New Home Needed

[Free Agent Fan]

www.examiner.com/a-893592~Blackbirds_need_to_find_a_new_home.html

- The Baltimore Blackbirds are determined to play in Charm City next season, but it won’t be at 1st Mariner Arena.

An exclusive deal between 1st Mariner Arena and the American Indoor Football Association restricts the arena to house more than one arena football team. The Blackbirds, who had their contract with the league terminated, must find a new home for the 2008 season.

“Our first choice is to stay home in Baltimore, but 1st Mariner Arena will not entertain discussions with the Blackbirds,” Blackbirds vice president John Wolfe said. “We want the fans of Baltimore to know that we want to play in Baltimore, but that option has been taken away from us.”

Baltimore’s second AIFA expansion franchise in two years — to be named either Steamers or Mariners — will play its home games at 1st Mariner Arena. The name of the team, to be determined partly by votes on the league’s Web site, will be decided by the end of the week, AIFA co-owner John Morris said.

The AIFA has a contract with 1st Mariner Arena through 2009 with a two-year option, which allows the new franchise to use the venue through the 2011 season.

“You can’t have two teams play there at one time,” Morris said. “It’s tough enough to have one survive there. You can’t have both of them there.”

Frank Remesch, general manager of 1st Mariner Arena, said the exclusion of the Blackbirds isn’t because of financial reasons; it’s because of contractual obligations with the AIFA.

Arena football seasons generally run opposite of the National Football League, from March to July. Remesch said he doesn’t believe two teams could survive in one venue.

“It would be cannibalistic,” he said. “Would the Orioles own a second baseball team next door? It can’t work. It’s not a healthy situation.”

Prior to the Blackbirds’ termination with the AIFA, because Morris said the team breached its contract — a claim the Blackbirds deny — the Blackbirds planned to schedule all of their home games on Saturday nights.

Last season, the Blackbirds averaged 3,100 fans in their two Saturday home dates, while only drawing approximately 3,000 combined for the other two — played on a Monday and Friday — according to the Arena’s audit.

The Blackbirds, who finished 1-12 in their inaugural season this spring, are in negotiations with a new league and venue for the 2008 season, Wolfe said.

“I wish the Blackbirds well,” Morris said. “I hope the Blackbirds find a place to play.”

— [e-mail]

[xmradiodave]

I really want the Birds to find a home. The problem is, if it is not in Baltimore and at the 1st Mariner Arena, well, that really limits the options in this neighborhood. 1st mariner is an old and tired venue. But regardless of that, it is still the premier venue in the city as far as indoor arenas go. The arena still pulls in big acts from the recently visiting Christina Aguleira (sp?) to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey circus. Major rock shows like the Rolling Stones have even performed there. It goes without saying, the team that holds the contract to the arena has a significantly higher chance of surviving.

[johnw]

Capt., I respectfully disagree with you. Lot more goes into running a franchise then the venue. The Blackbirds will be alright. You always have to stick around for the rest of the story.

[xmradiodave]

Well, that proves why I am not in the business of indoor football. I feel like a tool now.

[UnoBomber]

johnw said:

Capt., I respectfully disagree with you. Lot more goes into running a franchise then the venue. The Blackbirds will be alright. You always have to stick around for the rest of the story.

Venues may not be that important, but being in a league would certainly help.

[johnw]

Well, sometimes you decide it is best to start over, rather then stay in the league you're in. It is unfortunate, but we have chosen to take the high road rather then bad mouth the league. So it would be best to not cut on the Blackbirds when you don't know the whole story, or only the story you have heard from league circles. The Blackbirds will end up somewhere, but after last season's fiasco we are taking our time.

[Free Agent Fan]

I don't see anything cutting up the BlackBirds. If anything, the posts are encouragements about finding a place and league to play in.

[johnw]

shimadajoe said:

I don't see anything cutting up the BlackBirds. If anything, the posts are encouragements about finding a place and league to play in.

No, I understand. I don't know if the last comment was intended that way, but most have been encouraging. It has been a stressful offseason, if you can imagine. We have had a very busy offseason and hopefully some things will come to fruition soon. Good luck to everyone this season.

[Gene]

johnw said:

shimadajoe said:

I don't see anything cutting up the BlackBirds. If anything, the posts are encouragements about finding a place and league to play in.

No, I understand. I don't know if the last comment was intended that way, but most have been encouraging. It has been a stressful offseason, if you can imagine. We have had a very busy offseason and hopefully some things will come to fruition soon. Good luck to everyone this season.

Best of luck to you and the rest of the Blackbirds organization in all your future endeavors......

[UnoBomber]

johnw said:

shimadajoe said:

I don't see anything cutting up the BlackBirds. If anything, the posts are encouragements about finding a place and league to play in.

No, I understand. I don't know if the last comment was intended that way, but most have been encouraging. It has been a stressful offseason, if you can imagine. We have had a very busy offseason and hopefully some things will come to fruition soon. Good luck to everyone this season.

I'm not one to beat around the bush. You guys need to be in a league to survive. Simple as that. If I were to take a personal jab at the Blackbirds, you'd know. Trust me.

[johnw]

thefridge81 said:

johnw said:

No, I understand. I don't know if the last comment was intended that way, but most have been encouraging. It has been a stressful offseason, if you can imagine. We have had a very busy offseason and hopefully some things will come to fruition soon. Good luck to everyone this season.

I'm not one to beat around the bush. You guys need to be in a league to survive. Simple as that. If I were to take a personal jab at the Blackbirds, you'd know. Trust me.

Yep, that is the first step. No league, no play. We should announce something in the next few weeks on what direction we are heading.

[Free Agent Fan]

The guy that runs that radio show is a complete utter moron. He is a bigtime con artist. Not worth anyone's time.

[xmradiodave]

I don't know about anyone else, but I for one am gonna check it out. I love me a good train wreck, and no one flies off the tracks better than JT.

[xmradiodave]

According to Jim Terry's website, The Blackbirds are heading to the CIFL? Is this right? I did not see a presser about this anywhere. Can anyone tell me if this is correct? The CIFL?

[mudcatmaniac]

we are JT's best media support. This man is a complete failure. It's unfortunate to see the desperation of such an unethical human being. His pleas and "deals" are simply embarrassing for anyone who has had to listen to him beg. *are you really this stupid or are you making a special effort today?* It is really a sad thing. This man is a wash up and all who know him know this is true. *don't let your mind wander - it's far too small to be let out on its own* He prey's on the new, the young and the unexperienced. He appears to have a goal of tarnishing those who won't accept his "deals" and the only way he can make it to the top is by trying to cut the legs out from under anyone in his path.

I don't think he's a fool, but what's my opinion compared to that of thousands of others?