Post by xmradiodave on Aug 12, 2007 21:02:06 GMT -5
You will be hard pressed to find a more staunch supporter of the Baltimore Blackbirds than I. Go to the Blackbirds message board and take a look around. I have been a supporter of the team since before there was even a physical team. I have received a few messages questioning my stance and allegiance to the team.
Here is where I stand on the situation:
I am a Blackbirds fan through and through. I hope they can find a place to play both league-wise and field-wise. I have many friends involved with that team and I want them to be successful. The problem is... is there going to be a next season? Well, if there is not a place to play, then the answer is no. As far as the AIFA goes, why would I blame them solely for the expulsion of the Blackbirds. This is first and foremost a business. Contracts were signed and contractual obligations were not met. The real problem is with Blackbirds owner Alexander Austin. I have been critical of him and his ability to own and operate a team from day one.
Other teams in this league have been successful as a result of decent ownership. Baltimore is not one of them. I understand and sympathize with the Blackbirds regarding the adversity that had to be tackled in establishing the team. They should never have been in the South division. That was a big mistake on the Leagues part. But that did not single handedly sink the Blackbirds. There are many other factors involved that we as fans are not privy to.
I have talked exhaustively with members of the Blackbirds organization as well as members of the AIFA. There are two sides two every story, and after talking to both sides I can say that there is still really no real clear-cut story. That is the nature of the beast.
So, I support the Blackbirds. I will be a fan if there is a Blackbirds team to be a fan of in the upcoming season. I am also looking forward to this new AIFA team and will rally behind them. That is what a Baltimore football fan does. It will be our team. I am excited to support both franchises. It is kind of like being a child of divorce. Mommy and daddy split up and it hurts, but when they get married to their new significant others, I will get more gifts at Christmas time!
I will absolutely rally behind the new team. And as soon as the Blackbirds announce their new deal, I will rally behind them too. I will not slam one league over another, and I will not choose sides. There is no "side" to choose.
Now, that being said... and I have made this publicly known on the Blackbirds site, if the Blackbirds find a new home, be it in Annapolis or College Park, then it saddens me to say this, but I will not be a season ticket holder for the Blackbirds. It is simply too far of a drive. I drive 110 miles round trip every day for work. I will not be doing that drive on my days off. A lot of the fans of the Blackbirds feel the same way. We are a fickle lot. If the team is not in our city, then it does not really feel like "our" team. Thats just the way it is.
Go ahead and call me a traitor if you wish. Accepting change does not make me a bad person. There is no abandonment here, there is acceptance and embracing of change... and I for one look forward to it.
Here is where I stand on the situation:
I am a Blackbirds fan through and through. I hope they can find a place to play both league-wise and field-wise. I have many friends involved with that team and I want them to be successful. The problem is... is there going to be a next season? Well, if there is not a place to play, then the answer is no. As far as the AIFA goes, why would I blame them solely for the expulsion of the Blackbirds. This is first and foremost a business. Contracts were signed and contractual obligations were not met. The real problem is with Blackbirds owner Alexander Austin. I have been critical of him and his ability to own and operate a team from day one.
Other teams in this league have been successful as a result of decent ownership. Baltimore is not one of them. I understand and sympathize with the Blackbirds regarding the adversity that had to be tackled in establishing the team. They should never have been in the South division. That was a big mistake on the Leagues part. But that did not single handedly sink the Blackbirds. There are many other factors involved that we as fans are not privy to.
I have talked exhaustively with members of the Blackbirds organization as well as members of the AIFA. There are two sides two every story, and after talking to both sides I can say that there is still really no real clear-cut story. That is the nature of the beast.
So, I support the Blackbirds. I will be a fan if there is a Blackbirds team to be a fan of in the upcoming season. I am also looking forward to this new AIFA team and will rally behind them. That is what a Baltimore football fan does. It will be our team. I am excited to support both franchises. It is kind of like being a child of divorce. Mommy and daddy split up and it hurts, but when they get married to their new significant others, I will get more gifts at Christmas time!
I will absolutely rally behind the new team. And as soon as the Blackbirds announce their new deal, I will rally behind them too. I will not slam one league over another, and I will not choose sides. There is no "side" to choose.
Now, that being said... and I have made this publicly known on the Blackbirds site, if the Blackbirds find a new home, be it in Annapolis or College Park, then it saddens me to say this, but I will not be a season ticket holder for the Blackbirds. It is simply too far of a drive. I drive 110 miles round trip every day for work. I will not be doing that drive on my days off. A lot of the fans of the Blackbirds feel the same way. We are a fickle lot. If the team is not in our city, then it does not really feel like "our" team. Thats just the way it is.
Go ahead and call me a traitor if you wish. Accepting change does not make me a bad person. There is no abandonment here, there is acceptance and embracing of change... and I for one look forward to it.
