SIFL announces first franchises

Published on November 18, 2008 under Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) News Release

Coupling a first-class, family-oriented sports experience with a sound business plan that encourages financial success, the Southern Indoor Football League announced its charter roster of franchises on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at O'Charley's Restaurant in Lake Charles, La.

Louisiana Swashbucklers owner Thom Hager, who will also serve as SIFL President, released that thirteen ownership groups have submitted the proper paperwork and have agreed to the financial responsibilities.

``I'm wearing my sunglasses because the future is so bright,'' Hager said. "I'm not going to blow this out of proportion by saying today is the greatest day in the history of indoor football, but it is so satisfying to have assembled a group of solid businessmen who appreciate a solid business model and are committed to offering a quality football product both on the field and in the community.''

The SIFL will kick off a 12-game schedule in April 2009 in the following cities:
1) Austin Texas. [Albert Martinez, owner]
2) Houma , Louisiana [Franklin Thomas, owner]
3) Houston , Texas [Andrew Watkins, owner]
4) Lafayette , Louisiana [Bentley Turner, owner]
5) Lake Charles , Louisiana . (Louisiana Swashbucklers, owned by Hager and playing in the Lake Charles Civic Center .
6) Pasadena , Texas [Gary Howard-led ownership group]

Commitments for 2010 have been secured for Beaumont , Tex. ; Galveston , Tex , Lakeland , Fla , Pensacola , Fla , ; Tallahassee, Fla., Tampa , Fla , and Waco , Tex. with four more ownership groups showing strong interest..

"We're still receiving calls from around our region as if a light bulb tuned on and ownership groups finally found the perfect business model for this great sport," Hager said. ``The size of the league will be finalized at our league meetings in Lake Charles December 1-2 at the premier Pinnacle property, L'Auberge du Lac. "While we wish all competing leagues good fortune and success, I believe this bold new endeavor is the result of my thirteen years in sports management."

Hager's Swashbucklers have been recognized as one of the sport's premier teams, winning back-to-back Intense Football League championships, the latter in 2008 with a perfect 16-0 record. Off the field, the Swashbuckler staff garnered virtually every award given to league front office staffs.

Now it's time to take that business model from team to league levels.

`I've seen too many fans lose their home teams due to poor business models and inexperienced management, Hager said. "A business is only as good as its people, coupled with proven systems and a strong product.

"What good is a business model that fails to generate positive cash flow and forces teams to close their doors after one or two seasons? This league is designed to satisfy the team owners, players, and the fans," Hager concluded.

Fans may visit the SIFL temporary web site at www.southernifl.com which introduces an experienced league staff with invaluable professional experience.

Southern Indoor Football League Stories from November 18, 2008

• SIFL names league staff - SIFL
• SIFL announces first franchises - SIFL

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