New York, NY. The 2008 RAFL (Regional American Football league) league meeting coming up in a couple of days and the RAFL looks for a heavy expansion in the east. Returning Charter members from 2007 including the 20-0 NFE USFA National Champion Prince William Monarchs and the 17-2 New York Predators as well as the rest of the 2007 charter member playoff teams.

 

The RAFL Senate has already approved nine veteran teams under the “Veteran Exemption” clause. So the RAFL looks strong at over 20 teams to start before the League meeting. But the RAFL expansion is not ending there, over 50 new team applications were received and reviewed by league administrators and through due diligence several applications were denied. Under the bylaws of the democratic senate, there are fourteen new team applications to be reviewed for admission at this weekends meeting. In addition to all these possible additions the RAFL has several organizations taking the wait and see approach before joining the league. Unlike last season when a few teams were added on to the schedule up to 6 weeks before the season this year new teams applying to the league after the league meeting will be penalized $250 so there first year dues will be $1050. "We feel this is the right thing to do" said President Charles McGill. "We can't be waiting on teams to join the league and use us as a bargaining chip and it's not fair to the rest of our league member teams if we cater to certain teams. Not to mention they will still have to be voted in by the league senate which after the meeting will have several more members, anything could happen..We feel it takes to much time to re-do schedules and causes to much stress on out existing league franchises bottom line if a team wants to join late they have to pay the penalty, and go through the process, no matter who they are, no exceptions!" added McGill

 

In addition to new team applications, the RAFL will begin the updates of league policies and bylaws as well as new proposals by Senate members. “ There’s a lot to go over in a short period of time” said Mcgill. The RAFL will also begin its preliminary schedule setup, as well as 2008 division alignment. “While this is the off season for teams, this is the busy season for our league management” stated Turkel. Look for more on the RAFL immediately following the meeting at the RAFL’s official website, www.rafl.net.