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Post by Banana Cat on Sept 17, 2008 19:54:26 GMT -5
Tommy Benizio will be the first IFL Commissioner and will sell the Odessa Roughnecks in order to take the job.
Everything I've heard about him leads me to believe this will be a good choice for the league.
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Post by jetcityoutlaws on Sept 23, 2008 0:30:32 GMT -5
ODESSA, TX. : The Odessa Roughnecks proudly announce that Allegiance Pro Sports has purchased 100 percent of the team from founders Tommy and Abby Benizio for an undisclosed amount at Harrigan's in Odessa. Lead by President Brandon Smith (35), Allegiance Pro Sports is the parent company for current IFL franchises in Katy (Ruff Riders) and the yet-to-be named team being placed in El Paso for the upcoming season. Allegiance Pro Sports is based in Odessa, Texas.
Smith was born and raised in Odessa and is a 1991 product of Odessa High School. He has been working in the family business since he graduated from high school and is a member of Crossroads Fellowship in Odessa. "It has been my longtime goal to own a professional sports franchise in Odessa and I am very pleased to accomplish this goal with a team like the Roughnecks", explained Smith, "We are very excited about the quality of this organization and look forward to building on the teams past successes." With Smith's assistance, the Katy Ruff Riders grew into a solid franchise increasing attendance and improving on the field over a two year period.
Joining Brandon will be his sister Rebecca Greenfield who will contribute in the teams marketing and promotional efforts. The current Roughnecks staff, including the winningest coach in IFL history, Chris Williams are all part of the new ownership groups future plans. "I am sad to see Tommy and Abby leave but am very optimistic about the future of our team", remarked Williams. Tommy Benizio will remain with the team as a consultant until December in efforts to assist with the transition of ownership and to ensure that all of the teams vendors and many ticket holders and corporate partners are taken care of.
The Benizio's founded the Roughnecks approximately five years ago by launching the team at a press conference on October 8th, 2003. Since that time, the God-lead franchise has accomplished two "Franchise of the Year" awards among many other, several sell-out games, an undefeated season in 2005 followed up with a championship year in 2006. The team never finished below a 3rd place tie in the standings and was among the top teams in attendance during each of its first five seasons. Benizio played a key role in the creation of the new Indoor Football League which looks to compete with as many as 30 teams during the inaugural 2009 season and he is now being considered by the IFL board for the position of league Commissioner. Benizio hopes to have an announcement over the coming weeks regarding his involvement in leading the new league. Benizio stated, "This is a bitter-sweet day for my wife (Abby) and I. We love this team and this community that has become our home but are also excited about the future and where God will take us next."
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Post by Bouncer_Texxx on Sept 23, 2008 14:24:53 GMT -5
** Smith was born and raised in Odessa and is a 1991 product of Odessa High School ** Ahh a Broncho... and a sophomore when Boobie blew out his knee at that HS across town.
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Post by superpicker on Sept 30, 2008 8:14:13 GMT -5
But why are the league offices being moved to Richmond, Va. ?
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Post by Banana Cat on Sept 30, 2008 22:36:27 GMT -5
But why are the league offices being moved to Richmond, Va. ? Where did you see that? Is this a joke that I didn't get or something?
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Post by BlitzinBandit on Sept 30, 2008 23:27:56 GMT -5
It was in the release somewhere, I'll look for it..
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Post by afan on Oct 1, 2008 2:13:32 GMT -5
But why are the league offices being moved to Richmond, Va. ? Guess maybe God was headed that way. Sounds like he made the decision.
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Post by phydeaux72 on Oct 1, 2008 16:01:56 GMT -5
Look, Tommy wanted the office to be in Richmond, VA so that he could be closer to his family. If having that type of support system around him makes him a better commissioner for the IFL, then I say give the man what he wants. If the next commissioner wants to move the offices somewhere else, as long as it is practical and financially feasible to do so, then the league will order some new letterhead and sign a new lease somewhere else.
Tommy is going to do a great job as a full time commissioner no matter where he is at. So why not take it a step further and give the man what he wants so that he can feel comfortable that he and his wife have the familial support that he and his wife need in order to start their new family. That just sweetens the pot in my opinion.
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Post by BlitzinBandit on Oct 1, 2008 18:25:05 GMT -5
Thanks for the clarification now we all know and SHOULD understand:)
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Post by sportznut on Oct 1, 2008 18:47:11 GMT -5
I think it is great!!
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Post by Banana Cat on Oct 1, 2008 21:35:15 GMT -5
I'll reserve judgment until I see how the first year goes. I just hope he's an active commish who has a firm grip on the league and will do everything he can to make it successful (including the website, stats, video broadcasts on B2, etc, etc, the little things do matter), and not be like what the UIFA had last year. If he can do that from Richmond then that's great, but I also expect him to be out and about around the league when needed and also at games around the league during the season.
edited once to fix grammatical error
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karhu34
Cleans the Towels
Posts: 10
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Post by karhu34 on Oct 1, 2008 22:49:35 GMT -5
Regardless of who the commissioner is, I would argue that the league office location is more important than where this individual wants it. I do agree that the city should be a neutral city if possible, but IMHO, should be a larger media and transportation hub for the health of the league in terms of business in the future. With a national footprint on the table, this league needs to make itself visible and viable to national sponsors. Yes it may be a pipe dream, but as an old successful salesman told me, "location, location, location".......... Success is the goal.
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