Florida Stingrays possible expansion for 2012

[Banana Cat]

The Florida (Fort Myers) Stingrays are a possible expansion team for 2012. The Stingrays previously played in the AIFA for one season in 2008, going 0-14.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_Stingrays

The Florida Stingrays are scheduled to play in 2012 at Germain Arena. Soon to be members of the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) for the 2012 season.

[Banana Cat]

Wow. I knew the RIFL was dubious at best, but I didn't know the head guy was disgusting as well.

I doubt Hagar's quotes on the costs of running a team in his league are accurate, they seem pretty low to how it usually ends up.

If the Stingrays join, they won't last long (2 years max).

www.news-press.com/article/20110126/SPORTS/101260390/1075/Stingrays-eye-another-comeback

Stingrays eye another comeback
Teams hopes to play in Southern Indoor league

BY CARL BLEICH • news-press.com
January 26, 2011

There is a new plan in place again for indoor football to return to Southwest Florida.

Florida Stingrays vice president and general manager Jay Lawrence said Tuesday that the team is planning to be a member of the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) for the 2012 season.

Florida Stingrays vice president and general manager Jay Lawrence said Tuesday that the team is planning to be a member of the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) for the 2012 season.

Lawrence's original plan was to be a participant this year in the Regional Indoor Football League (RIFL).

That plan went sour because of Lawrence's lack of budget and RIFL owner Ray Damon being arrested in a child sex sting in Polk County.

"I knew it was kind of a stretch for 2011," Lawrence said. "We didn't raise enough money to play this year. We also did not want to put our trust in a league like that."

The Stingrays went 0-14 as a member of the American Indoor Football Association in 2008.

The team played at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers.

Lawrence's goal is to be a member of the SIFL and have a home venue by Feb. 18, the date of the team's launch party at Red Rock Saloon in downtown Fort Myers.

SIFL president Thom Hager said he has spoken with Lawrence about the possibility of joining the league for the 2012 season, which would begin in March.

"We have not entered into an agreement, but we have had several conversations about their interest in joining the league," Hager said. "We are looking for expansion in four markets in Florida. If the Stingrays meet the financial requirements, they will be one of them."

Hager said the cost to join the league is no more than $50,000. He also said a team's typical operating budget is $30,000 per season.

The Stingrays must have a $5,000 down payment into the league before Feb. 18 to reserve their spot.

Lawrence plans to have a five-member board of directors which will claim majority ownership of the team.

The financial commitment for each board member is $25,000 up front and $25,000 more later in the year should the team need it, which Lawrence expects it will not.

J.P. Peery, owner of JP's Sports Collectibles, is the first member of the board.

Lawrence is waiting until he has a check in hand to announce the other four members.

Peery spent five years working with the af2's Florida Firecats as the team's equipment manager. He also assisted in coaching the offensive and defensive line.

"I'm pretty strict on certain things I do and get involved in," Peery said. "I think Jay has something good going. This town loves football."

Lawrence said he has had preliminary talks with representatives from Germain Arena but no deal is close to being complete.

Germain Arena president Craig Brush said he has spoken with a group about leasing the arena but declined to mention any more specifics.

"We've talked to a few people but there is nothing concrete," Brush said. "We would do it if it all made sense but right now it hasn't even gotten far enough to worry about it yet."

Lawrence is still selling minority ownership shares of the team for $150 apiece, a price that includes a season ticket.

Peery intends to sell those shares and Stingray merchandise in his stores in North Fort Myers and at the Gulf Coast Town Center in Estero within the next two months.

Peery is also planning on opening a third store in Port Charlotte and will sell those items there as well.

"This is an easy way for us to get involved with Jay and the Stingrays," Peery said. "The goal is to start in this indoor league and eventually play in the Arena One league."

[malepig]

A few things going on with the Stingrays and since I am down here I have a little more insight.

1) The membership agreement listed is in the process of being changed.

2) They are not going foward until they have the resources to do so. And as of yesterday they have the financial means to do it.

3) Jay is a stand up guy. More than likely a bad sign for him in this business.

4) Jay has done much better than what I imagined.

[sportznut]

Funny stuff, i am going to pop the popcorn and watch

[indoor]

Got to be a typo, ie 300,00 instead of 30,000.

And even that's probably on the low side.

[Banana Cat]

With more former arena people getting involved, it's just another sign that the plans for the league to become the Arena Tier 2 in 2012 are going to happen.

[gatek99]

wait isnt the Florida Tarpons of the UIFL going to play in the same town and the same arena?

How is that possibly going to work?

[Banana Cat]

Yeah, I think the Stingrays lost out.

I did see that the Florida Scorpions will probably be joining an indoor league here soon, could be the UIFL.