The CIFL
What is the CIFL?
The Continental Indoor Football League <continentalindoorfootball.com> is a professional developmental indoor football league designed to deliver fast-paced action-packed football to markets where it can be enjoyed by fans that would otherwise not have a professional indoor football team. We are a fan-friendly league, committed to making the fan experience second to none.
Our first season was played under the “Great Lakes Indoor Football League” moniker, and it was a resounding success, with over 75,000 fans watching GLIFL games in 2006. The Port Huron Pirates won Great Lakes Bowl I 40-34 over the Rochester Raiders, marking the third straight exciting game the two teams played. The CIFL will retain the exciting hard-hitting football that made it special in 2006, with the 7-on-7 rules returning.
The CIFL is a league dedicated to bringing professional indoor football to markets that would otherwise not have a professional team to cheer for. Such dedication brought fans the first professional football team in Marion, Ohio, since the 1920s, as well as the first-ever professional football team to Port Huron, Michigan (and the first professional football championship). That dedication continues with our expansion teams, ranging from Michigan to Maryland to Massachusetts. Currently 12 teams are preparing for the 2007 CIFL season, where each team will play six home and six away games.
How is the CIFL different from other leagues?
The CIFL has created a unique style of indoor football. The 7-on-7 concept was designed to allow our fans to experience the wide open feeling of 50-yard indoor football while seeing defenses have the opportunity to make plays. The 7-on-7 concept has been a success with our fans, contributing to the expansion of the league for the 2007 season and beyond. The average GLIFL game scored 81.5 points combined in 2006, showing that despite improved defensive rules, teams still have the opportunity to score on every play.
Whether on offense or defense. Every team scored at least two defensive touchdowns in 2006, showing that defense is in vogue, even indoors.
What is the purpose and mission of the CIFL?
The CIFL was created to give players the opportunity to play professional football. For some of our players, it will be a dream come true to step on the field and play football (and get paid) once again. We will also work diligently to get those players promoted to higher leagues (AFL, CFL, NFL-Europe, NFL). We know that players moving on to higher leagues (like WR/LB L.J. Parker) will improve the overall talent pool in the CIFL.
Secondly, we want to provide families the opportunity to enjoy professional football at a professional level without professional prices. CIFL tickets average about $12, showing a commitment to an affordable and exciting football product.