It appears indoor football will return to Fort Wayne this fall - with a new name, new owners and, they hope, a fresh start.

The Memorial Coliseum's board of directors today agreed to negotiate a lease with a group led by attorney Mike Loomis that hopes to take the financially troubled Fort Wayne Freedom out of receivership and remain in the Continental Indoor Football League when play resumes in March.

Any change in ownership must still be approved by Allen Circuit Court and receiver Kent Litchen, but Loomis said he is confident his ownership group has the resources, skills and determination to restore the credibility of a sport that has seen numerous ownership changes and financial crises in recent years.

“We've been doing our homework. We believe there's a demand, and that we can be wildly successful,” said Loomis, who said his business plan includes a change in name, which he would not disclose, and lower ticket prices.

It was Loomis who put the franchise into receivership in the first place when he filed a claim against the team earlier this year seeking payment of $28,000 in unpaid legal fees.