The NAFL is entering into its 11th season of operations in 2009. Current NAFL Consultant and League Founder, Robert F. Licopoli, began this endeavor in 1999 when he realized that there are tens of thousands of people involved in semi-pro and adult amateur football throughout North America. Each group was operating independently of each other. Mistakes were being repeated year in and year out. One of the goals of Licopoli was to create a best practices guide and educate team owners on how to operate a team successfully.

In less than 5 years, the NAFL proved itself and is quickly becoming recognized as a viable developmental league for the colleges and pros. Licopoli dropped the name semi-pro, because the term itself includes the word pro, and contradicted the amateur status of the league. Licopoli’s leadership has also proven to be invaluable to executives and coaches at all levels of football.

The NAFL conducts annual combines where the players are given the opportunity to sign with NFL and Arena teams. By participating in the NAFL, players are also provided with an opportunity to gain valuable experience as they continue their pursuit of advancing to the professional or collegiate level.

The NAFL maintains a national presence with nearly 100 teams. The league is divided into 4 conferences (East, North, South, and West). Each conference has 2 regions. Within each region, there are 4 divisions. Communication is maintained with its almost 6,000+ members on a regular basis. The post season playoff bracket contains America’s top teams where they compete for the National Championship.

In addition to assisting teams in building a more stable and successful organization, the NAFL promotes its teams on a daily basis to increase the visibility in both their local market and on a national stage. Press releases on NAFL teams are displayed by sports organizations to a national viewing audience, as well as posted on the NAFL website. In fact, the NAFL had feature articles published in the Wall Street Journal and New York Times during the 2005 season.

The NAFL’s goal is to franchise its teams and become the McDonalds of minor league football. In its first year, the NAFL accomplished the primary goal of creating a national playoff structure. This is remarkable due to the fact that it was expected to take 5 years to accomplish this task! The next step was to raise capital necessary to pay for playoff travel for teams that qualify for post season play. This was accomplished early in 2007.

The 2009 NAFL Championship Weekend will be the best event in NAFL history. The site has yet to be determined, but the top candidates for the host city include: Miami, Orlando, and New Orleans. Notable host cities in the past have been Orlando, Florida (2003-06, Disney Sports Complex) and Las Vegas, NV (2007). In fact, the NAFL landed a signed contract with ESPN for the 2005 Championship Weekend.

The NAFL is an official partner of the NFL Alumni Caring for Kids. The league teams, players, coaches, cheerleaders and staff dedicate their time to giving back to local communities. Local communities benefit from fundraisers, donations, and youth clinics for children at risk.

North American Football League
250 Prairie Center Drive
Suite 315
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Phone: 952-451-2104
Fax: 952-216-0134