Indoor Football Returning To Raleigh, NC
January 20, 2005 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Raleigh Rebels News Release
With the loss of the Arena Football League's Carolina Cobras, football fans in the Tar Heel State will have a new team to root for as the Raleigh (NC) Rebels have joined the Atlantic Indoor Football League for its first season in 2005.
The team will play an all-road game schedule in 2005, but are finalizing a deal for a home arena for the 2006 season.
Greg Ellis, a local businessman from Wilson, NC, owns the Rebels.
Ellis graduated from Barton College (NC) with a degree in Business Administration and previously worked for the Cobras as an intern.
Despite the success of the Cobras to fill seats in their home arena, the RBC Center, Ellis said the team mysteriously relocated to Charlotte, NC in 2003.
"The Cobras averaged 15,500 fans their first season, 13,500 their second season and 12,500 last season," said Ellis. "Diehard football fans loved the game and hated to see the team relocate."
Ellis said the market is still supportive of indoor football and was looking to bring another team to the area, either with arenafootball2 or the National Indoor Football League, before finally deciding on the AIFL. He also considered having the team play at the RBC Center, but deemed it too large for his needs right now.
The Atlantic Indoor Football League is the hottest new professional football league and will kickoff its inaugural season April 16, 2005. For more information about the AIFL, visit www.aiflonline.com or contact Joey Josephs, Director of Media Relations, by phone at (407) 579-6781 or by e-mail at jjosephs@aiflonline.com.
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American Indoor Football Association Stories from January 20, 2005
- Indoor Football Returning To Raleigh, NC - Raleigh Rebels
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