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Revision as of 21:51, 28 July 2008 editMichaelmink (talk | contribs)9 edits Note to editor: I am Michael Mink one of the co founders of this league and the information that Tom Danson writes is false and we will seek legal action if this continues. We want the truth only!← Previous edit Revision as of 23:21, 28 July 2008 edit undoBaseball Bugs (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Page movers, New page reviewers, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers126,941 edits Uncited references, POV-pushing, and bogus "legal threat".Next edit →
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| caption = American Indoor Football Association logo | caption = American Indoor Football Association logo
| sport = ] | sport = ]
| founded = 2006 | founded = 2005
| motto = Fast Paced Family Fun | motto = Fast Paced Family Fun
| teams = 16 | teams = 16
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| website = | website =
}} }}
The ] (AIFA) is a professional ] league that was formed in ]. The league's creation coincided with the demise of the American Indoor Football League (AIFL), and some AIFL teams subsequently joined the AIFA. Founders and owners of the AIFA are John Morris and Michael Mink. The ] (AIFA) is a professional ] league that was formed in ]. The league's creation coincided with the demise of the American Indoor Football League (AIFL), and all AIFL teams subsequently joined the AIFA. Founders and owners of the AIFA are John Morris and Michael Mink.


Sixteen teams participate in the AIFA, which is concentrated mostly in mid-sized markets in the eastern United States and the Rocky Mountains. The talent level is comparable to a league such as ], with several former NFL practice squad players scattered across the league. Its primary competitor is the AF2. Sixteen teams participate in the AIFA, which is concentrated mostly in mid-sized markets in the eastern United States and the Rocky Mountains. The talent level is comparable to a league such as ], with several former NFL practice squad players scattered across the league. Its primary competitor is the ].


== History == == History ==
On October 2, 2006, In Florence, South Carolina The AIFA was formed by John Morris and Michael Mink. The AIFA absorbed several AIFL,NIFL,EIFL and expansion teams. The league took on its current name at the same time. Morris and Mink owned the the Gulf Coast Raiders in the SSFL and played a replacement game in Orlando,Fl for a NIFL Game between the Montgomery Maulers and the Osceloa Ghostriders.After the Game the duo was excited about indoor football and purchased the Montgomery Maulers of the NIFL.The Maulers were in last place at 1 and 5 and in a crisis situation. The Duo led the team to a 7 and 7 record and made it into the 2006 Playoffs. After the season Morris and Mink decided not to continue in the NIFL and were fortunate to be able to establish the AIFA in October of 2006.


The league has its roots in the Atlantic Indoor Football League, which began play in ] under the leadership of Andrew Haines (now running the ]). The league began with six teams, all of them based in the eastern ]. Two teams played all of their games on the road, and the regular season was cut short two weeks because of teams being unable to secure venues for playoff games. In the 2005-06 offseason, the league changed its name to the American Indoor Football League, while nine expansion teams entered the league and a tenth (the ]) joined from the ].
The 2008 season was a great year for the league as all 119 scheduled games were played. The AIFA had 10 games on Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh which were also nationally on Direct TV and The Dish Network.The Florence Phantoms were crowned AIFA Champions as the beat the the Wyoming Calvary 48 to 12.


The 2006 season was marred by the folding of two teams, and the league used semi-pro teams to fill scheduling vacancies. The league was briefly acquired by ], Inc., the owners of the amateur ], during the 2006 season, but they terminated the contract soon afterwards. Nine teams left the league after the season, including four who split off to create the short-lived ]). On October 2, 2006, a massive reorganization took place as Morris and Mink set up a new league, which absorbed all of the remaining AIFL franchises, and Haines was ousted. (Haines is experiencing similar stability problems with his current league.<ref>Fanelli, Patrick. . ]. 28 February 2008.</ref>) The league took on its current name at the same time.
⚫ The 2007 season was relatively successful for the league, as all 112 scheduled games were played and no teams folded during the season. The AIFA Championship Bowl I was a neutral site game held in Florence, SC. In addition, the league held its 1st All-Star Game the same weekend, also in Florence. League owners stated that the neutral site was chosen so that both games could be televised to obtain nationwide exposure for the league.

⚫ The 2007 season was relatively successful for the league, as all 112 scheduled games were played and no teams folded mid-season, a major improvement over the past two seasons (when the AIFA was known as the AIFL). The AIFA Championship Bowl I was a neutral site game held in Florence, SC. In addition, the league held its 1st All-Star Game the same weekend, also in Florence. League owners stated that the neutral site was chosen so that both games could be televised to obtain nationwide exposure for the league.


The league has since expanded nationwide and individual teams have been able to acquire several players with NFL experience, a sign that the league has achieved a level on par with leagues such as ]. It had appeared that the league had earned a major television contract as well: On September 17, 2007, The American Indoor Football Association owners John Morris and Michael Mink announced that the league signed a three-year national television broadcast, mobile phone broadcast, and webcast licensing agreement with Simply 4Me Incorporated , who would produce a live broadcast and relay the games on the Internet and through the ] network in exchange for US$2,500,000 in rights fees for the AIFA. SimplyMe, however, reneged on their promises. ION dropped the league from their schedule and replaced it with Western movies, and SimplyMe failed to produce a live or even a tape-delayed broadcast through the first five weeks of the season. On April 15, 2008, SimplyMe reported in a letter to the league that they would be unable to meet the financial obligations, and the AIFA terminated the contract with the company shortly thereafter. Later in the season, the more established ] agreed to pick up the remaining games; ]-based ] <!-- I imagine there are other local stations that do games as well --> also televises local games of the ]. The league has since expanded nationwide and individual teams have been able to acquire several players with NFL experience, a sign that the league has achieved a level on par with leagues such as ]. It had appeared that the league had earned a major television contract as well: On September 17, 2007, The American Indoor Football Association owners John Morris and Michael Mink announced that the league signed a three-year national television broadcast, mobile phone broadcast, and webcast licensing agreement with Simply 4Me Incorporated , who would produce a live broadcast and relay the games on the Internet and through the ] network in exchange for US$2,500,000 in rights fees for the AIFA. SimplyMe, however, reneged on their promises. ION dropped the league from their schedule and replaced it with Western movies, and SimplyMe failed to produce a live or even a tape-delayed broadcast through the first five weeks of the season. On April 15, 2008, SimplyMe reported in a letter to the league that they would be unable to meet the financial obligations, and the AIFA terminated the contract with the company shortly thereafter. Later in the season, the more established ] agreed to pick up the remaining games; ]-based ] <!-- I imagine there are other local stations that do games as well --> also televises local games of the ].


Six teams participating in the league in 2007 will not return for the 2008 season, including the 2007 champion ]. The AIFA is the third league since 2004 (excluding the folded ] and ] before its folding) to lose its standing champion (the 2004 ] champion ] left to join the newly created ] and are now in ], and the 2006 champion ] also left to join two years later.) Two of the three teams who have won the league championship are no longer in the league. However, nine teams have signed on to begin play in 2008, and the league has created a Western Conference. In 2007, the team farthest west was based in ]; in 2008, the team farthest west will be based in ]. Eight teams participating in the league in 2007 will not return for the 2008 season, including the 2007 champion ]. The AIFA is the third league since 2004 (excluding the folded ] and ] before its folding) to lose its standing champion (the 2004 ] champion ] left to join the newly created ] and are now in ], and the 2006 champion ] also left to join two years later.) Two of the three teams who have won the league championship are no longer in the league. However, nine teams have signed on to begin play in 2008, and the league has created a Western Conference. In 2007, the team farthest west was based in ]; in 2008, the team farthest west will be based in ].


==Basic rule differences== ==Basic rule differences==
] ]
*The AIFA does not use the rebound net found in the ]. *The AIFA does not use the rebound net found in the ].
*One linebacker may move flat to flat but must stay in drop zone. The AFL adopted this rule in 2008 *One linebacker may move flat to flat but must stay in drop zone.
*Two offensive players may be in motion at one time. The AFL allows only one in motion. *Two offensive players may be in motion at one time. The AFL allows only one in motion.
*Platooning and free substitution is allowed, meaning players do not have to play both offense and defense.The AFL adopted this rule in 2007. *Platooning and free substitution is allowed, meaning players do not have to play both offense and defense.
*Franchises must have at least 9 players that originate from within a 120-mile radius of the team's home town.
*The AIFA recognizes the ] (also known as an uno ). If a kickoff goes through the uprights, or if the receiving team does not advance the ball out of the end zone on a kickoff, the kicking team is awarded one point and the ball is spotted at the opponent's five yard line. ( by AIFA kicker J.R. Cipra) *The AIFA recognizes the ] (also known as an uno or rouge). If a kickoff goes through the uprights, or if the receiving team does not advance the ball out of the end zone on a kickoff, the kicking team is awarded one point and the ball is spotted at the opponent's five yard line. ( by AIFA kicker J.R. Cipra)
*The AIFA ball pattern is similar to that of the basketball in the ], with red, white, and blue panels as opposed to the brown colored football of most leagues. *The AIFA ball pattern is similar to that of the basketball in the ], with red, white, and blue panels as opposed to the brown colored football of most leagues.


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=== Rumored for 2009 Expansion === === Rumored for 2009 Expansion ===
*] (2009 Expansion Team) *] (2009 Expansion Team)
*] (2009 Expansion Team)
*] (2009 Expansion Team) *] (2009 Expansion Team)


==Defunct franchises== ==Defunct franchises==
*] - traveling team only; ceased operations at the end of the 2006 AIFL season.
⚫ *] -League did not renew charter and was terminated from their arena lease.
*] - folded during 2006 AIFL season and replaced by AIFL Ghostchasers.
*] - terminated from their arena lease following the 2006 AIFL season.
⚫ *] - terminated from their arena lease.
*] - League refused to renew charter in October 2007; Pittsburgh RiverRats moved to Erie to replace the Freeze in January 2008. *] - League refused to renew charter in October 2007; Pittsburgh RiverRats moved to Erie to replace the Freeze in January 2008.
*] - league-owned traveling team that is available if needed. *] - league-owned traveling team that will not return in 2008.
*] - Suspended in 2008; supposedly planning to play in 2009. *] - declined participation in 2008; supposedly planning to play in 2009.
*] - declined participation in 2008 due to problems within Thunderbolts ownership group; league has signed a letter-of-intent with the ] for an AIFA team in 2009. *] - declined participation in 2008; league has signed a letter-of-intent with the ] for an AIFA team in 2009.
*] - Team was put on hold until a new Arena. *] - team drew under 500 fans per game and folded under league ownership.
*] - ceased operations following the 2006 season.

*] (a.k.a. Binghamton Brigade) - folded during 2006 AIFL season and the schedule was finished by semi-pro teams.


==Teams no longer in the AIFA== ==Teams no longer in the AIFA==
*] - expelled by the league replaced by the Baltimore Mariners at First Mariner Arena. *] - expelled by the league.
*] - announced a move to the ] and changed name to ] following the 2006 season but ceased operations shortly thereafter.
*] - team left league for WIFL which folded and was not invited comeback into league.
*], ], and Philadelphia Scorpions - outdoor amateur teams from the ] brought in by the league during the Greens Worldwide period. They were used to replace the ] in the schedule; none of the teams won, and they all returned to the NAFL (the Fire is now in the ]).
*] - left to join the ] following the 2006 AIFL season.
*] - left to join the ] following the 2006 AIFL season.
*] - announced a move to the ] following the 2006 season but ceased operations shortly thereafter.
*] - originally joined the league, but left to join the ] before playing a game.
*] - left to join the ] following the 2006 AIFL season.
*] - mutual decision between the league and team to not participate in 2008.


==]== ==]==
*2005: ] 56-30 ]
*2006: ] 61-40 ]
*2007: ] 54-49 ] *2007: ] 54-49 ]
*2008: ] 48-12 ] *2008: ] 48-12 ]

Revision as of 23:21, 28 July 2008

American Indoor Football
File:AIFA Logo2.PNGAmerican Indoor Football Association logo
SportIndoor football
Founded2005
MottoFast Paced Family Fun
No. of teams16
Country United States
Most recent
champion(s)		Florence Phantoms
Official websitewww.aifaprofootball.com

The American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) is a professional indoor football league that was formed in 2006. The league's creation coincided with the demise of the American Indoor Football League (AIFL), and all AIFL teams subsequently joined the AIFA. Founders and owners of the AIFA are John Morris and Michael Mink.

Sixteen teams participate in the AIFA, which is concentrated mostly in mid-sized markets in the eastern United States and the Rocky Mountains. The talent level is comparable to a league such as af2, with several former NFL practice squad players scattered across the league. Its primary competitor is the Continental Indoor Football League.

History

The league has its roots in the Atlantic Indoor Football League, which began play in 2005 under the leadership of Andrew Haines (now running the Mid-Atlantic Hockey League). The league began with six teams, all of them based in the eastern United States. Two teams played all of their games on the road, and the regular season was cut short two weeks because of teams being unable to secure venues for playoff games. In the 2005-06 offseason, the league changed its name to the American Indoor Football League, while nine expansion teams entered the league and a tenth (the Rome Renegades) joined from the National Indoor Football League.

The 2006 season was marred by the folding of two teams, and the league used semi-pro teams to fill scheduling vacancies. The league was briefly acquired by Greens Worldwide, Inc., the owners of the amateur North American Football League, during the 2006 season, but they terminated the contract soon afterwards. Nine teams left the league after the season, including four who split off to create the short-lived World Indoor Football League). On October 2, 2006, a massive reorganization took place as Morris and Mink set up a new league, which absorbed all of the remaining AIFL franchises, and Haines was ousted. (Haines is experiencing similar stability problems with his current league.) The league took on its current name at the same time.

The 2007 season was relatively successful for the league, as all 112 scheduled games were played and no teams folded mid-season, a major improvement over the past two seasons (when the AIFA was known as the AIFL). The AIFA Championship Bowl I was a neutral site game held in Florence, SC. In addition, the league held its 1st All-Star Game the same weekend, also in Florence. League owners stated that the neutral site was chosen so that both games could be televised to obtain nationwide exposure for the league.

The league has since expanded nationwide and individual teams have been able to acquire several players with NFL experience, a sign that the league has achieved a level on par with leagues such as af2. It had appeared that the league had earned a major television contract as well: On September 17, 2007, The American Indoor Football Association owners John Morris and Michael Mink announced that the league signed a three-year national television broadcast, mobile phone broadcast, and webcast licensing agreement with Simply 4Me Incorporated , who would produce a live broadcast and relay the games on the Internet and through the ION Television network in exchange for US$2,500,000 in rights fees for the AIFA. SimplyMe, however, reneged on their promises. ION dropped the league from their schedule and replaced it with Western movies, and SimplyMe failed to produce a live or even a tape-delayed broadcast through the first five weeks of the season. On April 15, 2008, SimplyMe reported in a letter to the league that they would be unable to meet the financial obligations, and the AIFA terminated the contract with the company shortly thereafter. Later in the season, the more established FSN Pittsburgh agreed to pick up the remaining games; Erie, Pennsylvania-based Image Sports Network also televises local games of the Erie RiverRats.

Eight teams participating in the league in 2007 will not return for the 2008 season, including the 2007 champion Lakeland Thunderbolts. The AIFA is the third league since 2004 (excluding the folded WIFL and NIFL before its folding) to lose its standing champion (the 2004 NIFL champion Lexington Horsemen left to join the newly created UIF and are now in af2, and the 2006 champion Billings Outlaws also left to join two years later.) Two of the three teams who have won the league championship are no longer in the league. However, nine teams have signed on to begin play in 2008, and the league has created a Western Conference. In 2007, the team farthest west was based in Mississippi; in 2008, the team farthest west will be based in Arizona.

Basic rule differences

The AIFA's red, white, and blue football
  • The AIFA does not use the rebound net found in the Arena Football League.
  • One linebacker may move flat to flat but must stay in drop zone.
  • Two offensive players may be in motion at one time. The AFL allows only one in motion.
  • Platooning and free substitution is allowed, meaning players do not have to play both offense and defense.
  • Franchises must have at least 9 players that originate from within a 120-mile radius of the team's home town.
  • The AIFA recognizes the single (also known as an uno or rouge). If a kickoff goes through the uprights, or if the receiving team does not advance the ball out of the end zone on a kickoff, the kicking team is awarded one point and the ball is spotted at the opponent's five yard line. (Demonstration by AIFA kicker J.R. Cipra)
  • The AIFA ball pattern is similar to that of the basketball in the American Basketball Association, with red, white, and blue panels as opposed to the brown colored football of most leagues.

2008 AIFA teams

Eastern Conference

North Division

East Division

Western Conference

South Division

West Division

Set to begin play in 2009

Rumored for 2009 Expansion

Defunct franchises

Teams no longer in the AIFA

Championship games

See also

References

  1. Fanelli, Patrick. Haines sells MAHL team. The Post-Journal. 28 February 2008.
  2. Rochester Democrat & Chronicle: Raiders join new indoor football league

External links

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