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American Indoor Football Association
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| American Indoor Football Association | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Sport | Indoor football |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Motto | Fast Paced Family Fun |
| No. of teams | 15 |
| Country(ies) |  United States |
| Most recent champion(s) | Lakeland Thunderbolts |
| Official website | www.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.
The Atlantic Indoor Football League began play in 2005 with six teams 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, and ten expansion teams entered the 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. On October 2, 2006, the AIFA was created and all remaining AIFL teams joined. Nine teams joined the league in the 2006-07 offseason, setting the total number of teams at 15.
The 2007 season was relatively successful for the league, as every scheduled game was played and no teams folded mid-season, a major improvement over the past two seasons. The AIFA Championship Bowl I was a neutral site game held in Florence, SC. Following the 2007 season, two teams left the league. Six teams have signed on to begin play in the 2008 season, and the league is expanding west. In 2007, the team farthest west was based in Mississippi, in 2008, the team farthest west as of now will be based in Arizona. The AIFA announced that the league has signed a three-year national television broadcast, mobile phone broadcast, and webcast licensing agreement with Simply 4Me Incorporated.
In the AIFA's 2007 inaugural season, over 112 games were played. A season ending weekend featuring their 1st All-Star Game and AIFA Championship Bowl I was held in Florence, SC. This neutral site was chosen so that both games could be nationally televised to obtain exposure for the AIFA all across the United States.
On September 17, 2007, The American Indoor Football Association principles John Morris and Michael Mink announced the league has signed a three-year national television broadcast, mobile phone broadcast, and webcast licensing agreement with Simply 4Me Incorporated [1]. Simply 4Me Inc is paying the AIFA $2.5 million dollars for the exclusive media and publishing rights.
In October 2007, the league expelled two of its charter franchises, the Johnstown Riverhawks and Erie Freeze, over ownership disputes.
Contents |
- Like other indoor football leagues, the use of a rebound net is not allowed because of a patent by the Arena Football League. The AIFA will be able to use rebound nets starting with its 2008 season, as the patent will expire in September 2007.
- One linebacker may move flat to flat but must stay in drop zone.(AFL changed to this AIFA rule in10/2007)
- Two offensive players may be in motion at one time vs. the AFL only having one
- Platooning and free substitution is allowed, meaning players do not have to play both offense and defense. The free substitution rule has since been adopted by the AFL.
- Franchises must have at least 9 players that originate from within a 120-mile radius of the team's home town.
- The AIFA is one of the few leagues in America to recognize the single, but only when a kickoff is placed between the uprights.
- 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 leather color of most leagues.
- Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (expansion 2009)
- Lakeland Thunderbolts (Reentry 2009)
- Johnstown Riverhawks- Team went dark for 2008 due to ownership private issues and for sale to play on AIFA in 2009.
- This list is incomplete and does not count defunct AIFL teams from prior to 2007.
- Danville Demolition - were terminated from their arena lease [2]
- Montgomery Bears- Venue not air conditioned and out dated per AIFA guidelines.
- This list is incomplete and does not count former AIFL teams who left prior to 2007.
- Baltimore Blackbirds - Withdrew from league. League says the team was expelled. Currently looking for new league.
- Springfield Stallions - originally planned to join league, joined CIFL. Team folded in CIFL
- Tallahassee Titans - Withdrew from league as no agreement for 2008 could be reached. Team signed with WIFL then league folded. Team was not able to meet AIFA guidelines to play in 2008.
- Erie Freeze-League did not offer a contract to play in 2008 due to ownership issues.
- 2005: Richmond Bandits 56-30 Erie Freeze
- 2006: Canton Legends 61-40 Rome Renegades
- 2007: Lakeland Thunderbolts 54-49 Reading Express
| American Indoor Football Association seasons |
|---|
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 |