CIFL Signs Erie Explosion

Speculation was put to rest yesterday afternoon as the Erie Explosion announced they had signed with the CIFL for the 2013 season. With multiple leagues vying for the opportunity to sign Erie, owner Bill Stafford weighed out each of his options before making his selection.
"After the past season, four different leagues approached us, knowing that they liked what we did and what (coach Shawn Liotta) was doing and results our players had,'' said Stafford. "We spent two and a half months listening to presentations and eliminating some things, and the Continental (Indoor Football) League is a very good fit."
Jim O'Brien, Co-Owner of the CIFL, was present for the announcement and spoke to the media about the future of the CIFL. "The CIFL is a better place today by having the Explosion become a part of it," said O'Brien, "We intend to make the CIFL stronger with each and every decision we make."
Erie fits the profile that O'Brien and his partners former NFL defensive back Stuart Schweigert and Michigan-based business owner Robert Licht set out to acquire this offseason. With nine players from this past season having ties to the Explosion now playing in the AFL or CFL, this business model is what the CIFL strives to accomplish across each of their markets.
"Our goal since day one has been to help players advance to the next level," said Schweigert (who will be returning to the UFL this fall), "Erie does a great job of that and we will look to echo that throughout the entire CIFL."
The CIFL will begin play in early February, a schedule is set to be announced in October.