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Heat gets financial backing By Kris Henry Like a class that lets you supply your own grade, the Southern Oregon Heat cannot fail. Despite mounting debt and a tapped-out owner, the Heat has been assured it will finish the season thanks to recent action taken by the National Indoor Football League. NIFL President Carolyn Shiver said Thursday the 18-team league will step in and provide financial backing to ensure the Heat will be able to finish this season. "We�re going to make sure (the Heat�s) season gets finished, which is our priority," said Shiver. "There is no doubt in my mind they will finish the season." Shiver said Southern Oregon is the only team in the NIFL needing assistance at this time. Heat owner Kevin Wells notified the league of his financial troubles about two weeks ago. "Probably the hardest thing an owner does is admit that they�re over their head and need some help," she said. Wells could not be reached for comment. The Heat�s next game is Saturday against the Mobile Seagulls in Alabama. Shiver said the league and Wells are working to determine the exact debt level and how much assistance is needed. Shiver said the league expects the Heat will need from $50- to $70,000 just to finish the season, and that doesn�t take into consideration old debts. That figure also doesn�t include payments to vendors who are owed monies. Shiver said the league doesn�t make guarantees to vendors; that�s the responsibility of each owner. "As a league our first responsibility is to the owner who puts his neck on the line for his team," she said. "I know the vendors are angry with me because I didn�t just step up and write them a check." Shiver said she expects Wells, given time, will be able to take care of the vendors. With most teams financially stable at this time, Shiver said the league is well-equipped to handle the rest. "When one team gets weak, then the other owners step up," she said. "And when you�re dividing the bill 18 ways, it�s not that much of a burden. "We�re not too worried about Kevin because we have other owners wealthy enough to come in and finish the season." Benevolence aside, the league has a vested interest in the Heat completing its schedule. Since four of the Heat�s final five games are on the road, those franchises would miss out on vital gate and concession revenues in the Heat�s absence. Shiver said the root of the Heat�s financial woes stem from a schedule requiring plane flights to most road games instead of less expensive bus travel. Southern Oregon is one of three Western Division teams. The others are in Yakima, Wash., and Provo, Utah. The remaining 15 NIFL teams reside mainly in the Midwest and South. "The main thing that was a killer this year is Kevin had so many flights," said Shiver. "That takes his budget from normal to almost double, and that was just more than a small community can overcome." Helping eliminate that problem for next year is the proposed introduction of more teams in Oregon and Washington for the NIFL�s second season. Shiver said three Oregon cities have applied for a franchise next season, with the closest of those to Medford being Eugene. Five cities in Washington have also expressed interest. Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.