Not to be confused with Professional Indoor Football League (disambiguation).
Current season, competition or edition: 2016 Indoor Football League season |
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Indoor Football League logo
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| Sport | Indoor football |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2008 |
| Founder | Paul Aaron Dan Blum |
| Inaugural season | 2009 |
| CEO | Michael Allshouse |
| No. of teams | 10 |
| Country | United States |
| Most recent champion(s) |
Sioux Falls Storm (6th title) |
| Most titles | Sioux Falls Storm (6) |
| Official website | goifl.com |
History
Formation of the league
The merger which formed the new IFL was announced the day before the 2008 National Indoor Bowl Championship, a game which pitted the champions of the two leagues against each other. The Sioux Falls Storm (United) defeated the Louisiana Swashbucklers (Intense) 54 to 42.2009 season
Main article: 2009 Indoor Football League season
Of the 17 teams involved in the two previous leagues, 14 carried over
to the new organization's 2009 season. An additional 3 teams came over
from the CIFL and two expansion teams began their life in the new IFL. In the United Bowl, the Billings Outlaws (Intense Conference) took the league championship by defeating the RiverCity Rage (United Conference) by a score of 71 to 62 in the 2009 United Bowl.2010 season
Main article: 2010 Indoor Football League season
After losing two teams to attrition after the end of the 2009 season,
and a third in January 2010, the IFL then added another nine franchises
to boost its membership to twenty-five for the 2010 season. Three of
the new teams were expansion franchises. Two moved over from the
Southern Indoor Football League and Continental Indoor Football League. After playing nine games of the 2010 season the Alaska Wild suspended operations, leaving only twenty-four teams to finish the year. In the United Bowl, the Billings Outlaws (Intense Conference) took the league championship by defeating the Sioux Falls Storm (United Conference) by a score of 43 to 34.2011 season
Main article: 2011 Indoor Football League season
Seven new teams were added to the IFL for the 2011 season. Some of
these were new expansion teams, and others moved to the IFL from the AIFA. The IFL also lost nine teams during the offseason, bringing the total number to twenty-two for 2011. In the United Bowl,
the Sioux Falls Storm (United Conference) took the league championship
by defeating the Tri-Cities Fever (Intense Conference) by a score of
37-10.2012 season
Main article: 2012 Indoor Football League season
For the 2012 season, the IFL switched to a two-conference format with no divisions,[1] due in large part to the loss of all the Texas-based teams (except the Allen Wranglers) to the newly formed Lone Star Football League. The Wranglers brought attention to the league for offering a US$500,000 contract to unemployed wide receiver Terrell Owens to become the team's part-owner and wide receiver. Owens accepted the contract. ESPN3 carried Owens's debut game against the Wichita Wild. The front office of the league saw changes as well, as Commissioner Tommy Benizio resigned.[2] The league appointed assistant commissioner, Robert Loving, as the interim Commissioner.[2]2013 season
Main article: 2013 Indoor Football League season
On October 12, 2012, the Bloomington Edge announced that the team had been sold to the owners of the Bloomington Blaze hockey franchise and would relocate to the new Champions Professional Indoor Football League for the 2013 season.[3] On January 21, 2013, the league announced that the owner of the Cheyenne Warriors died and that the team would not be entering the league this season as planned.2014 season
Main article: 2014 Indoor Football League season
The league added the Minnesota-based Bemidji Axemen to expand to 10 teams but the Chicago Slaughter
were sold and changed leagues, returning the IFL to 9 teams for the
2014 season. In February 2014, the league announced that it would return
to Montana in 2015 with the new Billings Wolves franchise.[4]2015 season
Main article: 2015 Indoor Football League season
On July 27, 2014, Iowa Barnstormers
president Jeff Lamberti hinted at joining the league by telling a local
TV station that the franchise will explore "all options" in the
off-season of their continuance to play, including leaving the Arena Football League and going to the IFL for 2015.[5] They joined the IFL in August 2014, becoming the fourth active AFL/af2 franchise to leave for the IFL since the Texas Revolution (formerly the Arkansas Twisters), the Tri-Cities Fever and the Green Bay Blizzard. (The Revolution have since left the IFL for Champions Indoor Football.)2016 season
This will be the first season the IFL utilizes roster restrictions which call for all teams to carry no more than 7 players with three or more years' experience in Indoor/Arena football.[6] For the second consecutive season, an AFL team was strongly rumored to join the IFL, as Spokane Shock owner Nader Naini said on August 10, 2015 that he was considering all options for the team.[7] On September 1, the Shock officially joined the IFL, becoming the fifth active AFL/af2 franchise to leave for the IFL since the aforementioned Barnstormers, Fever, Blizzard and Revolution.[8] The Shock, however, would have to enter the IFL under a new identity as the Arena League announced on October 12 that they would retain the rights to the Shock logos and name, possibly for future use by another franchise in the state of Washington.[9] The team subsequently held a name-the-team contest, which resulted in their new identity as the Spokane Empire.[10][11]On September 9, the Minnesota Havok (based in Mankato) were announced as an IFL team.[12] However, on January 29, just four weeks before the 2016 season was to kick off, the Havok were terminated by the league for failing to meet operational standards.[13]
On November 25, the Minnesota Axemen folded due to the team "Not fulfilling their commitments to the league."[14] Commissioner Mike Allshouse called the move a proactive one to prevent the team having to fold mid-season.[15]
2017 season
On June 30, 2016, the IFL announced that the Tri-Cities Fever franchise would be dormant, but in good standing with the IFL, for the 2017 season.[16]Project FANchise, a group aiming to create a professional sports team where fans help run the day-to-day operations, will operate the Salt Lake Screaming Eagles in Salt Lake City, Utah. A fan vote determined the team's name and logo, and select fans will have access to player personnel decisions and in-game play calling.
Teams
Current
| Team | Location | Arena | Capacity | Founded | Joined | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Conference | ||||||
| Cedar Rapids Titans | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | U.S. Cellular Center | 6,900 | 2012 | 2012 | |
| Green Bay Blizzard | Green Bay, Wisconsin | Resch Center | 8,600 | 2003 | 2010 | |
| Iowa Barnstormers | Des Moines, Iowa | Wells Fargo Arena | 15,181 | 1995 | 2015 | |
| Sioux Falls Storm | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | Denny Sanford Premier Center | 10,678 | 2000 | 2009 | |
| Wichita Falls Nighthawks | Wichita Falls, Texas | Kay Yeager Coliseum | 7,380 | 2013 | 2015 | |
| Intense Conference | ||||||
| Colorado Crush | Loveland, Colorado | Budweiser Events Center | 5,289 | 2007 | 2009 | |
| Nebraska Danger | Grand Island, Nebraska | Eihusen Arena | 6,000 | 2011 | 2011 | |
| Billings Wolves | Billings, Montana | Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark | 7,000 | 2015 | 2015 | |
| Spokane Empire | Spokane, Washington | Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena | 10,771 | 2006 | 2016 | |
2017 expansion
| Team | Location | Arena | Capacity | Founded | Joining |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake Screaming Eagles[17] | West Valley City, Utah | Maverik Center | 10,000 | 2016 | 2017 |
Map of Teams
Current IFL team locations (Intense Conference teams in red; United Conference teams in blue; expansion teams in green)
Former
Left for another league
- Abilene Ruff Riders – Left IFL after 2010 season, now defunct
- Amarillo Venom – Left IFL after 2011 season, now a member of Champions Indoor Football[18]
- Bloomington Edge – Left IFL after 2012 season, now a member of Champions Indoor Football
- Corpus Christi Hammerheads – Left IFL after 2010 season, now a member of the American Indoor Football[19]
- Lehigh Valley Steelhawks – Left IFL after 2012 season, now a member of the Professional Indoor Football League
- Louisiana Swashbucklers – Left IFL prior to inaugural season, now defunct[20]
- New Mexico Stars – Left IFL after 2012 season, now a member of the American Indoor Football.
- Omaha Beef – Left IFL after 2012 season, now a member of Champions Indoor Football.
- Saginaw Sting – Left for the Ultimate Indoor Football League after sitting out the 2010 season.[21] Now in the Continental Indoor Football League
- Sioux City Bandits – Left IFL after 2010 season, now a member of Champions Indoor Football.[22]
- Texas Revolution – left IFL after 2014 season, now a member of Champions Indoor Football.
- Wichita Wild – Left IFL after the 2012 season, now defunct.
- West Texas Roughnecks – Left IFL after 2011 season, now defunct[18]
Folded
- Alaska Wild – Team suspended operations nine games into the 2010 season. The coach and multiple players left to play elsewhere and the team no longer had money to continue the season.[23][24]
- Arctic Predators – Originally announced as 2010 IFL member, but stalemate between ownership group and head coach led to lease difficulties; IFL franchise moved and became the Kent Predators. (A different team with the name Arctic Predators then became a member of the American Indoor Football Association)
- Arizona Adrenaline – Ceased operations before the end of the 2011 season. Some games were played with a replacement team.
- Austin Turfcats – Was not in IFL for 2011 season.[25]
- Billings Outlaws – Owner suspended the 2011 season, and was hoping to return in 2012 but did not.[25]
- Bricktown Brawlers – Ceased operations before the end of the 2011 season. Final games were played with a replacement team.
- Chicago Slaughter – Left IFL after 2013 season, to join Continental Indoor Football League, but never played in it.
- El Paso Generals – Owners attempted to sell the team, but did not participate in 2010 season.
- Everett Raptors – Team folded after 2012 season.
- Fairbanks Grizzlies – Owner suspended the 2012 season, but hoped to return in 2013, but didn't.[26]
- La Crosse Spartans – Owners suspended the team, and started the Cedar Rapids Titans. The team went up for sale in 2011, but did not sell.
- Maryland Maniacs – Owner suspended the 2011 season, team didn't return.[25]
- Minnesota Axemen – Membership terminated in 2015 by the league due to franchise's failure to meet league obligations.
- Reading Express – Took 2013 season off, did not return.
- Richmond Revolution – Owner suspended the 2012 season, but hoped to return in 2013, but didn't.[27]
- RiverCity Rage – Owner suspended them to focus on the Omaha Beef.[28]
- Rochester Raiders – Owner suspended the 2011 season, team didn't return.[25]
- San Angelo Stampede Express – Owner suspended the 2011 season, team didn't return.[25]
- Tri-Cities Fever – Team went dormant after the 2016 season, keeping the franchise remaining in good standing with the IFL, but with the current ownership having no plans for a return.
- Tucson Thunder Kats – Team joined the AIFA West before being officially accepted into the IFL, but ended up suspending operations in November 2010 due to financial losses instead.[29]
- West Michigan ThunderHawks – Owner suspended the 2011 season, team didn't return.[25]
- Wenatchee Valley Venom – Owner suspended the 2012 season, but hoped to return in 2013, but didn't.[30]
- Wyoming Cavalry – Owner ceased operations in September 2014.
Failed expansions
- Binghamton – Owner suspended the 2012 season, but hoped to begin play in 2013, though they never did.[31]
- CenTex Barracudas – Originally announced as an IFL member, but not included in 2009 alignment.
- Cheyenne Warriors – Owner died shortly before 2013 season began; team suspended operations, did not enter league in 2013 as planned, played a few games in the DIFL, and shutdown entirely in May 2013.[32][33][34]
- Everett Destroyers – Originally announced as an IFL member, but not included in 2009 alignment.
- Frisco Thunder – Originally announced as 2009 IFL member, then announced they would take season off while Dr Pepper Arena was being renovated—did not return.
- Minnesota Havok – Announced for 2016 season but were terminated by the league one month prior to the season for failure to reach minimum operational standards.
Timeline
United Bowl Championship
The IFL continues to use the "United Bowl" name originally used by United Indoor Football. The UIF used this name before they merged with Intense Football League to form the Indoor Football League. The UIF held United Bowl I, II, III, and IV in 2005 through 2008, with all four being won by the Sioux Falls Storm. Although the name "National Indoor Bowl Championship" was used for the 2008 contest between the UIF and the Intense Football League, the "United Bowl" name continues to be used for the combined league's championship instead.2009 United Bowl
Main article: 2009 United Bowl
Seconds before the Outlaws 2009 United Bowl victory
2010 United Bowl
Main article: 2010 United Bowl
In the 2010 United Bowl, the Billings Outlaws of the Intense Conference took the league championship by defeating the Sioux Falls Storm
of the United Conference by a score of 43-34 in front of a sold out
crowd in the Billings Sportsplex (a training facility, used by the
Outlaws after their arena suffered storm damage during the Fathers Day Tornado).2011 United Bowl
Main article: 2011 United Bowl
The 2011 United Bowl was won by the United Conference champion Sioux Falls Storm when they beat the Intense Conference Champion Tri-Cities Fever 37-10 on July 16, 2011.2012 United Bowl
Main article: 2012 United Bowl
The 2012 United Bowl was a re-match from 2011 and was once again won by the United Conference champion Sioux Falls Storm when they beat the Intense Conference Champion Tri-Cities Fever 59-32 on July 14, 2012.2013 United Bowl
Main article: 2013 United Bowl
The 2013 United Bowl was once again won by the United Conference champion Sioux Falls Storm when they beat the Intense Conference Champion Nebraska Danger 43-40 on June 29, 2013.2014 United Bowl
Main article: 2014 United Bowl
The 2014 United Bowl was once again won by the United Conference champion Sioux Falls Storm when they beat the Intense Conference Champion Nebraska Danger 63-46 on June 28, 2014.2015 United Bowl
Main article: 2015 United Bowl
For the fifth consecutive year the United Conference champion Storm won the league title with at 62-27 victory over the Intense Conference champion (Nebraska Danger). It was Sioux Falls' 9th title in franchise history.2016 United Bowl
For the sixth consecutive year the Untied Conference Champion Storm won the league title with a 55-34 victory over the first year Intense Conference Champion Spokane Empire on July 23, 2016. It is Sioux Falls' 10th title in franchise history.Year-by-year
| Year | Home Team | Away Team | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Billings Outlaws | RiverCity Rage | Outlaws | 71–62 |
| 2010 | Billings Outlaws | Sioux Falls Storm | Outlaws | 43–34 |
| 2011 | Sioux Falls Storm | Tri-Cities Fever | Storm | 37–10 |
| 2012 | Sioux Falls Storm | Tri-Cities Fever | Storm | 59–32 |
| 2013 | Sioux Falls Storm | Nebraska Danger | Storm | 43–40 |
| 2014 | Sioux Falls Storm | Nebraska Danger | Storm | 63–46 |
| 2015 | Sioux Falls Storm | Nebraska Danger | Storm | 62–27 |
| 2016 | Sioux Falls Storm | Spokane Empire | Storm | 55–34 |
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