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It's Business As Usual for the Baltimore Mariners and the AIFA

December 12, 2008 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Baltimore Mariners News Release


(Baltimore, MD) With the recent announcements that the Arena Football League (AFL) and participating teams are suffering financial hardships that could ultimately result in the suspension of operations for the 2009 season, the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) and the Baltimore Mariners will continue with business as usual. The Baltimore Mariners will launch their second season at home in 1st Mariner Arena on March 15th against the Harrisburg Stampede.

While many fans are nervous about the fate and future of the Baltimore Mariners and the AIFA, Mariners owner Alan Taylor allayed the concerns by saying "We will absolutely be playing football in 2009. We are a part of the AIFA, not the AFL. The AIFA is completely independent of, and unaffiliated with the AFL. The two leagues operate on different budgets and different business models." Taylor added that not only will the AIFA be operating in 2009, but the league has already announced expansion for its 2010 season with the addition of Trenton, NJ and Richmond, VA as member franchises. "Things are looking bright for the future of the AIFA, and the Baltimore Mariners are very happy to be a part of this league". Taylor concluded.

The AIFA will be going into its third season of operations with sixteen participating teams and a footprint that reaches as far west Utah. League co-owner John Morris has been working tirelessly to secure the future of the young, but growing AIFA. "We are in a great position today. We have sixteen teams in four divisions on two different coasts." Morris said. He added "You cannot drive up and down I-95 without driving through a city that is represented in the AIFA. We have teams in Harrisburg, PA, Erie, PA, Reading, PA, Baltimore, Washington DC, Florence SC just to name a few." Morris went on to explain that the close proximity of the teams is no coincidence. "That is what makes our business model successful. Travel costs are kept low because of our strategically placed teams. When an owner can take his team on the road, play the game, and drive home all in fewer than seven hours, that saves the participating teams thousands of dollars in operating expenses."

It should also be noted that John Morris and the AIFA have implemented a first-of-its-kind Playoff Incentive Package (PIP). The package is essentially a nest-egg of $110,000 that will be utilized to financially aid teams that advance past the fourteen-game regular season. "We want our teams to be able to play into the post season. Each team has a projected budget going through the regular season. Should they advance into the playoffs and beyond, they should not have to worry about where they will fit post-season travel expenses into their budget. They need to focus on winning football games and a championship." said Morris.

Though the AFL's future is surrounded by question marks, the AIFA has its feet on a solid foundation and reassures its member teams, sponsors and fans that AIFA Professional Indoor Football will be kicking off its third successful season beginning in March.

For more information on the AIFA, visit their website at www.aifaprofootball.com.

For more information on the Baltimore Mariners, and to order season and individual game day tickets for their 2009 games, visit their website at www.baltimoremariners.com.

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American Indoor Football Association Stories from December 12, 2008


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.

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