Wichita Falls Nighthawks Officially Join IFL – Indoor Football League [VIDEO]

The Wichita Falls Nighthawks announced their addition to the IFL (Indoor Football League) in an official press conference held inside Kay Yeager Coliseum on Tuesday morning.

Nighthawks owner Drew Carnes was joined by IFL commisioner Micheal Allshouse to announce the inclusion of the Nighthawks for the 2015 season. The IFL season kicks off near the end of February and generally runs through June, with a championship, The United Bowl, to be held around the July 4th weekend.

The IFL is entering it's seventh season in 2015. The ten team league is spread over the country from Washington state to Wisconsin and down to Texas. The IFL is a developmental league, providing a platform for athletes who look to get opportunities from the NFL and CFL (Canadian Football League). The most prominent IFL star who made it to the next level is Fred Jackson, running back for the Buffalo Bills.

The Nighthawks are looking to close a 2-year lease agreement with the city of Wichita falls for use of the coliseum. The city recently made headlines for purchasing field turf to use at the KYC. Carnes and team officials have said that they hope to have the lease agreed upon within the next week.

Carnes also announced the pay scale for the athletes in the IFL. All players will receive game checks for $250. Other perks during the season include meals and lodging. Carnes hopes to avoid any controversies within the team with the set salaries for each player.

Average attendance for the IFL last season was close to 3,000 per game. With the Nighthawks' loyal fan base, Carnes hopes to increase that number and have a great home field advantage. The IFL schedule should be released sometime around the middle of September, after all owners agree on the schedule.

Some Texoma residents may be familiar with at least one of the IFL's teams, the Texas Revolution. The team plays in the Allen Event Center, home to the Lone Star Conference Basketball tournament for the last 3 years. The MSU Mustangs have been contenders each year in the home of the Revolution.

Watch video from the Nighthawks press conference below: