Post by Free Agent Fan on Aug 16, 2007 18:23:45 GMT -5
www.examiner.com/a-883140~AIFA_picks_Baltimore_for_new_franchise.html
AIFA picks Baltimore for new franchise
by Mike Peters, The Examiner
After an eight-day absence, the American Indoor Football Association is back in Baltimore.
The AIFA will replace the Baltimore Blackbirds with a new team that will call 1st Mariner Arena home, league co-owner John Morris announced Tuesday. The new franchise will be operated by the league until a local owner is found, and its name - Steamers or Mariners - and team colors will be announced after the league’s owners meet next week in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Morris said the AIFA decided to cut ties with the Blackbirds on Aug. 6 because the team breached its contract--a claim the Blackbirds front office denies. However, Morris, a Baltimore native, wanted to keep an indoor football team in his hometown.
“Our plans always have been to have an AIFA team here,” Morris said. “Our hopes were to have the Blackbirds stay here. But in the end, we just couldn’t make it work.”
Former Blackbirds coach Chris Simpson was named the head coach of the new franchise, and Michael Mink, also a league co-owner, will serve as the director of player personnel and offensive coordinator.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for me to continue what I came to Baltimore for in the first place,” Simpson said. “I appreciate the trust that John Morris and Michael Mink have in me to build a winning program for this city.”
Simpson plans to remain in Baltimore for two or three seasons before trying to get a coaching job in the Arena Football League - regarded by many as the premier indoor football league - or the National Football League.
Following a two-week trip to Seattle to visit his family, Simpson will begin recruiting players and coaches for the season, which starts in February. Simpson has several players in mind, including some former Blackbirds, but refused to comment specifically.
The players’ contracts with the Blackbirds expired on Aug. 1, making the entire roster free agents.
“There are some guys from last year that I’d like to have in this organization,” Simpson said. “There’s already a core to work with. It’s a good situation.”
The AIFA has a contract to play in the 1st Mariner Arena until 2009, with a two-year option through 2011, Morris said.
Once the AIFA’s contract with the Blackbirds was terminated, Morris decided to immediately award the city an expansion team.
He and Mink will continue to run the day-to-day operations for the new franchise, while maintaining the league until a credible owner will take over the responsibilities of the Baltimore franchise.
“I don’t want arena football to leave Baltimore like the Colts left it,” Morris said. “If it means that I’ve got to make double duty to make that happen, I’ll do it. I’m willing to do whatever we have to do. It is not our goal to own this team forever. We’d like to find someone local in this community.”
AIFA picks Baltimore for new franchise
by Mike Peters, The Examiner
After an eight-day absence, the American Indoor Football Association is back in Baltimore.
The AIFA will replace the Baltimore Blackbirds with a new team that will call 1st Mariner Arena home, league co-owner John Morris announced Tuesday. The new franchise will be operated by the league until a local owner is found, and its name - Steamers or Mariners - and team colors will be announced after the league’s owners meet next week in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Morris said the AIFA decided to cut ties with the Blackbirds on Aug. 6 because the team breached its contract--a claim the Blackbirds front office denies. However, Morris, a Baltimore native, wanted to keep an indoor football team in his hometown.
“Our plans always have been to have an AIFA team here,” Morris said. “Our hopes were to have the Blackbirds stay here. But in the end, we just couldn’t make it work.”
Former Blackbirds coach Chris Simpson was named the head coach of the new franchise, and Michael Mink, also a league co-owner, will serve as the director of player personnel and offensive coordinator.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for me to continue what I came to Baltimore for in the first place,” Simpson said. “I appreciate the trust that John Morris and Michael Mink have in me to build a winning program for this city.”
Simpson plans to remain in Baltimore for two or three seasons before trying to get a coaching job in the Arena Football League - regarded by many as the premier indoor football league - or the National Football League.
Following a two-week trip to Seattle to visit his family, Simpson will begin recruiting players and coaches for the season, which starts in February. Simpson has several players in mind, including some former Blackbirds, but refused to comment specifically.
The players’ contracts with the Blackbirds expired on Aug. 1, making the entire roster free agents.
“There are some guys from last year that I’d like to have in this organization,” Simpson said. “There’s already a core to work with. It’s a good situation.”
The AIFA has a contract to play in the 1st Mariner Arena until 2009, with a two-year option through 2011, Morris said.
Once the AIFA’s contract with the Blackbirds was terminated, Morris decided to immediately award the city an expansion team.
He and Mink will continue to run the day-to-day operations for the new franchise, while maintaining the league until a credible owner will take over the responsibilities of the Baltimore franchise.
“I don’t want arena football to leave Baltimore like the Colts left it,” Morris said. “If it means that I’ve got to make double duty to make that happen, I’ll do it. I’m willing to do whatever we have to do. It is not our goal to own this team forever. We’d like to find someone local in this community.”