AFL 1992

Reference: [1]

Reference: [1]

AFL 1993

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AFL 1994

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AFL 1995

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AFL 1996

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AFL 1997

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AFL 1998

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AFL 1999

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AFL 2000

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Reference: [1]

Report

A period of rapid expansion in the early 1990s, coupled with stability afterwards saw the Arena Football League become what the Wall Street Journal called the ‘Fifth Major’.

Detroit Drive won Arena Bowl VI in 1992, defeating Orlando Predators 52-38, but were unable to repeat as they lost Arena Bowl VII the following year to Tampa Bay Storm, on a 51-31 scoeline.

Orlando were defeated finalists again in 1994, losing to Arizona Rattlers this time, 36-31. In 1995, they lost their third Arena Bowl in four years, as Tampa Bay Storm won 48-35 in Arena Bowl IX.

Tampa Bay repeated in 1996, winning Arena Bowl X 42-38 over Iowa Barnstormers, and like in 1994, this was followed by an Arizona Rattlers triumph, 55-33 over Iowa, who lost their second Arena Bowl in a row.

Orlando Predators finally overcame their Arena Bowl jinx, winning the 12th edition 62-31 in a comprehensive victory over Florida rivals Tampa Bay Storm. They were unable to repeat the feat in 1999, as Albany Firebirds finally won the Bowl, defeating Orlando 59-48.

Orlando appeared in their third Arena Bowl in a row in 2000, winning the title 41-38 in a close encounter with Nashville Kats.

A rival Indoor Football League, the Professional Indoor Football League had started in 1999, and the Arena Football League took them to court, arguing it was a breach of the copyright awarded to them, however the Judge ruled the copyright was restricted to the rebound nets either side of the goalposts and eveything else was just Football, and therefore not under copyright.

This opened the door for a flood of rival Arena Leagues, and the AFL responded by starting its own development league, the AF2. This, however, was an over-expansion, and the League was no longer the main Major League rival to the NFL, the spot now taken by the XFL, which had garnered a Major TV Network deal.

References:

Sources:

[1] Arena Football League (2016) 2016 Record and Factbook pp. 67-83 / 52.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Fiona Corrigan, Caoimhe Mullaney, Alan Delaney, Alan Grey, Elise McManus, Ian Breathnach, Donie, Mark Mahon.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

World Gridiron Archive

Last Updated: 18 March 2019

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and World Gridiron Archive 2019

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

AFL 1986-87

AFL 1987

Reference: [1]

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AFL 1988

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AFL 1989

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AFL 1990

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AFL 1991

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Reference: [1]

Report

On February 11, 1981, James Foster witnessed an Indoor Soccer game at Madison Square Garden, and drew out the outline of an Indoor American Football field on a manilla envelope, using the same basic premise of a football field on a converted Ice Hockey rink. [2]

The first AFL test game was held on 27 April 1986 in Rockford, Illinois between the Rockford Metros and Chicago Politicians , and following positive public response the first “showcase game” in Chicago in front of 8,200 fans on February 27, 1987. [2]

The AFL debut season began on 19 June 1987, with four teams: Chicago Bruisers, Denver Dynamite, Pittsburgh Gladiators & Washington Comandos. Denver Dynamite won Arena Bowl I, defeating Pittsburgh Gladiators 45-16 [2]

The second AFL season featued an additional three teams: Los Angeles Cobras, New England Steamrollers & New York Knights, who played only that season. Washington Commandos sat out the season Detroit Drive won Arena Bowl II, 24-13 over Chicago Bruisers. [2]

The third AFL season, in 1989, was a shortened four-game season, with five teams, including the returned Commandos, now playing in Maryland. Detroit again won the Arena Bowl, beating Pittsburgh 39-26. Following the season, the league played two successful exhibition games in Paris (France) & London (England). THE US Patent office granted the league a Patent, making it the first patented, rival-free sports league in history. [2]

the fourth AFL season, saw an expansion of two teams: Albany Firebirds & Dallas Texans, with Chicago dropping out. Detroit Drive won the Arena Bowl for the third year in succession, defeating Dallas 51-27. [2]

A further expansion in 1991, saw teams added in Orlando (Predators) and New Orleans (Night) and Columbus (Thunderbolts), with Pittsburgh relocating to Tampa Bay, becoming the Storm and the Commandos ceasing operation.The league’s expansion into the Southeast would prove enduringly successful, with the Tampa Bay & Orlando franchises remaing in existence right through to the league’s waning years in the late-2010s. Detroit was defeated in the Arena Bowl 48-42 by the Tampa Bay Storm, ending the Drive’s attempts at a four-in-a-row. [2]

In 1992 the league expanded to 12 teams and three divisions, ending the AFL’s formative years, and beginning the AFL’s rise to become what the Wall Street Journal called the fifth Major [2].

References:

Bibliography

[1] Arena Football League (2016) “2016 Record and Fact Book” pp. 57-65.

[2] Arena Football League (2016) “2016 Record and Fact Book” pp. 52-56.

Social Media

[3] Arena Fan Facebook Page (2021) Post, April 27, 1987 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/arenafan/posts/10160818695018222 [Accessed 4 June 2021]

Websites

[4] Arena Fan (2021) History 1986 Schedule [Internet] Available from: http://www.arenafan.com/history/?page=yearly&histleague=1&fpage=schedule&year=1986 [Accessed 4 June 2021]

[5] Arena Fan (2021) History 1987 Schedule [Internet] Available from: http://www.arenafan.com/history/?page=yearly&histleague=1&fpage=schedule&year=1987 [Accessed 4 June 2021]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Richard Conville, Conor Lynch, Maurice Lynch, Dylan Brennan, Jonathan Brennan, Simon Brennan & Robert Byron.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball – Irish North American & World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 4 June 2021

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and World Gridiron Archive 2021

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved. The Logos and Photos used in this article remain the property of the organisations and individuals which own the copyright and are used here for educational and information purposes only.