This Saturday is a big day.
Not only do the Barnstormers fly in to the Quad Cities to revive a classic, arena football rivalry. But if we win (and we should), it will be the 100th win by the Steamwheelers since we took the field in 2000. Only the Tulsa Talons have more wins.
This franchise has come a long way in just nine years. When Jim Foster started the Steamwheelers, nobody in this town knew what arena football was - let alone what a "steamwheeler" was. But Jim is an eternal optimist and a true visionary. Arena football and the Steamwheelers have become an integral part of life in the Quad Cities now - and I'm working to make it permanent.
Because, you see, a big part of the Steamwheelers history has been a precarious, year-by-year existence that has left fans wondering at the end of each season whether the 'Wheelers will return for one more year.
It seems appropriate, then, to launch our "Drive for 100" - I'm trying to expand the ownership group of the 'Wheelers by 100 members. It's a critical piece to our long-term survival in the market. Community ownership helps create long-term community support for the team: both fan support and sponsor support.
We've made ownership fairly simple and affordable. We're looking for people willing to invest $5,000 or more into the team and have a program that will provide a small cash return every year plus credits that can be used with the team for sponsorship/promotion that equals the investment over a five-year period. It's as close to a sure thing as you can find in the minor league sports business, I think.
I'm just hoping getting 100 owners doesn't take as long as getting to 100 wins.
If you're interested in learning more, just e-mail me at: mbawden@steamwheelers.com
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