WIFL commissioner: indoor football is in flux
Published on October 19, 2006 under World Indoor Football League 2 (WIFL 2) News Release
Though totally confident in the World Indoor Football League's long-term success and vision, Commissioner Gary Tufford said that the entire indoor football industry is in "an incredible state of flux" that needs to be stabilized if the sport is to survive.
"First and foremost, I'm here to say that the WIFL will field four strong teams in 2007, will play a complete season, finish with four teams and meet all its financial and professional obligations," Tufford said. "We're going to do what we're supposed to do, which may not be much news in the business world, but will set the standard in the indoor football world."
It has been an interesting few weeks, Tufford said.
"Two leagues have changed their names, two leagues have changed high-level management, teams are continuing to jump from league to league," Tufford said. "This is all not bad. Sometimes a good purging is exactly what the situation calls for.''
Even the WIFL has created headlines and message board chatter.
"We recently announced that perhaps the most respected owner in all our leagues has made a painful business decision and we're down two teams," Tufford added. "It's a heck of a blow, but you know what, we're going to take it and move on. It's what we have to do.
"Everything is cyclic, we just happened to start a league during a time of mass migration and saturation," Tufford continued. "The strong will survive, that is for sure. It will all come around at some point. The key is knowing that it will happen and not kidding yourself into thinking that you are immune from being tested in this world."
Business practices and standards need to be elevated if the sport is to attract new investors and fan bases. The alternative, Tufford said, is to implode on its small share of the sports market.
"If stabilization doesn't happen, someone or something who has their act together is going to come in and swoop up the good pieces we do have," Tufford said.
Though uninformed skeptics may scoff, Tufford restated that the WIFL is strong.
"We have the business model and plan in effect," Tufford said. "We may be small in numbers in 2007, but we're strong and built for the long run."
World Indoor Football League 2 Stories from October 19, 2006
- Bright: Bummer about Carolina and Rome, but let's sign their players - Daytona Beach Thunder
- WIFL commissioner: indoor football is in flux - WIFL 2
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