Over a Cup of Coffee
by Jerry Hewitt
Published on September 21, 2010 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Yesterday we hit on those teams we will not see return to play in 2011 and so today I thought I'd take a look at the newbie's in each league and how we can view their chances of success on and off the field. As of this writing some new teams for 2011 are still under wraps officially, but we do have a good idea on some of the others.
In the AIFA we know we have the Trenton Steel coming which is owned at least in part by the league. They have a good chance of being competitive as does any in the AIFA East with the defection of Reading and the apparent shutdown of the Baltimore Mariners. Also rumored is the return of Carolina (Charlotte), Florence and the revival of Fayetteville and Baltimore. From what I'm told, none of these teams will have independent ownership, and it's anyone's guess how successful on the field any will be, but off the field success is doubtful if we can plug in the lack of a successful marketing plan used for league-owned teams. Out west the AIFA has announced the addition of Tucson which originally was headed to the IFL and Reno which was rumored to have been turned down by the IFL as well. The AIFA West is wide open after the departure of Wyoming, making San Jose the early favorite. Tucson should find the recruiting of quality athletes relatively easy. Reno may have a tougher job, but if either can put a decent team together, one could easily end up on top at season's end. The AIFA is rumored to have added another team in the Northwest, but I'm doubting this team will find much success on or off the field and is my early candidate for team most likely to take an early exit from the season. It is also rumored the AIFA may go to a 12 game season and that the East and West will operate independently with no East/West championship game unless both teams agree to pay the cost of travel.
The CIFL has announced the addition of the Port Huron Predators for 2011. They have a good chance at success off the field with the lower operating costs in the CIFL. On the field may be another story with last year's champion Cincinnati reportedly returning to the league. Last year the Commandoes dominated the CIFL and if they return most of their team, that might make life difficult for any new franchises.
The IFL has Prescott Valley in Arizona; Grand Island, Nebraska, and Lehigh, Pennsylvania as their new kids. I'm speculating all these teams are financially healthy, but whether they market enough to gain fan support is another question. On the field, none of the three will find it easy with many quality teams in their divisions. Grand Island will have to deal with the likes of Omaha and Sioux Falls, Prescott with Billings and Tri-Cities and Lehigh with a few winners as well that include AIFA defector Reading. I'm doubting any of these three will finish in the top half of their division, so the key to their success may very well be building a solid fan base while losing on the field.
The SIFL has announced Mobile, Alabama and Houston, Texas. Either team might find the going on the field easier than off. Mobile might be an easy one to build, but Houston will be an uphill battle as no league outside of the NFL has ever been able to make a team work there.
Indoor Football League Stories from September 21, 2010
- Givens to Return to Wild in 2011 - Wichita Wild
- Two New Quarterbacks Hope to Engineer the Express Train - Reading Express
- 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.
