Rumours Of Peoria Returnung TO AF2

[TNA-Sucks]

Are there any truth to the rumours that the Peoria Pirates is coming back to AF2?

[rams80]

Some truth to that rumor. The Rivermen owner has taken complete leave of his senses and reportedly plans on fielding an Empire team in 2008. Granted this will never work because...

1. Peoria is too small a market for the Empire.
2. Peorians don't really support losing teams.
3. The team he fields will most likely be a losing one based on the relative saturation of teams in the area at this point.

All this will result in is a dead football team in one-two years max and a dead hockey team as well this time around.

[Minor League Man]

There are three problems I have with the above post.

1. It wasn't too small before, why would it be too small now?
2. Then why was the team supported for the 5 years they spent in IFL/af2, appearing in 4 title games and winning 2 (for both leagues put together)?
3. Give them time, and they'll go back to being a winning team.

P.S. Would you stop that af2 Empire blah blah blah blah blah junk you keep trotting out? We're really getting sick of it.

[phydeaux72]

Would you stop that af2 Empire blah blah blah blah blah junk you keep trotting out? We're really getting sick of it.

But you seem to be the only one complaining about it. That gets old after a while too. Everyone is entitled to post their thoughts. If you don't like what someone has to say, then stop reading their posts. No one is holding a gun to your head.

[Minor League Man]

But you seem to be the only one complaining about it. That gets old after a while too. Everyone is entitled to post their thoughts. If you don't like what someone has to say, then stop reading their posts. No one is holding a gun to your head.
No, Mr. Reeths is sick of it too, and I'm just backing up my administrator.

[tony-o]

I'm tired of it too. I don't understand what everyone has against the af2.

[phydeaux72]

No, Mr. Reeths is sick of it too, and I'm just backing up my administrator.

And I'm sure Reeths can speek for himself.

You got into this in another thread, telling Reeths to lock the threads, delete his posts, etc. And Reeths came back and shut you down, stating that everyone is entitled to post their own opinions on this message board.

Besides, Who appointed you the OSC Police? Or are you just Reeths little errand boy? I bet you were the kid in elementary that no one liked because you took names when the teacher left the classroom.

Like I said, if you don't like what someone has to say, don't read their posts.

[Geoff]

The seems to be some confusion. The Peoria Rough Riders will NOT be the new Pirates. It was confirmed a long time ago that it will be a new franchise just like TV. So all this "losing team" crap isn't accurate because how can a franchise that hasn't played a game be a losing team?.

[rams80]

Attendance for Peoria dropped every year in the Empire. Pat Ward (the owner) lost more money in his one year in the Empire than he did in the next two with the 0 attendance. My point would be if Peoria was a large enough market to support Imperial costs, then a team that successful would still be around.

Peorians are front-runners unless the Cubs are involved in some way. Also, I don't think Peoria could hire a good enough coach to recruit and pull a Spokane, and Peoria would have to pull a Spokane to have any prayer of success in town. Also the market IS more saturated. Two years ago there was only Moline and AFL Chicago for drawing talent and fans. Now there are teams in Bloomington, Rockford, and Springfield. Also, travel costs for Peoria will go up, simply because the Empire is more spread out.

Ultimate point...Bruce Saurs would need to have very deep pockets to make a go at this; something I doubt he has after the last two years (Spending all the money last year to buy the AHL team, having to pay the exit fee for the ECHL, getting nothing for the franchise because there wasn't a buyer. And then I would classify this year's Rivermen attendance in the "dissappointment" range.) Peoria's new team (I hope its not called the Pirates) would have to win right out of the gate to give him a chance. He doesn't have the time or money to wait and hope things improve.

[austinturfcats]

there are many things worst than the af2 -- remember the nifl

[fwp]

I would rather someone step in and fix the NIFL as a league than go to another af2 game. While the league has had many pratfalls, they have also had plenty of high quality action over the years.

But that's me.

[CBlack]

I think as long as the owner knows how to market sporting teams well, Peoria can suceed in whatever league they wish.

[Malepig]

CB is right. For Peoria if it is marketed right and a better deal for the civic center is done then it can thrive. The 20 or so Roughrider fans can go to Bloomington which is not far down the road as well.
At first I liked the "empire" talk because it meant the af2 is doing something right. Negative comments about taking over means something is good even with the fiasco in San Juan. But the "empire" talk is getting old even for me.

[rams80]

And the Rivermen AREN'T marketed properly. The only team in Peoria that can claim to be marketed properly is the Chiefs.

It would take Indoor Football League level marketing AND winning to work. THAT would require the deep pockets that again I doubt Saurs has.

Also do not underplay the problems of going up against the Chiefs, especially because they are a Cubs affiliate now. There's only so much money that can be had for Sports Entertainment, and Peorians WILL choose the cheaper Chiefs tickets so they can watch their beloved future Cubs.

[preeths]

I would rather someone step in and fix the NIFL as a league than go to another af2 game. While the league has had many pratfalls, they have also had plenty of high quality action over the years.

But that's me.

Setting aside doubts about the ability of NIFL management to rebuild the league, you have to wonder if it is worth the cost to fix the NIFL after so much self-inflicted damage. You could start over with a new league right now and not have to make up for so many past mistakes or lost credibility, allowing you to grow now.

[Pounder]

I don't mean that I love af2, never mind that it's what's for dinner in Boise this coming spring.

I mean rams.

After all, if af2 is the Empire, that cool music goes through my head.

Then I can relate NIFL to Spaceballs.

AIFL, oh, the Borg in decimated condition.

Unfortunately, the best I can relate UIF is to an old Seattle skit show that got some national network time... "The Ineffectual Middle Management Suckups." Sorry, not "Mind Your Manners with Billy Kwan."

I can't begin to imagine APFL or, say, EIFL.

GLIFL? I'll think of something soon enough, though Spongebob's nemesis Plankton comes to mind.