Mergers and Aquisitions

[Micro67]

Just a few thoughts out loud. I've wondered why the UIF doesn't just buy the APFL http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp? url=americanprofessionalfootballleague it seems like it has no financing what-so-ever and that the Topeka, Koyotes www.koyotefootball.com would be a good fit for a bus league. They have clearly outgrown thier league and they seem stable.

Does anyone know what their attendance numbers are?
The APFL doesn't even have it's own domain name and smaller leagues like the WIFL are offering streamed games so fans like myself can watch games anywhere. I'm confident that those games will turn out to be a significant revenue stream for the teams and the leagues.

Also, as I'm a big fan of a huge league with a relegation system they could set up a profit sharing system that would include more cameras and better coverage for teams that break out of the lower echelons of the league.

[sportsguy12]

Just a few thoughts out loud. I've wondered why the UIF doesn't just buy the APFL http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp? url=americanprofessionalfootballleague it seems like it has no financing what-so-ever and that the Topeka, Koyotes www.koyotefootball.com would be a good fit for a bus league. They have clearly outgrown thier league and they seem stable.

Does anyone know what their attendance numbers are?
The APFL doesn't even have it's own domain name and smaller leagues like the WIFL are offering streamed games so fans like myself can watch games anywhere. I'm confident that those games will turn out to be a significant revenue stream for the teams and the leagues.

Also, as I'm a big fan of a huge league with a relegation system they could set up a profit sharing system that would include more cameras and better coverage for teams that break out of the lower echelons of the league.

doesn't want to sell or the UIF doesn't want all the legalities.

[preeths]

I believe the UIF wants stable ownership above all. If it finds a suitable owner in Topeka, I'd bet they'd work with him/her to get an arena deal. Until then, they'd just be throwing money away.

[twisterfan]

Are there any rumors of expansion coming from UIF land?

It would be really cool to have a team in Jonesboro, AR or Fayetteville, AR.

Go Twisters!

[tony-o]

What you stumbled across was one of a few fan-made APFL websites from before they got a domain name. They have one now: http://www.apflfootball.com/

There are a few stable teams in this league. The Koyotes are one as you mentioned, and the Minutemen have been around just as long. The Blackhawks have challenged the Koyotes in the past and both the Blackhawks and Koyotes play in real arenas, unlike most NIFL teams.

[Micro67]

Thanks -- that is a big help. It looks like they have some serious roadies. Conroe Texas?

[Malepig]

Are there any rumors of expansion coming from UIF land?

It would be really cool to have a team in Jonesboro, AR or Fayetteville, AR.

Go Twisters!

I believe that when that new arena is built it will be ECHL and af2.

[to leave n doubt]

I heard from a reliable source that the wifl and the uif want to merge next year to make east vs west championship. the two leagues are to sit down at the end of the season and work somthing out and there are some nifl teams going to jump to this new league. you guys on this message board already know what nifl teams are going to jump:D

[exit322]

I'll believe it when I see it, but this is not a move that surprises me. It makes sense for both sides, especially if they can get other southeastern cities.

[to leave n doubt]

if the guard jumps it would make alot of sense and i already know that winston salem wants do be in that league but they are going to have a different owner from what i know. the players allready getting prepared by coach pearson in the gym and on the field. this merger make sense

[nksports]

Just a few thoughts out loud. I've wondered why the UIF doesn't just buy the APFL http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp? url=americanprofessionalfootballleague it seems like it has no financing what-so-ever and that the Topeka, Koyotes www.koyotefootball.com would be a good fit for a bus league. They have clearly outgrown thier league and they seem stable.
Does anyone know what their attendance numbers are?
The APFL doesn't even have it's own domain name and smaller leagues like the WIFL are offering streamed games so fans like myself can watch games anywhere. I'm confident that those games will turn out to be a significant revenue stream for the teams and the leagues.

Iowa would probably be the league leader in attendance. Topeka averaged about 1,000 last year. Wichita averaged just under 1,000 (their building only held about 1,200) (btw, that Wichita team isn't likely to return). Missouri averaged about 500 a game.
Iowa is actually the most stable team in the league (the problem with them and the UIF is they would infringe on the Omaha Beef's territorial rights, they are right across the river in Council Bluffs). How Missouri has lasted as long as it did is beyond me, they've been broke for several years.
I don't think the UIF would want to deal with Koyotes owner Ralph Adams (considering not even the NIFL would take him, and after the Wichita-Topeka blow up at the end of last season.)
Wichita might be a UIF possibilty, especially if the Wichita Wild owner (the new unaffilated team) comes through and actually builds the barn he's threatening to build in Park City. The new downtown arena has gone from a certainty to a mere possibility since the Wichita chapter of CAVE (citizens against virtually everything) have struck. It was projected for 2008, then 2009 and now 20-who the heck knows.

[exit322]

It was projected for 2008, then 2009 and now 20-who the heck knows.

Better write it as 2-who the heck knows, just in case it doesn't get done in the next 93 years. :-D

[ragefan]

nksports... Do you know the owners of the Rage in Missouri?? How do you know they are broke? Or are you just another one who likes to shoot his mouth off just to be heard??

[preeths]

I think nksports was talking about the Missouri team in the APFL, not the UIF's Rage.

[ragefan]

lets hope so because some owners get a bad rap on these boards and i can tell you from personal experience with the Rage staff that they are one of the top notch teams and the owners are good people to deal with.

[preeths]

Many owners deserve the bad rap they receive. Fortunately, the Rage are not among them. Relax, he was clearly talking about the APFL team, and this had nothing to do with the Rage.

[nksports]

nksports... Do you know the owners of the Rage in Missouri?? How do you know they are broke? Or are you just another one who likes to shoot his mouth off just to be heard??

Sorry for not checking in earlier. I was refering to the Missouri Minutemen, the APFL team that calls Sedalia home.

[ragefan]

no big one.. I know there are a lot of bad owners out there but the Rage staff has been nothing but great in my dealings with the team. I just wanted to set the record straight on them.

Did not even know about the other team... Thanks for the clarification.

[indy legend]

Are there any rumors of expansion coming from UIF land?
It would be great to have a UIF team in Indianapolis, too. There are a lot of former Indy Firebirds fans here who would love to have a team back after we got screwed over by an idiot owner and the AFL. The AFL fans bill of rights my ^$$. 12,000 fans per game in Indianapolis would beg to disagree with you commissioner Baker.

[preeths]

Oh yes, there are rumors of UIF expansion. Stay tuned.

[Sykotyk]

Milwaukee would be a great addition to the UIF. If they managed to get Milwaukee and Indianapolis in one year, that'd be a victory in my book.

Sykotyk

[indy legend]

I agree with you Syktoyk. I think Milwaukee would be another great market for UIF. I know you had the AFL Mustangs there but don't know any of the story as to why they left. I'm sure the Bradley center would be booked and to expensive but I bet U.S Cellullar (MECCA) Arena would be ideal. As far as I know it is only used for UW-Milwaukee hoops and the Wave MISL team. I've never understood why the Admirals don't play there instead of Bradley.
We have the same thing here in Indy. Conseco is too big and too expensive and controled by the Indiana Pacers when they aren't all in jail, but we have the Pepsi Coliseum (8500 cap.) that's only used by our USHL hockey team.
There are some other places that would be good expansion markets IMO. DesMoines did a great job supporting the AFL Barnstormers and there's Detroit who could play at Compuware or at Cobo Arena. I don't know if there are other places that have been screwed by the AFL but I'm sure there are. It's what they have done best the past few years since they have forgotten the fans in their attempt to become "Big League". I'm sure the AFL can not wait to screw Grand Rapids either. The fact that they draw great means little to them. GR doesn't fit their idea of "major league." I'm sure that will soon be another good potential UIF market.
WTH,if the UIF isn't interested let's start our own league. Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Detriot, Iowa, Gr.Rapids. Anyone else?

[The Abyss]

I don't think it's a matter of interested but if they can get solid ownership looking to go the long haul.

[indy legend]

I agree Abyss. However, I know that these days there are a lot of teams that are not owned by local ownership. I just wish some time one of them would take a shot at Indy (a place that has proven to work) instead of going back time after time to either some place that has never worked, or that is obvious to anyone but themselves has no chance to work.
If someone is going to be an absentee owner why pass on a market that supported a team to the tune of 12,500 per game for 3 or 4 years and has a quality venue for a city that has not drawn in the past and has to play in a sub-standard arena, or one with no track record at all?

[Minor League Man]

I agree with you Syktoyk. I think Milwaukee would be another great market for UIF. I know you had the AFL Mustangs there but don't know any of the story as to why they left. I'm sure the Bradley center would be booked and to expensive but I bet U.S Cellullar (MECCA) Arena would be ideal. As far as I know it is only used for UW-Milwaukee hoops and the Wave MISL team. I've never understood why the Admirals don't play there instead of Bradley.
We have the same thing here in Indy. Conseco is too big and too expensive and controled by the Indiana Pacers when they aren't all in jail, but we have the Pepsi Coliseum (8500 cap.) that's only used by our USHL hockey team.
There are some other places that would be good expansion markets IMO. DesMoines did a great job supporting the AFL Barnstormers and there's Detroit who could play at Compuware or at Cobo Arena. I don't know if there are other places that have been screwed by the AFL but I'm sure there are. It's what they have done best the past few years since they have forgotten the fans in their attempt to become "Big League". I'm sure the AFL can not wait to screw Grand Rapids either. The fact that they draw great means little to them. GR doesn't fit their idea of "major league." I'm sure that will soon be another good potential UIF market.
WTH,if the UIF isn't interested let's start our own league. Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Detriot, Iowa, Gr.Rapids. Anyone else?
I completely agree

US Cellular would be the ideal home for Milwaukee.
Pepsi would be the ideal home for Indy.

I hope both come along next year.

[BMAN]

I know there was some talk about getting Milwaukee for the 2008 season. The Milwaukee Journal at one point had both the NIFL and the UIF league officials (I use that term liberally) talking about setting up a team at the US Cellular Center. The Bradley Center was just too expensive. Also, I understand the CIFL was mildly interested in the 'city by the lake.' I don't know who will end up there, but I'll bet someone ends up there in '08.

[cRUSHer]

Milwaukee would be a great addition to the UIF. If they managed to get Milwaukee and Indianapolis in one year, that'd be a victory in my book.

Sykotyk

mines too. A BIG `OL victory.

I would totally dig seeing the UIF place a
franchise in Indy, who like Milwaukee, once
had an AFL team that drew rather well.
Each fanbase burned in different ways.

Maybe some of the old fans wouldn't mind something new.
(and possibly even feel somewhat vindicated )

oh, let's not forget about reclaiming Peoria before the`deuche' does.

[Tater]

Sorry I haven't seen this thread sooner, but I wanted to correct nksports on his attendance figures. Wichita averaged around 700 in tickets dropped per game. Iowa averaged around 1800-2000 and Topeka was at 2200-2500 last season.

[exit322]

mines too. A BIG `OL victory.

I would totally dig seeing the UIF place a
franchise in Indy, who like Milwaukee, once
had an AFL team that drew rather well.
Each fanbase burned in different ways.

Maybe some of the old fans wouldn't mind something new.
(and possibly even feel somewhat vindicated )

oh, let's not forget about reclaiming Peoria before the`deuche' does.

I don't think any non-af2 league would ever get any love in the Peoria media, making it a nearly moot point to try that market until the AF2 screws it up again.

[rams80]

I don't think any non-af2 league would ever get any love in the Peoria media, making it a nearly moot point to try that market until the AF2 screws it up again.

How Eminian still has a job, heck still carries respect in some parts, is beyond me.

They should just shut the durn paper down and send the entire staff to remedial journalism school.