Nighthawks considering move to CIF, Storm could follow

[David]

7.26.17 -

The Wichita Falls Nighthawks are strongly considering joining the Champions Indoor Football (CIF) league, according to a report from Jonathan Hull of the Times News Record.

Earlier this month, speculation regarding the Nighthawks' future in the Indoor Football League arose from a News Channel 6 segment, in which Nighthawks owner Drew Carnes discussed the state of the league. He cited geographic concerns for the Nighthawks and expressed interest in joining "another league" (the CIF), which includes a number of Texas teams that are within 3 hours driving distances to help in terms of finances.

The speculation intensified on Tuesday, when the IFL issued a news release regarding plans for the 2018 season. The league also announced commitments from the Arizona Rattlers, Cedar Rapids Titans, Green Bay Blizzard, Iowa Barnstormers, and Nebraska Danger for next season. The Nighthawks, and the six time champion Sioux Falls Storm, were notably absent.

Carnes was reportedly surprised the IFL put the news out there. Per the Times News Record, he said he was undecided on whether or not the Nighthawks would return to the IFL next year, but the team has already applied for membership in the CIF.

In addition to geographic concerns, the Times News Record reports that lowering financial costs is the main reason Carnes is looking at joining the CIF. In spite of a 12-4 record and an average of 3,000 fans per game last season, the Nighthawks took a hit of $250,000 in operating costs. It was the second straight season in which Carnes has taken a loss of $250,000.

The majority of the expenses have come from travel costs. The closest IFL team in proximity to Wichita Falls is Grand Island, Nebraska, home to the Nebraska Danger, and is an eight-hour drive. Should the Nighthawks join the CIF, Texas based teams in Amarillo, Allen, Mesquite and Belton would slash those expenses considerably.

Carnes reportedly estimates by joining the CIF, the travel budget could save about $100,000. He stated that a "bad" travel schedule would cost between $17,000-18,000, while a good travel schedule in the IFL would cost $65,000.

The cost of player salary is considerably lower as well. IFL players reportedly make a base pay of $250 per game, while CIF players make a base pay of only $75 per game.

The Nighthawks have not determined their future yet, as one obstacle remains in their way: an arena lease agreement. The Nighthawks played the past three seasons at the Kay Yeager Coliseum, and are negotiating to continue playing there in the future. Carnes is awaiting for a lease in writing before making any decisions about what league the team will play next season. If a lease cannot be agreed upon, Carnes would not hesitate to move the franchise to another city.

Wichita Falls may not be the only team jumping ship to the CIF. Per the Times, the Sioux Falls Storm has reportedly also filed for application into the CIF.

The Storm have not confirmed that they've expressed interest in the CIF, however Head Coach Kurtiss Riggs stated that the Storm would take some time before committing to the IFL in 2018. In an interview with KWSN's "Calling All Sports with Mark O and Mike H," Riggs stated the Storm are still planning to play football next season, but did not remark on which league they would play in.

There are also rumors the Storm could look into joining the National Arena League (NAL) or the Arena Football League (AFL), but the heavy east coast geography of both leagues is an unlikely for the North Dakota based franchise.

The IFL have a deadline of September 1st for all teams intending to play in the upcoming season. Riggs stated that the Storm waited until August 27th last year to commit to the 2017 season.

A potential loss of the Nighthawks and the Storm would mark the fourth and fifth departures for the IFL, which fielded 10 teams in 2017. The league has already lost the Spokane Empire, who announced announced two weeks ago it was ceasing operations for 2018.

The IFL is also likely to lose the Salt Lake Screaming Eagles and the Colorado Crush, both owned by Project FANchise, who are departing the IFL to form their own "Interactive Football League." However, there's the possibility the Crush could be saved should a new ownership group be found for the longtime indoor franchise.

- DKH/ANM

Information from the Times News Record was used in this report

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[DiamondThief]

This nearly reminds me of a prolonged version of what we saw with the AFL in October. I anticipate one of these teams will be returning. We can only wonder what may be going on with expansion. Some things we were told previously by our sources are seemingly not coming to fruition. Perhaps some of that changes and the IFL's statement is an attempt to solidify those efforts. We need to remember that we are less than three weeks removed from the United Bowl. My feeling is that there are some heavy negotiations going on with multiple parties. FANchise really became a distraction and embarrassment over last season. I believe Patrick Dees told Bannock that they did not have unlimited money. I think we can only wonder how they figure out to afford running their own league, and what level of players might find themselves playing there.

[spiderfan]

I can understand why WF is leaving but SF? Where are Portland and Idaho in all of this?

[Kasey]

not good news for the league. I sort of get the Wichita Falls thing with distance. I would think Arizona will have some of the same issues in 2018 since the three teams located closest to them have either folded or are in serious danger of folding.

[David]

Jul 27, 2017 6:10:23 GMT -8 spiderfan said:

I can understand why WF is leaving but SF? Where are Portland and Idaho in all of this?

On the day the Empire ceased operations, Sam Adams (SWX) had said that Idaho and Portland were having second thoughts. I've yet to see a follow up.

However, I have seen a post on the Indoor Football Forum from Idaho that they're monitoring what's going on and that they may even wait until 2019 if necessary. 

[Nevadanut]

As a side note to this, the Baltimore Ravens signed David Olson of the CIF's Kansas City Phantoms. I realize it's just an offseason signing, but interesting.

[spiderfan]

Jul 28, 2017 19:44:45 GMT -8 Nevadanut said:

As a side note to this, the Baltimore Ravens signed David Olson of the CIF's Kansas City Phantoms. I realize it's just an offseason signing, but interesting.

If he has any success (a good preseason, makes the roster, good camp, etc.) That would be big for the CIF. 

[DiamondThief]

Jul 28, 2017 19:44:45 GMT -8 Nevadanut said:

As a side note to this, the Baltimore Ravens signed David Olson of the CIF's Kansas City Phantoms. I realize it's just an offseason signing, but interesting.

I read the NFL.com article about this. There is speculation that Joe Flacco's injury might not be as serious as they thought. The other piece of speculation is that the Ravens may not be going after Colin Kaepernick as Flacco's backup.

[spiderfan]

Jul 29, 2017 20:22:13 GMT -8 DiamondThief said:

Jul 28, 2017 19:44:45 GMT -8 Nevadanut said:

As a side note to this, the Baltimore Ravens signed David Olson of the CIF's Kansas City Phantoms. I realize it's just an offseason signing, but interesting.

I read the NFL.com article about this. There is speculation that Joe Flacco's injury might not be as serious as they thought. The other piece of speculation is that the Ravens may not be going after Colin Kaepernick as Flacco's backup.