Category: Arena Football League

Arena Football League 2001-2008

Arena Football League Logo [Reference: 2]

AFL 2001

PWLTPFPAPct
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Central Division
*Grand Rapids Rampage141130801776.786
*Indiana Firebirds14950814717.643
*Detroit Fury14770639666.500
*Chicago Rush14770684699.500
Milwaukee Mustangs143110596768.214
Western Division
*San Jose Sabercats141040831673.714
*Arizona Rattlers14860748644.571
Los Angeles Avengers14590564716.357
Oklahoma Wranglers14590630759.357
Houston Thunderbears143110683803.214
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Eastern Division
*Toronto Phantoms14860694706.571
*New York Dragons14860898828.571
*Carolina Cobras14770786685.500
Buffalo Destroyers14680649739.429
New Jersey Gladiators142120543695.143
Southern Division
*Nashville Kats141040724550.714
*Tampa Bay Storm141040760613.714
*Orlando Predators14860675627.571
Florida Bobcats14680660717.429
Arena Football League Standings 2001 [Reference: 1]
DateHome TeamAway Team
First Round
2001Chicago Rush41Orlando Predators26
2001Toronto Phantoms64New York Dragons57
2001Arizona Rattlers52Detroit Fury44
2001Indiana Firebirds58Carolina Cobras41
Quarter-Finals
2001Nashville Kats45Toronto Phantoms38
2001San Jose Sabercats68Arizona Rattlers49
2001Grand Rapids Rampage53Chicago Rush21
2001Indiana Firebirds68Tampa Bay Storm31
Semi-Finals
2001Nashville Kats71San Jose Sabercats68
2001Grand Rapids Rampage83Indiana Firebirds70
Arena Bowl XV
2001Grand Rapids Rampage64Nashville Kats42
Arena Football League Playoffs 2001 [Reference: 1]

AFL 2002

PWLTPFPAPct
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Central Division
*Chicago Rush14950747671.643
*Grand Rapids Rampage14860756759.571
*Indiana Firebirds14770669646.500
Detroit Fury141130550740.071
Western Division
*San Jose Sabercats141310878660.929
*Arizona Rattlers141130729624.786
*Los Angeles Avengers14860731694.571
*Dallas Vigilantes14770742755.500
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Eastern Conference
*New Jersey Gladiators14950714662.643
*Buffalo Destroyers14680627675.429
Toronto Phantoms14590644656.357
New York Dragons143110666804.214
Southern Division
*Orlando Predators14770637669.500
*Carolina Cobras14680624665.429
*Tampa Bay Storm14680666715.429
Georgia Force14680703688.429
Arena Football League Standings 2002 [Reference: 1]
DateHome TeamAway Team
First Round
2002Orlando Predators32Buffalo Destroyers27
2002Tampa Bay Storm66Los Angeles Avengers41
2002Dallas Vigilantes47Indiana Firebirds46
2002Carolina Cobras72Grand Rapids Rampage64
Quarter-Finals
2002Orlando Predators49New Jersey Gladiators46
2002San Jose Sabercats55Tampa Bay Storm48
2002Arizona Rattlers61Carolina Cobras59
2002Chicago Rush60Dallas Vigilantes47
Semi-Finals
2002San Jose Sabercats52Orlando Predators40
2002Arizona Rattlers46Chicago Rush35
Arena Bowl XVI
2002San Jose Sabercats52Arizona Rattlers14
Arena Football League Playoffs 2002 [Reference: 1]

AFL 2003

PWLTPFPAPct
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Central Division
*Dallas Vigilantes161060910875.625
*Grand Rapids Rampage16880925848.500
*Chicago Rush16880785752.500
Indiana Firebirds166100774831.375
Western Division
*San Jose Sabercats161240966781.750
*Los Angeles Avengers161150924802.688
*Arizona Rattlers161060917842.625
Colorado Crush 162140748958.125
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Eastern Division
*New York Dragons16880857825.500
*Detroit Fury16880799819.500
*Las Vegas Outlaws16880756821.500
Buffalo Destroyers165110554751.313
Southern Division
*Tampa Bay Storm161240849689.750
*Orlando Predators161240805670.750
*Georgia Force16880731701.500
Carolina Cobras160160551886.000
Arena Football League Standings 2003 [Reference: 1]
DateHome TeamAway Team
First Round
2003Georgia Force55Dallas Vigilantes49
2003Detroit Fury48Grand Rapids Rampage54
2003New York Dragons48Chicago Rush45
2003Arizona Rattlers69Las Vegas Outlaws26
Quarter-Finals
2003Tampa Bay Storm52Detroit Fury48
2003San Jose Sabercats69Georgia Force48
2003Orlando Predators69New York Dragons62
2003Arizona Rattlers70Los Angeles Avengers63
Semi-Finals
2003Tampa Bay Storm60Orlando Predators50
2003Arizona Rattlers66San Jose Sabercats49
Arena Bowl XVII
2003Tampa Bay Storm43Arizona Rattlers29
Arena Football League Playoffs 2003 [Reference: 1]

AFL 2004

PWLTPFPAPct
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Central Division
*Chicago Rush161150847727.688
*Colorado Crush161150793744.688
Indiana Firebirds16880801743.500
Detroit Fury165110761854.313
Grand Rapids Rampage161150581871.063
Western Division
*Arizona Rattlers161150836738.688
*San Jose Sabercats161150885754.688
*Los Angeles Avengers 16970904811.563
Las Vegas Gladiators16880868791.500
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Eastern Division
*New York Dragons16970849770.563
Carolina Cobras166100735868.375
Columbus Destroyers166100791862.375
Dallas Vigilantes166100782655.375
Philadelphia Soul165110737796.313
Southern Division
*New Orleans Voodoo161150723721.688
*Orlando Predators161060777690.625
*Tampa Bay Storm16970815799.563
Austin Wranglers16880764793.500
Georgia Force16790710772.438
Arena Football League Standings 2004 [Reference: 1]
DateHome TeamAway Team
Quarter-Finals
2004San Jose Sabercats56Tampa Bay Storm52
2004Chicago Rush59Orlando Predators49
2004Colorado Crush47New Orleans Voodoo44
2004Arizona Rattlers59Los Angeles Avengers42
Semi-Finals
2004San Jose Sabercats49Chicago Rush35
2004Arizona Rattlers45Colorado Crush41
Arena Bowl XVIII
2004San Jose Sabercats69Arizona Rattlers62
Arena Football League Playoffs 2004 [Reference: 1]

AFL 2005

PWLTPFPAPct
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Central Division
*Colorado Crush161060873871.625
*Chicago Rush16970788764.563
Nashville Kats16691688715.406
Grand Rapids Rampage164120761932.250
Western Division
*Los Angeles Avengers161060861813.625
*San Jose Sabercats16970945821.563
Las Vegas Gladiators16880790781.500
Arizona Rattlers16790816793.438
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Eastern Division
*New York Dragons161060862798.625
Dallas Vigilantes16871888825.531
Philadelphia Soul166100852905.375
Columbus Destroyers162140718908.125
Southern Division
*Georgia Force161150818745.688
*Orlando Predators161060800755.625
*Tampa Bay Storm161060836779.625
New Orleans Voodoo16970835787.563
Austin Wranglers166100774890.375
Arena Football League Standings 2005 [Reference: 1]
DateHome TeamAway Team
Quarter-Finals
2005Colorado Crush56San Jose Sabercats46
2005Georgia Force62Tampa Bay Storm46
2005Orlando Predators47New York Dragons42
2005Chicago Rush52Los Angeles Avengers45
Semi-Finals
2005Georgia Force60Orlando Predators58
2005Colorado Crush49Chicago Rush43 ot
Arena Bowl XIX
2005Colorado Crush51Georgia Force48
Arena Football League Playoffs 2005 [Reference: 1]

AFL 2006

PWLTPFPAPct
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Central Division
*Colorado Crush161150903833.688
*Nashville Kats16880818799.500
*Chicago Rush16790825834.438
Grand Rapids Rampage165110722875.313
Western Division
*San Jose Sabercats161060898849.625
*Arizona Rattlers16880774756.500
*Utah Blaze16790871904.438
Las Vegas Gladiators165110769895.313
Los Angeles Avengers165110809906.313
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Eastern Division
*Dallas Vigilantes161330929710.813
*New York Dragons161060848887.625
*Philadelphia Soul16970777747.563
Columbus Destroyers16880724717.500
Southern Division
*Orlando Predators161060816760.625
*Austin Wranglers161060816757.625
Georgia Force16880855735.500
Tampa Bay Storm16790810862.438
Kansas City Brigade163130704842.188
Arena Football League Standings 2006 [Reference: 1]
DateHome TeamAway Team
Wildcard Round
2006Arizona Rattlers57Utah Blaze34
2006Philadelphia Soul52Austin Wranglers35
2006Chicago Rush55Nashville Kats47
2006Georgia Force72New York Dragons69
Divisional Round
2006Dallas Vigilantes62Georgia Force27
2006San Jose Sabercats62Arizona Rattlers48
2006Chicago Rush63Colorado Crush46
2006Orlando Pedators31Philadelphia Soul27
Conference Championship
2006Chicago Rush59San Jose Sabercats56
2006Orlando Predators45Dallas Vigilantes28
Arena Bowl XX
2006Chicago Rush69Orlando Predators61
Arena Football League Playoffs 2006 [Reference: 1]

AFL 2007

PWLTPFPAPct
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Central Division
*Chicago Rush161240869719.750
*Kansas City Brigade161060840776.625
*Colorado Crush16880793858.500
Nashville Kats16790851876.438
Grand Rapids Rampage1641208351014.250
Western Division
*San Jose Sabercats1613301012761.813
*Los Angeles Avengers16970843848.563
*Utah Blaze16880955933.500
Arizona Rattlers164120846915.250
Las Vegas Gladiators162140701986.125
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Eastern Division
*Dallas Vigilantes1615101016806.938
*Philadelphia Soul16880900835.500
*Columbus Destroyers16790802793.438
New York Dragons165110787967.313
Southern Division
*Georgia Force1614201007836.875
*Tampa Bay Storm16970809825.563
*Orlando Predators16880814766.500
New Orleans Voodoo165110833928.313
Austin Wranglers164120879950.250
Arena Football League Standings 2007 [Reference: 1]
DateHome TeamAway Team
Wildcard Round
2007Philadelphia Soul41Orlando Predators26
2007Columbus Destroyers56Tampa Bay Storm55
2007Colorado Crush49Kansas City Brigade42
2007Los Angeles Avengers64Utah Blaze42
Divisional Round
2007San Jose Sabercats76Colorado Crush67
2007Columbus Destroyers66Dallas Vigilantes59
2007Georgia Force65Philadelphia Soul39
2007Chicago Rush52Los Angeles Avengers20
Conference Championships
2007Columbus Detroyers66Georgia Force56
2007San Jose Sabercats61Chicago Rush49
Arena Bowl XXI
2007San Jose Sabercats55Columbus Destroyers33
Arena Football League Playoffs 2007 [Reference: 1]

AFL 2008

PWLTPFPAPct
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Central Division
*Chicago Rush161150926765.688
*Colorado Crush166100847909.375
*Grand Rapids Rampage166100952968.375
Kansas City Brigade163130752923.188
Western Division
*San Jose Sabercts161150945875.688
*Arizona Rattlers16880842907.500
*Utah Blaze166100941959.375
Los Angeles Avengers1651108471004.313
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Eastern Division
*Philadelphia Soul161330992810.813
*Dallas Vigilantes161240861798.750
*Cleveland Gladiators16970901895.563
*New York Dragons16880822819.500
Columbus Destroyers163130750893.188
Southern Division
*Georgia Force161060927848.625
*Orlando Predators16970881898.563
New Orleans Voodoo16880893835.500
Tampa Bay Storm16880903876.500
Arena Football League Standings 2008 [Reference: 1]
DateHome TeamAway Team
Wildcard Round
2008Dallas Vigilantes63New York Dragons77
2008Utah Blaze44Colorado Crush49
2008Arizona Rattlers41Grand Rapids Rampage48
2008Cleveland Gladiators69Orlando Predators66
Divisional Round
2008San Jose Sabercats64Colorado Crush51
2008Philadelphia Soul49New York Dragons48
2008Chicago Rush41Grand Rapids Rampage58
2008Georgia Force70Cleveland Gladiators73
Conference Championships
2008Philadelphia Soul70Cleveland Gladiators35
2008San Jose Sabercats81Grand Rapids Rampage55
Arena Bowl XXI
2008Philadelphia Soul59San Jose Sabercats56
Arena Football League Playoffs 2008 [Reference: 1]

About the AFL

The Arena Football League was the original Indoor or Arena American Football League, established in 1986. After the court ruling in 1998 that its patent (awarded in 1989) only referred to the rebound nets either side of the goalposts, everything else was football, and not under copyright, as it was already in the common sphere.

This opened the door to rival Indoor Leagues, and in an attempt to see them off Arena Football League created Arena Football 2, an official Minor League. This was an over-expansion and coupled with the debts from the court case related to the patent, it incurred a legacy debt that left the League in no position to continue after 2019.

About Arena / Indoor Football

Indoor Football, also known as Arena Football was developed in 1986 as an 8v8 form of Indoor American Football. After an initial few seasons where the game was developed with a 4 team league, a full seasons League with eventually over a dozen teams was developed in the 1990 which was considered by the Wall Street Journal to be a fifth major.

The Arena Football League over-expanded in the 2000s with a Minor League, and its importance (and number of teams) waned since it first experienced financial diffulties  in 2009, and it ceased operations after the 2019 season due to the legacy debt incurred.

There is now, however, Indoor Football Leagues all over America, all of which would now be considered Minor League or Semi-Pro (AAA, AA, or even A)

Indoor Football is played on a 50-yard field with two 8-yard endzones, and teams have 5 downs (attempts) to reach the endzone or the ball is turned over. 3 of those downs must be passing plays, making Indoor Football highly explosive and high scoring.

The main difference between Arena Football & Indoor Football is the rebound nets either side of the goalposts in Arena Football, which is the only part of the original patent given to the Arena Football League in 1989, that a subsequent ruling in 1998 ruled was copyright, the rest being Football already in other leagues.

References:

Sources:

[1] Arena Football League (2016) 2016 Record and Factbook pp. 83-99.

Images

[2] Arena Football League (2019) Arena Football League Reveals New Logo [Internet] Available from: https://snagfilms-a.akamaihd.net/0000015a-a977-d135-adda-fb7fb65f0000/images/c3/b8/20eb27b6418aa78b71d4679d2988/1545950679236_1545950297199_viewliftarticle_16x9images_16x9Images.png [Accessed 17 September 2019]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Todd Zboyan, Tim Leadingham. Bart Barden & Sam Thompson.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 20 February 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Resereved.

Arena Football League 2010-2015

Arena Football League Logo [Reference: 2]

AFL 2010

PWLTPFPAPct
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
South Division
*Jacksonville Sharks161240893806.750
*Tampa Bay Storm161150926812.687
*Orlando Predators16880865845.500
Alabama Vipers16790812860.437
Southwest Division
*Tulsa Talons161060994899.625
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz166100833870.375
Dallas Vigilantes163130833870.187
Bossier-Shreveport Battlewings1631307991030.187
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
West Division
*Spokane Shock161330988843.812
*Arizona Rattlers161060957885.625
Utah Blaze1621407421040.125
Midwest Division
*Milwaukee Iron1611501043903.687
*Chicago Rush161060906873.625
Cleveland Gladiators16790938906.438
Iowa Barnstormers16790829830.438
Arena Football League Standings 2010 [Reference: 1]
DateHome TeamAway Team
First Round
2010Spokane Shock57Arizona Rattlers49
2010Milwaukee Iron64Chicago Rush54
2010Tampa Bay Storm68Tulsa Talons38
2010Jacksonville Sharks69Orlando Predators73
Conference Championship
2010Spokane Shock60Milwaukee Iron57
2010Tampa Bay Storm63Orlando Predators62
Arena Bowl XXIII
2010Spokane Shock69Tampa Bay Storm67
Arena Football League Playoffs 2010 [Reference: 1]

AFL 2011

PWLTPFPAPct
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
South Division
*Jacksonville Sharks1814401158908.778
*Georgia Force1811701007931.611
*Orlando Predators1811701001933.611
Tampa Bay Storm187110802933.389
New Orleans Voodoo1831508261017.187
East Division
*Cleveland Gladiators181080904840.556
Pittsburgh Power18990870972.500
Milwaukee Mustangs187110872972.389
Philadelphia Soul186120914969.333
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Central Division
*Chicago Rush181350957833.722
*Dallas Vigilantes18117010611007.583
Tulsa Talons188100894889.444
Kansas City Command186120854974.333
Iowa Barnstormers1851309161116.278
West Division
*Arizona Rattlers1816201114836.818
*Spokane Shock1899010571027.500
Utah Blaze1899010801017.500
San Jose Sabercats18711010221080.389
Arena Football League Standings 2011 [Reference: 1]
DateHome TeamAway Team
First Round
2011Chicago Rush54Dallas Vigilantes51
2011Jacksonville Sharks63Orlando Predators48
2011Arizona Rattlers62Spokane Shock33
2011Georgia Force50Cleveland Gladiators41
Conference Championship
2011Arizona Rattlers54Chicago Rush48
2011Jacksonville Sharks64Georgia Force55
Arena Bowl XXIV
2011Jacksonville Sharks73Arizona Rattlers70
Arena Football League Playoffs 2011 [Reference: 1]

AFL 2012

PWLTPFPAPct
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
South Division
*Jacksonville Sharks181080930884.556
*Georgia Force18990812923.500
*New Orleans Voodoo188100979995.444
Tampa Bay Storm18810010211108.444
Orlando Predators184140770902.222
East Division
*Philadelphia Soul1815301228919.833
Cleveland Gladiators188100879873.444
Milwaukee Mustangs1851309601061.278
Pittsburgh Power185130824963.278
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Central Division
*San Antonio Talons1814401042942.778
Chicago Rush18108010471044.556
Iowa Barnstormers1871109481022.389
Kansas City Command183150705938.167
West Division
*Arizona Rattlers1813501118890.722
*San Jose Sabercats18126011431027.667
*Utah Blaze18126011281051.667
Spokane Shock18108010631048.556
Arena Football League Standings 2012 [Reference: 1]
DateHome TeamAway Team
First Round
2012Utah Blaze35San Antonio Talons34
2012Jacksonville Sharks58Georgia Force56
2012Arizona Rattlers51San Jose Sanercats48
2012Philadelphia Soul66New Orleans Voodoo53
Conference Championship
2012Arizona Rattlers75Utah Blaze69
2012Philadelphia Soul89Jacksonville Sharks34
Arena Bowl
2012Arizona Rattlers72Philadelphia Soul54
Arena Football League Playoffs 2012 [Reference: 1]

AFL 2013

PWLTPFPAPct
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
South Division
*Jacksonville Sharks181260941883.667
*Orlando Predators1871109651032.389
*Tampa Bay Storm187110959980.389
New Orleans Voodoo1851308331069.278
East Division
*Philadelphia Soul1812601052839.667
Cleveland Gladiators1841408471047.222
Pittsburgh Power1841407261014.222
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Central Division
*Chicago Rush181080973947.556
*San Antonio Talons181080782884.556
Iowa Barnstormers186120827913.333
West Division
*Arizona Rattlers1815301203866.833
*Spokane Shock1814401198896.778
*San Jose Sabercats1813501033877.722
Utah Blaze187110896988.389
Arena Football League Standings 2013 [Reference: 1]
DateHome TeamAway Team
First Round
2013Spokane Shock69Chicago Rush47
2013Jacksonville Sharks69Tampa Bay Storm62
2013Philadelphia Soul59Orlando Predators55
2013Arizona Rattlers59San Jose Sabercats55
Conference Championship
2013Philadelphia Soul75Jacksonville Sharks59
2013Arizona Rattlers65Spokane Shock57
Arena Bowl XXV
2013Arizona Rattlers48Philadelphia Soul39
Arena Football League Playoffs 2013 [Reference: 1]

AFL 2014

PWLTPFPAPct
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
South Division
*Orlando Predators1811701005957.611
Tampa Bay Storm188100904953.444
Jacksonville Sharks187110879862.389
New Orleans Voodoo1831507701011.167
East Division
*Cleveland Gladiators181710991782.944
*Pittsburgh Power1815301015778.833
*Philadelphia Soul189901021949.500
Iowa Barnstormers1861206481046.333
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Pacific Division
*San Jose Sabercats181350999723.722
*Spokane Shock181170957843.611
Portland Thunder185130816965.278
West Division
*Arizona Rattlers1815301151905.833
San Antonio Talons1831507811052.167
Los Angeles Kiss1831506991010.167
Arena Football League Standings 2014 [Reference: 1]
DateHome TeamAway Team
First Round
2014Cleveland Gladiators39Philadelphia Soul37
2014San Jose Sabercats55Spokane Shock28
2014Orlando Predators56Pittsburgh Power48
2014Arizona Rattlers52Portland Thunder48
Conference Championship
2014Cleveland Gladiators56Orlando Predators46
2014Arizona Rattlers72San Jose Sabercats56
Arena Bowl XXVI
2014Cleveland Gladiators32Arizona Rattlers72
Arena Football League Playoffs 2014 [Reference: 1]

AFL 2015

PWLTPFPAPct
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
South Division
*Orlando Predators1812601023951.667
*Jacksonville Sharks181080971901.556
Tampa Bay Storm187110820942.389
East Division
*Philadelphia Soul1815301060823.833
*Cleveland Gladiators188100953959.444
New Orleans Voodoo183141693920.194
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Pacific Division
*San Jose Sabercats1817101061662.944
*Spokane Shock187110847971.389
Portland Thunder185130858975.278
West Division
*Arizona Rattlers1814401003825.778
Las Vegas Outlaws185121741910.308
Los Angeles Kiss184140724915.222
Arena Football League Standings 2015 [Reference: 1]
DateHome TeamAway Team
First Round
2015San Jose Sabercats65Portland Thunder28
2015Philadelphia Soul47Cleveland Gladiators38
2015Jacksonville Sharks55Orlando Thunder33
2015Arizona Rattlers72Spokane Shock41
Conference Championship
2015San Jose Sabercats70Arizona Rattlers67
2015Jacksonville Sharks61Phildalphia Soul56
Arena Bowl
2015San Jose Sabercats68Jacksonville Sharks47
Arena Football League Playoffs 2015 [Reference: 1]

Report

After cancelling the 2009 season in order to restructure, following the debts incurred by the failed court case brought against the Indoor Professional Football League over copyright infringement in 1998, and over-expansion with its official minor league – arenafootball2 – from 2000-2010, the Arena Football League re-launched in 2010, with Spokane Shock winning the Arena Bowl, followed by Jacksonville Sharks in 2011 and Arizona Rattlers three-in-a-row from 2012 to 2014, and then San Jose Sabercats in 2015.

The league then underwent a significant drop in teams, from 12 in 2015 to 8 in 2016 and 5 in 2017 (see: https://eirball.ie/2020/02/19/arena-football-league-2016-2019/ )

About the AFL

The Arena Football League was the original Indoor or Arena American Football League, established in 1986. After the court ruling in 1998 that its patent (awarded in 1989) only referred to the rebound nets either side of the goalposts, everything else was football, and not under copyright, as it was already in the common sphere.

This opened the door to rival Indoor Leagues, and in an attempt to see them off Arena Football League created Arena Football 2, an official Minor League. This was an over-expansion and coupled with the debts from the court case related to the patent, it incurred a legacy debt that left the League in no position to continue after 2019.

About Arena / Indoor Football

Indoor Football, also known as Arena Football was developed in 1986 as an 8v8 form of Indoor American Football. After an initial few seasons where the game was developed with a 4 team league, a full seasons League with eventually over a dozen teams was developed in the 1990 which was considered by the Wall Street Journal to be a fifth major.

The Arena Football League over-expanded in the 2000s with a Minor League, and its importance (and number of teams) waned since it first experienced financial diffulties  in 2009, and it ceased operations after the 2019 season due to the legacy debt incurred.

There is now, however, Indoor Football Leagues all over America, all of which would now be considered Minor League or Semi-Pro (AAA, AA, or even A)

Indoor Football is played on a 50-yard field with two 8-yard endzones, and teams have 5 downs (attempts) to reach the endzone or the ball is turned over. 3 of those downs must be passing plays, making Indoor Football highly explosive and high scoring.

The main difference between Arena Football & Indoor Football is the rebound nets either side of the goalposts in Arena Football, which is the only part of the original patent given to the Arena Football League in 1989, that a subsequent ruling in 1998 ruled was copyright, the rest being Football already in other leagues.

References:

Sources:

[1] Arena Football League (2016) 2016 Record and Factbook pp. 101-109 / 45.

Images

[2] Arena Football League (2019) Arena Football League Reveals New Logo [Internet] Available from: https://snagfilms-a.akamaihd.net/0000015a-a977-d135-adda-fb7fb65f0000/images/c3/b8/20eb27b6418aa78b71d4679d2988/1545950679236_1545950297199_viewliftarticle_16x9images_16x9Images.png [Accessed 17 September 2019]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Todd Zboyan, Tim Leadingham. Bart Barden & Sam Thompson.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 20 February 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Resereved.

Arena Football League 2016-2019

Arena Football League Logo [Reference: 10]

AFL 2016

PWLTPFPAPct
National Conference
*Arizona Rattlers1613301068786.812
*LA Kiss16790735745.438
Cleveland Gladiators16790826934.438
Portland Steel163130670926.188
American Conference
*Philadelphia Soul161330983776.812
*Orlando Predators161240893781.750
Jacksonville Sharks16790829774.438
Tampa Bay Storm162140568868.125
Arena Football League Standings 2016 [Reference: 1]
DateHome TeamAway Team
Playoffs
Arena Bowl XXIX
26.08.2016Philadelphia Soul56Arizona Rattlers42
Arena Football League Playoffs 2016 [Reference: 2; 9]

AFL 2017

PWLTPFPAPct
*Philadelphia Soul141310817590.929
*Tampa Bay Storm141040710682.714
*Cleveland Gladiators14590696715.357
*Baltimore Brigade144100620749.286
Washington Valor143110565692.214
Arena Football League Standings 2017 [Reference: 3]
DateHome TeamAway Team
Playoffs
Arena Bowl XXX
26.08.2017Philadelphia Soul44Tampa Bay Storm40
Arena Football League Playoffs 2017 [Reference: 4; 9]

AFL 2018

PWLTPFPAPct
*Albany Empire12840646564.667
*Philadelphia Soul12750612577.583
*Baltimore Brigade12750605562.583
*Washington Valor122100482642.167
Arena Football League Standings 2018 [Reference: 5]
DateHome TeamAway Team
Playoffs
20.07.2018Philadelphia Soul41Baltimore BrigadeW
21.07.2018Washington Valor47Albany EmpireL
Arena Bowl XXXI
28.07.2018Washington Valor69Baltimore Brigade55
Arena Football League Playoffs 2018 [Reference: 6; 9]

AFL 2019

PWLTPFPAPct
*Albany Empire121020620474.833
*Washington Valor12750538552.583
*Philadelphia Soul12750523530.583
*Baltimore Brigade12750500439.583
Atlantic City Blackjacks12480518550.333
Columbus Destroyers121110394548.083
Arena Football League Standings 2019 [Reference: 7]
DateHome TeamAway Team
Playoffs
03.08.2019Albany Empire62Baltimore Brigade21
04.08.2019Washington Valor41Philadelphia Soul48
Arena Bowl XXXII
11.08.2019Philadelphia Soul27Albany Empire45
Arena Football League Playoffs 2019 [Reference: 8]

Report

The period from 2016-2019 were the waning years of the Arena Football League,

About the AFL

The Arena Football League was the original Indoor or Arena American Football League, established in 1986. After the court ruling in 1998 that its patent (awarded in 1989) only referred to the rebound nets either side of the goalposts, everything else was football, and not under copyright, as it was already in the common sphere.

This opened the door to rival Indoor Leagues, and in an attempt to see them off Arena Football League created Arena Football 2, an official Minor League. This was an over-expansion and coupled with the debts from the court case related to the patent, it incurred a legacy debt that left the League in no position to continue after 2019.

About Arena / Indoor Football

Indoor Football, also known as Arena Football was developed in 1986 as an 8v8 form of Indoor American Football. After an initial few seasons where the game was developed with a 4 team league, a full seasons League with eventually over a dozen teams was developed in the 1990 which was considered by the Wall Street Journal to be a fifth major.

The Arena Football League over-expanded in the 2000s with a Minor League, and its importance (and number of teams) waned since it first experienced financial diffulties  in 2009, and it ceased operations after the 2019 season due to the legacy debt incurred.

There is now, however, Indoor Football Leagues all over America, all of which would now be considered Minor League or Semi-Pro (AAA, AA, or even A)

Indoor Football is played on a 50-yard field with two 8-yard endzones, and teams have 5 downs (attempts) to reach the endzone or the ball is turned over. 3 of those downs must be passing plays, making Indoor Football highly explosive and high scoring.

The main difference between Arena Football & Indoor Football is the rebound nets either side of the goalposts in Arena Football, which is the only part of the original patent given to the Arena Football League in 1989, that a subsequent ruling in 1998 ruled was copyright, the rest being Football already in other leagues.

References

Websites

[1] Arena Football League (2016) 2016 Standings [Internet] Available from: https://www.arenafootball.com/sports/a-footbl/spec-rel/standings.html [Accessed 1 April 2017][Broken Link]

[3] Arena Football League (2017) 2017 Standings [Internet] Available from: http://www.afldigital.com/index.cfm?view=standings [Accessed 16 September 2017][Broken Link]

[4] Arena Football League (2017) 2017 Schedule [Internet] Available from: http://www.arenafootball.com/2017-schedule [Accessed 16 September 2017][Broken Link]

[5] Arena Football League (2018) 2018 Standings [Internet] Available from: http://www.afldigital.com/index.cfm?view=standings [Accessed 6 January 2019][Broken Link]

[6] Arena Football League (2018) 2018 Schedule [Internet] Available from: http://www.afldigital.com/index.cfm?view=schedule [Accessed 6 January 2019][Broken Link]

[7] Arena Football League (2018) 2019 Standings [Internet] Available from: http://www.arenafootball.com/2019-standings [Accessed 26 July 2019][Broken Link]

[8] Arena Football League (2018) 2018 Schedule [Internet] Available from: http://www.afldigital.com/index.cfm?view=schedule&season=2019 [Accessed 8 September 2019][Broken Link]

[9]Arena Fan (2019) Arena Bowl History [Internet] Available from: http://www.arenafan.com/history/?page=abowls [Accessed 19 February 2020]

Images

[10] Arena Football League (2019) Arena Football League Reveals New Logo [Internet] Available from: https://snagfilms-a.akamaihd.net/0000015a-a977-d135-adda-fb7fb65f0000/images/c3/b8/20eb27b6418aa78b71d4679d2988/1545950679236_1545950297199_viewliftarticle_16x9images_16x9Images.png [Accessed 17 September 2019]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Todd Zboyan, Tim Leadingham. Bart Barden & Sam Thompson.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 19 February 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Resereved.