XSL Commissioner Loftin recently agreed to answer some questions for an indoor soccer fan forum that I moderate on Yahoo. I submitted 12 questions to him and he gave some detailed and thoughtful answers. Here is a link to the interview: http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/mislfanforum/message/4095
How about Loftin's answer to the question about the NISL and XSL merging. Could it have been a bigger NO? It is also apparent he is the biggest ass kisser ever. Talking about the great group of investors in the XSL. Mr Loftin have you ever spoken to the owners of the Ironmen? The answer to this question is NO!!!!!! I feel these were 12 solid questions asked and the end result was about 11 really weak answers. I also like the word PRODUCT. Memo Indoor Soccer is a sport it isn't a freaking refrigerator. Loftin start using the word SPORT.
Thanks for your compliment about the questions. I think it does say something that Commissioner Loftin was willing to do this at a fan's request. He did have high praise for the XSL investors, but he does work for them, and it is understandable that he would seek to project the notions that the league is stable, that the owners are on the same page and they are in this for the long term. I agree that the response on the merger question is hardly encouraging to those who would like to see a merger take place.
Skipper, Loftin responding to 12 questions from a fan like this leads me to wonder how busy is the commissioner? I give you credit for asking and getting a response. But if Loftin was really busy and working hard promoting the PRODUCT eerrrr SPORT? How does he have time to thuroughly answer these 12 questions? This just seems so strange. I liked how he dodged the question about how the XSL was doing? There attendance is horrible and the play on the field is way down. He even dodge the ball question, why could he just say we are dissapointed with the ball it bounces to much. This would be an answer we all could respect. So Loftin if you are going to take time to answer 12 questions then answer them straight without the runaround and your lame attempt at being politically correct. I will say it again very impressive questions, just wish we had impressive answers. Hey you should send these questions to Grimaldi and we can compare the commissioners.
I just checked and Commissioner Grimaldi's e-mail address is on the NISL website, so I'll give it a try with him, too.
The touch has officially been passed. Brian Loftin is the New GREAT COMMISSIONER. One would have though he was playing dodge ball, the way he got out of the way of most of those questions. Either he didn't have a clue or he was trying to put lipstick on a pig. The bottom line is that the XSL has yet to draw a crowd of over 5,000. The XSL has two franchises that is on serious life support. The XSL's business plan is Steve Ryan's business plan. And we all know how that worked out. The Great Commissioner Brian Loftin could have earned major kudos had he been honest or at the very least, open. But instead, he was evasive, which only serves to create doubt. The Great Commissioner Brian Loftin's transparent slap at the NISL was very unneccesary and may come back to bite the whole XSL (or the two teams that will be left at the end of the year). Trust me when I say that the NISL will add Milwaukee before the start of next year. Detriot is possible. NJ is a long shot. Chicago will probably fold. If these exact question are asked to NISL Commissioner Mr. Grimaldi, the answer will be much more inviting and much more informative. Afterall we are all fans just trying to gain some insight. SHAME
I intend to pose some of the same questions to Commissioner Grimaldi, and I will be interested to see if he answers and how he will answer. Whille the XSL has its problems, I think some of your points need to be rebutted. First, I believe it is true that the XSL has not drawn a crowd of over 5,000. Nor has the XSL drawn a crowd of under 500, as two NISL teams, Rockford and Massachusetts, have. Your claim that the XSL and Steve Ryan share the same business plan is nonsensical. The XSL has a lower salary cap than the MISL did, far lower travel expenses, a leaner league office, and more emphasis on interactive activities involving fans. I fail to see how or where Loftin took a slap at the NISL. I invited him to compare leagues in one question and he declined to make any comparisons to the NISL when he could have made some favorable ones, like a saner business plan with a salary cap and better competitive balance, not to mention no Twisters. Loftin showed class by passing up a possible opportunity to slam the NISL or its teams. You could learn something from him.
One thing we all forget about the XSL is that they are trying to build more than a soccer league. I think they call it a "lifestyle brand". I'm not saying its a great or a terrible idea either. Personally I'd focus on getting the house of cards that is indoor franchises on some solid footing and then build on success not the other way round. Kudo's to the guy that thought of this and 'Indoor Alter Ego' to send them to Grimaldi. Maybe NSL2004 can send them to whoever is running PASL Pro too.
Whatever you think of Loftin's answers, you've got to credit him for at least answering the questions.
For starters Skipper, great job. The questions were tough but unfortunately, the answers were watered down. You say that the XSL doesn't have teams like the Twisters or Rockford/Chicago, who have drew some rather small crowds. I would say, have you seen the Storm or the Ironmen. Thoses teams reportedly draw anywhere from hundreds to just over a thousand. Yes both the Storm and Ironmen have had a game or so over 2,000, but they are in the same boat with the Twisters and Rampage. The real problem, is that the XSL doesn't have franchises that can cover for the bad ones. Detriot plays in an arena that caps at 3,500 and Milwaukee draws 3,500 (about). Therefore, the overall appearance of the XSL is poor vs 2 teams in the NISL. Moreover, Rockford/Chicago's owner is loaded and willing to spend. The Storm can't match that. The Ironmen's owner is loaded as well, but he has other expenses such as the Prodential Center and the Devils. He may very well be looking to cut his loses. You also said that the XSL's business plan was saner because they have a salary cap. Skipper, so far, there is absolutely no return on the investments of the XSL's owners. There is nothing positive coming out of that league. Going cheap sounds good on paper, but when the results from the investments are so far apart, something is wrong. You also said that the XSL has less travel. True. Very True. However, where will they expand if they can't/won't spend on travel??? Look SKipp, not trying to give you a hard way to go, because you appear to be one of the true professionals on this board, but the XSL is in trouble. That's the real reason The Great Commissioner Brian Loftin didn't answer your questions with substance.
Did Loftin really answer or not answer anymore than any other commish of any other league? I mean, I heard a lot of the same phrase turns that I have from Selig/Stern/Bettmann/Tagliabue/Garber etc. over the years. I don't think Grimaldi would answer substantially differently from any other commish either. That's not an indictment of their character, but more that the postion requires a very careful use of words to avoid misunderstanding, or worse, panic.
I think the questions and answers were great. The XSL is our best option for success, as a real pro league. The NISL is a joke & the PASL is more of a minor league. I'm sure year 2 of the XSL will see improvements.
Boy - again...lots of negativity from non owners of teams Loftin has done the job - good or bad, let's see at the end of the season He has held it together thus far - maybe, just maybe we can give him the benefit of the doubt and hang in there with him same with the teams - can we wait to see what will happen instead of predicting the worst When you get on a plane do you say it will probably crash? Will the pilot get a lost?? I do not think so - you wait until the destination and say cool we made it And personally I believe Loftin has done quite a good job - He stepped up and filled a tough position - give him credit for that eh? And last - he is the Commissioner of the XSL - do you really think that he would give total insight to all goings on - be for real personally I do not want to know everything about the league because I do not need to know it and if any of you brain surgeons think you can do much better or have a better plan - meet with Loftin and offer to work for him - work for the league
I just e-mailed NISL Commissioner Grimaldi to see if he would be willing to answer some questions. If so, I will submit a set to him that will be somewhat different than the ones I submitted to Commisioner Loftin.
Hey ya'll. I red through the questions and answers that were presented to Mr Loftin. For being a first year guy, I thought he answered the questions most accordingly. He sounded more like a veteran commish than a new guy on the block. Wouldn't say anything was watered down neither. wouldn't expect anyone in his role to throw this and that on the table. He looked like he put a lot of thought into his answers. What I like is that he didn't hesitate answering questions. He was open and honest. I respect that. I like this guy. Don't know much about him other than what I've red, but he presents himself well enough.
Why do you care how hes running the league?? hes doing the job and probably a whole lot better than you could. Loftin is doing a fine job..and this whole thing about he didnt want to respond to the questions is a joke. Hes the commisioner, and he said what he could. If any of you guys think loftin is doing a bad job why dont you go give being commisioner a try?? I'd like to see you do better.
Commissioner Grimaldi said he would be happy to answer questions so I just submitted some to him. I appreciate his willingness to participate. Some of the questions are the same as I asked to Commissioner Loftin and some are different.
Again, great job Mr. Skipper. NISL's Commissioner Mr. Grimaldi is a class act and will not run from tough questions. Can't wait to hear the response.
interesting interview. Putting the tough questions is the best way to try and get the answers we want
Dude, that doesn't make any sense. At all. We shouldn't care about how he landscapes his house, but how he runs the league is the whole essence of why we're here. If he screws it up we don't have a game anymore. We're all depending on these people.
whatever dude. i stand behind what i said. hes doing a fine job sure things arent perfect or maybe not even close to perfect but come on its the first year give and like i said if u can do it better. go and be commisioner
It's not like that's really an option is it? I'm not saying he's not doing a good job. I'm just saying his performance is fair game for comment and opinion.