Post by 1stDownStorm on Apr 6, 2007 1:59:36 GMT -5
www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070405/SPORTS/704050349/1002/SPORTS
Titans may not be able to finish first season
Originally published April 5, 2007
By Bob Ferrante
DEMOCRAT CORRESPONDENT
Tallahassee Titans owner David Morris and Director of Operations Misty Sullivan said the team does not have enough money to complete the season unless it gets a significant cash infusion.
Morris does not want to sell the indoor football team, which is in its inaugural season, but he is interested in selling more corporate sponsorship or selling some minority shares - especially to local investors.
"It really is about getting through the season," Sullivan said Wednesday night. "(Dave) is very stressed. He does not have any more money."
Said Morris: “I've gone into my 401(k), I've gone into all kinds of stuff. I'm going to the point where it's hurting. It's hurting pretty bad."
Sullivan said she has not been paid in three months - but that has partially been by choice as she uses money for other expenses. There also was not enough money left in the Titans' bank account to pay players, who are typically paid each Tuesday night, so Sullivan said Wednesday night that she was covering a little more than half of the $6,000 that is due the 20 activated players with funds from her own local business.
Money could come in as soon as today, when the Civic Center board meets. Sullivan is asking the Civic Center for $30,000 of the Titans' $75,000 deposit to help cover costs for this season. But under the team's lease agreement, the Civic Center is not obligated to return any of the deposit until the end of the Titans' three-year lease. Civic Center director Ron Spencer could not be reached for comment Wednesday night.
The Titans are 6-1 under coach Keven Jackson and are in second place in the American Indoor Football Association's South Division with seven games left - including three at home. The team is made up mostly of local players, including former Florida A&M standouts such as quarterback Ben Dougherty and wide receiver Rod Miller and former Florida State products such as fullback/linebacker James Coleman and wide receiver Patrick Harrington.
Fan support has been solid for the Titans, who are one of the league leaders in attendance and are drawing more fans than most AIFA teams can fit in their own arena.
The Titans drew 5,700 on opening night on Feb. 17, but attendance steadily dropped to a low of 4,000 on March 17. About 4,700 fans showed up Saturday night to see the Titans' 41-36 win over Florence.
Morris said that it was a mistake to schedule home games on Saturday nights during the college students' spring break.
"Having those games on spring break - that's a mistake I'll never make again," Morris said. "It's a lesson learned."
Morris said he is happy with how Tallahassee's football fans have embraced the team.
"The excitement about the team is tremendous," Morris said. "We're building our base."
But Sullivan said that the team's financial needs are urgent and that the Titans need immediate financial help.
"We're all trying to stay positive," Sullivan said.
The Titans aren't the only team to have financial struggles at the Civic Center since 1994. The Scorpions (indoor soccer) and Thunder (indoor football) folded because of finances, and the Tiger Sharks (hockey) moved to Macon.
Titans may not be able to finish first season
Originally published April 5, 2007
By Bob Ferrante
DEMOCRAT CORRESPONDENT
Tallahassee Titans owner David Morris and Director of Operations Misty Sullivan said the team does not have enough money to complete the season unless it gets a significant cash infusion.
Morris does not want to sell the indoor football team, which is in its inaugural season, but he is interested in selling more corporate sponsorship or selling some minority shares - especially to local investors.
"It really is about getting through the season," Sullivan said Wednesday night. "(Dave) is very stressed. He does not have any more money."
Said Morris: “I've gone into my 401(k), I've gone into all kinds of stuff. I'm going to the point where it's hurting. It's hurting pretty bad."
Sullivan said she has not been paid in three months - but that has partially been by choice as she uses money for other expenses. There also was not enough money left in the Titans' bank account to pay players, who are typically paid each Tuesday night, so Sullivan said Wednesday night that she was covering a little more than half of the $6,000 that is due the 20 activated players with funds from her own local business.
Money could come in as soon as today, when the Civic Center board meets. Sullivan is asking the Civic Center for $30,000 of the Titans' $75,000 deposit to help cover costs for this season. But under the team's lease agreement, the Civic Center is not obligated to return any of the deposit until the end of the Titans' three-year lease. Civic Center director Ron Spencer could not be reached for comment Wednesday night.
The Titans are 6-1 under coach Keven Jackson and are in second place in the American Indoor Football Association's South Division with seven games left - including three at home. The team is made up mostly of local players, including former Florida A&M standouts such as quarterback Ben Dougherty and wide receiver Rod Miller and former Florida State products such as fullback/linebacker James Coleman and wide receiver Patrick Harrington.
Fan support has been solid for the Titans, who are one of the league leaders in attendance and are drawing more fans than most AIFA teams can fit in their own arena.
The Titans drew 5,700 on opening night on Feb. 17, but attendance steadily dropped to a low of 4,000 on March 17. About 4,700 fans showed up Saturday night to see the Titans' 41-36 win over Florence.
Morris said that it was a mistake to schedule home games on Saturday nights during the college students' spring break.
"Having those games on spring break - that's a mistake I'll never make again," Morris said. "It's a lesson learned."
Morris said he is happy with how Tallahassee's football fans have embraced the team.
"The excitement about the team is tremendous," Morris said. "We're building our base."
But Sullivan said that the team's financial needs are urgent and that the Titans need immediate financial help.
"We're all trying to stay positive," Sullivan said.
The Titans aren't the only team to have financial struggles at the Civic Center since 1994. The Scorpions (indoor soccer) and Thunder (indoor football) folded because of finances, and the Tiger Sharks (hockey) moved to Macon.
