Post by Late Boarder on Dec 3, 2007 22:43:49 GMT -5
Lakeland is coming to the AIFA in 2009-whether it's the Bolts or not:
www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3566472
Good to see you fans are getting what you want...Hope it is the Bolts...
www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3566472
AIFA Signs Agreement With Lakeland Center For 2009
BALTIMORE, Maryland (December 3, 2007) - AIFA Football will return to Lakeland, Florida in 2009. The American Indoor Football Association signed a Letter of Intent with the Lakeland Center, securing the building for an AIFA team.
The agreement is the result of recent meetings held at the Lakeland Center. AIFA co-founders John Morris and Michael Mink represented the league, while Executive Director Mike LaPan represented the arena.
Located nearly midway between Tampa and Orlando, the Lakeland Center has a capacity of approximately 6,000 for indoor football. During the American Indoor Football Association's inaugural season, it served as the home arena for the AIFA-champion Lakeland Thunderbolts. But the Thunderbolts are sitting out the 2008 season due to an internal dispute.
"We want to do everything we can to encourage the Lakeland Thunderbolts' ownership to resolve their differences," Morris said. "This agreement is intended to do just that. A return of the Thunderbolts in 2009 is still the preferred option for the league. But this agreement does provide a path forward, if the Thunderbolts fail to resolve their internal issues."
Mink, a native of the Tampa area, is keenly aware of the importance of a vibrant Lakeland franchise.
"We have a responsibility to AIFA fans throughout Central Florida and the Lakeland area, as well as to our other franchise owners," he said. "A successful Lakeland franchise is a top priority for the league, and the agreement assures that this priority will be met. Either we will go forward with the Thunderbolts or without them."
"The Lakeland Center has had great success with indoor football over the past three years," said LaPan. "We look forward to participating in the AIFA's continued growth and working with the league on bringing indoor football back to Lakeland in 2009."
The Lakeland area lies midway between two of the three largest television markets in the state of Florida. Tampa-St. Petersburg ranks 12th nationally, while Orlando ranks 19th. The combined markets have over 3.1 million television homes.
BALTIMORE, Maryland (December 3, 2007) - AIFA Football will return to Lakeland, Florida in 2009. The American Indoor Football Association signed a Letter of Intent with the Lakeland Center, securing the building for an AIFA team.
The agreement is the result of recent meetings held at the Lakeland Center. AIFA co-founders John Morris and Michael Mink represented the league, while Executive Director Mike LaPan represented the arena.
Located nearly midway between Tampa and Orlando, the Lakeland Center has a capacity of approximately 6,000 for indoor football. During the American Indoor Football Association's inaugural season, it served as the home arena for the AIFA-champion Lakeland Thunderbolts. But the Thunderbolts are sitting out the 2008 season due to an internal dispute.
"We want to do everything we can to encourage the Lakeland Thunderbolts' ownership to resolve their differences," Morris said. "This agreement is intended to do just that. A return of the Thunderbolts in 2009 is still the preferred option for the league. But this agreement does provide a path forward, if the Thunderbolts fail to resolve their internal issues."
Mink, a native of the Tampa area, is keenly aware of the importance of a vibrant Lakeland franchise.
"We have a responsibility to AIFA fans throughout Central Florida and the Lakeland area, as well as to our other franchise owners," he said. "A successful Lakeland franchise is a top priority for the league, and the agreement assures that this priority will be met. Either we will go forward with the Thunderbolts or without them."
"The Lakeland Center has had great success with indoor football over the past three years," said LaPan. "We look forward to participating in the AIFA's continued growth and working with the league on bringing indoor football back to Lakeland in 2009."
The Lakeland area lies midway between two of the three largest television markets in the state of Florida. Tampa-St. Petersburg ranks 12th nationally, while Orlando ranks 19th. The combined markets have over 3.1 million television homes.
Good to see you fans are getting what you want...Hope it is the Bolts...
