NJ Revolution finished

[RevolutionX]

Make it four teams from the AIFA that wont be playing in the league next season. From the Revs website:
"NJREVS.com is the official website of the NJ Revolution. All up to date information can be found on this website. The NJ Revolution was founded in October of 2005. A franchise that has lasted through all the harsh economic times has decided to change its focus and direction. After enjoying 5 years as a professional arena/indoor football team from 2006 until 2010 and playing in numerous top level venues on the east coast and mid west, the franchise and parent company have decided to take the next few years to concentrate on building a national sports venture with a much broader scope and outreach. It’s time for the company to build on a bigger and brighter future. The Revs, as the fans have named them, brought affordable family fun to the community while interacting with many local and state wide charities and youth groups. The company often donated game tickets, their time and also made numerous monetary donations to charitable organizations. In the coming years, we hope to extend our sphere of positive influence to a greater area and audience. In the meanwhile, the company wishes to thank all those who supported them and were a part of the Revolution family".

[SonicTemple]

So with Venom, Express, Cavalry and now Revolution, where does the AIFA now stand on starting in 2011?

But previous seasons, several teams have folded from this league before and new teams have been added only for them to fold the following season or half way through like Danville Demolition! Express and Cavalry were the only true competition along with the Mariners!

Let's see but like the CIFL, it ain't going to be an easy off season!

Will the league stick to a small group of teams or will the others also jump ship as doubt San Jose Wolves will be sticking around with the better SabreCats of the AFL?


[ATTACH]195[/ATTACH]
Check out: http://mathosfootballworld.webs.com

[preeths]

In a normal year, I think some of us would debate just how bad this news actually is. The Revolution operated at a fairly low level, never garnering much local interest. But they were a warm body which could be counted on to fulfill its game dates, and the AIFA needs every one of those it can get. This is another big blow to the AIFA's 2011 plans.

[eaglegene]

So this leaves only Richmond Raiders (league owned,poor attendance), Harrisburg Stampede (league owned,poor attendance),Trenton Steel (expansion) & Erie in the east. Missing are Fayetteville (team for sale), Baltimore(possible new league owned expansion),Reading (IFL). Its beyond me why Erie chose to stay put. They clearly didnt do their due diligence.....

[preeths]

I'm told that more than one team feels it is bound by a noncompete agreement and it is afraid of legal action should it leave. I've also been told there may be a buyout provision in that agreement. Just a guess, but teams may be waiting for the league to breach the agreement first so they don't have to pay for the buyout. Perhaps the league is obligated to supply a certain number of opponents?

I've also been told by a good source that Richmond is no longer league-owned.

[eaglegene]

[quote=""preeths""]I'm told that more than one team feels it is bound by a noncompete agreement and it is afraid of legal action should it leave. I've also been told there may be a buyout provision in that agreement. Just a guess, but teams may be waiting for the league to breach the agreement first so they don't have to pay for the buyout. Perhaps the league is obligated to supply a certain number of opponents?

I've also been told by a good source that Richmond is no longer league-owned.[/quote]

That said im assuming your referring to Erie? If so, the AIFA should look at what theyre NOT doing for them (Erie) in providing regional games in various markets, not just the 2-3 they may have in 2011. Between Richmonds and Harrisburgs attendance, for one game it still doesnt total an Express game. IMO, its time for the AIFA to fold. Its been long overdue....

[Gene Duryea]

Piggybacking onto what Preeths said ... Let's remember that a handful of the old af2 teams waited until the last minute to jump to the IFL instead of going to the newly formed af1 (now new AFL). A part of this waiting game was that the franchises needed to clearly demonstrate to their fan base that this new arena league simply wasn't the proper place for the team to be.

Erie seems to be talking to both the IFL and CIFL while biding its time as it waits for the fans to raise their voices and scream for it to get the Hell out of the AIFA. Then the ownership will happily do as its told.

[preeths]

Just received an update from someone in the know on the subject, and according to him, there is "zero chance that Erie is going CIFL." He further stated that team ownership has not talked to the CIFL.

[mel3476]

[quote=""preeths""]Just received an update from someone in the know on the subject, and according to him, there is "zero chance that Erie is going CIFL." He further stated that team ownership has not talked to the CIFL.[/quote]

So is Erie going down with the ship?

[super390]

The problem Erie has with the CIFL might be that Cincinnati and Marion Valley have the same owner, so there's the danger that they might both leave together, sticking Erie in another precarious league with too few credible opponents. Maybe someone needs to find out what way the Trenton Steel owner is leaning.

As for the rest of AIFA, I'm hoping for an exciting fight with the IFL over whose franchise can get the lease on 1st Mariner and enough of the old front office and intellectual property to con the Mariners' many recently-minted fans into sticking it out. But careful, if you use the name you might get sued, and if you use the old Mariners' equipment you might have federal marshals swoop down upon you. Perhaps next year Baltimore will have two teams, a hastily-moved Harrisburg and a hastily-moved Maryland Maniacs, divvying up the arena, turf, and name to create another war like the one in Richmond? Of course, neither will have the cash to do the PR work that embezzled funds used to do...