In 2025 we saw an American Indoor Football League that was just a shell of itself, three teams. The majority of league play was nothing more than senseless murderball and fans began to tune out. Coming into this season, we saw much improvement all around, with the league still what most consider unpolished, but building toward a better future.
One move that may very well change the way you, the fan, view the American Indoor Football League long term is bringing in Commissioner Terrence Foster, who has been in and around the game for over 20 years. He only took over this past January and hasn’t had the chance to implement changes that could completely revamp the league and how it runs. We had a long discussion on what would change.
We also had a chance to really dig in and have a conversation with him about positive changes going forward and what we heard absolutely excited us for the current season and those changes we will see for seasons to come. We wanted to get some of this vital information out after last week’s games to clear things up for fans, and maybe even stir some excitement for the rest of the season!
If your unfarmialr with the AIF’s current teams, check out the season preview below
Table of Contents
Raising American Indoor Football League Standards
One thing that plagues the indoor game is non-uniformity. If you want fans to take the product you put out seriously, you have to put in serious effort into your teams. This past weekend we saw all three games and not everything was up to par.
This is something, according to Commissioner Foster, that will change and change in a big way starting this season. Most of the games from Valentine’s Day weekend where tune up games against lower level Devopmental and semi-pro squads, meaning there was a chance that some things needed work. What we didn’t expect was the areas that needed help in very big ways. Foster fully acknowledged the issues he saw and assured us that the rest of 2026 would look different for the American Indoor Football League.
What’s changing?
North Michigan Removed
It’s hard enough to run one franchise, and we always hate to see one go. So the league made the hard decision to not put a team out onto the field. The Muskies’ facility and equipment wise just weren’t ready for 2026.
It leaves a hole for everyone in the league, but there is a plan in place that will give everyone remaining a full schedule. The plan? Well to take the American Indoor Football League Travel team, Pennsylvania, and have them fill the remainder of the scheduled away games in place of North Michigan.
The league is going to help provide a way for this to happen for the team as they prepare throughout the season to become a full member in 2027. If you haven’t been following the Union socials and are interested or want a chance to play PRO indoor football, this is your chance to show out and maybe even move up!
Improved Presentation:
Last week we saw another league logo displayed midfield, and a couple of other issues. This is something that will change going into week five (per American Indoor Football League Schedule). The Standard has to be the standard, or it’s no Standard at all, and this was very apparent in our conversation. As you watch the rest of the season play out watch how the field, walls, and uniforms change for various teams.
You shouldn’t have nearly as many concerns with the safety of players and how the league is represented by the presentation of individual teams. Meetings have happened, conversations have been had and a new standard is emerging. We will bring you all the positive ( and negative) on the improvements starting on February 28th in our season-long series All-American Run Down.
What’s going on down south?
Many have had serious questions as to how Midland and Oddessa are going to function in 2026. You can be assured that the way these teams will function will be to the standard. They both will have full coaching staffs and play full schedules. While the schedule will be mostly against lower-level opponents, they are independent in 2026 after all.
The goal is to establish these teams and give them a chance to build a fanbase and financial stability, before going full AIF in 2027. We can also confirm that the rumors of Northern teams coming down to play in 2026 are true. While we can’t disclose what teams yet, know that one, possibly two of the four remaining teams from up north will at some point travel down to play Odessa and/or Midland!
Not only will they be playing, a defacto playoff/championship game is being tossed around between the two divisions, but a format and logistics are still in the works.
Approach, Expansion, and Vetting
While the Odessa/Midland approach is different we believe it can be a good approach. The expansion front is very open for the AIF, and while it is important to expand and grow Foster made one thing clear. That the league can’t grow and attract well-versed and stable Ownership without ensuring the teams currently in the league are on a good footing themselves. The focus for the rest of 2026 will be on giving each owner, team, coach, and player the best possible opportunity to further their careers/franchises on a big, well-presented stage.
In 2026 through 2027, you should also expect the vetting of future ownership to be a bit more stringent than it has been in the past. We aren’t doubting any owners or front staffs that currently reside in the AIF, as it is a huge improvement over 2025. Though things will improve. You will have equal standing and a very uniform 2027 AIF. We aren’t at liberty to share that process as it is a league-by-league ordeal, but the evidence will be in the overall product.
Transparency with Fans
After the core of our conversation, we both agreed the AIF and its fans needed a place to find updated and breaking news on the AIF. So for the remainder of the AIF season and into the future you will be able to come here, on Shady Sports and any article with the name America Indoor Football, AIF or All American Run Down will have updated and league-verified information! You’ll be able to count on us, and the American Indoor Football front office to give you all the information you need to keep up with happenings from Muskegon to Gillette and beyond.
Overall fans will talk, good or bad but rebuilding a league from the ground up won’t happen overnight. If you’re near a team go out and show your support, voice your opinion, and trust that the 2026 AIF standard will rise! Don’t forget to check in for the next game on February 28th between what could be the best two teams in the league, Cedar Rapids at West Michigan!
If you want to hear everything Indoor and Arena football as the AIF season roars on, and the other leagues start to kick off you have to tune into Around the Indoor Football World! Hop on at 7 AM central to hear Sam, Krish, TJ, Cody, and all the high profile guest from all around the fifty-yard game!
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