Over a Cup of Coffee
by Jerry Hewitt
November 3, 2010 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
The Indoor Football League schedule was released Friday and some have complained about travel. Unfortunately, as long as Fairbanks remains in the mix, there's going to be some hefty travel budgets. That aside, I liked what I saw for the most part, with more out of division play, which I really like. I'm not sold on playing division rivals more than twice, but I understand it helps reduce the bloated travel budgets.
The IFL and UIFL now have their schedules out and are concentrating on other things to get ready for 2011. In the meantime the SIFL, AIFA East, AIFA West, and CIFL are still trying to get things in order to even attempt a schedule. It's not too late, only November, and the lack of schedules should not really keep any teams from marketing or signing players.
The deal between the AIFA East and the SIFL may be in limbo, but not dead as I'm told the two leagues are still talking. The longer this uncertainty goes on, the less likely a successful season for either becomes, whether they end up as one league or stay separate.
The SIFL may be in better shape than the AIFA if they don't merge. I see an independent AIFA struggling even more so than in past seasons. I know at least a couple AIFA teams that just want out and I'm not sure at this point they'll get their wish. I was told a couple weeks ago that one owner of a southern team told someone he wouldn't play in the AIFA another season, and I know AIFA Richmond wants away from the now Morris-controlled league just as bad. Ownership in Trenton is still up in the air as apparently the attorney brokering the deal between the AIFA and SIFL was to take control of that team only if the SIFL took over. There are rumors of new teams being set up by the AIFA, but I've only been able to confirm one, Carolina, and it doesn't look like its on solid footing if Jack Bowman is running things. Harrisburg recently announced tryouts, but that team is still owned in part by John Morris.
The AIFA needs this deal with the SIFL to even have a chance to save current teams. Another year fraught with trouble might doom some. I'm not saying any merger is a good thing as I believe it isn't, but it gives some teams on the AIFA side another chance.
The CIFL is being too quiet. Outside of a couple press releases from the new Port Huron team and a couple on Marion returning, there is nothing. I know the league is busy trying to finalize teams for the upcoming season, but an update here and there might be appreciated by fans.
To say any of these leagues are under the gun to get schedules out may be premature. The IFL kicks off in February 2011, while all the others I believe have March starts, so the urgency is lessened. Whatever is going to happen between the AIFA and SIFL needs to be concluded. The AIFA West is benefitting from not be tied to the AIFA East in that they are free to move forward without their sister holding them back. To divide up the east and west of the AIFA was maybe the smartest move ever made by Morris and Mike Mink, cofounders of the AIFA.
A look at the league maps shows a mixed picture. The IFL is pretty spread out, but looks to be in the best position to fill in blanks after the 2011 season. The IFL has made good additions to the fold after each season along with weeding out weaker teams, but they have to continue to prove they provide good value for the dollar and can not always rely on the weakness of other leagues for new teams. If you look at it, most of the teams entering the IFL after its first season have come from other leagues. Those quality teams from competing leagues are dwindling.
The CIFL needs a successful season in 2011 to hold on to their regional format which provides them with strength and gives others within their footprint a viable alternative to others. They are positioned to own their area if they can show new teams stability throughout the season. They pose the biggest threat to the IFL in the upper Midwest.
The UIFL is trying to establish a regional footprint of its own and a successful first season might prove beneficial after the 2011 season in the way of expansion. Their short term destiny depends on two things: running a tight ship and how other leagues perform in 2011. The league must also avoid the problems that plagued other league run by its management group.
The AIFA East has no place to go but down if they remain on their own. Their credibility is all but gone, and only ego sustains this league for another season. Remaining teams likely won't be jumping ship at this point, because there is almost nowhere to go. I believe most have counted on a AIFA/SIFL deal to bail them out of the bad situation. It may be too late at this point to do anything else than just hold on and let things go where they do.
The AIFA West has an opportunity to show what the AIFA could've been by having a good first season, returning all existing teams for 2012 and making smart decisions in any future expansion. The old AIFA West was a revolving door, with teams folding after one season, as well as during the season, and additions just hurriedly set up to bolster one or two teams. If this practice is behind the new AIFA West, they might just lock in their in the indoor football landscape.
The SIFL fails to impress me with each season. Moves are made which don't help existing teams and now possibly a merger of some sort with the AIFA which does not help stability. This league, once the leader in information, has crawled into a shell with little to share with fans now. I could go on and on about how this league is moving in a direction that may only spell doom. I'll just say that when I look at the SIFL, IFL, CIFL, and even the new UIFL, the SIFL appears to have the least chance of long term survival and success.
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American Indoor Football Association Stories from November 3, 2010
- Barons Announce Coaching Promotion - Reno Barons
- 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.
