Over a Cup of Coffee

by Jerry Hewitt
September 7, 2010 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)

Going into this offseason we expected some fireworks, but nothing like the bombshells going off in the American Indoor Football Association. I didn't see Wyoming burying the hatchet with old IFL foes and jumping ship, but that doesn't compare with the Baltimore situation.

Most of us who follow this sport are watching the upcoming Indoor Football League meetings with a closer eye than usual. Decisions made in those meetings may very well affect the sport in all leagues.

On the table first are two struggling teams: West Michigan and Maryland. The question here is if they can show good reason why they should continue as part of the IFL and if not, will either or both head to the CIFL?

Question two might be the Fairbanks situation. Although the Griz has proven to be a solid franchise the demise of Anchorage means high travel costs. This might be easily taken care of if deals are struck with airlines to reduce the expenses.

Three could very well be this proposed Southwest Division. Nothing has come to light to say this division should be formed for 2011. Only Tucson and Prescott have been mentioned and two teams is not enough to form this division. If Fresno, Ontario (Cal.) and Albuquerque show up this division might get off the ground.

Other wild cards out there right now are San Jose and Yakima. Both currently reside in the AIFA, but in a dying division with Wenatchee and Wyoming departing to the IFL. I believe the IFL is looking at both of these teams, but there are questions surrounding each. Will San Jose find a new home and does Yakima fall within the protected territory of the Tri Cities Fever? In addition, Yakima is partially owned by the AIFA itself.

Its pretty easy to see how most of the above might affect the AIFA and even impact the CIFL, but how does anything happening within the IFL affect the SIFL? I think the SIFL was counting heavily on drawing in most, if not all of the IFL Texas teams. That may not prove to be the case. Losing Corpus Christi was no gain for the SIFL, but that loss may have made the IFL stronger as it rid the league of one of its more controversial ownerships. Abilene, in my opinion, had maybe only one season left anyway with ownership there not knowing how to build a team or market successfully. It appears that Arkansas is moving to the Dallas area which actually makes good sense, but beyond that rumored move, it may send a message that we're done with the SIFL defections from the IFL, killing any SIFL plans of a major coup. Now there's still a possibility of Austin jumping, but that's anybody's guess at this point.

I did expect Baltimore and Erie to make the jump with Reading to the IFL, but no one saw the current Baltimore situation coming, nor did I see Erie in rumored talks of joining the CIFL. In retrospect I see Erie as maybe a better fit in the CIFL than the IFL, but none of us could have predicted the Mariners' world would turned upside down as it did late last week when two of its owners ran into legal trouble, causing the resignation of the entire front office. The AIFA East is all but done and may only have league-owned teams playing next season if it even makes it to 2011. The IFL, even without Baltimore and Erie, now controls the AIFA stronghold and if there is any AIFA life left, the IFL will choke it out within a season or two. The IFL meetings will focus on this, I'm sure.

The IFL meetings are not just about the next season, but about the future and what direction the league will take. These talks heavily affect the SIFL and the AIFA. I don't think they have much affect on the CIFL or even the new UIFL at this point.

Other things on the IFL table at these meetings will be the usual discussion of the rules. I feel most are happy with the rules as is, so any hoping for rule changes that may be closer to AIFA or SIFL ones are out of luck. Also discussed will be players pay. I think some of the richer teams might advocate for higher pay, but overall I don't believe there is enough support for any changes there. Marketing and promotion is always on the list, but those who need to see the value in actually creating good marketing plans will most likely turn a deaf ear.

The subject of leadership will also be brought up, principally if Tommy Benizio's contract should be extended. I know some fans think a change is in order and his tenure maybe in question, but I haven't seen where IFL members in general are that upset with leadership as is. I personally feel any split of the league is unlikely if his contract is renewed either.

In talks with IFL insiders, it would appear the direction of the IFL is very sound and there is more attention now on maintaining quality teams and weeding out weaker, under capitalized ones. I still see problems in how expansion is viewed, but I'm guessing those things will work themselves out in time.

American Indoor Football Association Stories from September 7, 2010

• Over a Cup of Coffee - OSC Original by Jerry Hewitt

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.