Link: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/ ... 30347/1001
The Southern Indoor Football League could
add a team.
By Jimmy Watson jimwatson@gannett.com
September 23, 2010
The Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings may have
ceased operations in the twin cities, but northwest
Louisiana may not be without arena football for very
long.
Southern Indoor Football League president Thom
Hager is interested in bringing a team to the
CenturyTel Center if local owners can be secured.
Hager plans to visit the area this week in search of
just such a person or persons.
"The Battle Wings had some successful years there
and we're excited about the opportunity to capitalize
on the experience fans the area have had with arena
football," Hager said.
The three-year-old league, dressed up similarly to
the defunct af2, operated with five teams last season
but expects to expand to 10 to 12 for the 2011 s
eason. Team budgets are around $300,000,
somewhat less than the af2, and team payrolls are
limited to $3,150 per week, plus "win" bonuses.
"We are trying to limit travel to keep operating costs
down," Hager said. "Teams in a league like this
shouldn't be flying from coast to coast."
Hager said egos are one of the biggest problems
facing ownership in lower-profile leagues like the
AFL and the SIFL.
"Minor league sports beget major league egos,"
Hager said. "Some folks think they're Jerry Jones.
Instead of being at the top of the pyramid, it needs
to be flipped over."
Hager said ownership needs three types of people
to run a successful franchise in the SIFL. They
include having a "cracker jack" marketing director
that is involved in the community, can knock on
doors and is believable.
The second person must understand operations and
be familiar with the ins and outs of the arena game.
The third important element is a person who is a
strong business manager who understands cash
flow principles and who makes sure the team
doesn't overpromise nor overspend.
"You need a staff that is paid on the reward system,"
Hager said. "The only reason to be in this business
is to turn a profit."
SIFL teams play a 12-game schedule, rather than the
16-game slate played last year in the AFL, which is
expanding to 18 games this season. The SIFL
season runs from mid-March through June. Teams
are composed of 20 players plus three practice
squad players.
The league headquarters is in Lake Charles and
teams currently listed on the SIFL website are the
Lafayette Wildcatters, Abilene Ruff Riders, Corpus
Christi Hammerheads, Greenville Force, Louisiana
Swashbucklers, Columbus Lions, Albany Panthers
and Rio Grande Valley.
Franchise in Bossier-Shreveport
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