AIF, Columbus Lions’ former league, disbands

Just three weeks after the Columbus Lions announced they would no longer be playing in American Indoor Football in 2017, the league they dominated this season en route to an 11-0 record and championship, the AIF as a whole announced they, too, would no longer be playing next season.

In a statement release on the AIF’s website and Facebook page Monday morning, the league announced its dissolution, ceasing operations effective immediately.

“My main objective in the sport is and always has been to give young men the opportunity to play in a league that showcases their talents in an attempt to advance their careers in football,” AIF commissioner John Morris said in the statement.

Morris credited the new Arena Developmental League, created earlier this month by Lions co-owners Kike and Skip Seda, as an influencing factor in his decision to step aside and cease operations in the AIF.

“We didn’t have to stop the AIF, but the timing is right,” Morris said. “I feel confident that the new ADL formed by former league members will carry on the same mission I set out to accomplish over ten years ago.”

The Lions have called a press conference for Tuesday to announce their intentions for next season.

From staff reports

This story was originally published July 18, 2016 at 3:13 PM with the headline "AIF, Columbus Lions’ former league, disbands."