PHILADELPHIA (February 16, 2012) – The Philadelphia Soul and the Indoor Gridiron League (IGL), through Jakib Media LLC, announce a partnership that creates the first semi-pro indoor football league in the country that has the direct endorsement of a professional football team.

 

The IGL is a semi-pro indoor football league consisting of nine teams and a 12-week season that will run from April through July 2012.  Part of the relationship with the Soul will include:

 

·         IGL teams will have an opportunity to play a game at Wells Fargo Center following a Soul game

·         IGL players will get a VIP Soul season ticket

·         IGL players can attend a private tryout to be directed by the Soul coaching staff following the 2012 season

·         A cash prize for the 2012 league champion and the inaugural “Soul Cup”

 

“Without semi-pro football, there would be no Arena Football League,” said AFL commissioner Jerry Kurz.  “Nearly 100 percent of the players used in the original test games of Arena Football were taken from minor league teams.  This is an opportunity for players that didn’t make the league’s limited roster spaces to hone their skills and continue to play football to get to the next level.”

 

Players interested in more information about the IGL or how they can get a tryout with the IGL, can contact Henry Racich at IGL@philadelphiasoul.com.

 

 

The IGL, owned by Jakib Media, will function as a recreational and developmental football league with the goal of providing a legitimate opportunity for athletes within the community to pursue their personal dreams of playing professional football.  Simply, our goal is to provide a competitive and extremely professional environment for our athletes, our owners and families to experience a high level of anticipated success, based on the amount of willing and determined effort.  Utilizing the power of a partnership with the Philadelphia Soul, IGL will utilize multiple resources and opportunities presented by the Soul’s partnership.