Blackbirds Leaving AIFA

[Late Boarder]

www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3521354

Blackbirds Taking League up Another Notch
08/07/07 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) Baltimore Blackbirds

Baltimore - August 7, 2007. The Baltimore Blackbirds announced today they would be leaving the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) and are in the process of joining another, more established, league.

"We appreciate the opportunity the AIFA provided us to play our inaugural season in their league, but at this time we feel there are other leagues that are more established, have greater history, and better meet our business model. Our goal is to provide the fans of Baltimore the best possible indoor football product and we feel this move will enable us to have that opportunity," stated Blackbirds' Vice President John Wolfe.

"Unfortunately, the inability of some league members to meet financial obligations to the Blackbirds, and the league's failure to enforce those obligations, was a key factor in our decision to leave the AIFA. This inhibited our ability to meet obligations to our players and also to the league. We can not operate that way in the future, if we want to put a quality product on the field for our loyal Blackbird fans," said Wolfe.

Much like the baseball minor league system, there are numerous indoor football leagues across the country. These leagues include, in addition to the AIFA, United Indoor Football (UIF), Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL), World Indoor Football League (WIFL), Intense Football League (IFL), the American Professional Football League (APFL), and the Arena Football League 2 (af2). With its national TV contract, the Arena Football League (AFL) is considered to be the top arena/indoor football league.

"We were hopeful we could have a new deal in place before making this announcement, but with speculation swirling, we felt we owed it to our fans to keep them in the loop while we go through the process," stated Wolfe.

Buh-bye Blackbirds...

[exit322]

And this came from the GM, not the owner. That's the interesting part.

[xmradiodave]

bernie said:

And this came from the GM, not the owner. That's the interesting part.

Wow... and so it has come to pass. My mod status here sure was short lived.

Oh well AIFA and fans... thanks for the football.

[expresszac]

Wow sorry to see ya go. I hope you find a league that your team can handle. Gl

[The Grim Reaper]

hmmmmm very interesting!!! :smileyblackbirds:

[xmradiodave]

I guess Blackbirds fans will have to wait and see. I would hate to see the Blackbirds go the way of the dodo birds...get it...dodo's are extinct...so therefore, I would hate....um...nevermind...

[exit322]

I don't think it has much to do with the "league that the team can handle," unless you mean the team not being lied to (according to their release). Not sure any league has that going for it.

[xmradiodave]

HAHAHA... I just noticed the name of the article is: "Blackbirds Taking League up Another Notch"

That is great news... but; exactly WHAT league are they taking up another notch? They do not have another league to call home yet? Who released this presser... Rupert Murdoch?

[exit322]

Wolfe did it.

This is the first strike of what should be a pretty entertaining silly season.

[xmradiodave]

Damn it... who doesn't love a little off-season drama?

[fwp]

I would not be surprised to see an AIFA team in Baltimore for the 2008 season.

Rumor has it that it'll be a team that pays it's players and staff.

I guess we'll see.

[Late Boarder]

I think the 'Birds are doing a lot to be a part of the community, higher attendance than I'm used to...I would hate to see them end up like the passenger pigeons.

[Free Agent Fan]

fwp said:

I would not be surprised to see an AIFA team in Baltimore for the 2008 season.

Rumor has it that it'll be a team that pays it's players and staff.

I guess we'll see.

There will be a team in Baltimore. But, it won't be the Blackbirds. Nice rumor tho. I heard the same thing.

[Tatonka]

Ok, I admit, I'm confused... because the talk is that the AIFA is the leaseholder at 1st Mariner, not the Blackbirds.

So does this mean another arena for the Blackbirds? Another Baltimore team for the AIFA? Silly season indeed...

[farscape]

www.examiner.com/a-868238~Blackbirds__AIFA_cut_ties.html

According to this article the AIFA has the lease to the arena.