Post by Banana Cat on Jul 11, 2010 13:54:44 GMT -5
Well, Mink certainly inspires confidence...makes me want to be an owner in his league...not.
Uncertainty surrounds other West franchises
July 11, 2010
by Dave Thomas / SportsYakima.com
YAKIMA, Wash. — Although the Yakima Valley Warriors had a solid season, the same can’t be said for a couple of other teams in the American Indoor Football Association’s West Division.
That created uncertainty and hardships for the other four teams, but is, in the words of AIFA co-founder Michael Mink, just part of doing business in some minor league sports.
“The goal of the league is to find good programs,” Mink said. “But you’re going to find struggling franchises in almost every minor league.”
Both the Ogden Knights and Wasilla Arctic Predators were unable to play any or all of their home games, Ogden because it couldn’t secure an arena and Wasilla because it couldn’t pay the high travel costs for teams coming to Alaska.
Yakima Valley, Wenatchee Valley, Wyoming, and San Jose had successful seasons, to varying degrees, and are expected to return, Mink said.
Ogden and Wasilla will have to “re-present themselves” at the league meeting in August before they will be allowed to play in 2011.
The league is also looking at “two or three towns” as possible 2011 additions in the West.
“Either way,” Mink said, “we’ll continue to grow.”
But that was part of the problem this season, with four of the West’s six franchises — Yakima Valley, Wenatchee Valley, San Jose and Wasilla — all making their league debuts.
“Three of the four did well, and that’s a pretty good ratio for minor league sports,” Mink said. “We want 4-for-4, but the truth is, not every team is going to make it, for whatever reason.
“The league is in its fifth season, and the West is in its fourth. It just takes time to develop a league. You’re going to have fallout until you get to the point where the league is mature.”
July 11, 2010
by Dave Thomas / SportsYakima.com
YAKIMA, Wash. — Although the Yakima Valley Warriors had a solid season, the same can’t be said for a couple of other teams in the American Indoor Football Association’s West Division.
That created uncertainty and hardships for the other four teams, but is, in the words of AIFA co-founder Michael Mink, just part of doing business in some minor league sports.
“The goal of the league is to find good programs,” Mink said. “But you’re going to find struggling franchises in almost every minor league.”
Both the Ogden Knights and Wasilla Arctic Predators were unable to play any or all of their home games, Ogden because it couldn’t secure an arena and Wasilla because it couldn’t pay the high travel costs for teams coming to Alaska.
Yakima Valley, Wenatchee Valley, Wyoming, and San Jose had successful seasons, to varying degrees, and are expected to return, Mink said.
Ogden and Wasilla will have to “re-present themselves” at the league meeting in August before they will be allowed to play in 2011.
The league is also looking at “two or three towns” as possible 2011 additions in the West.
“Either way,” Mink said, “we’ll continue to grow.”
But that was part of the problem this season, with four of the West’s six franchises — Yakima Valley, Wenatchee Valley, San Jose and Wasilla — all making their league debuts.
“Three of the four did well, and that’s a pretty good ratio for minor league sports,” Mink said. “We want 4-for-4, but the truth is, not every team is going to make it, for whatever reason.
“The league is in its fifth season, and the West is in its fourth. It just takes time to develop a league. You’re going to have fallout until you get to the point where the league is mature.”