Saturday, June 12, 1999

New league
has Hawaii
in its plans

The International Football
Federation would play its
games from February to June

Associated Press

Entertainment promoter Bob Peyton, a longtime isle concert promoter,is part of a group from Honolulu seeking a franchise in the newly-formed International Football Federation.

The league announced plans yesterday to open play next spring with 13 franchises, including one in Honolulu. Other cities include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Toronto.

The league plans a season that will start in February with preseason games and run into June.

"They invited me to the meeting and wanted me to form an exploratory committee," Peyton said by phone. "So we filled out paperwork and are bringing back information to Honolulu. We are putting together meetings and hopefully we can end up with a franchise."

Peyton said he's talked with Aloha Stadium manager Eddie Hayashi about using the stadium, and will meet again with him next week. He said Hayashi is interested in having the team play in the stadium, since that's a time of year when the stadium is not used much.

Peyton also put down a deposit in an escrow account a show of good faith, but wouldn't disclose the amount or how much the franchise may cost.

He also didn't say who else would be involved with the local team, which has yet to be named.

"I met with other league owners, the founders committee, the executive committee and they were pleased with what they saw," Peyton said. "They have interest in Honolulu as a venue that really helps them fulfill the international portion of their international federation."