Post by Banana Cat on Sept 23, 2010 9:52:37 GMT -5
www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20100923/SPORTS/9230347/1001
Arena football could return to Shreveport
The Southern Indoor Football League could add a team.
By Jimmy Watson • gannett.com
September 23, 2010
The Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings may have ceased operations in the twin cities, but northwest Louisiana may not be without arena football for very long.
Southern Indoor Football League president Thom Hager is interested in bringing a team to the CenturyTel Center if local owners can be secured. Hager plans to visit the area this week in search of just such a person or persons.
"The Battle Wings had some successful years there and we're excited about the opportunity to capitalize on the experience fans the area have had with arena football," Hager said.
The three-year-old league, dressed up similarly to the defunct af2, operated with five teams last season but expects to expand to 10 to 12 for the 2011 season. Team budgets are around $300,000, somewhat less than the af2, and team payrolls are limited to $3,150 per week, plus "win" bonuses.
"We are trying to limit travel to keep operating costs down," Hager said. "Teams in a league like this shouldn't be flying from coast to coast."
Hager said egos are one of the biggest problems facing ownership in lower-profile leagues like the AFL and the SIFL.
"Minor league sports beget major league egos," Hager said. "Some folks think they're Jerry Jones. Instead of being at the top of the pyramid, it needs to be flipped over."
Hager said ownership needs three types of people to run a successful franchise in the SIFL. They include having a "cracker jack" marketing director that is involved in the community, can knock on doors and is believable.
The second person must understand operations and be familiar with the ins and outs of the arena game. The third important element is a person who is a strong business manager who understands cash flow principles and who makes sure the team doesn't overpromise nor overspend.
"You need a staff that is paid on the reward system," Hager said. "The only reason to be in this business is to turn a profit."
SIFL teams play a 12-game schedule, rather than the 16-game slate played last year in the AFL, which is expanding to 18 games this season. The SIFL season runs from mid-March through June. Teams are composed of 20 players plus three practice squad players.
The league headquarters is in Lake Charles and teams currently listed on the SIFL website are the Lafayette Wildcatters, Abilene Ruff Riders, Corpus Christi Hammerheads, Greenville Force, Louisiana Swashbucklers, Columbus Lions, Albany Panthers and Rio Grande Valley.
The Southern Indoor Football League could add a team.
By Jimmy Watson • gannett.com
September 23, 2010
The Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings may have ceased operations in the twin cities, but northwest Louisiana may not be without arena football for very long.
Southern Indoor Football League president Thom Hager is interested in bringing a team to the CenturyTel Center if local owners can be secured. Hager plans to visit the area this week in search of just such a person or persons.
"The Battle Wings had some successful years there and we're excited about the opportunity to capitalize on the experience fans the area have had with arena football," Hager said.
The three-year-old league, dressed up similarly to the defunct af2, operated with five teams last season but expects to expand to 10 to 12 for the 2011 season. Team budgets are around $300,000, somewhat less than the af2, and team payrolls are limited to $3,150 per week, plus "win" bonuses.
"We are trying to limit travel to keep operating costs down," Hager said. "Teams in a league like this shouldn't be flying from coast to coast."
Hager said egos are one of the biggest problems facing ownership in lower-profile leagues like the AFL and the SIFL.
"Minor league sports beget major league egos," Hager said. "Some folks think they're Jerry Jones. Instead of being at the top of the pyramid, it needs to be flipped over."
Hager said ownership needs three types of people to run a successful franchise in the SIFL. They include having a "cracker jack" marketing director that is involved in the community, can knock on doors and is believable.
The second person must understand operations and be familiar with the ins and outs of the arena game. The third important element is a person who is a strong business manager who understands cash flow principles and who makes sure the team doesn't overpromise nor overspend.
"You need a staff that is paid on the reward system," Hager said. "The only reason to be in this business is to turn a profit."
SIFL teams play a 12-game schedule, rather than the 16-game slate played last year in the AFL, which is expanding to 18 games this season. The SIFL season runs from mid-March through June. Teams are composed of 20 players plus three practice squad players.
The league headquarters is in Lake Charles and teams currently listed on the SIFL website are the Lafayette Wildcatters, Abilene Ruff Riders, Corpus Christi Hammerheads, Greenville Force, Louisiana Swashbucklers, Columbus Lions, Albany Panthers and Rio Grande Valley.