Johnson: 'Xplosion Will be Back in 2009' 

• To the Xplosion Community:  Fans, Players, Coaches, Dance Team, Volunteers and Sponsors

What a great season! 

I want to thank everyone for the terrific second season with the Kalamazoo Xplosion.

A 15 game winning streak at home is something that all players & coaches can be proud of, but it was the fans who made the experience really great for everyone!

Unfortunately, the championship game did not go as planned.  And most unfortunately, the after game activities were an embarrassment to me and to most of the Xplosion players, coaches, and staff.  I want to apologize to everyone involved, and most importantly to our fans.

There has been a lot of media coverage concerning the Kalamazoo Xplosion in the past couple of days.  The media culture in the United States today is to cover the problematic and dramatic arena; usually at the expense of the good.

The coverage extended to Xplosion after the game was no exception to this.  Although we’re not happy with the coverage, I don’t fault the media.  Their job is to sell papers.  Please allow me to set the record straight on the situation.

First and foremost the Kalamazoo Xplosion will be back in 2009, playing at Wings Stadium.  We plan to be part of the improved CIFL, which will be in its fourth season. 

Let’s begin with the business end of sports. Everyone likes to play sports, and even more likes to watch sports.  Every sports team I know depends on finances in order to exist.  The Xplosion is no exception.  As we review the year, we realize there were several factors that have financially impacted the team.

Those factors include:

Fan Base: After a successful first year, we planned on a modest fan base increase.  That increase did not happen they way we would have liked it to. Xplosion fans are not different than the rest of the state.  They have experienced increases in gas, heating and food costs; lost jobs or stagnant pay. This is a sign of our times as a nation. 

Unfortunately for Xplosion team members, the economy and consequent loss of revenue significantly impacted cash flow. The payroll was based on a specific number of fans, and when that quota was not met, it resulted in a negative cash flow.  Another factor in attendance was the game day.  The Xplosion was a Saturday night fixture in 2007; but in 2008 we were unable to secure the Saturday night schedule.  Our first three home games were played on Friday night – one of those being Good Friday with a snow storm.   We are hopeful that Wings Stadium will be able to accommodate more Saturday night games in 2009.  For your information, attendance for 2008 was approx 600 persons less per game than 2007.

Sponsorships: Our sponsors are the best!  We are fortunate to have many local businesses support the team with dasher board ads and other forms of sponsorship.  For 2009, we plan to incorporate some of the larger corporate sponsors that some of the other CIFL teams have.

Like any business, there are ups and downs.  We have experienced a recent down resulting in cutbacks for players and coaches.  We look forward to being a part of the Kalamazoo community not only in 2009, but for years to come. 

In closing, let me once again say thank you to the fans and to the players and to the coaches.  I would be remiss if I did not mention the dance team, and the volunteers who came to each home game to help with the game day activities.  These volunteers include the water boys, media relations, the chain gang, the merchandise vendors, and the scores of others who helped to make the Xplosion succeed.

Although the championship was not attained this year, we are committed and focused to bring great indoor football and a championship to Kalamazoo in the future.

Sincerely,