Great Expectations
April 6, 2014 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Billings Wolves News Release
Indoor Football League Commissioner Mike Allshouse shared his vision for the IFL saying, "I want the league to continue to be the most stable, professional and respected IFL in the nation. My vision as far as expansion is 16 total teams which fit into our geographical footprint. I envision our product getting better and better each year with the increase in talent on the rosters and in the front offices and increased and improved business practices. I want to continue the slow and steady improvements within the league."
When asked to share his thoughts on the current state of the league and the teams involved, Allshouse said, "We are currently at nine teams for the 2014 season, which is underway now. We added the Billings Wolves for the 2015 season. With our nine currently playing teams, I am very proud to say we have nine of the most quality teams in indoor football. Professional and quality are words I use a lot with our league and our teams. The average age of existence for our teams is nine years; however a couple of our teams are going into their 15th season. It is a testament to the quality individuals involved from arena managers and workers to ticket sales to fans to players and managers and owners. It puts us ahead of everyone else in indoor football."
Commissioner Allshouse said there are three things he concentrates on during the expansion process for the IFL, the need for a market that is suitable enough to support a team with fans that support the team and rally around them. Billings has great success for IFL teams because of the community support. The second thing to have is an arena that can house the team, turf, uprights, and can work with the team and manage everything the team needs to play and in Billings, MetraPark after its reconstruction can do that very, very well. The third thing the IFL needs for expansion is a great football ownership group that is willing to take on the responsibility for a new team. Allshouse said, "Ever since the Outlaws left Billings, we have had our eye on bringing a team here because of the fans and because of the market. Billings is a great travel partner for all the teams in the league. We have had Billings circled for last three years trying to find an ownership group. We found one that is much respected in the community when we found owner Ron Benzel and GM Marc Burr. The league is very excited about finding an ownership group like this for the team and we are hoping for a very long term relationship. The league also feels that new head coach James Walton was a great part of the IFL as a player and we think that will translate with great success to the team on the field."
Commissioner Allshouse said his expectations for the new team go beyond what most people want, which is a winning team and to win championships. He said that beyond the on field success, he hopes they have a competitive season and compete for many years to come, but from business side he is focused more on the off the field aspect of the team in the community, working with businesses and fan relationships, working as a professional organization, and a quality, professional business. Allshouse said that overall, the former group put on a good product, but that he hopes the new ownership picks up and does an even better job than before and he believes the guys involved can do that very well.
I asked him what his expectations were for himself as commissioner now just four months in his current position, and he said, "I view myself as a CEO and leader of the league. From an organizational standpoint, I want to be organized, very structured, and very professional. I want to be professional in our approach to dealing with businesses and vendors in ethical manner. I want to uphold the IFL brand by treating the communities and people in them with respect. I want the league to put on a good show and that the IFL will be something they can be proud of." Allshouse said that the Billings Wolves expansion is not the last for the IFL and that the league is looking at a few different markets. He said, "We are knee deep in talking to potential markets and ownership groups and hopefully in another month or so we might have announcements on some new teams for the 2015 season." Great expectations indeed.
• Discuss this story on the Indoor Football League message board...
Indoor Football League Stories from April 6, 2014
- Expansion Pack - Billings Wolves
- Great Expectations - Billings Wolves
- Lillard, Fever Fall to Cedar Rapids - Tri-Cities Fever
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
