IFL REBOUND IN 2019?

[jgary48]

The Indoor Football League recently took a hit when a court order forced the Bloomington Edge and the Western Michigan Ironmen to the sidelines. This was the result of the league losing its battle with the Champions Indoor Football League. The two have been fighting each other over teams the entire offseason. There was a time when the IFL looked like it would merge with its rival but those talks halted and both parties wqent there separate ways. The IFL agreed in a court settlement not to pursue CIF teams in the future but nobody was quite sure if the ruling applied to the Champions Indoor FOOTBALL League which tried to lure Wichita FALLS and Sioux Falls into the fold only to see both teams back out of those deals.

         What will the future hold for these two, it may not be promising. There are rumors of teams bolting the IFL   for a new western league that might have teams in San DIEDGO, Idaho, Las Vegas, and Portland. The CIF, considered a smaller league than the IFL, might be raided by the much larger NAL or even the AFL if it comes back to the west coast. The IFL figures to rebound. The league may reobtain Spokane if a new owner is found in that market. Portland would be a huge geographical choice because it would renew a rivalary with Arizona. Western Michigan and Bloomington figure to rejoin the league thus strengthing the league lineup. The league has become the NFL of the indoor circuit.The style of play with lower scores and better defense added to the use of instant replay for this coming season figures to increase interest in the league that might catch the eye of NFL Network or FS1 for possible coverage in the future.  

[Kasey]

We've been all over this over the off season. The IFL will move on with six teams this season and more in 2019. I disagree, though, that the IFL might end up being featured on the NFL Network, or even Fox Sports 1. That just isn't going to happen, at least any time soon.

[David]

Just a few points.

- Wichita Falls didn't back out of the deal. They were threatened with a lawsuit by the IFL and were faced with either losing a ton of money playing in the IFL or suspending operations. They chose to suspend operations.

- The only rumor I've heard about a western arena/indoor league has involved Arizona. Besides the fact they have a significant amount of income at their disposal, they're the only team that's really far "out west."

- I don't see Las Vegas joining another indoor/arena game. They've moved on from "minor league" sports with the NFL's Raiders coming in 2020, the Vegas Golden Knights NHL team, and the new Las Vegas Aces WNBA team. 

- San Diego is up for debate. Last rumor I heard was them looking at XFL 2.0

- One can hope Spokane can be revived, but I haven't heard anything since they ceased operations.

- With the instability of all the indoor leagues, I don't see NFL Network or FS1 looking at the sport for TV airtime. The AFL's down to 4 teams and they're paying to be seen on CBS Sports Network. If this was the mid 2000's when Arena Football was the rage, I'd agree. But at this point, I just don't see it. I've heard rumors of FS2 (a network that's lesser known than CBS Sports Network) possibly airing Arena Football, but that's probably not happening.

Honestly, if you're looking to get a chance in the NFL, besides the IFL, you're best suited going and playing up in Canada.