Ever wonder what's it like managing an indoor professional football franchise. Jeff Gonos, the GM of the Columbus Lions of the American Indoor Football Association, shares such insights into that sport, including the future of the gridiron game indoors.
Georgia Sporting News: What led you to managing a professional football franchise?
Jeff Gonos: After my first year in indoor football (Erie Invaders-IFL), I realized that it was going to be my goal to become a General Manager. To be able to work in a true team atmosphere with the ownership group, the front office staff, and the coaches to design a succesful operation on and off the field seemed quite appealing. Though it can be taxing at times, the rewards come when the lights come on and we put a competetive and professional product on the field.
GaSN: There are some similarities yet significant differences between arena and indoor football. Can you explain those differences?
JG: Having worked in both the AFL and af2 in Football Operations and now in the AIFA as a GM there are plenty of differences. First is the basic set-up of the arena. In the AFL you have the rebound nets in the endzones which keep the ball in play and offer a little more unpredictability with the iron structure. In the AIFA we allow the ball to go into the stands for the fans to keep which makes our endzone seats a hot commodity. Next, there are some basic rule differences. In the AFL you can not stunt with your defensive line while the AIFA allows a little more freedom. There are also some basic alignment rules which dicate which linebacker is allowed to rush in the AFL where either linebacker can rush in the AIFA. Finally, the major differences come in the area of business operations. The AFL and af2 operate completely different and since the AFL is not operating this season I will speak on just the differences between the af2 and the AIFA. The af2 is operated as a single entity, limited liability corporation meaning all of the players and coaches are employees of the league. Payroll comes from the league office as individual teams pay into the af2 to cover these fees. The major impact that this has is on worker's compensation since it is based on payroll. The other differences include a higher monthly dues structure and travel expenses. Overall, it is more cost effective for the Lions to play in the AIFA than it would be in the af2 and we feel that regardless of what league we play in we are going to put out the highest quality of indoor football entertainment.
GaSN: What's a typical day for a general manager of an American Indoor Football Association franchise like?
JG: I wish I knew. That's what makes this job so much fun. It really is atypical. I could be the mascot at a Queensryche concert, selling group tickets to Little League teams, refereeing Youth Indoor Football League games, or manging expenses and breaking down film with Coach all in a days work.
GaSN: The AIFA, as well as arenafootball2, is operating at a time when the Arena Football League has been on hiatus, and faces an uncertain future. How is the league dealing with these challenges in these tough economic times?
JG: The AFL is not operating because they needed to restructure quickly and drastically. They needed to overhaul their current operating procedures and to do that they need a majority vote from the ownership groups and the players association and that takes time. I feel confident that the owners will come to an agreement and will be playing again in 2010. Whether that's under the AFL umbrella, that remains to be seen.
As for the economy, it's rough. It's rough for everyone, but the Columbus community has embraced the Lions and has shown us tremendous support at a time when they could easily turn their backs. Being in a military town with the one of the largest Army bases in the country has also been helpful. The military units at Fort Benning have embraced several of our intiatives.
GaSN: What about Columbus? How have sports fans there responded to the Lions?
JG: The fans have been great in Columbus. They are passionate about the team and their expectations. We look to set the standards of the league in every aspect, and the fans are the reason why those expectations are so high and that this team has been so successful.
GaSN: The Lions have established themselves as one of the best franchises in the AIFA during their brief tenure in Columbus? What's been the key to success for the team so far this season?
JG: Since joining the AIFA we are 17-6 overall and 7-2 thus far this season. We are successful because we have great team and that starts at the top with our owners, and staff. It would be unfair to call our Head Coach (Jason Gibson) just a coach because he brings so much to the organization. It is a total team effort with the Lions. I also have to mention that it helps to have great players who understand what is expected from them on the field and in the community. As an organization we strive to associate with quality people who understand the vision of the franchise which translates into our overall success as a professional football team.
GaSN: Do you have any final thoughts?
JG: Thanks for taking the time to learn a little about the Lions as we strive to bring home the AIFA Championship to Columbus, GA.
More information
Columbus Lions Website--http://www.columbuslions.net
American Indoor Football Association--http://www.aifaprofootball.com
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