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Over a Cup of Coffee

by Jerry Hewitt
December 1, 2010 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)


Things on the indoor football front have been quiet over the Thanksgiving holiday, and it was beginning to look like it might stay quiet until after the Christmas season, but yesterday that all changed and once again the new Southern Indoor Football League pushed its way into the spotlight.

Several months back it was reported in the local Fayetteville, North Carolina news that then AIFA co-owner John Morris had a plan to set up a new team to replace the Guard, but team owner Richard King apparently blocked that attempt. It was reported yesterday that new ownership, minus King, for Fayetteville is now in place. The news report also mentioned there is no official lease with the Crown Coliseum in place with no time set as to when that might happen.

The head of the ownership of this new franchise is Andrew Bondarowicz, who also heads up the Trenton Steel franchise. Bondarowicz was also reported to me from an SIFL insider as the now majority owner of the SIFL with Thom Hager now just a figurehead. Already I'm seeing signs of old AIFA habits reforming. The AIFA made a habit of setting up league-owned teams and this very well may be what is starting to happen with the new SIFL. I find it a bit strange that the SIFL has released a schedule and at least with one team, Fayetteville, there is no official agreement with the coliseum.

I also got wind yesterday that part of the Mobile ownership, and a good bit of the money behind the team, has backed out and the SIFL is seeking new ownership there as well. Now I'm wondering if maybe Bondarowicz's name might pop up as owner there also. Still on my watch list is Houston who I'm told has yet to pay any part of money due to the league.

John Fourcade didn't last as long as Head Coach and GM of the Rio Grande Magic. I do not know any details other than he is gone and the search is on to replace him.

I won't sit here this morning and say the SIFL is no better or worse than any of the other leagues, but the situation is not looking promising for this new AIFA/SIFL hybrid either. But as one fan keeps saying, "Let's wait and see." So here I am waiting and not liking what I see so far.

From other notes on my table this morning, La Crosse and Kent of the IFL are still under single ownership although one report says that group is looking to sell their Kent interests. West Texas ownership has been added to the multiple team group with the addition of Oklahoma City. In the UIFL one founding member of the league has the majority interest in the Canton club while the league also has control of Saginaw. Mike Mink, Commissioner of the AIFA West has majority interest in Yakima Valley. Chad Dittman over in the SIFL has full ownership of two clubs, Corpus Christi and Rio Grande Valley. Andrew Bondarowicz, who inside sources tell me is now majority owner of the SIFL, also has financial control of Trenton and Fayetteville. Anytime I see multiple teams under the control of one ownership or controlled by the league, I cringe.

All four of the IFL markets mentioned have a history of decent attendance and should present few problems in 2011. Canton shouldn't be a problem for the UIFL, bit Saginaw could be a stumbling block. Yakima Valley might present a problem since Mike Mink is already stretched pretty thin in trying to run the league solo. The old SIFL Fayetteville Guard franchise has a history of poor attendance and might be a problem for the new SIFL if attendance for the new franchise isn't bolstered. Ownership of Corpus Christi has never shown marketing to be a strong suit, and if Rio Grande Valley's numbers aren't up to par, they could be one and done.

Over in the IFL, teams are busy selling tickets and signing players. The CIFL is still being too quiet on their 2011 plans which makes one wonder what problems may be there that are being kept under wraps. AIFA West Commissioner Mike Mink underwent surgery last week, so news on that league slowed. In the UIFL all appears to be on track, but I'm not seeing as much news from its teams as I think there should be. The UIFL is looking into using the PointStreak live scoring system that first appeared last season in the AFL and IFL. The AIFA West is looking for a live system as well.

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Southern Indoor Football League Stories from December 1, 2010


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