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IFL Indoor Football League

Over a Cup of Coffee

by Jerry Hewitt
October 25, 2010 - Indoor Football League (IFL)


The rumored move of the Sioux City Bandits to the American Professional Indoor Football League became official over the weekend. No matter how Bandit management tries to spin it, this is a step down for fans and the ten-year-old team that now sees its fifth league going back to 1999 when the Sioux City Attack played in the original Indoor Football League.

The APFL may claim to be the oldest "professional" league of its type, but it really operates at more of a semi-professional level. 2011 will be the tenth year of the league. Both professional and semi-professional teams play in the league, some playing partial schedules. It's difficult for me to call this league professional or on the same level as any of the other leagues engaging in indoor football followed on OurSports Central.

I was told the APFL could be the only league that will return all of its 2010 teams for the 2011 season, but until an official line up is seen, that's pure speculation.

The biggest question as to the Bandits now being a part of this league might be if some on the schedule actually show up in Sioux City for games. I don't think any will question that the Bandits have a good chance to finally bring a championship to Sioux City, but let's be honest, it won't be the caliber of an IFL title.

Bob Scott, managing partner of the Bandits, was quoted in local media reports as saying one reason he took the Bandits out of the IFL was that some teams in the IFL were not conforming to league rules in what they provided players in terms of pay and perks. I don't believe for one moment this decision came down to cheating, but instead it was all about money. Mr. Scott has complained about cheating since he first took over the team, yet he lived with it for ten years. Cheating occurs at this level, in all leagues, most likely including the APFL.

The Bandits never achieved much success as a part of the NIFL, UIF, and the new IFL, only making the championship game once and the playoffs a total of three times in ten years. Overall, their record has been 66-86 for the same period including their playoff appearances, and they've suffered five consecutive losing seasons. Their chances of a winning season for 2011 in the APFL appear much improved over that chance in the IFL.

Sioux City will enjoy a favorable travel schedule and a much lower budget, probably including savings on player compensation. Most likely they will have some good competition, especially with new instate rivals the Iowa Blackhawks, who have won the APFL championship the last two years. For me, it's always interesting to see how competition is in other leagues and this move by the Bandits gives us an opportunity to compare the levels to some degree. The downside for the Bandits of course is wondering whether all teams on the schedule will show up for their games, although I was told that all games were played as scheduled in 2010. Cost vs. return favors the Bandits bottom line if all games are played as scheduled.

Looking at the 2010 final results on the APFL official website and comparing that information to other sources, it appears the league only scheduled nine games per team, with one, the Junction City Force, (Junction City, Missouri) playing a road-only four-game schedule. It appears all teams participated in the playoffs. Overall, Sioux City should find success on the field.

Although I view this as a step down for Sioux City I wish them well and hope the APFL association helps continues their longevity as an indoor football team. Even though they haven't had much success on the field in the win-loss area, surviving ten years at this level is an accomplishment. Only a handful of teams can claim that achievement.

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Indoor Football League Stories from October 25, 2010


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.


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