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Post by bobster on Aug 4, 2008 15:02:43 GMT -5
:smileymariners:
Baltimore Mariners Get New Owners
BALTIMORE, Maryland (August 4, 2008) – The American Indoor Football Asso ciation added two new owners to its ranks over the weekend, as the Baltimore Mariners were sold by AIFA co-founder John Morris to Baltimore businessmen Alan Taylor and Steven Shockett. Terms of the sale were not announced. The Mariners entered the AIFA as an expansion team in 2008, posting a 4-10 record in their inaugural season. Three members of the team were named to the Eastern Conference All-Star Squad last week. The Mariners announced that former AIFA player Greg Justice will serve as the team's General Manager, while previous Mariner's coach Chris Simpson will return in the same capacity for 2009. “This has been fun,” Taylor told This Week in the AIFA. “We have some very good talent, and we'd love to turn our record around from 4-10 to 10-4 next year.” “I believe this franchise is in excellent hands,” said Morris. “Living here in Baltimore and having the league office here as well, I considered it a priority that the Mariners have quality ownership to assure their future growth. And I will certainly provide any help I can through the transition period and beyond.” Taylor will be a guest on the upcoming edition of This Week in the AIFA, which will provide in-depth coverage of the team sale. The program will be available for download through the Internet on Wednesday night. It will be available either at the AIFA web site (www.oursportscentral.com (http://www.oursportscentral.com/)). The new ownership and management group moved into the team's downtown offices at the First Mariner Arena today.
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Post by bobster on Aug 4, 2008 15:09:03 GMT -5
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Post by Free Agent Fan on Aug 4, 2008 15:10:04 GMT -5
I knew about this one for a couple weeks. I was waiting for the press release. Thats what they said they were going to do. Get the team going, then find a buyer. This brings new hope to Harrisburg and Huntington. Maybe.
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Post by bobster on Aug 4, 2008 15:12:16 GMT -5
A Letter to Baltimore Mariners Fans and Sponsors
On August 1, 2008 an agreement to sell the Baltimore Mariners was finalized and the closing was completed to a group of local investors headed by managing partner Alan Taylor. While there was speculation of an imminent sale of the team, the owners and staff of the Baltimore Mariners where prevented by the purchase agreement of discussing the matter until the deal was completed.
Now that the deal has been completed I have started calling the Mariners many fans and sponsors to thank them for their support this past season. There are so many people that I want to personally thank but the list is too long to call everyone so I am writing this letter so nobody is left out. The fans of Baltimore are some of the finest I have had the privilege of knowing and the Baltimore Mariners experience has been nothing less then perfect.
From the beginning it was always my goal to sell the Mariners once they were a stable and successful organization whether it took me one year or five years to do so. The Mariners future is very important to me having been a resident of the Baltimore area my entire life, I always told myself if and when the right person or group came along I had to give selling the team serious thought which I did. In the last couple of months I had several groups that showed an interest in purchasing the Mariners and after weighing several offers I had to decide which group was the right choice to carry the Mariners into the future. I feel that I have found that group that will put in the same hard work as I and my staff have done this past year as well as have the needed passion for this team.
What does the future hold for John Morris, after a short transition with Alan Taylor and his ownership group I will spending my time working with my staff day to day to make the AIFA the best league it can be. That being said a huge component of the continued success of the AIFA is adding teams within close proximity of each other to cut down on travel costs. My next project is an expansion team in Harrisburg Pa. that begins play next season.
I will always hold in my heart a special place for the Mariners and the many friends that I have meet through the organization. In the future don’t be surprised to see me watching an occasional Mariners game at 1st Mariner Arena.
Sincerely,
John Morris
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Post by Gene on Aug 4, 2008 15:39:47 GMT -5
I just cant quite place my finger on why alot of people get rubbed the wrong way by Baltimore fans?
Thats ok though. As soon as your new owners see things 1st hand for what they are your team will probably be the next one to fold.... 
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Post by Canton Cougar Fan on Aug 4, 2008 18:39:12 GMT -5
Let's review Baltimore's football history: Colts I: AAFC: Thieved from Miami (Seahawks) in 1947, the original Colts played three seasons in the AAFC and the 1951 season in the NFL going 1-11. They folded after that because they couldn't handle the NFL. Colts II: NFL: Thieved from Dallas (Texans) in 1953. One of the truly great franchises in NFL history. Chock full of hall of famers. Unfortunately, they were so enamored with the city that they left in the middle of the night to avoid all the morons they called fans. Stars: USFL: Thieved from Philadelphia in 1985, the Stars played in and won the USFL championship game. The team never actually played in Baltimore though. They played their home games in College Park. They were set to play in Memorial Stadium in 1986, but, luckily for the Stars, the league folded. Sparing them the embarrassment that the Colts experienced. Stallions: Most successful American CFL franchise even though they played their first season without a name (like the AIFL Ghostchasers). Played in the championship game two seasons, winning the Gray Cup in 1995 (which is appropriate for Baltimore as that is the color of your city, gray). The popularity of the Stallions was unrivaled in American Canadian Football history, thus explaining why the term "Rouge" and "eh" are so popular in B'more. Ravens: NFL: Thieved from Cleveland in 1996 and named after a dark poem by a schizophrenic man (again, very appropriate for that city). The Rat Birds did win a Super Bowl and got a new stadium, which is very nice if you like bird droppings. Oh, and you failed to mention the Blackbirds. Wonder why?  |
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Post by Free Agent Fan on Aug 4, 2008 18:51:59 GMT -5
I knew about this one for a couple weeks. I was waiting for the press release. Thats what they said they were going to do. Get the team going, then find a buyer. This brings new hope to Harrisburg and Huntington. Maybe. Yeah isn't it Great? Many of us knew about it for a few months! Yanno most every FAB member on this board has info well before any news leaks out. Out of respect, we don't post it until something gets released. Back in the beginning(b4 Baltimore), M&M stated that any league owned team would eventually get a buyer. So, calm down there fuzznut, and work on making youtube like the rest of Baltimores fans did.  side note: HAHA, what about the BlackBirds. |
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Post by Gene on Aug 4, 2008 20:37:57 GMT -5
Yanno most every FAB member on this board has info well before any news leaks out. Out of respect, we don't post it until something gets released. Back in the beginning(b4 Baltimore), M&M stated that any league owned team would eventually get a buyer. So, calm down there fuzznut, and work on making youtube like the rest of Baltimores fans did. FUZZNUT??? That's real original SMURF-BOY! If I looked like this:  Well, ........I don't think I need to comment here! And why do you guys still have on the website: The official Message Board of the AIFA? In case you know-it -alls haven't noticed, YOU ARE NOT THE OFFICIAL MB ANYMORE!!!  side note: HAHA, what about the BlackBirds.
Do us all a favor and go back to your little Mariners board. Mariners fans like you have made it clear that you dont want anything to do with the rest of the leagues fans anyways. So go away little boy.Anymore nonsense and you'll be banned. Consider this a warning.  |
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Post by Canton Cougar Fan on Aug 4, 2008 20:50:08 GMT -5
Let's review Baltimore's football history: Colts I: AAFC: Thieved from Miami (Seahawks) in 1947, the original Colts played three seasons in the AAFC and the 1951 season in the NFL going 1-11. They folded after that because they couldn't handle the NFL. Colts II: NFL: Thieved from Dallas (Texans) in 1953. One of the truly great franchises in NFL history. Chock full of hall of famers. Unfortunately, they were so enamored with the city that they left in the middle of the night to avoid all the morons they called fans. HAHAHAHAHAHAAA- NOW YOU SOUND LIKE A PISSED OFF BROWNS FAN!!! Stars: USFL: Thieved from Philadelphia in 1985, the Stars played in and won the USFL championship game. The team never actually played in Baltimore though. They played their home games in College Park. They were set to play in Memorial Stadium in 1986, but, luckily for the Stars, the league folded. Sparing them the embarrassment that the Colts experienced. Get your facts straight-They left after 2 seasons of very poor attendance in Philly!!! Stallions: Most successful American CFL franchise even though they played their first season without a name (like the AIFL Ghostchasers). Played in the championship game two seasons, winning the Gray Cup in 1995 (which is appropriate for Baltimore as that is the color of your city, gray). The popularity of the Stallions was unrivaled in American Canadian Football history, thus explaining why the term "Rouge" and "eh" are so popular in B'more. OH, You are a trip!!! Let's TRY TO EDUCATE YOU ON SPELLING!!! IT'S GREY CUP, Not GRAY Cup!!! Ravens: NFL: Thieved from Cleveland in 1996 and named after a dark poem by a schizophrenic man (again, very appropriate for that city). The Rat Birds did win a Super Bowl and got a new stadium, which is very nice if you like bird droppings. Thieved? Hahahahahaaaa, You are from O-HIGH-O aren't you??? They wouldn't give Modell a new stadium so what was he to do? Stay and play in a run down stadium? Besides he had to come to "BALTIMORE" TO GET A SUPERBOWL WIN!!! Cleveland couldn't do that! Oh, and you failed to mention the Blackbirds. Wonder why? I did forget! I'm sorry! Looks like someone needs educated on how the hell to use quotes. Maybe Sykotyk can help you with that ... then again, Sykotyk is one of those "pissed off Browns fans" so ... I doubt it. Regarding the spelling of Gray or Grey Cup ... it's Canadian! Who the hell cares, eh? By the way, who the hell calls their championship a "cup"? There is only one cup in football and we all know where it belongs. With all that being said, Baltimore's football history isn't that great. You've had more franchises in and out of there than that hooker on Baltimore Street has had. Just step away from the library computer, try to find that one book that hasn't been colored yet and cherish your Tracy Ham commemorative Molson bottle. |
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Post by Canton Cougar Fan on Aug 4, 2008 21:14:56 GMT -5
I really can not understand why you are so enamored with a foreign championship? I bet you are in the Chesapeake Curling Club aren't you? Throwing your stones down the ice, trying not to fall on your while clearing the way with your little broom. Eh, hoser? As far as Stanley's cup ... Stanley needs to keep his cup. Shouldn't be sharing that stuff, especially in Baltimore. Never know what little bugs are crawling on that thing. |
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Post by Canton Cougar Fan on Aug 4, 2008 21:20:57 GMT -5
 Tailgating before the Baltimore Gay Cup game |
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Post by expressfan01 on Aug 4, 2008 22:24:22 GMT -5
Looks like someone needs educated on how the hell to use quotes. Maybe Sykotyk can help you with that ... then again, Sykotyk is one of those "pissed off Browns fans" so ... I doubt it. Regarding the spelling of Gray or Grey Cup ... it's Canadian! Who the hell cares, eh? By the way, who the hell calls their championship a "cup"? There is only one cup in football and we all know where it belongs. THE STANLEY CUP??? With all that being said, Baltimore's football history isn't that great. You've had more franchises in and out of there than that hooker on Baltimore Street has had. FUNNY THOUGH, THEY HAVE ALL WON BOWLS, CUPS! ALL WERE CHAMPIONS!!!! Just step away from the library computer, try to find that one book that hasn't been colored yet and cherish your Tracy Ham commemorative Molson bottle. TRACY HAM MOLSEN BOTTLE??? WHERE? DO YOU HAVE ONE TO SELL? I didn't know that the Stanley Cup is for football, last time I checked it was for hockey. |
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Post by Gene on Aug 5, 2008 7:11:44 GMT -5
Bobster represented the Baltimore fans well. Then after making an a$$ out of himself & making his fellow fans look bad he deletes his account, Go figure? Sound familar, lol. I also enter into evidence (item# YTBalFanA$$) the Youtube video.... ;D
I wonder if he is the Avril Lavigne fan?
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Post by UnoBomber on Aug 5, 2008 8:11:50 GMT -5
Just another Troll
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Post by djh0722 on Aug 5, 2008 8:54:51 GMT -5
Psssh... Baltimore fans. We are the new Huntington! W00T!  |
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