New Pro League Announcement Coming

[Madmanmatty]

The new Pro League my friend told me about is set to make an official announcement around the middle of May. He says it will be 12 teams to start -- 6 East and 6 West going May to Sept in 2004. They are still set to have Exhibition Series in 2003 and they already have owners lined up in several cities.

He said they are going to pay great money to get the best Inline players and have Large Prize Money for Playoffs -- Maybe $50,000 for winners and because they have only 8 - 10 on the roster --that's alot. They must be getting TV!!

I think a Pro League of any type is Great - if it's 3 on 3 and recessed goals on a smaller rink than I'll try it --I love to score - Arena Football and Indoor Soccer have made it on a scaled down field so maybe this is something that will HELP Inline Hockey -

I say let's support anything that will benefit the Sport!--Let's give it Time -- If someone is willing to put the money and effort in and start a league for us - than that's cool...

[missionhockey21]

Is there going to be a website for the league anytime soon?
Thanks

[Madmanmatty]

Yes - I was told by my friend that the WebSite will be up when the announcement comes in Mid May - it will have Pix of the Rink, rules, info on Series and the 2004 League and when and where to sign-up...Also will have a look at the kool uniforms, players who will play (big names) and the people behind the league.

[missionhockey21]

Thanks :-)

[rt12]

It is so tough to believe stuff like this, it is sad to say. That splinter guy really got be excited with the 'CAGE'...

Until I see a web site for this, I will keep my unsure feeling.

[MDE3]

I've heard about it too - all except the part about 3 on 3 - which may well be true, from someone whose involved at the core of it. Pretty credible source.

[rt12]

MDE3 what part of the country will it be on?

[jv0021]

This sounds like a joke to me. what happened to "CAGE" that was set to start this year. Or inline hockey america. it seems like we havnt heard any thing about these for a while. dont get your hopes up many people talk a lot and dont follow through in what they say. as for this league getting a TV contract....It will more than likely be a off station like TNN. and they will tare it apart just like ROLLER JAM and SLAM BALL. they way i see it there are only 2 "Pro Leagues" right now and they would be PIHA and MLRH. so we will just have to wait and see how far this goes.

[Benny_Gulakiw]

First, you can read about Inline Hockey America in a post listed below with the subject line: "Here's One to Count On". Second, MLRH is not a "pro" league. It's a semi-pro league where the players do not get paid. The only true pro league in a technical sense is PIHA. IHA will not be a "pro" league at first. It is being billed as an Elite league based in the Great Lakes area. You can also find out more about IHA by going to our web site at www.inlinehockeyamerica.com.

I hope this has provided some information for you. If you have any questions, feel free to post them on this forum under a different thread and I will answer them for you or you can e-mail me directly at bennyg@inlinehockeyamerica. I am the guy in charge. I don't need anyone to post hints and rumors for me.

Benny Gulakiw
President
Inline Hockey America

[MDE3]

I don't want to say what I have heard in case it jeoprodizes somebody or something. As I said earlier the source is deeply involved and should know what is happening. However like anything else - until contracts are signed and public announcements are made and monies start flowing then it's still a rumour. For me to say anything beyond this would constitute a breach of confidence.

[Superstar9]

I have a couple questions that maybe someone can clear up for me.. for one, why is MLRH not a pro league and PIHA is? what makes piha "pro"? Do the players make any money? As far as I can see, its mostly the same players as MLRH- AAA.. second, how can any "pro league" be regional.. piha is just the PA NJ area.. the nations a lot bigger than that.. so far the MLRH is the closest thing to a national league, the only thing about it is the money situation and the administration. Im not knocking either league at all, I just want to know why one (the smaller one) is considered pro when its the same players?

[SpeedDemon]

"Pro" in short means being reimbursed/compensated financially for your time. PIHA is structured to compensate players in this way. MLRH-AAA is not structured that way. In MLRH-AAA you might receive equipment at highly discounted costs, or in some very unique cases, no cost to you. Since PIHA technically allows/expects monetary payments to players, it is considered professional.

I don't think it has anything to do with who is actually playing in the league. It just so happens both leagues share a region and obviously there are players who cross over into both leagues.

[Benny_Gulakiw]

The guys from those two leagues can probably answer better, if they choose to, but I'll give it a crack based on what I know.

First, a league doesn't have to be national to be considered "pro". The definition of "pro", and it's a very loose definition, is when the players are compensated to play. Now, you need to define "compensated" and that has been a source for discussion on other threads and in other forums, particularly the college forum. I believe the PIHA has a revenue sharing arrangement with the players where they get a percentage of the net revenues, if there are any. Again, I don't work for the PIHA so don't jump all over me if I'm wrong. This is just something I've learned from talking with league officials. The MLRH-AAA does not have any official player compensation in place so therefore, it is not "pro". Before we get into a debate as to whether or not MLRH-AAA players are "compensated" or not, I believe league officials have stated on more than one occassion that their league is not a pro league. I guess it's more up to the people who claim to run a pro league to prove that it's truly "pro". You should probably look to the NCAA and what their definition of "pro" is. For example, the NARHL stated that they were a "pro" league because they were offering a prize pool. From reading NCAA regulations, any player that has the opportunity to receive compensation is considered to be "pro".

So it really doesn't have anything to do with geographic size or the similarity of players whether a league is deemed to be "pro" or not.

Benny Gulakiw
President
Inline Hockey America

[MDE3]

Isn't PIHA playing for a "purse" at the end of the season?

[mikef913]

hey benny, what are the cities that will host teams from the iha this season.

[typhoongm]

PIHA players do get paid. don't get me wrong no one is going to make a living at this level at this point but they are being paid this year. both leagues are good for the sport and that's what its all about.

[SpeedDemon]

Exactly.

[rt12]

Typhoongm, how much do PIHA players get paid?

[typhoongm]

last season our guys were lucky enough to win the championship which definately helped our pockets. each player made appr. $200 for the season. but hey, its better than paying to play. the guys in this league also recieve jerseys, pants, and gloves from one of the manufacturers sponsoring the league so that's a little incentive also.

[rt12]

For a small facility regional league, that's not half bad. What are the players making this year?

[CoachChrisG]

Will the PIHA be broadcasting any games on internet radio like the CRHL NCT was? It's good to see that it hasn't taken the PIHA long to be in a position to be a real semi-pro league. Hopefully it will continue to progress in the next year or two.

C.C.

[typhoongm]

we receive a percentage of the paid people in the building. we will know more about what we are making at the half way point of the season. it should be about the same as last year. i think the concept is good because everyone from the players to the league founder are all working to get people in the buildings because they all get percentages.

[rt12]

Thats coool.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

Madmanmatty was right, there is a new inline hockey league on the horizon.

Today I had a lunch meeting with one of the league's founders and viewed an impressive and professional PowerPoint presentation that described what the league was all about.

Yes, it is a 3-on-3 league with recessed goals (and goalies), but the rink is flat (lol) and a puck will be used.

It's a very interesting concept, and I know that I will be letting IHC's readers know a lot more about it very soon.

Oh, and by the way... this league WILL support IHC with advertising dollars. What a concept! /wtimages/icons/cool.gif

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[RichardGraham]

Hi Mission,

The Web site should be up by about June 1.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[RichardGraham]

Hi rt12,

It's for real. Good people behind the league, too. It will be very interesting to see how it is accepted.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[missionhockey21]

>Oh, and by the way... this league WILL support IHC with advertising dollars. What a concept!

Now this is a league we should support! But it actually does sounds like a cool concept, I hope I can see a game one day.

[missionhockey21]

Thanks, I will be checking it out:)

[pahcky9]

When is this league scheduled to start play? How are they going to recruit/sign players?

[RichardGraham]

Hi Pahcky9,

All that will be explained shortly in an official press release. I don't want to try and paraphrase what I heard yesterday and get something wrong.

However, here are some of the people involved in the league:

Alex Bellehumeur, co-founder, RHI, and puck inventor
Nicholas Johannes, owner, Ice Court
Bob Elder, former GM, Anaheim Bullfrogs

Dennis Murphy, another co-founder of RHI, will be on the new league's advisory board.

Rex Fontenot, former PR guru for the Anaheim Bullfrogs, will be the league's PR director.

I'm a traditionalist in many ways, but I am really excited about this new concept. It will be VERY interesting to me to see how it is received by the inline hockey world in general, and inline hockey players specifically.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[Rebecca]

Sounds exciting and awaiting the info,

but, any thoughts about how this will differ from Ironman style hockey? (aside from the goalie set up)

Rebecca

[MDE3]

I am curious as to what is driving the change in venue - I assume it is the problem of rink sizes and available buildings to play in. Maybe it's set up so it can be played in basketball style stadiums which can seat significant fans, but which would not allow a full size rink to be used?

[RichardGraham]

Hi MD,

I think you are right on all counts. I believe it's also set up so that a venue could actually host two of the rinks quite comfortably. If I'm not mistaken, the stands are intended to hold approximately 8,000 fans.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[MDE3]

why two?

[RichardGraham]

Hi MD,

I think the league plans to market its rink concept as well... /wtimages/icons/shocked.gif

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[MDE3]

Makes sense.

I am going to be interested in seeing how the recessed goals affect the game - I think that element will affect the game even more than the smaller surface - keeping the puck in play more and challenging the rebound hand skills of the players to pick off high velocity rebounds from midair.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Rebecca,

Well, for one thing, I don't think they're going to play all night long... /wtimages/icons/wink.gif

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[Rebecca]

HAHAHAHA

good point Rich. Sorry, this is what no sleep does to you (well to me)

Rebecca

[SpiderRat]

Ball park, what are these guys getting for compensation for playing?

[missionhockey21]

I doubt much at all.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Spider,

I'll have the accurate numbers soon, but what I've been told is that the players will be paid more than any league paid players previously...

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[RichardGraham]

Hi Mission,

Don't bet too much /wtimages/icons/wink.gif

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[missionhockey21]

Ok Rich. lol

[GROWL]

To answer the second half of your question, remember MLRH is larger because it has had more time to grow and expand.