Interesting reading the by-play ("tri-play?") here on this thread at the moment--sort of like watching a 3-way tennis match (played on a triangular court, with 3 nets?)...so I guess I'll try responding accordingly.
I have never really been able to get that "into" Arena Football, at least not on TV--but it has occurred to me that the idea of regional teams concentrating on bringing in guys who played in that region's college football programs, and of course with that ready-made familiarity and loyalty actually going to the games, seeing it LIVE, would probably make a big difference.
Personally, I'd have to live in Fla. then to get into it on that level. Period.
As for proximity, what strikes me (and this has occurred to me before, regarding our site, your moving E-, and so on) is how, in the end, as Gators, it really doesn't matter where we actually are, physically. Obvious, yes, but worth noting for a moment as an embodiment of that thing we call "Gator Nation"...still, it also gives potential resources, when it comes time for such a big move, as far as information, feedback, getting Qs answered, etc.
Myself, having lived in CA for many years , working in Hollywood/Los Angeles, it hits me sometimes that I live "strung out" between the two places I miss--Florida, of course, which I have never stopped missing (I consider it "home"), but also California sometimes as well (However, if I were ever to move back there and had a choice, I'd try to live down in San Diego Cty., myself...commuted so much for so long when I lived out there ANYWAY, now see "Why not drive a little more and have the sun, fun and beaches, too?").
(BTW--If you end up considering living that far south, the San Diego Gator Alumni Group is the best I've encountered outside of Florida--they are really welcoming, highly organized, put on all kinds of events, get-togethers, and the like and pride themselves on plugging Gator-newcomers to the area into their "Gator-Network" to get any kind of help they need)