ENID, OK - On Thursday, Champions Indoor Football league announced that the Oklahoma Flying Aces would go inactive immediately and not play in 2021. Simultaneously, the CIF announced that the Dodge City Law have been approved by the CIF board of directors for immediate participation in the league.
The Flying Aces, based out of Enid, Oklahoma, stated that unforeseen workman's compensation insurance issues would prevent participation for this season.
Dodge City was a, yet to be announced, CIF expansion franchise for the 2022 season. The Law last played in the CIF during the 2017 season and will immediately fill the Flying Aces position on the schedule, including inheriting Oklahoma's current roster.
The Oklahoma Flying Aces Management and Owners released this statement on their social media page:
"To our fans: Please know this was a very difficult decision for us to make. It was not about cash flow, lack of support, or some type unethical situation. It simply came down to this - our workers comp premium was $5,000 in year one, but unexpectedly jumped to more than $150,000 this year. The truth is, that level of financial burden in minor league sports is simply unsustainable. We appealed the premium, and have begun very positive conversations with the company which handles our premiums for the state, and we are confident we will be able to work together and create a reduction of our premiums in the future. Unfortunately however, that process will take months, not days, and since the 2021 season starts this week, we simply ran out of time for this year. So we are left will little choice, we will go dark for a year, and begin the process of restructuring. In the interim please know ALL monies collected from Season Ticket holders and/or Corporate sponsors will be refunded in full, as will any outstanding account payables to our vendors. We ask that everyone impacted financially to reach out to us via our email (info@oklahomaflyingaces.com) so we can interact with you personally. We would like to thank the city of Enid, specifically Kevin Boryczki and staff at the Stride Bank Arena, for all their help, and we also thank you our awesome fans for your incredible support." -Flying Aces Management & Owners
