|
Part 2 of a 3 part series. Today we look at the burning stories #5 through #2 for 2010. If you missed the first part, featuring #10 through #6, you can click here. --- #5 - Will an idea like the SEFL finally take hold?
This past autumn, there was much talk about the proposals put forth that became collectively known as the “SEFL”. While the moniker was not official and the whole thing was more a collection of ideas as opposed to a single unified proposal, it nonetheless gained a lot of attention and interest in Southern Wisconsin. The interest of those teams signals a void in the area, one that is likely caused by the lack of a viable “team-run” league. The IFL has the current lion’s share of the market, but as explained later, the league is not without its faults. Likewise with the WSFL, the alternative to the IFL, but largely struggling with teams.
One of the key factors in drawing interest to SEFL was the proposal’s willingness to embrace and seek out media, as opposed to hoping media would come to it. Taking a page from the books in Madison and Roscoe, who secured the services of ESPN Radio, the SEFL had negotiated the rights to broadcast weekly games on ESPN Radio and ESPNWisconsin.com. Teams were willing to step forward to join the process, but a lack of time, among other factors, forced the idea to be put on hold until 2010.
The question is now whether the SEFL will be repurposed in 2010 in one fashion or another, or whether contentment with the other offerings will finally occur. Competition is the lifeblood of business and without someone willing to push the envelope, complacency could lead to apathy.
#4 - JYDs to the IFL...a lot to prove.
If the Pioneers move to the NEFL will reveal a lot about the talent levels of the league, the move of the Junkyard Dogs to the IFL should finally provide a window into the parity (or disparity) of talent levels between the IFL and the other two leagues. The WSFL and NEFL have seemed to stack up well, with the Fox Valley Force contending for a title in NEFL one season after winning the WSFL, but no one has gone from the WSFL to the IFL.
For years, those in the IFL have mocked the talent level of the WSFL as inferior. Recently the Lake Country Cyclones, perennial playoff contenders in the IFL, saw their record fall to 2-8 in the first season of WSFL competition. If the Dogs come in and fall flat on their face, it will lend credence to the notion that the WSFL is still the red-headed stepchild of leagues. However, if the Dogs perform memorably in the IFL, it will go a long way to expunging this idea once and for all.
Either way, the argument will be easier to make one way or the other once we see how West Bend competes in the IFL. #3 - How will Kopac fare as new Commissioner?
It’s been a dirtly little open secret for several years that IFL owners were clamoring for a change at the top. League owner Chris Chudada paid his dues in starting the league and keeping it running and Commissioner Pete Narrai had helped shepherd the league through its formative years, but leadership styles were beginning to clash, and an exodus of teams warranted a response.
Enter Jordan Kopac. Announced as a league backer and part owner in 2008, Kopac will assume even more duties in 2010 as the Commissioner, taking over for Narrai who is stepping down to focus on marketing. Greeted initially with much acclaim, including by us here at WSP, the challenge for Kopac will be to repair a reputation that is hamstrung with allegations of grudge holding and arrogance outside IFL circles.
There is little doubt Kopac is just the man for the job. Well respected and accomplished, Kopac will help to tip back the scales from teams eager to look for an out. As with any good story, there is a “however”. In this case, that “however” manifests as the Wisconsin Wolfpack, Kopac’s CIFL (arena) and MCFL football organization. Kopac is the owner and head coach of both teams, and their seasons run from March through July (CIFL) and July through September (MCFL). Given that the IFL schedule runs from May through August, we can only wonder if Kopac will be able to focus enough on the league to make a difference (he also owns an independent business in fabrication), or will it be more of the same story with different faces? #2 - Pioneers join the NEFL.
When you’re a league that is just two years old, competing in small markets against a larger market league for recognition, and you’ve yet to garner much respect, what do you do? You secure the talents of the NAFL’s National Champions.
The St Paul Pioneers, fresh off their upset in the title game against the Nashville Storm, will be plying their trade on the gridirons of Northern Wisconsin, Minnesota and the UP. The champs come in with considerable prestige - the NAFL is arguably the largest and most respected national collection of talent in semi-pro football. This makes the Championship impressive. But even more impressive is that they have decided to move to a more regional league without an NAFL affiliation...meaning they saw something in the NEFL that they really liked.
How will the Pioneers stack up in the NEFL? No one knows just yet because the Wisconsin talent has never really been on display against national teams. Sure, the IFL has sent the Spartans to a bowl, but that team was comprised of a number of all-stars from the league’s season. This will be the first and best test of the true corps of teams from the state and will result in either an exposure or confirmation of the talent. We can’t wait to see where it falls. Check tomorrow for the #1 story worth watching for 2010.
|
