Post by 50yardfan on Apr 29, 2011 9:09:48 GMT -5
League official: 'We extinguished every option'
www.thetimesherald.com/article/20110429/SPORTS/104290323/1006/sports/Football-Predators-season-over
The Port Huron Predators' season is officially over.
Officials canceled the remainder of the Predators' inaugural Continental Indoor Football League season Thursday night, just two days before the Predators (2-4) were to face the Indianapolis Enforcers (0-6) Saturday at McMorran Arena.
After Saturday's game, the Predators had three games remaining on their regular-season schedule.
"We've gone through every scenario, and the bottom line is the season has been canceled as far as the Port Huron Predators," McMorran General Manager Randy Fernandez said.
"We didn't want to just do one game. We looked at the remainder of the season. Basically because the game was to be played in 48 hours, we weren't going to find a new owner.
"The only thing McMorran could do on our behalf was to lower the rent and things of that nature. We were willing to do that, but we couldn't do much more than that. The league has limited financial resources they could invest. The bottom line is the bottom line. We had no choice but to cancel the remainder of the season."
Fernandez and CIFL assistant commissioner Larry Babcock attempted to come to an agreement Thursday, but failed to reach a compromise.
"It wasn't our decision to (cancel) it," CIFL commissioner Jeff Spitaleri said. "I was trying to basically be in communication with the coach (John Forti) and see if everything was going to work out and see if they were going to play.
"We pitched something to Randy, and in the end, he decided it would be better to (cancel the season). That's fine. I'm not upset with that at all. It shouldn't have come to this."
Predators owner Rachael Brusate did not return repeated phone calls. Spitaleri said her decision to abruptly leave the team ultimately led to its demise.
"She said she couldn't do it anymore," Spitaleri said. "We tried our best to arrange for replacement ownership. We talked to a few people and it didn't happen. We extinguished every option.
"It would have taken a lot to pull off. You learn, I guess, that you don't take people for everything they say all the time. There were opportunities to make (ownership) changes earlier in the season. We were convinced it wasn't necessary.
"We rolled with it, thinking things were going to work out and the stipulations would be met. But they were only met for a short time."
Wide receiver Terry Mitchell, a Port Huron High graduate, said he was sad to see the season end this way.
He said he had already begun seeking other options when it appeared the team would go under. He said he has a tryout scheduled next week in London, Ontario, with the Canadian Football League.
"I talked to coach (Forti) and told him I wasn't even going to (play) anyway," he said. "The reality had set in. Not having insurance and not paying players and things like that. It's real disappointing.
"Especially when you have all of these people in the community rooting for the team. It's a big letdown. All the people got their hopes up and the kids are coming out to see people they know. The season-ticket holders are out of their money and the city is out of a football team."
Fernandez said tickets bought through McMorran Arena will be refunded Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the arena box office.
"I will get on the radio stations and let people know we will refund their tickets if they can show they purchased them through McMorran," he said. "I can't help out if the Predators owe others for things."
The CIFL and Fernandez each left open the possibility of indoor football returning to Port Huron next year. But they hinted it would have to be done under a different set of rules.
Mitchell, meanwhile, believes Port Huron is the perfect place for indoor football.
"Given the right ownership, a team really can succeed," Mitchell said. "A person with the right mindset can succeed. Rachael didn't have that, as we all know."
www.thetimesherald.com/article/20110429/SPORTS/104290323/1006/sports/Football-Predators-season-over
The Port Huron Predators' season is officially over.
Officials canceled the remainder of the Predators' inaugural Continental Indoor Football League season Thursday night, just two days before the Predators (2-4) were to face the Indianapolis Enforcers (0-6) Saturday at McMorran Arena.
After Saturday's game, the Predators had three games remaining on their regular-season schedule.
"We've gone through every scenario, and the bottom line is the season has been canceled as far as the Port Huron Predators," McMorran General Manager Randy Fernandez said.
"We didn't want to just do one game. We looked at the remainder of the season. Basically because the game was to be played in 48 hours, we weren't going to find a new owner.
"The only thing McMorran could do on our behalf was to lower the rent and things of that nature. We were willing to do that, but we couldn't do much more than that. The league has limited financial resources they could invest. The bottom line is the bottom line. We had no choice but to cancel the remainder of the season."
Fernandez and CIFL assistant commissioner Larry Babcock attempted to come to an agreement Thursday, but failed to reach a compromise.
"It wasn't our decision to (cancel) it," CIFL commissioner Jeff Spitaleri said. "I was trying to basically be in communication with the coach (John Forti) and see if everything was going to work out and see if they were going to play.
"We pitched something to Randy, and in the end, he decided it would be better to (cancel the season). That's fine. I'm not upset with that at all. It shouldn't have come to this."
Predators owner Rachael Brusate did not return repeated phone calls. Spitaleri said her decision to abruptly leave the team ultimately led to its demise.
"She said she couldn't do it anymore," Spitaleri said. "We tried our best to arrange for replacement ownership. We talked to a few people and it didn't happen. We extinguished every option.
"It would have taken a lot to pull off. You learn, I guess, that you don't take people for everything they say all the time. There were opportunities to make (ownership) changes earlier in the season. We were convinced it wasn't necessary.
"We rolled with it, thinking things were going to work out and the stipulations would be met. But they were only met for a short time."
Wide receiver Terry Mitchell, a Port Huron High graduate, said he was sad to see the season end this way.
He said he had already begun seeking other options when it appeared the team would go under. He said he has a tryout scheduled next week in London, Ontario, with the Canadian Football League.
"I talked to coach (Forti) and told him I wasn't even going to (play) anyway," he said. "The reality had set in. Not having insurance and not paying players and things like that. It's real disappointing.
"Especially when you have all of these people in the community rooting for the team. It's a big letdown. All the people got their hopes up and the kids are coming out to see people they know. The season-ticket holders are out of their money and the city is out of a football team."
Fernandez said tickets bought through McMorran Arena will be refunded Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the arena box office.
"I will get on the radio stations and let people know we will refund their tickets if they can show they purchased them through McMorran," he said. "I can't help out if the Predators owe others for things."
The CIFL and Fernandez each left open the possibility of indoor football returning to Port Huron next year. But they hinted it would have to be done under a different set of rules.
Mitchell, meanwhile, believes Port Huron is the perfect place for indoor football.
"Given the right ownership, a team really can succeed," Mitchell said. "A person with the right mindset can succeed. Rachael didn't have that, as we all know."