Indoor Football League team in Spokane will skip 2018

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — The Spokane Empire of the Indoor Football League will not play the 2018 season and is looking for a local buyer.

Majority owner Nader Naini of Seattle said the decision to skip the 2018 season was made because the team is losing a lot of money.

Naini purchased the team in 2014. He moved the team from the Arena Football League to the IFL in 2016.

Spokane averaged more than 10,000 fans per game from 2007-11, but attendance was about 4,600 per game this season.

The Empire said they are looking for either a local partner or to sell the team.

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