Now, for the big news of the year...
Switching Tracks: Reading Express Join Indoor Football League
Reading, Pa. (August 18, 2010) - The Reading Express today announced that the organization has joined the Indoor Football League. The Express will begin competition in the IFL in 2011. The move comes after the IFL Board of Directors unanimously voted on the Express’ application during a meeting last week. The new relationship is a great fit for both organizations. The Reading Express is one of the most-successful professional indoor football organizations in the country. The IFL is rapidly growing on a national level, with teams from Alaska to Virginia, and as far south as Texas.
“The move to the IFL is another step forward for the Reading Express,” said Ted K. Lavender, owner of the Reading Express. “We’re excited to join a growing league that has close to 30 teams, with franchises in over 15 states. Additionally, we are joining a league in which the franchises have an ownership stake. We’re confident the IFL will help strengthen our position as a professional indoor football team.”
The Express are heading into its sixth season in 2011. The team has an overall record of 64-20 since its inception and the 2009 AIFA National Championship to its credit. Off the field, the Express have strong corporate partnerships and a loyal fan base. The organization is widely considered one of the model franchises in professional indoor football.
“Today marks a significant step forward for the Indoor Football League as one of the nation’s most stable indoor football teams joins our ranks,” said Tommy Benizio, commissioner of the Indoor Football League. “I have been impressed with the organization, their operations, and the support that the community of Reading offers the team.”
The Express will play in the Atlantic East Division of the IFL. The move to the Atlantic East Division will also help create a natural rivalry with the upstart Lehigh Valley franchise. The two teams will play each other twice during the regular season.The 2011 schedule is slated to be released in November.
For further information on the Indoor Football League, please visit http://www.goifl.com/.