Post by Banana Cat on Jul 1, 2010 21:05:34 GMT -5
Hager finally addressed the SIFL issues this season, most likely thanks to Ryan. I don't agree with all of his excuses though, if the league had kept on top of things Houston and Greenville would never have happened. Allowing Wells to continue on in Greenville simply on promises was idiotic and created the greatest black eye the league has suffered in it's two years IMHO. Hager is finally tweaking his business model (that he created when he heard voices) and promises to screen teams better, something that should already have been happening. All leagues fail at this, but Hager's arrogance these past few years makes it sweeter to see him finally admit his mistakes. Jury's out on whether he's learned anything and will do better next year though.
From Oursportscentral
From Oursportscentral
SIFL Responds to 2010's Challenges, Looks to Future
by Dan Ryan
July 1, 2010
LAKE CHARLES, La. (July 1, 2010) - Southern Indoor Football League President, Thom Hager remains committed to bringing affordable family entertainment in the form of indoor football for years to come using the pitfalls of the SIFL's second season to strengthen the business model for both individual teams as well as the league itself.
"Have there been challenges this season? Without a question. Could we have done better handling those situations? Most definitely," Hager said. "Our league can become more stable by developing better marketing strategies for each of our teams, keeping the emphasis on season ticket growth, and securing team profitability by tweaking our business model."
In addition, the league has developed more stringent criteria for investors wanting to join the league.
"The stronger we become as a league, the more we can impact our sport as a whole," Hager said. "We are always striving to improve our product and our commitment to our fans.
"None of us expected the issues we encountered this season, but I am proud that we were able to overcome each obstacle" Hager added. "Situations come up and we have to deal with them the best we can. I appreciate the efforts of all those who have helped turned challenges into opportunities this season."
Hager wants to address several specific issues of the 2010 season - the Greenville Force investors, Houma's decision to suspend operations for one season, Beaumont's failure to launch, the Houston Lightning not playing, and the most recent issue, the conduct of Lafayette Wildcatters GM Ray Ronquillo.
Greenville was removed form the 2010 schedule after Andre' White decided "he would call it quits and close the doors" of the South Carolina Force. Head Coach Tony Wells approached a close friend of the family who pledged more than $250,000. That friend eventually backed out.
Wells pursued another investor in mid-January and raised enough funds to launch the Force, signed exceptional athletes, and assembled a small infrastructure which would carry him throughout the season. Unfortunately, that investor backed out just as the bills hit the front office, prompting Wells to cut expenses everywhere he could and negotiate a new arrangement with the Bi-Lo Center, using rent credits for his assets to complete all SIFL conference games.
At no time, was Wells ever involved in any upper management decisions that included finances. The SIFL has had to absorb Greenville's officiating fees as well as other logistical expenses to keep Greenville afloat.
"We feel very strongly about the potential of the Greenville market," Hager said. "We have been approached by two other investment groups, but until we see their financials, we simply cannot move forward."
Houma's efforts for 2010 were put on hold when the previous team owner, which still had first right of refusal at the Terrebone Civic Center, stalled all efforts to launch.
"This market has so much to offer the SIFL," Hager said. "The fans are loud, loyal, and love their team. We have set our sights on Houma for 2011."
College Station (Tex.) planned on moving to Beaumont as Terry Williams saw the potential at Ford Park Arena, but unfortunately that process took longer to negotiate than he thought and operations simply fell behind, thus negatively impacting his potential to operate a profitable team in 2010.
Hager calls Houston "our greatest disappointment."
"The owner kept assuring us all along that everything was in place with his lease at the Reliant Center. In fact, the league never received a copy of the lease (as is required) because there was no lease," Hager said. "Eleven days before the start of the 2010 season, the Houston Lightning suspended operations. This was the most costly mistake of the season. The Houston Lightning left every other SIFL owner with increased travel arrangements, a need to play out-of-conference games, and a smudge on the league since the 2010 schedule had been released months earlier.
Ronquillo's actions at the last two Wildcatters home games have been reviewed and discussed by league staff and owners. Ronquillo has delivered an apology to Director of Operations Robert Winfrey, which has been accepted, and has delivered yet another apology to the Columbus Lions ownership group for his behavior during the Wildcatters' last home game. The Columbus Lions have accepted Ronquillo's apologies as have the SIFL.
"This issue is behind us and we are focused on exciting football in the post season."It was our decision to handle these issues in-house as much as possible," Hager said. "There's a time and place for everything, and we felt it was the better to keep the focus on football rather than simply airing dirty laundry."
The SIFL concluded its second regular season last weekend and begins its playoff next weekend.
by Dan Ryan
July 1, 2010
LAKE CHARLES, La. (July 1, 2010) - Southern Indoor Football League President, Thom Hager remains committed to bringing affordable family entertainment in the form of indoor football for years to come using the pitfalls of the SIFL's second season to strengthen the business model for both individual teams as well as the league itself.
"Have there been challenges this season? Without a question. Could we have done better handling those situations? Most definitely," Hager said. "Our league can become more stable by developing better marketing strategies for each of our teams, keeping the emphasis on season ticket growth, and securing team profitability by tweaking our business model."
In addition, the league has developed more stringent criteria for investors wanting to join the league.
"The stronger we become as a league, the more we can impact our sport as a whole," Hager said. "We are always striving to improve our product and our commitment to our fans.
"None of us expected the issues we encountered this season, but I am proud that we were able to overcome each obstacle" Hager added. "Situations come up and we have to deal with them the best we can. I appreciate the efforts of all those who have helped turned challenges into opportunities this season."
Hager wants to address several specific issues of the 2010 season - the Greenville Force investors, Houma's decision to suspend operations for one season, Beaumont's failure to launch, the Houston Lightning not playing, and the most recent issue, the conduct of Lafayette Wildcatters GM Ray Ronquillo.
Greenville was removed form the 2010 schedule after Andre' White decided "he would call it quits and close the doors" of the South Carolina Force. Head Coach Tony Wells approached a close friend of the family who pledged more than $250,000. That friend eventually backed out.
Wells pursued another investor in mid-January and raised enough funds to launch the Force, signed exceptional athletes, and assembled a small infrastructure which would carry him throughout the season. Unfortunately, that investor backed out just as the bills hit the front office, prompting Wells to cut expenses everywhere he could and negotiate a new arrangement with the Bi-Lo Center, using rent credits for his assets to complete all SIFL conference games.
At no time, was Wells ever involved in any upper management decisions that included finances. The SIFL has had to absorb Greenville's officiating fees as well as other logistical expenses to keep Greenville afloat.
"We feel very strongly about the potential of the Greenville market," Hager said. "We have been approached by two other investment groups, but until we see their financials, we simply cannot move forward."
Houma's efforts for 2010 were put on hold when the previous team owner, which still had first right of refusal at the Terrebone Civic Center, stalled all efforts to launch.
"This market has so much to offer the SIFL," Hager said. "The fans are loud, loyal, and love their team. We have set our sights on Houma for 2011."
College Station (Tex.) planned on moving to Beaumont as Terry Williams saw the potential at Ford Park Arena, but unfortunately that process took longer to negotiate than he thought and operations simply fell behind, thus negatively impacting his potential to operate a profitable team in 2010.
Hager calls Houston "our greatest disappointment."
"The owner kept assuring us all along that everything was in place with his lease at the Reliant Center. In fact, the league never received a copy of the lease (as is required) because there was no lease," Hager said. "Eleven days before the start of the 2010 season, the Houston Lightning suspended operations. This was the most costly mistake of the season. The Houston Lightning left every other SIFL owner with increased travel arrangements, a need to play out-of-conference games, and a smudge on the league since the 2010 schedule had been released months earlier.
Ronquillo's actions at the last two Wildcatters home games have been reviewed and discussed by league staff and owners. Ronquillo has delivered an apology to Director of Operations Robert Winfrey, which has been accepted, and has delivered yet another apology to the Columbus Lions ownership group for his behavior during the Wildcatters' last home game. The Columbus Lions have accepted Ronquillo's apologies as have the SIFL.
"This issue is behind us and we are focused on exciting football in the post season."It was our decision to handle these issues in-house as much as possible," Hager said. "There's a time and place for everything, and we felt it was the better to keep the focus on football rather than simply airing dirty laundry."
The SIFL concluded its second regular season last weekend and begins its playoff next weekend.