Hoffman Estates

[phydeaux72]

Wasn't this team originally slated/rumored to be UIF?

[Minor League Man]

Yes it was.

The UIF denied the ownership group, so they went to the Cool Indoor Football League.

I actually might go see a game or two (if Milwaukee isn't playing that weekend)

[Malepig]

From what I have heard it isn't they were denied as much as there were games played by the uif that were unacceptable to the Hoffman Estates team. Its a great move for them to join the CIFL at this point with all the problems in the uif.

[phydeaux72]

Its a great move for them to join the CIFL at this point with all the problems in the uif.

And what "problems" would those be?

[rams80]

And what "problems" would those be?

Malepig likes the UIF about as much as I like the af2. That's the problem.

Anywho...UIF claims they gave Margenaeu FIVE chances to get his act and money together at the same price before finally not letting him in.

Given Margenaeu's history in another league nicknamed the "U-Haul", I'm more inclined to believe the UIF.

[Malepig]

Its not that I dislike the uif. Its that what the Crow family did to it is a travesty. It could have been something great but they screwed it up. By now it should have been a nice 16-20 team league instead of a 9-10 team straggler. They don't monitor thier teams as evidenced by Fort wayne and all the problems there.

[preeths]

This is twisted. How did they not monitor the teams? Are they supposed to put up cameras and mics in each team office? Fort Wayne told UIF it was in the league for 2007 just 1-2 weeks before the af2 stuff broke. Give us specifics on how UIF and Dakota Crow dropped the ball.

[Malepig]

Simple,
The uif core management should have known about the financial problems in Fort Wayne. Now the IRS is involved in Fort Wayne and that gives a black eye to all indoor football. Crow has an obligation to see when there is a problem starting to step in and fix. Nothing was done. The $400,000 in debt that Fort Wayne has also is another problem that should have been caught faster. A commisioner has an obligation to the fans to ensure situations like this does not happen. And yes in other leagues teams MUST present P&L reports.

[Tatonka]

I think he has a point, to a certain extent. While it's tough to blame a commisioner for one team's problems, the league should routinely monitor teams' books. It's funny when the teams want to see what the league is doing with their money, but balk when the league asks them to show how they (the teams) are spending theirs.

[rams80]

Simple,
The uif core management should have known about the financial problems in Fort Wayne. Now the IRS is involved in Fort Wayne and that gives a black eye to all indoor football. Crow has an obligation to see when there is a problem starting to step in and fix. Nothing was done. The $400,000 in debt that Fort Wayne has also is another problem that should have been caught faster. A commisioner has an obligation to the fans to ensure situations like this does not happen. And yes in other leagues teams MUST present P&L reports.

And the af2 wanted them...
What does that say about your league?

Anyway for better or for worse, the UIF has always been an "owner's league", with a lot of autonomy given to the individual franchises-including fixing your own problems. It's kind of hard to check the books in such a league.

[Malepig]

Fort Wayne is a great city and the Freedom under proper management is a great franchise. That is where the af2 steps in.

But this is about Hoffman estates and grats to the CIFL for moving into Chicago.

[sportsguy12]

I don't see the Chicago team sticking around the CIFL if its successful. Although geographically it fits with their other teams, the arena doesn't. I think it would be better fit with the UIF (although apparently they tried and couldn't get in) or af2.

I think they wanted to limit their spending and try the cheaper CIFL ownership to see how it would do. If people flock to games, I think you'll see the team move up to af2.

Just some thoughts. I don't have any evidence of this. With the Hounds and Shamroxx moving in, I'm sure arena management wouldn't let this new group in if it wasn't legit.

[Tatonka]

I don't see the Chicago team sticking around the CIFL if its successful. Although geographically it fits with their other teams, the arena doesn't. I think it would be better fit with the UIF (although apparently they tried and couldn't get in) or af2.

I think they wanted to limit their spending and try the cheaper CIFL ownership to see how it would do. If people flock to games, I think you'll see the team move up to af2.

Just some thoughts. I don't have any evidence of this. With the Hounds and Shamroxx moving in, I'm sure arena management wouldn't let this new group in if it wasn't legit.

And I think the CIFL is fine with that scenario, provided they complete the 3 year agreement they most likely entered into. It's a developmental league; we say we're here to move up players, but who says you can't move up coaches and even owners to the arena leagues? If they outgrow the CIFL, then by all means, we'd be proud to graduate a franchise up to the af2.

[preeths]

Simple,
The uif core management should have known about the financial problems in Fort Wayne. Now the IRS is involved in Fort Wayne and that gives a black eye to all indoor football. Crow has an obligation to see when there is a problem starting to step in and fix. Nothing was done. The $400,000 in debt that Fort Wayne has also is another problem that should have been caught faster. A commisioner has an obligation to the fans to ensure situations like this does not happen. And yes in other leagues teams MUST present P&L reports.

Now this may be a valid criticism, and at least doesn't look like a hit-and-run hatchet job by someone who backs another league. I appreciate you spelling out your concerns.

[rams80]

And I think the CIFL is fine with that scenario, provided they complete the 3 year agreement they most likely entered into. It's a developmental league; we say we're here to move up players, but who says you can't move up coaches and even owners to the arena leagues? If they outgrow the CIFL, then by all means, we'd be proud to graduate a franchise up to the af2.

af2 won't happen for this organization. Arena bylaws don't allow af2 teams or AFL teams to be within a certain radius of an existing teams--big reason why Rockford, for example, never had an af2 team.

[Malepig]

Of couse Paul, my job is to educate you.

The rule is 75 "air miles" unless you get permission. That is why the Colorado Ice could not join the af2 even though they wanted to.

[newtothegame]

What is there name and colors gonna be?

[afdave]

Malepig,

Thats great and all, but, Fort Wayne isn't with 75 air miles of Chicago, Grand Rapids or Columbus (they are even just outside of 75 miles of Indianapolis, so, even them still being in the league would have been irrelivent).

Unless you were speaking about the Hoffman Estates team, which, then you'd obviously be correct.

[rams80]

Malepig,

Thats great and all, but, Fort Wayne isn't with 75 air miles of Chicago, Grand Rapids or Columbus (they are even just outside of 75 miles of Indianapolis, so, even them still being in the league would have been irrelivent).

Unless you were speaking about the Hoffman Estates team, which, then you'd obviously be correct.

He meant the Hoffman Estates team.

[DestroyersFan]

So if Boston ever lands that AFL team, what happens to Manchester?

[rams80]

So if Boston ever lands that AFL team, what happens to Manchester?

In the unlikely event a Boston ownership group ever gets its fracking act together, I would assume they would have Manchester give up its territorial rights over Boston for a small fee.

I can't see them dumping Manchester-it actually has fans and therefore will be needed to prop up a couple of teams elsewhere.

[Tatonka]

In the unlikely event a Boston ownership group ever gets its fracking act together, I would assume they would have Manchester give up its territorial rights over Boston for a small fee.

I can't see them dumping Manchester-it actually has fans and therefore will be needed to prop up a couple of teams elsewhere.

Does that rule exist for two af2 teams or is it just to protect AFL markets?

[rams80]

Does that rule exist for two af2 teams or is it just to protect AFL markets?

It works for teams in both leagues-an arena market is an arena market is an arena market. It's flexible enough though that you can bend it, providing the existing team agrees.

[Malepig]

THere has to be approval by both teams. I don't Boston ever happenning. The other factor is that Manchester and Boston are 2 seperate markets and are viewed.

[Tatonka]

The reason I was asking, is that you brought up Manchester and Boston... and I thought I remembered the AHL hockey owner in Portland talk about bringing in an af2 team. By my map, it appears that Manchester and Portland are exactly 75 miles apart, depending on where you take your measurement.