
Daytona Beach Thunder To Join New Indoor Football League
July 27, 2006 - World Indoor Football League 2 (WIFL 2)
Daytona Beach Thunder News Release
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - After much due diligence and an exhaustive exploration of all options, the ownership of the Daytona Beach announces its decision to join with six other established franchises to form an owner-based indoor football circuit that will begin play in the 2007 season. Under the working title of the "World Indoor Football League," the new league currently consists of seven teams - the Thunder, the Augusta (Ga.) Spartans, the Charleston (S.C.) Sandsharks, the Huntington (W.V.) Heroes, the Osceola (Kissimmee, Fla.) Outlaws, the Raleigh (N.C.) Rebels and the Rome (Ga.) Renegades. Each franchise has been in operation for at least one season. Thunder owners Kevin McDonald, Zack McDonald and Antone Smothers are spearheading the new league's origin along with Harry Pierce and Rick Chambers, the owners of Rome and Raleigh. "It's a hard decision to make to start a football league, even harder than starting a team," Zack McDonald said. "But our experiences over the past season as title sponsors and owners have left us with the conclusion that this sport is not being developed to its full potential. We have the resources and the business savvy to do it right, and that's what is going to start happening as we build a successful organization. "As it stands now, this new league has financial strength and a proven track record in each of its markets," McDonald added. "We're determined to make this succeed and to set a standard in owning and operating a professional football organization. " Fans attending the Thunder's 2007 games at the Ocean Center will hardly notice any change on the field. "If anything, with a team nearby in Kissimmee, our fans can become more involved," McDonald said. "And there will be some fresh blood to root against."
A splash page has been created at www.wifl.us with links to the team's respective web sites. As the league properly develops a state-of-the art internet communications program, fans are invited to visit the respective team's web sites.
With former New York Giant and Tampa Bay Leon Bright as head coach, the Thunder returns for its second season in 2007.
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World Indoor Football League 2 Stories from July 27, 2006
- Heroes join new WIFL - Huntington Heroes
- World Indoor Football League to launch in 2007 - WIFL 2
- Daytona Beach Thunder To Join New Indoor Football League - Daytona Beach Thunder
- A New Day of Indoor Football Has Arrived - Rome Renegades
- World Indoor Football League to debut in 2007 - OSC Original by Paul Reeths
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