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42-589: The Bandits were slated to be the second official Arizona-based team to play in the AFL and the first since the Arizona Rattlers (now of the Indoor Football League ) who played in the original AFL from 1992 to 2008 and again from 2010 to 2016. Four years after the AFL folded for the second time, it was announced on February 1, 2023, that the league intended on relaunching in 2024. On July 18,

84-540: A Chapter 11 reorganization on August 26. However, Brett Bouchy and a group of investors planned to launch a new league called Arena Football 1 and helped the Arizona Rattlers and the Orlando Predators to become two of the four teams to survive and return in 2010 with Arena Football 1. In early 2010, it was announced that Arena Football 1 was granted the trademarks to the AFL brand and was renamed

126-556: A championship resulted in heavy scrutiny of both Head coach Kevin Guy & his quarterback Drew Powell . Fans began questioning the duo's ability to finish in the playoffs. As a result, a major change was made. Coach Guy traded away his star quarterback to their in state rivals, the Tucson Sugar Skulls . In doing so, he filled the void at QB by acquiring local valley talent & current IFL Championship MVP Dalton Sneed from

168-758: A potential revival of the Arizona Coyotes of the National Hockey League . In May 2024, the Arizona State Land Department blocked the sale of the land upon which the arena would have been built, effectively ending efforts to build the new arena and the Coyotes themselves. On May 14, 2024, the league fired commissioner Lee Hutton and contracted to 10 teams, leaving the Bandits' future existence in doubt. However, with

210-698: A professional indoor American football team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area . They are currently members of the Indoor Football League (IFL). The Rattlers were founded in 1992 as an expansion team in the Arena Football League and were the third oldest active franchise in the AFL until their departure in 2016. They play their home games at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale. They previously played at Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix. The Rattlers are led by head coach Kevin Guy . Since

252-797: A professional indoor football team that began play as a member of Champions Indoor Football for the 2022 season. Based in Billings, Montana , the Outlaws play their home games at MetraPark First Interstate Arena . For 2024, they have been announced as members of the revived Arena Football League . They are the 2024 AFL champions, defeating the Albany Firebirds 46–41 at the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. In 2025, they will become inaugural members of

294-668: A score of 72–32, becoming the first team in AFL history to win three consecutive AFL championships since the Detroit Drive of 1988–1990, as well as establishing the largest margin of victory (40 points) in an ArenaBowl. In 2015, the Rattlers went 14–4 in the regular season and made it to the Conference Championships but lost to the San Jose Sabercats 70–67, a team which had twice beaten them in

336-579: Is coming.") The Bandits were not included among the eight teams that are expected to be included in Arena Football One , a successor league being formed by the surviving AFL members by leaving the current AFL and forming a new league. AF1 did indicate that there would be expansion teams joining before 2025, possibly including the Bandits. In late September, the owner of another AF1 team, the Albany Firebirds , Mike Kwarta confirmed that

378-588: The COVID-19 pandemic season cancelation in 2020). In 1987, it was speculated that the Phoenix, Arizona , area would be a target for the newly formed Arena Football League (AFL). On September 11, 1991, it was announced that Jerry Colangelo had been awarded an expansion franchise in the AFL in Phoenix. Colangelo, owner of the NBA 's Phoenix Suns , first approached Frank Kush to coach his team, but Kush declined

420-616: The Omaha Beef , Sioux City Bandits and Topeka Tropics opted for the National Arena League and the Gillette Mustangs folding. The league faced massive turmoil and owner Steven Titus led the charge to oust league commissioner Lee Hutton III as the league was cut in half during the season with teams either folding or being removed from the schedule. Despite all of the turmoil, the Outlaws played on and made

462-414: The 16 intended market cities were announced, but Arizona wasn't among said markets. On September 6, 2023, the Bandits launched their Facebook and Instagram pages with new logos and news about the ownership group, which is led by local businessmen Matthew Mason and David Glynn, along with Bakersfield, California -based semi-professional team owner Tim Carbajal. Carbajal had originally been in line to own

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504-534: The 2017 season. Owner Ron Shurts said that it was possible that the AFL would have to go on hiatus in 2017, and wasn't sure the fans would return in 2018 if that happened. The move made Phoenix by far the largest market in the IFL. They made their IFL debut on February 17, 2017, at the defending six-time IFL Champions Sioux Falls Storm , but lost 40–29. On June 24, 2017, the Rattlers faced the Nebraska Danger in

546-407: The 2020 season and possibly into the 2021 season, the Rattlers agreed to a lease at Gila River Arena in the interim. After their 2020 season was canceled during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 season was pushed back, the Rattlers announced they would be returning to downtown Phoenix for their 2021 season home games at Footprint Center , formerly known as Talking Stick Resort Arena. In 2021,

588-531: The 2022 season with much better results. They qualified for the post season once again, finishing the regular season as the top ranked seed in the Western Conference at (13-3). They advanced to the semifinals, but fell short yet again. They wound up losing to their in state rivals, and the eventual league champion Northern Arizona Wranglers . The Rattlers entered their 2023 season, still chasing that elusive 7th franchise championship. They finished atop

630-411: The 2022 season. A name-the-team contest was held, with the Outlaws being named the winner on July 22. Despite using the original Outlaws' name, logo, and colors, the current Outlaws are considered to be a new franchise with no other connection to the previous Outlaws, but continues to market itself as a continuation. In June 2022, it was announced Steven Titus, a Gillette, Wyoming , attorney purchased

672-471: The 2024 IFL Champions. Davonte Merriweather was named the game's MVP with 3 key interceptions. Running backs Wide receivers Offensive linemen Defensive linemen Linebackers Defensive backs Kickers Rookies in italics Roster updated June 26, 2024 25 Active, 0 Inactive Billings Outlaws (AF1) The Billings Outlaws are

714-636: The 2024 Western Conference Championship, thanks to the San Diego Strike Force upsetting the top seeded Bay Area Panthers the week before. Arizona took full advantage, blowing out the visiting Strike Force (58-23) and securing the Western Conference crown. With the win, the Rattlers qualified for the 2024 IFL National Championship Game (known formerly as the United Bowl) at Lee's Family Forum in Henderson, Nevada . They faced off against

756-414: The AFL was folding permanently and would file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy . The league released a statement on August 4 to the effect that while the league was not folding, it was suspending league operations indefinitely. Despite this, several of the league's creditors filed papers to force a Chapter 7 liquidation if the league did not do so voluntarily. This request was granted on August 7, though converted to

798-498: The Arena Football League. In 2011, after Brett Bouchy was able to keep both the Arizona Rattlers and the Orlando Predators alive, he was forced to let go of ownership to one of the teams that became the Arizona Rattlers. On May 12, 2011, Ron Shurts became the new majority owner of the Rattlers franchise. In 2011 , the Rattlers won 16 games in the regular season, a league record for wins in a single regular season. In

840-471: The Bandits were among the team that attended a special AFL Launch Party in New York City . However, as of press time, the Bandits are on hiatus until 2025 and have yet to announce where they will play. In an interview with KTVK 3TV and KPHO CBS 5, co-owner Matthew Mason announced that the Bandits will be playing in a new state-of-the-art arena in either Phoenix or Scottsdale that could also host

882-532: The California Grizzlies (California was one the markets announced by the league), but was unable to secure a lease with Bakersfield's Mechanics Bank Arena . Their head coach and general manager is former San Jose SaberCats and Bay Area Panthers head coach Darren Arbet , who won four ArenaBowl championships with the SaberCats before that franchise abruptly folded in 2015. On November 16, 2023,

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924-571: The Eastern Conference Champion Massachusetts Pirates once again. This time, they would not be denied their quest for a seventh franchise championship. The Rattlers blew out the Pirates, shutting them out 29-0 in the first half, and winning the game (53-16). Following their historic win, the Rattlers avenged their previous United Bowl defeat to Massachusetts and secured their 7th team championship as

966-687: The Intense Conference Championship and won 62–36. They defeated the reigning champion Sioux Falls Storm 50–41 in the 2017 United Bowl on July 8, 2017. On April 29, 2018, the Rattlers defeated the Cedar Rapids Titans 84–83 and earned their 300th win in franchise history. The Rattlers would go on to qualify for the 2018 playoffs, but lost to the Sioux Falls Storm in the Semifinals. In 2019,

1008-545: The Outlaws and Wyoming Mustangs. On August 29, 2023, the Outlaws were announced to become members of the third incarnation of the Arena Football League . Titus named the Mustangs' head coach, Cedric Walker , as the new head coach of the Outlaws. In 2024, the CIF merged with the latest incarnation of the Arena Football League along with remaining members Rapid City Marshals , Salina Liberty and Southwest Kansas Storm while

1050-614: The Rattlers and Soul met again in ArenaBowl XXVI , with the Rattlers winning yet again, 48–39. This made them the first team since 1995 to win back-to-back championships, and the first team in history to beat the same team for both titles. In 2014, the Rattlers went 15–3 in the regular season after a 14-game winning streak to start the season, and defeated the Cleveland Gladiators in ArenaBowl XXVII by

1092-502: The Rattlers finished the regular season with a league best (12-2) record and entered the post season as the IFL's highest seed. They qualified for the 2021 United Bowl , advancing past their rivals, the Sioux Falls Storm & Duke City Gladiators . However, they would end up losing in overtime to the Massachusetts Pirates . After suffering their 2nd straight championship defeat, The Rattlers were determined to finish

1134-586: The Rattlers went undefeated throughout the regular season, finishing with a 14–0 record. At the end of the season, their playoff games were moved to Gila River Arena (now Desert Diamond Arena) after the Talking Stick Resort Arena closed for renovations. The Rattlers lost (56-53) to the Sioux Falls Storm in the 2019 United Bowl , with coach Guy heavily blaming officiating. With Talking Stick Resort Arena planned to be closed through

1176-525: The Western Conference standings for the 2nd consecutive season with an (11-4) record. They lost in the playoffs again to the Northern Arizona Wranglers, this time in the opening round. On November 6, 2023, it was announced that the Rattlers would be moving to Desert Diamond Arena , after originally planning to play there in 2020. The Rattlers entered their 2024 offseason with much uncertainty. Five consecutive seasons without winning

1218-441: The defending 2023 champion Bay Area Panthers . The Rattlers took a gamble and began their 2024 season with a new leader under center. However, injuries plagued the team through the first four weeks, as they started the year with a disappointing 1-3 record. Fortunately, as the team grew healthier, so did their confidence. The Rattlers battled back throughout the year and finished the regular season with an (11-5) record. They entered

1260-446: The invitation. In October 1991, the team announced that former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Danny White would be the franchise's first head coach. In December 1991, the team announced that they would be named the Arizona Rattlers after more than 250 people suggested that the team's nickname should be the Rattlers, while 55% of their responders picked "Arizona" over "Phoenix". In 1992, the Rattlers began with their first two games on

1302-422: The league). The Bandits were among the organizations who were identified at the league's "Arena Football University" clinic that week along with other prospective bidders, an invitation the league stated "should not be taken as a guarantee of admission to AF1." In late October, AF1 indicated a final decision on the Bandits' and other teams' bids for expansion would come in early November after the application deadline

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1344-587: The newly-formed Arena Football One . The Outlaws will be the third indoor football team to be based in Billings following the original Billings Outlaws (2000–2010) and the Billings Wolves (2015–2016). On April 30, 2021, Keith Russ and Tel Koen, owners of fellow Champions Indoor Football (CIF) team the Wyoming Mustangs , announced they would bring an expansion CIF team to Billings for

1386-527: The playoffs as the #1 seed in the revamped system. The Outlaws would make it to ArenaBowl XXXIII , which was played at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey , and face the Albany Firebirds . The Outlaws won the championship 46–41 over the Firebirds giving the Outlaws their first championship of any kind since the original Outlaws won their last title in 2010. On September 4, 2024,

1428-403: The playoffs as the number three seed in the Western Conference. A tightly contested first round matchup against the two seeded Vegas Knight Hawks resulted in a come from behind (39-38) road victory on the very last play of the game. Following the win, Coach Kevin Guy became the winningest coach in arena/indoor football history with 262 victories on July 27, 2024. The Rattlers advanced & hosted

1470-689: The playoffs, by winning the National Conference championship, they clinched a berth in ArenaBowl XXIV . They lost the game to the Jacksonville Sharks when Jacksonville quarterback Aaron Garcia threw a game-winning touchdown pass on the game's final play. The Rattlers redeemed themselves the following season, winning ArenaBowl XXV over the Philadelphia Soul to win their first title in 15 years. In 2013,

1512-426: The positive changes in the league led by interim commissioner Jeff Fisher , the Bandits continue to plan to join the league for 2025 and beyond. On September 4, 2024, concurrent with the other eight surviving AFL teams, the Bandits posted a teaser video, but the Bandits' teaser did not match that of the other teams (whereas the other teams' message read "A new era begins today", the Bandits' instead read "Something big

1554-471: The purchase of the Rattlers from Colangelo. In 2008, it was announced that Brett Bouchy would become the new owner of the Arizona Rattlers. After the Rattlers had a 4–12 record in 2007, Brett Bouchy hired Kevin Guy as the new Arizona Rattlers head coach in the 2008 season and the Rattlers improved to an 8–8 record and clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2006, but lost in the first round. In August 2009, numerous media outlets began reporting that

1596-632: The regular season. This ended their streak of consecutive ArenaBowl appearances at four. In 2016, the Rattlers went 13–3 in the regular season, then blew out the Portland Steel and the Cleveland Gladiators en route to their fifth ArenaBowl appearance in six years, only to lose to the Philadelphia Soul. On October 17, 2016, the Rattlers announced they had left the AFL and joined the Indoor Football League (IFL) for

1638-684: The road, and won their home debut in front of a sell-out crowd of 15,505 at America West Arena by a score of 56–31 over the Sacramento Attack . In 1994, the Rattlers captured their first ArenaBowl championship, with a 36–31 victory over the Orlando Predators . In 1997, the Rattlers won their second championship defeating the Iowa Barnstormers , led by future Super Bowl champion QB Kurt Warner , 55-33. In December 1999, Gene Nudo , White and Will Meris pursued

1680-430: The team's establishment in 1992, the Rattlers have won ten division titles and have played in nine ArenaBowl Championship games, winning championships in 1994, 1997, 2012, 2013, 2014. The Rattlers also won the 2017 United Bowl in their first season in the IFL. It is believed that the Rattlers are the longest-tenured, continuously-active indoor/arena team in the game's history being active for over 30 years (not counting

1722-542: The twelfth AF1 team would be Arizona and would be announced the last week of that month. The league issued a statement that week that did not announce any expansion teams, but warned against any prospective teams making premature announcements before the league thoroughly vetted and approved any expansion bids (this was not targeted specifically at the Bandits; another prospective franchise, the Las Vegas Kings, had repeatedly made false claims about being invited to join

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1764-980: Was extended to October 31. The league updated the situation again on November 13 stating that whether or not the Bandits or any other teams would be added would come "in the coming days". On November 15, 2024, the Bandits were officially announced as the 14th franchise in AF1 and will be based out of and will play their home games in Tempe . They will play in the West Division along with the Billings Outlaws , Oregon Lightning and Washington Wolfpack . Running backs Wide receivers Defensive linemen Defensive backs Special teams Front office Head coaches Offensive coaches Arizona Rattlers Indoor Football League ( 2017 –present) The Arizona Rattlers are

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