New team, new plan mark indoor league's return to the city

By Patrick Gutierrez

Sun Reporter

March 2, 2008
Arena football is coming back to Baltimore, this time armed with a new
team, a slew of new owners and, if all goes according to plan, a renewed
sense of business acumen.

With the Baltimore Mariners joining 15 other franchises, the American
Indoor Football Association is looking to put on a show full of
fast-paced excitement on the field and void of financial difficulties
off it.

The league will begin its 2008 season Saturday, when the Mariners visit
the Reading Express.

"We have businessmen now that have the ability to own and run a
business," AIFA co-owner John Morris said at a news conference yesterday
to announce the 2008 season, alluding to the league's 13 new ownership
groups. "We made serious changes this year."