Post by David on Apr 20, 2016 18:38:49 GMT -8
4.20.16 -
Is the Indoor Football League planning on expansion for the 2017 season?
All indications point towards yes as the IFL took to social media to tease a big announcement coming on April 21st, 2016. On both its Facebook and Twitter accounts, the league posted a blacked out skyline against a mountain backdrop with big, bold red letter saying "TOMORROW" and its Facebook cover photo containing the hashtag #IFL2017.
According to GeekWire.com, the expansion team's ownership is called "Project FANchise." The article describes Project FANchise as a startup company based out of Santa Monica, CA. and that the company "just bought an expansion team in the Indoor Football League." The company is backed by veteran tech entrepreneurs and former NFL players/executives and will own the team and its arena. However, the team will be unique as it will allow fans to "essentially run the franchise."
Fans making decisions for franchise isn't that unusual concept; in 2012, the Seattle Sounders of Major League Soccer included its fans to vote on whether it should retain its General Manager.
The article also reports that the city's announcement will be based in either Salt Lake City, Utah, or Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The location of the franchise was determined by a fan vote and will be revealed on Thursday. Based on various Tweets on twitter, the conference will take place at the Maverik Center in West Valley City, Utah. Unless the press conference announces otherwise, it's highly likely the team will be based out of Salt Lake City.
Fans will also have the opportunity to vote on everything related to the expansion team, including the team name, logo, uniform design, football field design, and the members of its cheerleader squad. The fans will also influence the hiring of the team's GM, its coaching staff, and even which players make the final roster.
The IFL currently has 10 active teams, and most of the teams appear to be returning in 2017. The only team with a cloudy future is the Colorado Crush, which was put up for sale due to the terminal health diagnosis of majority owner Tom Wigley.
The announcement will be the first true expansion team since the announcement of the Minnesota Havok last September. The Havok were based out of Mankato, MN, and were set to play in the 2016 season. In January, their membership was terminated by the league because of its failure to meet the IFL's minimal operational standard, less than a month before the regular season started.
- DKH
Information from GeekWire was used in this report. If you would like to read about the full article regarding Project FANchise, click here.
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