from this year's playoffs for violating league rules.
Departure of the Vipers doesn't mean the Civic Center will be without indoor football next year. Hugley said other options will be explored.
"I'm going to leave that to the Civic Center director," Hugley said. "If other teams come to them and they've got a good record and they've got an attractive offer that would be of value to the quality of life of the citizens of Columbus and the region, I think it's worth listening to and exploring."
Hester, who was out of town on Tuesday, said a football team will play at the Civic Center next year with one safe bet:
"AIFL will not be back," he said.
I'm guessing:
1. The Vipers are going to relocate and join the WIFL
And:
2. Columbus will get a WIFL expansion team.