IFL expansion plans

[Mike]

Does the IFL have any plans to expand outside the state of Texas and if so what cities are out there that might be interested?

[LoneStar1]

I am pretty certain that the IFL won't be moving across Texas state lines for at least one more year. They will most definitely be expanding for the 2005 season throughout the Lone Star state. The City of Belton has already purchased a franchise (not the actual city, but someone there). Also, San Antonio, Fort Worth, Wichita Falls, Waco and Denton are serious candidates to join. This league would be great to have 10 Texas teams in it.

I think it will be difficult to move into neighboring states. Louisiana is an NIFL stronghold, Oklahoma and Colorado is an AFL1/2 bed, and New Mexico just isn't a place for arena football.

Lubbock, Amarillo, and Odessa have done tremendous this year. The AFL1/2 needs to look into merging these teams. Even though the other three teams didn't do so well financially, they will most definitely be back next season...yes, even El Paso. They have an ownership group looking into purchasing the team.