Opinions on the APFL expansion

[kinross_19]

The more I read about the NIFL the more I understand why Mr.Adams and the APFL, are doing things. But with teams as far away as Denver and La Crosse, I was wondering if this was a good move. I don't really get much info about indoor leagues, but I have been in contact with Mr. Adams a couple of times about the Koyotes.

So I wondering what people think about the APFL for this year.
I am looking forward to games against a (good) team besides the Minutemen, and since I have family in living in the front range, I am excited about going to away Koyote games there.
I am especially interested in Lew's opinion since he has sworn off NIFL, will he (or you, as the case may be) try to see an APFL game in your area?

[LewInDenver]

I would love to see a Colorado Stars game, but I dont even know where they are playing, they are getting no run in Denver. If you know anything about where they will be playing let me know. I agree about the reason why Adams and others are breaking away, but they need a profeesional approach to their league as well. No website, no one know whos in and whos out as far as teams, I know they think they are the answer to the NIFL but the rapper around the APFL still smells a little like fish.

OUT

[Pounder]

Wait a minute.

I may be out of place here, I am way far away from this situation, but I see a red flag issue or seven.

Our economy is in an environment where we're waiting for jobs to be created (ever so slowly), gas prices are going through the roof, and a large chunk of the population is debt-loaded.

Municipalities that have arenas are trying to grab more money off of sports franchises they "let" into their facilities, causing more contentious situations, folding, etc., along the way... and that's when parties are being honest with each other.

The revenue potential is down right now. The expenses are up.

If a league is playing a speculation game, waiting until the last minute to get the details set, in this environment, my very complex question: what the hell are they (you, them, whatever) thinking?

The paragraph that comes to my mind is "wait." The conditions are not right for this. Take a year, get ducks in a row, get some sort of marketing started, and work from there.

[kinross_19]

Lew, thanks for you quick response. I also have no details about other APFL teams besides their own websites. I get the Topeka Cap-Journal and there has been very little coverage of the team, and no ads for them... with only about a week until opening day this worries me. But last year this is what happened also, and they managed to pull together a halfway descant season.

But to make things even more interesting the Missouri Minutemen's web site is not up anymore, and the Koyotes have taken the schedule off their own web page.

Don't get me wrong, I really like the Koyotes, and enjoyed watching all the their games last year, but if they do not get the teams they say they would, I can only sit through a couple more beatings of the Minutemen before I lose interest.

*a note: although Koyotes did stop the minutemen every time they played last year (4 times???). By the time the Championship rolled around the Minutemen were *much* better, and had the lead going to half. This was by far the best game in the season, and if it is an indicator of how all the teams will be, it will be a very good year for the APFL as a whole (well beside the enormous time they will be on the road, going between Colorado and Wisconsin)*

In short we will see how things go. If APFL does fine and IFL goes good, then I would really like to see those two merge to give the NIFL an actual run for their money, and maybe pull a couple of teams in from there.

But as always only time will tell.

[FAN]

Kin and Lew,
The APFL is going strong and the additional teams to the league will strengthen the competition throughout the league. However, in order to ensure that the new teams entering the league this season they will be asked to play a provisional road schedule. This meaning two things the way I can gather. First, they will be able to prove that they are a competitive franchise on the field and in the bank ensuring that the competition around the league remains at a high level. Hopefully this will rule out teams like Chillicothe and St. Joe before it becomes a detriment to league. Secondly, the teams will not have to commit lots of dollars to building agreements and leases in their first season and hopefully can generate sponsorships to be solid financially when it is time to take the next step. I cannot speak to how the league might financially supplement the provisional teams in their first season as I am aware there will be not ticket or concession revenue coming in when you are on the road every weekend. The Iowa Blackhawks ( iowablackhawks.com ) will play at least one home game in their new beautiful arena in Council Bluffs.
* Side note for Kin - if you'd still like to view the Koyote schedule click on the news link on the homepage and the article with the schedule is still available for viewing.

[Bill]

The Missouri Minutemen site is still up...
Its MissouriMinutemen.net...

You would think the Koyotes would have had an official APFL website up by now... I am pretty sure they are aware of the talk and fans on OSC paying attention to what is ... Or should I say.. What is NOT going on with the APFL...

And I will support my fellow Kansans and their endevour all the way..
But... If this was say a group doing the same things in the same manner in another state and region... I wouldn't be giving it more than a casual glance...

[Magnum357]

Ya, I agree with other. The APFL needs some sort of place on the internet too justify their is a league at all. Come on! This is not THAT hard, most Semi-pro leagues at least have a website. Whoever owns the Koyotes, why don't they setup up some small league office in Topeka or something? They practically ARE the league, if they have La Crosse and a coupe other "Legitamit" franchises in this Tiny league with a central league office, it gives the league some creditablilty. Heck, how hard is it too pust a small website with just stimple team stats, schedule, and a litte bit of league news. It wouldn't have too be complicated like the NIFL or IFL's websites. Just something too keep folks informed even if its just a Semi-pro league. As it is right now, I have no clue if the league will even play!

Over time, if the APFL could sustain itself as a solid, regional league, it might pull in enough money too give players Garanteed pay too players. Then, OSC and Professional sports might give the league some acknowlegement.

[kinross_19]

Bill and Fan,
Thanks for correcting me on my inability to work the internet... I guess for a minute or two these pages didn't come up for me for some reason... but they are all there now.

Also the Iowa Blackhawks have a rather good website, about as good as the Koyotes, it's at:

http://www.iowablackhawks.com/

On the other end of things Texas Thunder also has their web site up at:

http://www.texasthunderfootball.com/

and for completeness here are the Koyotes and Minutemen websites:

http://www.koyotefootball.com
http://www.missouriminutemen.net/

Colorado and Wisconsin do not seem to have websites (yet, hopefully).

As for the APFL, I can not figure out why there is not a league website. If Mr. Adams wants to make the league legit you would think this would be the first thing he would have done. At least to give us an 'official' place to get APFL news. But, as I said before, I believe that Mr. Adams has a plan that is working, and maybe he is waiting for the right time to implement an APFL website

[Magnum357]

Well, I must admit, it does seem that some level of better organization is occuring with the APFL. At least better then last year. I also notice that many of the teams are somewhat centrally located which will help out for travel by bus. The only team that is a bit far off the beaten path is the Texas team. Also, the short schedule they seem too be aiming for (it looks like etheir 10 games or 12) it think is a good idea then trying too make a 16 game schedule like the IFL is doing.

Overall, this league looks lousy for professional, but seems too be working well as a good semi-pro league.

[kinross_19]

Here is an update on the Iowa Blackhawks:

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=11185229&BRD=2554&PAG=461&dept_id=507134&rfi=6

It gives a good indication of how the new teams will be a part of the league.

This is different from the way *normal* leagues expand, but assuming the new teams don’t fold and they are added as regular teams for next year, this could be a good way to see what owners can get their stuff together enough to be permanently added to the league.

It will be interesting to see how this works out.