Whether it be arena or traditional football, for decades and for plethora of reasons, alternative professional football has faced an uphill battle to establish a stable foundation and longevity. Oddly enough, numerous leagues have experienced the same failed fate.
In 2025, league newcomer, International Football Alliance and its members: Alabama Beavers, Baltimore Lightning, Chihuahua Rebelion, Dallas Pioneros, Ohio Valley Ironmen, San Antonio Caballeros and Tampa Tornadoes will join the long list of leagues and teams to enter the space and attempt to do what many others haven’t been able to accomplish, survive.
From the onset, Lightning staff witnessed red flags throughout the organization’s operations. Most notably, shortcomings to their employment agreements and compensation.
During the summer I connected with a member of the team’s staff (Staff Member #1), who informed me the team has been in a “breach of contract from the very beginning”. For months Staff Member #1 was the only rumbling of problems pertaining to the Baltimore Lightning. Months went by, then I received a private message from another staff member. Staff Member #2 confirmed Baltimore’s payroll issues and provided screenshots including group conversations of Lightning staff attempting to receive compensation. In addition to the visual evidence, Staff Member #2 to stated “Lightning stopped paying employees months ago”. Now having two verified sources, I then began reaching out to more Lightning employees.
Too soon to provide details, but I’ve learned of several developments happening behind the curtains of the #InternationalFootballAlliance Some of which will likely come to fruition in a week or so #IFA #IFA2025
— Michael Lathrop 🏈 🎙 (@XFLMike) January 2, 2025
Staff Member #3 was the first to take my call, also confirming the Lightning’s payroll problems. Staff Member #3 shared “Per our agreement, I have never received any compensation”. Via text, another employee (Staff Member #4) replied to my inquiry “I really don’t want my name on this”.
Having four Lightning sources who have confirmed, nor denied the ongoing payroll problems, I attempted to contact Baltimore Lightning owner Will Hanna (disconnected number) and International Football Alliance (IFA) founder and director of operations Jason Adams. Mr. Adams was the first to return my call. Without hesitation he acknowledged the issues. “We have been aware of the Lightnings payroll issues for a few months” and shared “membership have voted the Baltimore Lightning out of the league; his team will not be involved in the 2025 season”. Adams informed me the league would make an announcement once the legal process is complete. He also said, “the six remaining teams’ membership is current, and we expect the league to remain on track to kick off in May”.
Shortly after concluding my conversation with Mr. Adams, I received a private message from Mr. Hanna providing me with a current phone number and wanted to address the matter personally. During our conversation, he informed me he “I had to step away for a few weeks in December for personal matters, but when I returned, I personally resolved those issues and have the evidence to support it”. Following up, I asked him if “Everyone has been paid according to their agreements and there are no longer any outstanding payments?” to which he responded “yes”. He further informed me that he and his organization are transparent and further shared “the Baltimore Lightning and three other members are leaving the IFA and are joining another league”, claiming the league hasn’t been forthcoming or transparent on financials and other matters. Mr. Hanna did not mention which teams plan to depart from the IFA.
The following day, Staff Member #5 returned my call and shared “I want to give it a few more days to see if he (Mr. Hanna) makes good on his word. If not, I have your number and I will be in touch”.
Despite having a story, there was more information needed to get the full story. After investigating the social media accounts and websites of the Baltimore Lightning, IFA teams and Mr. Hanna, I deciphered what I believed to be the desired league destination. I reached out to the National Football Alliance to confirm my suspicions. After multiple email exchanges, league executive administrator Randal Fields called. During our conversation Mr. Fields informed me “Mr. Hanna reached out to me before the holidays, offering to purchase my league”. He did not confirm whether he has had any communication with other IFA team owners. However, he inquired about my knowledge of the legal process of other IFA teams would face to terminate their commitment to league, and free them to pursue other opportunities, which is an interesting question, to which I do not have an answer. Our conversation does however confirm Mr. Hanna is in fact attempting to acquire the National Football Alliance, and there appears to be an open door for additional IFA teams to follow the Baltimore Lightning.
STATEMENT FROM THE BALTIMORE LIGHTNING. THIS IS THE REAL REASON! pic.twitter.com/4M9Og0Ups2
— Baltimore Lightning Pro Football (@Baltimore_IFA) January 6, 2025
Baltimore Lightning’s departure from the IFA may in fact be what is best for both parties; however, its impact remains uncertain. Despite Mr. Hanna’s claims, the IFA continues its course and plans to kick off its inaugural season on May 31st, when the Alabama Beavers host the Tampa Tornadoes at the Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium.
What are your thoughts on the Baltimore Lightning leaving the IFA? Let us know down in the comments below or join the conversation on Discord.
