Post by Kasey on Oct 16, 2016 10:55:48 GMT -8
October 15, 2016 -- The former Portland Thunder have been in talks to resurrect the team and take it to the Indoor Football League, according to a source exclusive to SCtoC.
The Thunder, which played in the Arena Football league in 2014 and 2015, were taken over by AFL commissioner Scott Butera in January. The had been owned by Clackamas, Oregon businessman Terry Emmert.
No formal application has been submitted to the IFL, but that could be due to the fact the Portland Steel of the AFL were still operating. On Friday, it was confirmed that the Steel would be folded by the league.
The Thunder were 10-26 in two seasons before the takeover. The Steel were 3-13 in their final season. Emmert and the organization heavily promoted the team with former University of Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas. Under Thomas, a dual threat QB, the Ducks played for the NCAA national championship following the 2010 season, losing to Auburn.
The AFL had a tough week last week, seeing five its nine teams either fold or look to transfer to other leagues. The Arizona Rattlers are joining the IFL, while the Jacksonville franchise is looking to join the Arena Developmental League. The Orlando Predators and Los Angeles KISS have ceased their respective operations. Steel were owned by AFL in the hopes that Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen would purchase the team. Allen, who is based out of Seattle, did not buy the team. That, and the league's inability to find a viable owner caused the league to shut it down.
The Arena Football league announced they will proceed with just four teams for its 2017 season; the Cleveland Gladiators, Philadelphia Soul, Tampa Bay Storm and expansion Washington D.C. Valor.
The IFL will be set to start 2017 with the Spokane Empire, Sioux Falls Storm, Cedar Rapids Titans, Green Bay Blizzard, Iowa Barnstormers, Wichita Falls Nighthawks, Nebraska Danger, Colorado Crush, Billings Wolves and Salt Lake Screaming Eagles. There have been rumors that the Billings franchise will fold prior to the season, but no official announcement has been made.
- MKM
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