First off, hiring the shrewd Rutten is an extreme positive for the organization. I have a feeling this is in part due to the previous hiring last year of Jay Larkin as VP. The guy is brilliant and knows his way around the sports business with an extensive background in television and boxing. If the IFL can be saved, Larkin is just the guy who can do it. He's that good.
The IFL has a lot of problems. They knew the team concept was going to be hard to sell and it has been. As one of the changes this year, the city affiliations have been replaced by fight team designations. For instance, it won't be the New York Pitbulls this year, instead it will be something like the Renzo Gracie team. The Lions Den, Miletich, Team Quest and Xtreme Couture have already signed on. The weird thing is, the team concept with a place affiliated was finally getting over with the fans at the live events. At the semis last year in NJ, the New York team had alot more fans simply because of the local team name. But selling that concept on the TV shows was pitiful and thus the change.
For hardcore MMA fans, we understand the history behind the cage vs ring debate. But for all the newbie fans, MMA is supposed to take place in a cage in their eyes. I don't want to turn this into a cage vs ring debate, just saying how newer fans view the cage.
For regular season fights, the rounds are 4 minutes instead of the normal 5. IMO, this hurts the promotion, but that's just me.
The IFL really has a good amount of young talent, better than the more accepted EliteXC. But their other shortcomings has hurt their product.
The financials of this company are the most worrisome, another reason why many on the industry have not bought in as they worry about how long the brand will be around. In December 2006, after a piece on the IFL was broadcast on 60 minutes, the IFL stock went to $17 a share. As of 10 minutes ago, the
IFL stock is at $.105 a share. It doesn't take a rocket scince to see how bad that is.
The company has leaked a very aggressive schedule for the coming year and I hope they make it, especially considering they'll be in the NY area 3 times this year off their successful Semi-finals show here last August. But they are going to have a fight to survive. I'm hoping they do.