The American Indoor Football Association will have games televised this coming season, beginning with the Kickoff Classic on January 23rd in Richmond, Va. Check the MavTV schedule for particulars on when AIFA games will air on the channel.

“These telecasts will provide network-quality TV exposure for our member teams,” said AIFA co-founder John Morris. “We firmly believe in utilizing electronic media and new technology to increase exposure for our product. This new TV package will show even more how the AIFA delivers, both for its fans and its member teams.”

The sport of indoor football allows for play in a smaller area which would normally be used for a sport such as basketball or ice hockey. An indoor football playing season is typically scheduled to begin in mid- to late-Winter and continues to the middle of Summer.

The AIFA was created in 2006 after the demise of the Atlantic/American Indoor Football League (AIFL). AIFA is intended to provide fast-paced, fan-friendly professional football at affordable prices. Leagues have focused on fast, sustainable expansion and keeping costs low in order for owners to maximize their team’s operating capital.

Currently 13 teams participate in the AIFA, which is concentrated mostly in mid-sized markets in the eastern US and the Rocky Mountains. The AIFA does not use the rebound net found in the Arena Football League. Players do not have to play both offense and defense. The AFL allows only one offensive player in motion at one time, but AIFA allows two at one time to move.

The AIFA will keep production, distribution and ad sales in house, according to a press release on OurSportCentral.com. AIFA hired former ESPN executive Curt Pires to oversee development of the programming through his company, CAP Sports Group LLC.

“The quality of the production will be on par with the AFL (the old Arena Football League) but also what people normally would see from arenas around the country in other sports,” Pires said. “The (AIFA) product speaks for itself. The more we can show that this is a viable option for the entertainment dollar, the better chance for this to grow. The days of just putting an ad in the paper to try and promote your event are long over. You really have to use all of the opportunities to promote yourself, and putting games on TV to have an opportunity to brand yourself is what it’s all about today.”