By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — The Ultimate Indoor Football League had a good first season. It’s having an even better off-season.

The league was strengthened when Assured Equities IV Corporation purchased the control of the UIFL.

League co-founders Andrew Haines and Michael Taylor will remain with the UIFL. Haines will continued as league president and a member of the board of directors while Taylor has been retained as a consultant and a member of the board.

“Michael and Andrew have done a great job launching the UIFL. The league’s business model is the best I’ve seen and we look forward to growing the league smart, and with a similar vision to what Michael and Andrew have established,” said Rodney Day, vice president of Acquisitions for Assured.

The Huntington Hammer and Assured have common ownership.

The league has already expanded with four new teams including Tupelo, MS., Rome, Ga., Fort Myers, FL., and Danville, IL. More expansion is planned as the league hopes to divide into Northern and Southern divisions.

The new teams will join the original six franchises: Huntington, Canton, Pikeville, Ky., Johnstown, PA., Highland Heights, KY., and league champion Saginaw, MI.

“I’m excited about the success we had in the 2011 season and look forward to continuing the success of the UIFL in my role as league president,” said Haines. “It was important that the new ownership of the UIFL share a similar visions.”

Huntington was 7-7 in their inaugural season and made the UIFL playoffs. Hammer defensive lineman Rodney Fritz was signed by the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League after their playoff game at Pikeville.

The league sets all tickets at $7 a game. The Huntington Hammer not only has single game tickets for $7 but season tickets for seven home games start at $35.

However, the Hammer currently has season tickets on sale for next season at half price. For ticket information, call the Hammer offices at 304-525-7277 (PASS).