Saginaw Sting purchase CIFL - WNEM TV 5

The Saginaw Sting is proud to announce the acquisition of theContinental Indoor Football League by Indoor Football Incorporated. Indoor Football Incorporated, solely owned by the members of the Sting'sownership group (Stuart Schweigert, Robert Licht, and James O'Brien), came toterms with former CIFL Owner Jeff Spitaleri earlier this month.

"This is an exciting development for our league and for thefuture of the CIFL," said Spitaleri, "I look forward to working withthe staff and board of directors as the league undergoes this greattransformation."

The transformation was set in place immediately concluding theCIFL Championship victory by the Sting back on June 2nd.  "We havetalked at great lengths with the owners of all the current teams within theCIFL," said Robert Licht - Co-Owner of the Sting and Indoor FootballIncorporated.  "This move was made for the betterment of the entireleague and not just our team.  We want each team in the CIFL to be able toembrace the business plan we have developed here in Saginaw and be just assuccessful."

Success came in multiple ways for the Sting in 2012.  Afterthe local ownership group, which includes two local business owners and aformer NFL player, acquired the rights to operate the Sting in late 2011 thelocal community began to take notice of significant changes.  The Stingplayers attended multiple events, including assemblies and read-a-thons atlocal schools, and helped to raise awareness and proceeds for the Children'sMiracle Network, Muscular Dystrophy Association, and several others.  Aspecial fundraising effort was set up to support a local critically injuredsoldier (Travis Mills, from Vassar) that netted the raising of over $13,000. Their undefeated season was capped off in front of a record-settingattendance of 3,851 fans at the CIFL Championship game.  The followingweek the announcement was made that Hemlock High School were the recipients ofnew varsity football jerseys for showing their support to the Sting during theseason.

"We want this league to become the premier indoor footballleague in the country," said Co-Owner and former NFL player StuartSchweigert, "That begins with building a league that is full of solid,competitive teams from top to bottom."

"This move will provide the structure and stability needed tomake the CIFL a viable entertainment option for both sponsors and fans," said Co-Owner James O'Brien, "Fans want solid organizations andsponsors will look to back teams that have great fan support.  Currentlyunderway is an assessment of the current standing of all teams within the CIFLand further expansion to new markets.  Details regarding thesenegotiations are not available at this time; however, the future of the CIFL isbright."

The CIFL will begin its 8th consecutive season in February of2013.

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