PFLUGERVILLE, Texas — A new arena football league with teams from south of the border will kick off soon.
"I think if people give it a chance, you're going to love it," said, Michelle Higgins, the co-owner and co-founder of the International Arena Football League. "When the NFL is done, you won't have such a long wait between then and preseason."
Higgins, who doubles as the co-owner of the Austin Wild indoor football team, has teamed up with owners of teams across Texas and two teams from south of the border, Mexico City and Tampico, to form the International Arena Football League.
"The good thing about the game is that [fans] can catch a high five from the players while the game is going on," said Austin Wild President/CEO Keith Clay.
The Wild are entering their third season as an organization and will play their home games at the Travis County Exposition Center.
All of the players on the rosters of the seven teams play for the love of the game, definitely not for the paychecks.
"Our (pay) structure is $125 per game with a $50 win bonus," said Tim Cook, co-founder of IAFL and co-founder of the Austin Wild. "It gives the guys the opportunity to play the game they love. I played for a year at the same salary and I loved it, but I also worked a job full time."
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For the players, this leagues provides hope, hope that they will be discovered by other professional football leagues in America, Canada and overseas.
There have been numerous indoor/arena, professional, and semi-pro football teams who have called Austin home who have folded. Why will this league experience success?
"Honesty, that's where it starts," said Ryan Peterson, who plays for the Austin Wild. "If you're honest, what you can provide as your ownership and how you want to grow, I think that brings stability within your organization."
The International Arena Football League kicks off the season on March 4. The Austin Wild's season begins on March 9.
