BEMIDJI-The Minnesota Axemen will not be participating in the Indoor Football League next season.
The IFL announced in a press release on Wednesday that the membership of Bemidji's professional football team, which plays their home games at the Sanford Center, has been terminated.
Effective immediately, the team will no longer participate in the upcoming 2016 IFL season.
"The league has taken this proactive measure as a result of the Axemen organization failing to achieve operational standards and league commitments that are required of IFL member teams," IFL Commissioner Michael Allshouse said in a press release. "This is an unfortunate, but necessary action that needed to be made to ensure the health and well being of the IFL moving forward into the 2016 season and beyond."
Just as recently as Monday, the Pioneer reported that the Axemen had not returned calls from Sanford Center officials. They had paid off the field turf on which they play but hadn't met their license payment date to the arena.
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Fans that have purchased tickets for the Axemen's 2016 season are encouraged to contact the team office to receive a refund by calling (218) 444-8217 or emailing info@minnesotaaxemen.com .
The press release said that the IFL and its member teams will proceed with a revised 2016 schedule featuring 11 teams. The 19-week, 88-game schedule kicks off on Friday, Feb. 19 and concludes on Saturday, June 25.
