Northern Arena Football, a new league coming in 2019

Gregg Fornario, owner of the Richmond Roughriders, has announced he will be starting a new arena football league called the Northern Arena Football league in March 2019. The league will have teams in the North / Northeast US with the goal of lowering travel costs for the teams who participate in the league.

The NAF plans to have 6-8 teams participating in the 2019 Inaugural Season. According the website, the league will make sure teams go through extensive background checks, and make sure the teams have the right finances for a stable long-term future. As for scheduling, the NAF will play "a 8 to 10 game schedule, depending on what the team owners vote on."

The NAF Board of Directors currently includes:
Gregg Fornario (President and Commissioner)
Jesse Heninger (Director of Marketing, Operations, Brand Strategy)
Trey Braid (Operations, Creative Services & Information Technology)
Andrew Germann (Gameday Operations Coordinator)

As for Gregg's Richmond Roughriders, he announced his intentions to keep his team in the AAL for 2019. As of now, the team is still currently exploring relocation sites due to the fact that the Richmond Coliseum is likely to be torn down.

As for the rulebook, the NAF website states that the league will play under a set of unique rules.

The following information is listed on the NAF Website:

• "Kickoff thru goal post is 1 pt and goes up with each consecutive successful kick.  
  • Example if kickoff goes thru uprights 3x in a row that is 3pts etc
• FG miss attempt, but makes contact with uprights is spotted at the 5yrd line like a punt.
• At the 2 minute warning at end of the game goes to 4 to score there will be no more 1st downs .  
  • Example if it's your ball at mid field with 2min and 5 seconds left and its 3rd and 3 you will want to call a timeout or if you don't it goes to 3rd and goal from mid field.
• Iron man = Must have 1 guy that plays a minimum of 16 plays on both sides of the ball.
• Roster = 19 man dress on the day of the game| 24 Man Roster during season
• Salary cap = $1,900 Minimum | $5,000 Maximum"

Source: www.northernarenafootball.com
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AFT Multimedia Director Aaron Castete sat down with Gregg Fornario (NAF President) and asked a few questions regarding the league.

Aaron: "How will the NAF separate itself from the other leagues and build a unique brand?"

Gregg: "We will be a regional league that will make teams save on travel and players not have to dread the long bus rides."

Aaron: "When exploring cities for franchises, what are some of the key components you look for with the city, venue, and potential ownership group?"

Gregg:  "We are looking to keep the NAF from Pennsylvania and north of there, there are alot of commadating arenas in the New England area that we will like to see that be the center point of the foot print. And all ownership groups will have a financial background checks.  I know what it takes capital wise to get a team going, so I can advice through the process so ownerships know the realistic terms."

Aaron: "As for markets, will the league plan to have teams mostly medium sized markets?"

Gregg: "Markets will be up to the franchise owners as long as it is in the footprint and arena is approved by NAF"

Aaron:  "After owning a team for two seasons so far, what are some of the things you have learned and will use to shape your league?"

Gregg: "Well the motto is "Get in where you fit in" And being geographically correct is huge. Being a owner for two seasons I have now learned how to cut corners in a professional manner and I plan on sharing that with all teams in the league to keep the league a success. We plan on starting a league in the south in 20' and have the winners of both leagues play in the East coast Arena Bowl."