Obscure Sports News


Well, it seems that the news of the demise of the Prague Lions of the European League of Football (ELF) was premature.  After losing players and coaches a few weeks ago, new owners saved the franchise and have pledged to finish the season.  This is something that doesn't normally happen and I was glad to see it after another team already folded earlier this season.  I really hope the league succeeds and establishes a solid market in Europe.

The National Indoor Soccer League (NISL) announced they will be expanding to Albany, Georgia next season.  The NISL is an indoor soccer league which fields both men's and women's teams.  The league struggled to finish the season last year with teams in Tampa (FL), Orlando (FL), Memphis (TN), Fayetteville (NC), and Columbus (GA).  Albany is not really a success story for minor league sports teams and doubtful whether the Southwest Georgia region will support the new franchise.

The Gridiron Developmental Football League (GDFL) will be wrapping up another regular season soon.  I can't help but remember the old American Football Association (AFA) which also played in the summer between 1977-1983.  I followed the Jacksonville Firebirds when they existed.  

A post from a newly formed league called the International Football Alliance (IFA) popped up in my Facebook feed this week.  It is apparently going to be a new football league with teams in the Southern United States and Mexico.  The league hopes to have six teams for kickoff in June 2024.  Follow the league here:  https://www.ifa.football

I keep reading articles about cities that the return of the Arena Football League (AFL) plans for their return that many have no clue about the league's return.  I guess the owners and details will come along soon.  I really want the league to succeed so I hope they are solid in their plans to bring the league back to life.  I am skeptical they will return to former glory days of the league.  It might be better to have the current indoor leagues merge their strongest franchises into one league.

The Florida Vikings have finished on top of the North American Floorball League (NAFL) regular season with a 8-2 record.  I am assumed that they are going to have some sort of playoffs.  There have been no new postings on the league's website since February.  After some clicking around, I found their YouTube channel and videos from their semifinal and final games.  The Vikings defeated the Fresno Force 9-2 in the Troy Cup final on Sunday.  Check out the replay of the game here:  https://www.youtube.com/live/MThp6YUy1AE?feature=share

Living in Nashville, the talk is that the Music City will get an expansion team in Major League Baseball (MLB) but I'm wondering if they might also be in line for an expansion in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) or when the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) decides to move to a city-based league next season.

Speaking of Nashville's MLB aspirations, the group that is trying to bring it here wants to call the team the "Stars".  While I understand the basis for the name I think it's rather boring and minor league-ish.  I like the moniker "Nashville Pickers" and develop a logo around a guitar pick.  Well, nobody asked me.

The Women's FIFA World Cup is currently being played in Australia/New Zealand.  The United States team is the favorite and expected to win.  From the comments I see on social media, the USWNT have a lot of haters.  I still remember the 1980 Men's hockey Olympic team and the "miracle on ice".  We are a long way from that today.  Sad.

I think the sport that is going to continue to grow for women will be football.  Ratings were pretty good for the Women's Football Alliance (WFA) recently.  Women can play football.  I have seen a new league pop up on my feed but I wish all the women's leagues would focus on building one solid league. It would be nice if the NFL would subsidize the league.  In my world, they would play the Women's Super Bowl the same weekend as the Super Bowl.

If you've never heard of Korfball, you should YouTube it.  I might do a blog on the sport in the future but it is the only sport which the men and women play together.  It is like basketball but without the backboard.  Yeah, it still works without that.  You have the see it.  The sport isn't popular here but it should be.  The Netherlands rule the world in the sport.

Sleeping is actually a sporting competition.  Spain hosts a "competitive sleeping" tournament.  I'll have to find you some details on that one.

Well, that's all I have for you right now.   I'll be back with more again soon.

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