Voliva family ceasing operations for the BlueCats

The Voliva family has decided to cease operations and sell the Evansville BlueCats franchise. The Volivas assumed sole ownership of the team in 2004. Their mission was to save the Cats, after a 1-13 inaugural season under 16 different owners. However, President and Co-Owner John Voliva told FOX 7 Sports that his family lost too much money over the years and never turned a profit. So, they had no choice but to pull the plug. The BlueCats paid $10,000 per game to play at Roberts Stadium, which is run by SMG. Thats the second-highest rent-rate in the United Indoor Football League. The Fish averaged around 2,200 fans over the past three seasons, which wasnt enough to pay the bills. Voliva and BlueCats head coach John Hart say this should serve as a warning to other minor league franchises hoping to move to Evansville. They say SMG and the city never truly supported the team, which made survival more difficult. The BlueCats were 25-50 over their five-year existence. Voliva says theres still hope of keeping the team in Evansville. If another local owner buys the franchise before October 1st, the BlueCats could return for the 2008 season. You can listen to Voliva and Harts reaction in Rick Peltiers sportscast.