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Post by Daytonadan on Jul 23, 2010 15:34:48 GMT -5
No talk-talk from Gene-Gene or blue nutZ....hmmm
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Post by ThatRadioGuy on Jul 23, 2010 15:37:46 GMT -5
Aren't they the Reading Express? Not the Reading Bolting....
;-)
I'm hearing quite a few teams are about to leave this joke of a league behind.
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Post by Free Agent Fan on Jul 23, 2010 16:02:41 GMT -5
I'm betting the North will look different.
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edoj1
2nd String
Here Comes The Bang
Posts: 131
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Post by edoj1 on Jul 23, 2010 17:10:42 GMT -5
Im not betting against that Joe. I totaly Agree
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Post by Gene on Jul 23, 2010 18:07:19 GMT -5
While at the Lehigh press conf yesterday i had some small conversation with the guys from the new IFL Lehigh team. They too seem to think that if Reading goes to the IFL that both Baltimore & Erie would follow. I also heard it from a few other sources as well from within the IFL. Ironically looks like all that will be left is the pathetic west division so at this time i'd like to congratulate the Cavs on their future 2011 AIFA Bowl 5 Championship since there will be no one credible to play. No way would the Cavs leave since they have stuck up for the AIFA in any email correspondance that ive had with their front office. As far as their concerned all is fine with the league  |
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Post by The Picks Commissioner on Jul 23, 2010 21:04:53 GMT -5
So if Reading Bolts to another league Gene, any chance they will be bound for the UIFL? Also Joe, what have you heard as far as Erie is concerned? I would imagine both teams are going to be a package deal wherever they go.
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Post by ThatRadioGuy on Jul 23, 2010 21:44:50 GMT -5
I imagine Erie would be taking a hard look at both the IFL and the UIFL and deciding which one makes the best fit. I'm not involvedin those discussions though just offering my best guess
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Post by The Picks Commissioner on Jul 23, 2010 21:50:04 GMT -5
If they are able to bring in Reading and Erie, I wouldn't mind bringing in Richmond if they go with the 8 teams that it appears they are shooting for.
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Post by Gene on Jul 24, 2010 0:10:36 GMT -5
If they are able to bring in Reading and Erie, I wouldn't mind bringing in Richmond if they go with the 8 teams that it appears they are shooting for. If im a betting man i'd say both Erie & Reading would be IFL bound. |
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Post by The Picks Commissioner on Jul 25, 2010 13:48:49 GMT -5
If they are able to bring in Reading and Erie, I wouldn't mind bringing in Richmond if they go with the 8 teams that it appears they are shooting for. If im a betting man i'd say both Erie & Reading would be IFL bound. In the least I would say Reading for sure. Erie I could see them going to the UIFL because of their rivalry they had at one point with Canton back in the day of the Freeze/Legends. |
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Post by ThatRadioGuy on Jul 25, 2010 14:10:37 GMT -5
To me, Erie joining the IFL would put them in a large league that seems to be a lot more stable compared to the fledgling UIFL. The UIFL is just a large unknown at this point. Not to say it can't be great, but I think going with the IFL is more of a sure bet.
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Post by Canton Cougar Fan on Jul 25, 2010 17:02:23 GMT -5
I'm trying to look at this from a business perspective. With Lehigh joining the IFL, it would make perfectly good sense for Reading to go there and get that natural geographic rivalry with Lehigh. At that point, I think the dominoes begin falling (Baltimore, New Jersey, etc). Makes a tight knit little division with very minimal travel costs.
Even though Erie is in the same state, it's still a haul to Reading, Lehigh , Baltimore, etc. Erie, business wise, would incur much less travel expense by going UIFL with Canton & Johnstown in their front yard. Pikeville and Northern Kentucky will be a haul for Erie.
If I'm the Storm or whatever the hell their name is now, I sit and wait to see what shakes out regarding who falls where. I would not make a call on which league to play in until I absolutely have to.
And, no, I'm not involved in those discussions either.
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Post by Gene on Jul 25, 2010 18:06:03 GMT -5
I'm trying to look at this from a business perspective. With Lehigh joining the IFL, it would make perfectly good sense for Reading to go there and get that natural geographic rivalry with Lehigh. At that point, I think the dominoes begin falling (Baltimore, New Jersey, etc). Makes a tight knit little division with very minimal travel costs. Even though Erie is in the same state, it's still a haul to Reading, Lehigh , Baltimore, etc. Erie, business wise, would incur much less travel expense by going UIFL with Canton & Johnstown in their front yard. Pikeville and Northern Kentucky will be a haul for Erie. If I'm the Storm or whatever the hell their name is now, I sit and wait to see what shakes out regarding who falls where. I would not make a call on which league to play in until I absolutely have to. And, no, I'm not involved in those discussions either. I agree that all makes sense. Im a bit sad theres no where for the UIFL to expand out my way. But i'll try to make a trip or 2 to Johnstown next season. |
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Post by The Picks Commissioner on Jul 26, 2010 18:20:24 GMT -5
I'm trying to look at this from a business perspective. With Lehigh joining the IFL, it would make perfectly good sense for Reading to go there and get that natural geographic rivalry with Lehigh. At that point, I think the dominoes begin falling (Baltimore, New Jersey, etc). Makes a tight knit little division with very minimal travel costs. Even though Erie is in the same state, it's still a haul to Reading, Lehigh , Baltimore, etc. Erie, business wise, would incur much less travel expense by going UIFL with Canton & Johnstown in their front yard. Pikeville and Northern Kentucky will be a haul for Erie. If I'm the Storm or whatever the hell their name is now, I sit and wait to see what shakes out regarding who falls where. I would not make a call on which league to play in until I absolutely have to. And, no, I'm not involved in those discussions either. I agree that all makes sense. Im a bit sad theres no where for the UIFL to expand out my way. But i'll try to make a trip or 2 to Johnstown next season. you're welcome to join us at the War Memorial. Even if the Reading Royals come out to play the Nailers.(They're playing 10 Games at least there next year since the Chiefs went south). |
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Post by blackbeard on Jul 27, 2010 7:31:36 GMT -5
A couple of points to ponder while speculating on which teams might be moving where during the 2010 off season:
1) League entry fees & annual dues: Of course, these are often waived or reduced if a league really wants the market. Yet (on paper at least) they are MUCH higher in the IFL. Been there.
So if a team has been bleeding red, they may not want to take on an entry fee & higher dues.
2) Player salaries: Is there some salary cap flexibility or a set league minimum? Will changing leagues result in a higher or a lower payroll? The payroll also impacts Workmans Comp fees; which can be a HUGE chunk of a team's operating budget.
3) Travel: Does the league offer a regional footprint or a national one? How will that effect the team's travel costs? What is the playoff structure & potential end of year cash outlay?
4) Terms of the arena lease: When does a team's present lease expire? Is there any clause linking it to a particular league? There is an old adage: "Whoever who holds the arena (lease) controls the market." Truer words have never been spoken!
5) Terms of agreements between team & league. The AIFA used to sign two year deals with their member teams. Do they still? I honestly do not know. However, if so, does the AIFA have any legal rights to certain markets or arenas?
6) Terms of relationship between the team & the league: Are there any personal friendships or loyalties at play? What about any past issues & grievances? Ultimately, owning a team IS a business. The saying goes that, "Blood is thicker than water". True. Yet $$$$$ trumps both. Therefore, if there is NO major difference between two leagues; my bet is that a team will either stay or go based upon their heart & past history.
7) Does the league have a share of the team. For example Richmond (AIFA) is not leaving as long as JM owns a controling or equal share. There is a guy over on OSC who has Richmond, Yakima, & Trenton (all AIFA owned) jumping leagues. Someone hasnt done their homework...
My personal guess would be that Reading will depart the AIFA East; yet both Erie & Baltimore will stay along with Trenton and (perhaps) Fayetteville and/or Carolina returning.
As for the AIFA west, I have my hunches. I would love to know if Wenatchee has a two year deal and/or if the AIFA has an option on the arena. IMHO, they are the pivotal club in the AIFA West for 2011. However, since that card remains hidden for now, I'm just gonna grab a bowl of popcorn and watch this western (drama) unfold.
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