Tri-City Fever to hibernate for 2017 season

The owners of the Tri-City Fever, JR and Teri Carr, announced today that the indoor football team is going "dormant" for the 2017 season. According to a press release, the business will continue to own the franchise, and be a member in good standing with the Indoor Football League, but will not schedule or play any games.

The owners say they want to keep the franchise in the Tri-Cities, but the pause in activity will allow them to look at their options, including the possibility of relocating the team in the hopes of becoming more profitable.

"We already have a budget that is as bare bones as I can get it," said Teri Carr. "You can't save your way to a profit. Over the years my staff and I have tried a wide variety of way to increase ticket and sponsorship. While some of those efforts have seen results, the resuts are never enough to make up the difference. I with it was as easy as winning and losing, but even after the team made it to the Championship two straight years, our attendance the following year was the lowest it had ever been."

The team contributed over $70,000 to local nonprofits, youth organizations, and schools through fundraising and donations in 2015.