Post by 50yardfan on Nov 6, 2010 11:19:32 GMT -5
by Jerry Hewitt - I worked for the National Indoor Football League for five plus years. In that time I watched one person tell one ownership group one thing and turn right around and tell another something completely different.
This person was driven to making the NIFL a success through numbers: the more teams, the more success. We all know that is far from any measure of success and in the end this constant addition of teams just for bigger numbers doomed the league, not to mention destroyed potentially good markets for a very long time.
I believe some things were said to either get new teams onboard, keep existing teams happy, or keep a team from leaving. This mode of operation caused some to set out on their own to start United Indoor Football and in part caused the Intense Football League teams to bolt from the NIFL after only one season. Proof positive that honesty the best policy.
Yesterday I mentioned a quote from the Huntsville Times that said nets would be used as a part of the new Southern Indoor Football League. Since that article appeared, I've had a chance to contact some other sources about the possible future use of the AFL's rebound nets in the SIFL. I originally was led to believe that the Arena football net system would not become a part of SIFL play until 2012. One source has told me the team they follow is not purchasing nets, nor planning for them at all for 2011. They didn't rule out 2012.
The Times also quoted Jeff Knight, the Alabama Hammer's owner, as saying the current Corpus Christi team had been part of the old af2. Most of us know that isn't correct as the af2 team was completely separate from the Corpus Christi Hammerheads, although both teams did operate at the same time in the same area. So maybe Mr. Knight was misinformed about the nets as well.
I know I'm very jaded and mistrusting of those who lead the leagues most of the time and maybe I have no reason to mistrust the SIFL leadership, but what if what I knew was happening in the NIFL is now happening in the SIFL? What if different stories are being told to different team ownerships just to get them onboard? I'm not accusing anyone of this, but the thought does cross my mind.
I have to think that if there is any of this going on in the SIFL that it will blow up in their faces the same way it did in the NIFL. The major problem I see right now is the SIFL appears to be completely shutting out the media so there is no official word on what their plans are now with the inclusion of the AIFA East. Much of this misinformation might be cleared up with an informative press release from the league leadership. For instance, now 48 hours after the Trenton announcement, we've still heard nothing from the SIFL about an agreement with the AIFA.
Yesterday afternoon I heard a rumor there was a problem regarding the UIFL's Saginaw Sting. Following up on the rumor I learned the ownership and GM have been removed from the league. Originally I heard the head coach had also been removed, but later found out he's still on the payroll for now. I was told that all monies running through the Sting organization now will go through SMG, management which controls the venue in Saginaw. UIFL Commissioner Phil Esposito may step down and assume the GM role in Saginaw. Time will tell if the UIFL dodged a bullet and made the right decisions to keep the team afloat and moving forward. Now two of the league's six teams are controlled by the league itself.
This person was driven to making the NIFL a success through numbers: the more teams, the more success. We all know that is far from any measure of success and in the end this constant addition of teams just for bigger numbers doomed the league, not to mention destroyed potentially good markets for a very long time.
I believe some things were said to either get new teams onboard, keep existing teams happy, or keep a team from leaving. This mode of operation caused some to set out on their own to start United Indoor Football and in part caused the Intense Football League teams to bolt from the NIFL after only one season. Proof positive that honesty the best policy.
Yesterday I mentioned a quote from the Huntsville Times that said nets would be used as a part of the new Southern Indoor Football League. Since that article appeared, I've had a chance to contact some other sources about the possible future use of the AFL's rebound nets in the SIFL. I originally was led to believe that the Arena football net system would not become a part of SIFL play until 2012. One source has told me the team they follow is not purchasing nets, nor planning for them at all for 2011. They didn't rule out 2012.
The Times also quoted Jeff Knight, the Alabama Hammer's owner, as saying the current Corpus Christi team had been part of the old af2. Most of us know that isn't correct as the af2 team was completely separate from the Corpus Christi Hammerheads, although both teams did operate at the same time in the same area. So maybe Mr. Knight was misinformed about the nets as well.
I know I'm very jaded and mistrusting of those who lead the leagues most of the time and maybe I have no reason to mistrust the SIFL leadership, but what if what I knew was happening in the NIFL is now happening in the SIFL? What if different stories are being told to different team ownerships just to get them onboard? I'm not accusing anyone of this, but the thought does cross my mind.
I have to think that if there is any of this going on in the SIFL that it will blow up in their faces the same way it did in the NIFL. The major problem I see right now is the SIFL appears to be completely shutting out the media so there is no official word on what their plans are now with the inclusion of the AIFA East. Much of this misinformation might be cleared up with an informative press release from the league leadership. For instance, now 48 hours after the Trenton announcement, we've still heard nothing from the SIFL about an agreement with the AIFA.
Yesterday afternoon I heard a rumor there was a problem regarding the UIFL's Saginaw Sting. Following up on the rumor I learned the ownership and GM have been removed from the league. Originally I heard the head coach had also been removed, but later found out he's still on the payroll for now. I was told that all monies running through the Sting organization now will go through SMG, management which controls the venue in Saginaw. UIFL Commissioner Phil Esposito may step down and assume the GM role in Saginaw. Time will tell if the UIFL dodged a bullet and made the right decisions to keep the team afloat and moving forward. Now two of the league's six teams are controlled by the league itself.