AF2 ( 2001 , 2008 – 2009 )
101-904: Arena Football League ( 2010 – 2014 ) Indoor Football League ( 2015 –present) The Iowa Barnstormers are a professional indoor football team based in Des Moines, Iowa . They are currently members of the Indoor Football League (IFL). They play their home games at Wells Fargo Arena , known in indoor football circles as "The Well". Several teams called the Iowa Barnstormers have played in different indoor football leagues since 1995. The original Arena Football League team played in Des Moines' Veterans Memorial Auditorium from 1995 to 2001, and subsequently relocated to Uniondale, New York , where they were known as
202-540: A strike ). Efforts to reformat the league's business model were placed under the leadership of Columbus Destroyers owner Jim Renacci and interim commissioner Policy. High hopes for the AFL waned when interim commissioner Ed Policy announced his resignation, citing the obsolescence of his position in the reformatted league. Two weeks later, the Los Angeles Avengers announced that they were formally folding
303-464: A 13-week schedule during which each team played 12 games and had one bye week. Each of the six teams played each opponent at least once. At the end of the regular season, the top four teams participated in the ArenaBowl playoffs, in which the top seed faced the 4th seed while the 2nd seed faced the 3rd seed in a home and home series. The team in each series with the higher aggregate score advanced to
404-404: A Chapter 7 liquidation if the league did not do so voluntarily. This request was granted on August 7, though converted to a Chapter 11 reorganization on August 26. Following the suspension of the AFL's 2009 season, league officials and owners of af2 (which had played its season as scheduled) began discussing the future of arena football and the two leagues. With its 50.1 percent ownership of af2,
505-510: A familiar name to the league, an AFL mainstay, the Iowa Barnstormers, departed the league to join the Indoor Football League . The San Antonio Talons folded on October 13, 2014, after the league (which owned the team) failed to find a new owner. On November 16, 2014, despite a successful season record-wise, the Pittsburgh Power became the second team to cease operations after the 2014 season. This resulted from poor attendance. It
606-466: A five-game winning streak return the Barnstormers to the thick of the playoff hunt. Iowa went on to win their fourth Central Division crown in six seasons of play, earning the 3rd seed in the newly expanded playoffs . However, Iowa's playoff run came to a quick end on a Sunday afternoon in the quarterfinals, as the 6th-seeded Nashville scored the final 14 points to defeat Iowa, 49–42. Historically,
707-544: A form of indoor American football played on a 66-by-28 yard field (about a quarter of the surface area of an NFL field), with rules encouraging offensive performance, resulting in a typically faster-paced and higher-scoring game compared to NFL games. The sport was invented in the early 1980s and patented by Jim Foster , a former executive of the United States Football League (USFL) and the NFL. Each of
808-434: A high of 19 teams in 2007, the league contracted to a low of four teams in 2018, all in the northeastern United States. There were six teams playing in 2019 , the league's final season. On October 29, 2019, league commissioner Randall Boe confirmed reports that the league had discontinued operating teams in local markets for the 2020 season. Four weeks later on November 27, league commissioner Boe announced via Twitter that
909-556: A lack of capital and unresolved liabilities. On February 1, 2023, G6 Sports Group (based in Toronto, Ontario), a new ownership group that had acquired the league's trademarks and social media accounts, announced another revival of the league which began play in 2024. This league is not directly related to the previous league. The league lasted one season before all of its remaining teams left to form Arena Football One prior to 2025. The second iteration's final 2019 season consisted of
1010-488: A new corporation comprising teams from both leagues, and the AFL returned in 2010. The league's average game attendance after returning in 2010 was approximately 9,500. The league historically had a nationwide footprint, and was recognized as the most prominent professional indoor football league in North America, offering higher payment, more widespread media exposure, and a longer history than competing leagues. From
1111-404: A new deal on a four-year CBA was reached, nearly doubling player compensation and granting expanded health insurance benefits. On March 27, 2018, the AFL announced that commissioner Scott Butera would be replaced by former AOL counsel Randall Boe prior to the 2018 season. The AFL also partnered with DraftKings to bring back AFL Fantasy Football. The league continued organizational changes for
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#17327807124721212-548: A player to go out of bounds presently is if he is tackled into or deliberately contacts the side boards. This was also the first year the ArenaBowl was played at a neutral site. In 2007, free substitution was allowed, ending the "iron man" era of one-platoon football ; also, games ending in ties were abolished. The next season, in 2008, the "jack" linebacker was allowed to go sideboard to sideboard without being penalized for "illegal defense". After 12 years as commissioner of
1313-531: A relatively poor season (a five-game winning streak to close the season wasn't able to turn a 4–7 start into a playoff berth) would lead to that franchise suspending operations following their first season. On September 20, 2007, the AF2 announced that they had approved the inactive franchise's new ownership, meaning that the Barnstormers resumed play in 2008 at the Wells Fargo Arena . They held practices at
1414-477: A top-level arena football team, mainly because of the difficulty in attracting top-ticket free agents to the AFL's smallest market. On August 27, 2014, Lamberti announced that the Iowa Barnstormers had officially become members of the IFL and named former Barnstormers quarterback Joe Brannen to replace Mike Hohensee . The Barnstormers became the first team to directly leave the AFL for a new league, although previously
1515-469: A touchdown by the Chicago Rush , an ominous harbinger of an eventual 7–9 season. On July 27, 2014, Barnstormers president Jeff Lamberti told WHO-TV in Des Moines that the franchise will explore "all options" in the off-season of their continuance to play, including leaving the AFL and going to the Indoor Football League for 2015. The Barnstormers had not had a winning season since their revival as
1616-500: A touring model similar to the Premier Lacrosse League or basketball's BIG3 ) and that a decision on the league's future would most likely be announced near the end of 2019. Approximately a month after the announcement of the closure of teams, on November 27, 2019, commissioner Boe announced via the league's Twitter account that the league would be filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and fully cease operations, citing
1717-530: A two-year leave of absence while their arena, shared with its primary tenant the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers , was undergoing construction during the basketball offseason. The next month, the longest-tenured AFL team, with franchise roots to the inaugural AFL season, the Tampa Bay Storm , also suspended operations citing financial problems. In February 2018, the 2018 season schedule was finalized with only
1818-467: The Austin Wranglers had been demoted from the AFL to the AFL's former minor league, af2 . The Arkansas Twisters , Tri-Cities Fever , and Green Bay Blizzard were former af2 teams which jumped to the IFL. "We are excited to bring the Barnstormers to the IFL", said Lamberti. "The chance to sign more local players, see more fans at road games, and create friendly rivalries with other teams of
1919-846: The Los Angeles Kiss , owned by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of the rock band Kiss , and the Portland Thunder . In 2014, the league announced the granting of a new franchise to Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil , previously part-owner of the Jacksonville Sharks. That franchise, the Las Vegas Outlaws , played their home games at the Thomas & Mack Center , previously home to the Las Vegas Sting and Las Vegas Gladiators . After 20 years as
2020-569: The Milwaukee Mustangs , the name of Milwaukee's original AFL team that had existed from 1994 to 2001. In 2012, the AFL celebrated its silver anniversary for its 25th season of operations. The season kicked off on March 9, 2012. The Tulsa Talons moved to San Antonio, Texas , and Jeffrey Vinik became owner of the Tampa Bay Storm. The Dallas Vigilantes were left off the schedule for the 2012 season with no announcement from
2121-473: The New York Dragons . Des Moines was awarded a franchise in the developmental AF2 league in 2001 that carried on the Barnstormers name and branding, but the team suspended operations after the end of the season. In 2008 a new Barnstormers team began play in the AF2, now based in the new Wells Fargo Arena; this team joined the new AFL in 2010 following the league's reorganization. For the 2015 season,
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#17327807124722222-685: The Quad City Steamwheelers 58–38 on April 19 in Moline, Illinois . The team would win their first home game at the Wells Fargo Arena on April 26, 2008, defeating the Stockton Lightning 47–24. During the 2008 season, the Barnstormers ranked 17th in average home paid attendance out of the 46 combined teams in the Arena Football League and AF2. In both 2008 and 2009, Iowa ranked second in AF2 attendance to
2323-590: The Spokane Shock officially left the AFL and joined the IFL under the new name Spokane Empire , becoming the fifth active AFL/af2 franchise to leave for the IFL since the 2009 AFL bankruptcy ( Iowa Barnstormers , Tri-Cities Fever , Green Bay Blizzard , and Arkansas Twisters left previously). On November 12, the league announced the defending champion San Jose SaberCats would be ceasing operations due to "reasons unrelated to league operations". A statement from
2424-441: The Spokane Shock , with attendances of 9,341 and 9,520, respectively. On September 28, 2009, the Barnstormers announced their status as a charter member of the new Arena Football League , marking their return to playing top-notch arena football after almost a decade of lower levels and inactivity. A franchise-record 12,184 fans attended the 2010 opener; however, Iowa's first play from scrimmage resulted in an interception return for
2525-588: The St. Louis Rams of the National Football League (NFL). Forced to rebuild after losing the eventual two-time NFL MVP , the Barnstormers limped to an 0–5 start in 1998. After acquiring Aaron Garcia from New Jersey , the Barnstormers improved, with a three-game winning streak sparked by Garcia and rookie sensation Kevin Swayne , putting the Barnstormers in playoff contention late in the year. But, in
2626-475: The United States Patent and Trademark Office to patent his invented sport. The patent application covered the rules of the game, specifically detailing the goalposts and rebound netting and their impact on gameplay. Foster's application was granted on March 27, 1990. The patent expired on March 27, 2007. From its inception, the AFL operated in a state of semi-obscurity; many Americans had heard
2727-512: The playoffs , the Barnstormers avenged a regular season defeat against 7th-seeded San Jose , 68–59, before racing past 4th-seeded Orlando 52–34 to reach the franchise's second ArenaBowl in three seasons. However, in ArenaBowl XI , Arizona used a 42–13 scoring stretch over the 2nd and 3rd Quarters to roll past Iowa, 55–33. Star offensive specialist Willis Jacox retired after the 1997 season, while star quarterback Kurt Warner signed with
2828-601: The 1994 season, the AFL had a number of other teams which it considered "dynasties" between 1994 and 2016. The most successful of these were the Tampa Bay Storm and their arch-rival the Orlando Predators , as well as the San Jose SaberCats and their rivals, the Arizona Rattlers . Among those four teams, they won 14 of 22 ArenaBowls in that time span and appeared in all but two. In 1993,
2929-511: The 2019 season with Philadelphia Soul owner Ron Jaworski taking over as chairman of the executive committee, moving the league's headquarters from Las Vegas to Philadelphia , and naming John Adams as president and chief operating officer. On December 27, 2018, the AFL introduced a new set of logos to be used beginning with the 2019 season. The league announced an expansion team in Atlantic City, New Jersey , on January 22, 2019, that
3030-466: The 2022 season. The team made the playoffs yet again under his leadership. The 2023 season will be remembered as one of the worst in franchise history. The team only won four games and struggled on offense. When the Barnstormers began playing in 1995, the team's logo consisted of a circular logo, which depicted a barnstorming airplane over the city of Des Moines. The logo was surrounded by a circular script reading, "Arena Football Club". The word "Arena"
3131-456: The 6th-seeded Predators with a chance to advance to another home ArenaBowl. However, Orlando continued its shocking run to ArenaBowl XIII with a 56–49 upset of the Barnstormers. The 2000 Barnstormers put up startling offensive numbers, as Garcia threw for 92 touchdowns against just 8 interceptions, with 46 of the touchdowns going to Mike Horacek . Despite this prolific offense, Iowa started slowly, losing three of their first four games. However,
Iowa Barnstormers - Misplaced Pages Continue
3232-667: The AFL for an unintended reason, when the Pittsburgh Gladiators' head coach, Joe Haering, made football history by punching commissioner Jim Foster during a game with the Chicago Bruisers . The national media ran with the story, including a photo in USA Today . The game was played between the two teams in Sacramento's ARCO Arena , as part of the AFL's 'Barnstorming America' tour. Foster had walked onto
3333-521: The AFL for the IFL on October 17, leaving the AFL with four teams. They were the sixth AFL team to leave for the IFL since the 2010 relaunch. On November 14, the AFL announced that it had granted a second franchise to Washington Valor owner Ted Leonsis to be based out of Baltimore for the 2017 season, the Baltimore Brigade , bringing the league up to five teams. On August 23, 2017, the week of ArenaBowl XXX , multiple sources revealed that
3434-569: The AFL planned to expand to Albany, New York , and Newark, New Jersey , for 2018. The Albany Empire was confirmed October 24, with the team owned by Hearst Communications executive George Randolph Hearst III and sharing non-football management with the Philadelphia Soul. There was never another mention of a Newark team in the offseason. On November 28, the Cleveland Gladiators announced that they would have to take
3535-425: The AFL's bankruptcy and dissolution prompted the dissolution of af2 as well. That league was formally considered disbanded on September 8, 2009, when no owner committed his or her team to the league's eleventh season by that deadline. For legal reasons, af2 league officials and owners agreed to form a new legal entity, Arena Football 1 (AF1), with former AFL teams the Arizona Rattlers and Orlando Predators joining
3636-545: The AFL, David Baker retired unexpectedly on July 25, 2008, just two days before ArenaBowl XXII ; deputy commissioner Ed Policy was named interim commissioner until Baker's replacement was found. Baker explained, "When I took over as commissioner, I thought it would be for one year. It turned into 12. But now it's time." In October 2008, Tom Benson announced that the New Orleans VooDoo were ceasing operations and folding "based on circumstances currently affecting
3737-578: The AFLPA for the AFL to suspend the entire 2009 season in order to create "a long-term plan to improve its economic model." In doing so, the AFL became the second sports league to cancel an entire season, after the National Hockey League cancelled the 2004–05 season because of a lockout . The AFL also became the third sports league to lose its postseason (the first being Major League Baseball , which lost its postseason in 1994 because of
3838-601: The Arena Football League with four teams: the Pittsburgh Gladiators , Denver Dynamite , Washington Commandos , and Chicago Bruisers . Foster appointed legendary Darrel "Mouse" Davis , godfather of the "run and shoot" and modern pro offenses, as executive director of football operations. Davis hired the original coaches and was the architect of the league's original wide-open offensive playbooks. The first game in Arena Football League history
3939-695: The Barnstormers have ranked high in home paid attendance. In the Arena Football League , they finished 7th in 1995, 8th in 1996, 9th in 1997, 8th in 1998, 9th in 1999, and 9th in 2000. The need for a more modern venue as well as the league's desire for a larger market led to the move to New York City despite two failed past attempts in the city, the New York Knights ( 1988 ) and the New York CityHawks ( 1997 – 1998 ), both of which played at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan . The team
4040-404: The Barnstormers left the AFL and became members of the IFL. On April 25, 1994, the Arena Football League approved an expansion team to be based in Des Moines, Iowa , to begin play in the 1995 season. The team was owned by Jim Foster , the inventor/creator of arena football, and the founder of the Arena Football League. On May 12, 1995, the Barnstormers played their first regular season game, on
4141-594: The Barnstormers played their first regular season game of 2008, falling at the Louisville Fire 58–28 on March 29, 2008. The following week, they would return home for a Monday Night primetime match-up with the Lexington Horsemen on April 14, 2008. In the debut of Arena Football at the Wells Fargo Arena , the Barnstormers lost a close 43–41 contest. The next week, Iowa won their first regular season match-up since 2001 (their 75th overall), defeating
Iowa Barnstormers - Misplaced Pages Continue
4242-399: The Barnstormers raced to a 3–0 start and secured the 5th seed for the playoffs. After upsetting defending ArenaBowl champion Arizona , 56–52, in their first playoff game, the Barnstormers fell, 56–49, to 6th-seeded Orlando in the semifinals. After an 0–1 start to their second season, the Barnstormers won their first Central Division title on the strength of eight consecutive wins to close
4343-597: The Desperados' properties around those of the Dallas Cowboys , making the two inseparable. The auction occurred on November 25, 2009. The assets were awarded to Arena Football 1 on December 7, 2009, with a winning bid of $ 6.1 million. On February 17, 2010, AF1 announced it would use the "Arena Football League" name. The league announced plans for the upcoming season and details of its contract with NFL Network to broadcast AFL games in 2010. AF1 teams were given
4444-678: The Drive regularly played before sold-out crowds at Joe Louis Arena , and went to the ArenaBowl every year of their existence (1988–1993). The AFL's first dynasty came to an end when their owner, Mike Ilitch (who also owned Little Caesars Pizza and the Detroit Red Wings ) bought the Detroit Tigers and sold the AFL team. Although the Drive moved to Massachusetts, becoming the Massachusetts Marauders for
4545-598: The Kurt Warner days. Running backs Wide receivers Offensive linemen Defensive linemen Linebackers Defensive backs Kickers Rookies in italics Roster updated June 26, 2024 25 active, 0 Inactive → More rosters The following Barnstormers players have been named to All-Arena Teams: The following Barnstormers players have been named to All-IFL Teams: Arena Football League The Arena Football League ( AFL )
4646-506: The Midwest are just a few of the opportunities that we look forward to." AFL commissioner Jerry Kurz released a statement regarding the Barnstormers departure from the AFL: "We wish the Iowa Barnstormers all the best in their new endeavor. Their organization has been a part of the rich history of Arena Football for years now and will always be thought of fondly by those who love our sport." It
4747-655: The New York Dragons did not return. The league added one expansion team, the Pittsburgh Power . Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Lynn Swann was one of the team's owners. It was the first time the AFL returned to Pittsburgh since the Pittsburgh Gladiators were an original franchise in 1987 before becoming the Tampa Bay Storm . The Brigade changed its name to the Command, becoming the Kansas City Command. Even though they were returning teams,
4848-675: The VooDoo came during the Platinum Equity conference call, leading to speculation that he had folded because of the deal. Because of the sudden loss of the New Orleans franchise, the league announced in October that the beginning of the free agency period would be delayed in order to accommodate a dispersal draft . Dates were eventually announced as December 2 for the dispersal draft and December 4 for free agency, but shortly before
4949-407: The black jerseys and black numbers on the white jersey with pilots' wings on the front of both. Gold pants were used with both jerseys. A side stripe on the pants was in the design of a propeller blade. Upon the club's return through until 2023, the wings were removed from the jersey. Beginning in 2013, the team switched to black pants. In 2024, the Barnstormers returned to their original jerseys from
5050-412: The closure of all six of the league's teams. The closure came as the league re-evaluated its business model and worked to respond to a lawsuit filed against the league by its former worker's compensation insurance provider. Boe also stated that they had not made the decision to suspend operations for the entire league at that time (raising the possibility that if the league did return, it would do so under
5151-447: The draft the league issued a press release announcing the draft had been postponed one day to December 3. Shortly thereafter, another press release announced that the draft would be held on December 9 and free agency would commence on December 11. However, the draft still never took place, and instead another press release was issued stating that both the draft and free agency had been postponed indefinitely. Rumors began circulating that
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#17327807124725252-594: The end, they faltered, finishing 5–9, their worst season of their years in Iowa. In 1999, the Barnstomer resurgence under Garcia continued, with Iowa winning nine of their last ten regular season games (following a 2–2 start) to capture their third Central Division title in four seasons and secure the 2nd seed in the playoffs . A thrashing of division rival Milwaukee in the quarterfinals paired with 8th-seeded Orlando's 41–19 shocker at Tampa Bay set Iowa up at home against
5353-543: The field of play to mediate an altercation between the two teams when Haering, a former NFL assistant, punched him in the jaw. Haering was suspended without pay. One of the league's early success stories was the Detroit Drive . A primary team for some of the AFL's most highly regarded players, including George LaFrance and Gary and Alvin Rettig, as well as being a second career chance for quarterback Art Schlichter ,
5454-599: The first non-motorsports-related professional sports league in the United States to have a title sponsor, renaming it the NET10 Wireless Arena Football League. The redesigned website showed the new logo which incorporated the current AFL logo with the one from NET10 Wireless. The title sponsorship agreement ended in 2014 after a two-year partnership. In 2013, the league expanded with the addition of two new franchises to play in 2014,
5555-617: The first-ever televised AFL game the next night, on June 20, 1987, at the Rosemont Horizon in suburban Chicago on ESPN with Bob Rathbun and Lee Corso calling the play-by-play. The broadcast showed a short clip of the Commandos-Gladiators game. Each team played six games, two against each other team. The top two teams, Denver and Pittsburgh, then competed in the first-ever AFL championship game, ArenaBowl I . On September 30, 1987, Foster filed an application with
5656-616: The former af2 Bossier–Shreveport Battle Wings moved to New Orleans as the Voodoo, the identity formerly owned by New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson. The former af2 Alabama Vipers moved to Duluth, Georgia , to become the new Georgia Force (the earlier franchise of that name having been a continuation of the first Nashville Kats franchise). On October 25, 2010, lt was announced that the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz would not return. The Milwaukee Iron also changed names to
5757-466: The former af2. All assets of the Arena Football League were put up for auction. On November 11, 2009, the new league announced its intention to purchase the entire assets of the former AFL; the assets included the team names and logos of all but one of the former AFL and af2 teams. The lone exception was that of the Dallas Desperados ; Desperados owner Jerry Jones had purposely designed
5858-462: The four remaining teams, matching the size of the league in the original "demonstration season" in 1987 . However, the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the AFL and Arena Football League Players' Union (AFLPU) had expired after the 2017 season. A new agreement had not been made despite several proposals and supposed ultimatums between the two parties leading to rumors that the season and league's existence were in jeopardy. On March 16, 2018,
5959-415: The franchise. One month later, the league missed the deadline to formally ratify the new collective bargaining agreement and announced that it was eliminating health insurance for the players. Progress on the return stalled, and no announcements were made regarding the future of the league. On July 20, 2009, Sports Business Journal reported that the AFL owed approximately $ 14 million to its creditors and
6060-457: The historic Veterans Memorial Auditorium , and they inherited the tradition of the original Barnstormers. The team adopted the original unique uniforms, which in keeping with the aviation theme included the depiction of goggles on the helmets, wings on the shoulders of the jerseys, and propellers on the pants legs. The mascot, a dog named Ace, is featured in this helmet, along with the uniform jersey and pants. After being on hiatus for six seasons,
6161-407: The history of the league have enjoyed little success either on or off of the field of play. There were a number of franchises which existed in the form of a series of largely-unrelated teams with little to no continuity of either coaching staffs or players under numerous management groups until they folded. One example of several which could be cited is the New York CityHawks , whose owners transferred
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#17327807124726262-399: The host city's evident lack of interest in its team or the sport as a whole. The year 2000 brought heightened interest in the AFL. Then- St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner , who was MVP of Super Bowl XXXIV , was first noticed because he played quarterback for the AFL's Iowa Barnstormers . While many sports commentators and fans continued to ridicule the league, Warner's story gave
6363-414: The idea to a few friends at the NFL offices, where he received praise and encouragement for his concept. After solidifying the rules and a business plan, and supplemented with sketches by a professional artist, Foster presented his idea to various television networks. He reached an agreement with NBC for a "test game". Plans for arena football were put on hold in 1982 as the United States Football League
6464-508: The initial test game that Foster decided to put on a second, "showcase" game. The second game was held on February 27, 1987, at the Rosemont Horizon in Chicago with a budget of $ 20,000, quintuple the $ 4,000 for the test game. Foster also invited ESPN to send a film crew to the game; a highlights package aired on SportsCenter . Following the successes of his trial-run games, Foster moved ahead with his idea for arena football. He founded
6565-483: The league and the team". Shortly thereafter, an article in Sports Business Journal announced that the AFL had a tentative agreement to sell a $ 100 million stake in the league to Platinum Equity ; in exchange, Platinum Equity would create a centralized, single-entity business model that would streamline league and team operations and allow the league to be more profitable. Benson's move to shut down
6666-479: The league as a whole had filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, dissolving the league for the second time. Jim Foster , a promotions manager with the National Football League, conceived of indoor football while watching an indoor soccer match at Madison Square Garden in 1981. While at the game, he wrote his idea on a 9 x 12 envelope, with sketches of the field and notes on gameplay. He presented
6767-488: The league held a teleconference with the remaining team owners and issued a statement the next morning declaring that the league would continue in the long-term, although the league did not expressly commit to playing in 2017 at that time. On October 14, the AFL held a dispersal draft with the five teams selecting players from the Jacksonville, Los Angeles, Orlando, and Portland rosters. The Rattlers then officially left
6868-430: The league indicated that the AFL was working to secure new, long-term owners for the franchise. This left the AFL with eight teams for 2016 . On January 6, 2016, the league took over "ownership and operational control" of the Portland Thunder from its previous owners. The AFL stated this move was made after months of trying work out an arrangement "to provide financial and operational support." On February 3, 2016, it
6969-426: The league positive exposure, and it brought the league a new television deal with TNN , which, unlike ESPN, televised regular season games live. While it was not financially lucrative, it helped set the stage for what the league would become in the new millennium. The year also brought a spin-off league, the af2 , intended to be a developmental league , comparable to the National Football League 's NFL Europe . There
7070-679: The league staged its first All-Star Game in Des Moines, Iowa , the future home of the long-running Iowa Barnstormers , as a fundraiser for flood victims in the area . The National Conference defeated the American Conference 64–40 in front of a crowd of 7,189. The second All-Star event was in October 2013, with two games, the first in Honolulu , Hawai'i , the second being in Beijing , China. While some teams have enjoyed considerable on-field and even financial success, many teams in
7171-498: The league was in trouble and on the verge of folding, but owners denied those claims. It was soon revealed the players' union had agreed to cut the salary cap for the 2009 season to prevent a total cessation of operations. However, the announced Platinum Equity investment never materialized. Although the af2 played its tenth season in 2009, a conference call in December 2008 resulted in enough votes from owners and cooperation from
7272-401: The league's 32 seasons culminated in the ArenaBowl , with the winner being crowned the league's champion for that season. From 2000 to 2009, the AFL had its own developmental league , the af2 . The AFL played 22 seasons from 1987 to 2008; internal issues caused the league to cancel its 2009 season, though the af2 did play. Later that year both the AFL and af2 were dissolved and reorganized as
7373-605: The league's website on December 10, 2015, showed an eight-team league playing a 16-game regular season over 18 weeks, with two bye weeks for each team, one on a rotational basis and the other a "universal bye" for all teams during the Independence Day weekend, the first weekend in July. All teams qualified for the postseason, meaning that the regular season served only to establish seeding . On February 10, 2016, The Washington Post and radio station WTOP-FM first broke
7474-821: The league, with Jacksonville establishing the National Arena League and the Predators , after a period of dormancy, being reclaimed by some of its former players and also joining the NAL in 2019. The next day, it was reported that the Arizona Rattlers were in the planning stages to also leave the AFL for the Indoor Football League for 2017. In the same report, it was stated the Los Angeles Kiss and Portland Steel had apparently folded after both teams failed to return calls or respond to inquiries into 2017 season ticket purchases. Later on October 13,
7575-425: The management, and the team was subsequently quietly folded with no formal announcement ever being released. The AFL postponed the free agency period to October 31 due to Hurricane Sandy , noting that the National Football League was simultaneously doing the same thing with regard to its trade deadline. It was announced on December 12, 2012, that the AFL had reached a partnership agreement with NET10 Wireless to be
7676-821: The option of restoring historical names to their teams. In addition to the historical teams, the league added two new expansion franchises, the Dallas Vigilantes and the Jacksonville Sharks . For the 2011 season, the Philadelphia Soul , Kansas City Brigade , San Jose SaberCats, New Orleans VooDoo, and the Georgia Force returned to the AFL after having last played in 2008. However, the Grand Rapids Rampage, Colorado Crush, Columbus Destroyers, Los Angeles Avengers, and
7777-546: The road against the Milwaukee Mustangs . In a wild finish that saw both teams combine to score 24 points in the final 40.4 seconds of the fourth quarter, the Barnstormers won, 69–61. The next weekend, May 20, 1995, the Barnstormers played their first regular season home game against the Miami Hooters at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, winning 41–29. Behind the strength of AFL Coach of the Year John Gregory ,
7878-556: The same group which owned the NFL teams in their host cities, after NFL resolution to allow league owners to own the individual AFL clubs. Also, on February 8, 1999, the NFL purchased, but never exercised, an option to buy a major interest in the AFL (49.9%). Of all of these teams, only the Philadelphia Soul were still playing in the AFL in their last season before folding. In 2003, the season expanded to 16 games. There were also several rule changes in this period. In 2005, players were no longer allowed to run out of bounds. The only way for
7979-410: The season. After edging St. Louis and Albany in the first two rounds of the playoffs, the top-seeded Barnstormers lost a 42–38 heartbreaker at home to second-seeded Tampa Bay in ArenaBowl X . In 1997, the Barnstormers repeated as Central Division champions with an 11–3 record, including a 61–38 road thrashing of the rival Storm to avenge the previous season's ArenaBowl defeat. With the 2nd seed in
8080-551: The semifinals. After the season, he was hired away by the 2019 expansion team Tucson Sugar Skulls . Wooten was replaced by Ameer Ismail, the former head coach of the Massachusetts Pirates . However, he would not coach a game for the team as the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic . Longtime general manager John Pettit died in December 2020 after complications from COVID-19 and his daughter Juli
8181-466: The sidelines as is typical of high school sports venues. The Barnstormers organization constantly lobbied for the construction of a better facility during their time in Des Moines to no avail. The arena Football organization awarded an AF2 franchise to Iowa for the 2001 season , which continued the Barnstormer name. However, low attendance (less than half of the average of the AFL franchise) and
8282-564: The story that Monumental Sports & Entertainment ( Ted Leonsis , chairman), which also owns the NHL 's Washington Capitals , NBA 's Washington Wizards , and WNBA 's Washington Mystics , were "close to a deal" in bring a new expansion franchise to the Verizon Center . On March 10, 2016, AFL commissioner Scott Butera announced that the deal was finalized and that the new Washington, D.C., team would begin play in 2017. On July 14, 2016,
8383-573: The team from New York City to Hartford to become the New England Sea Wolves after two seasons, then after another two seasons were sold and became the Toronto Phantoms , which lasted another two seasons until folding. There are a number of reasons why these teams failed, including financially weak ownership groups, lack of deep financial support from some owners otherwise capable of providing it, lack of media exposure, and
8484-476: The team name was revealed as the Washington Valor . There was also talk for franchises to return to San Antonio and St. Louis as well as a potential new team for Sacramento. However, when the 2017 schedule was announced, there was no mention of any San Antonio, St. Louis, or Sacramento teams. On October 12, 2016, both the Orlando Predators and Jacksonville Sharks announced their departure from
8585-438: The team's helmet make the Barnstormers helmet one of the most recognized helmets in AFL history. In a 2008 Yahoo! article, the Barnstormers' helmet was ranked as the 8th best helmet in pro football history. Until 2012, the helmet was gold with black goggles; this was reversed beginning in the 2013 season. The Barnstormers' original uniform designed consisted of a gold helmet, and either black or white jerseys with gold numbers on
8686-493: The term "arena football" but knew little to nothing about the league itself. From the 1987 season until the late 1990s, the most exposure the league would receive was on ESPN, which aired tape-delayed games, often well after midnight, and often edited to match the allotted time slot. The league received its first taste of wide exposure in 1998, when Arena Bowl XII was televised nationally as part of ABC 's old Wide World of Sports . On July 23, 1989, much of America learned of
8787-446: The word "arena" from their logo as they are no longer with the Arena Football League, yet will retain the history of their time with the AFL. They did use the rebound nets they owned from their AFL days in 2015, but under IFL rules, any ball that hits the netting is a dead ball. The rebound nets were taken down in 2016 and replaced by the standard indoor football goalposts with netting surrounding each end zone. On July 11, 2016, Brannen
8888-496: Was a lot of expansion in the 2000s. Expansion teams included the Austin Wranglers , Carolina Cobras , Los Angeles Avengers , Chicago Rush , Detroit Fury , Dallas Desperados , Colorado Crush , New Orleans VooDoo , Philadelphia Soul , Nashville Kats , Kansas City Brigade , New York Dragons and Utah Blaze . Some of these teams, including the Crush, Desperados, Kats, and VooDoo, were owned for at least part of their existence by
8989-555: Was a professional arena football league in the United States. It was founded in 1986, but played its first official games in the 1987 season , making it the third longest-running professional football league in North America after the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the National Football League (NFL) until the AFL closed in 2019. The AFL played a formerly proprietary code known as arena football ,
9090-417: Was also noted that players currently under contract with the team were not obligated to remain with the club, essentially making them free agents. IFL commissioner Mike Allshouse commented: "This is a monumental day in the history of the Indoor Football League. These are exciting times for the IFL as we continue to improve and expand our business model." To adjust to their new league, the Barnstormers removed
9191-681: Was announced that the franchise would start from scratch and no longer be called the "Thunder" as the name and trademarks belong to former franchise owner Terry Emmert (similar to the Jerry Jones move with the Desperados). AFL commissioner Scott Butera announced that a new identity would be announced at a later date. On February 24, 2016, the Thunder were rebranded as the Portland Steel . The league's 2016 schedule , announced on
9292-421: Was considering filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. In early August 2009, numerous media outlets began reporting that 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
9393-623: Was fired as the Barnstormers head coach. On August 24, 2016, Brannen was replaced by Dixie Wooten. Wooten had been serving as the offensive coordinator for the Cedar Rapids Titans . In his second year as head coach, Wooten led the Barnstormers to their first championship on July 7, 2018, over the Sioux Falls Storm 42–38 in the United Bowl. Wooten led the team to a 12–2 record in 2019, but again lost to Sioux Falls in
9494-611: Was later announced by the league that the Power would go dormant for 2015 and were looking for new ownership. No new ownership group ever materialized, however. Jerry Kurz also stepped down as commissioner of the AFL as he was promoted to be the AFL's first president. Former Foxwoods CEO Scott Butera was hired as his successor as commissioner. On August 9, 2015, ESPN reported that the New Orleans VooDoo and Las Vegas Outlaws had ceased operations. On September 1, 2015,
9595-584: Was launched. Foster left the NFL to accept a position in the USFL. He eventually became executive vice-president with the Chicago Blitz , where he returned to his concept of arena football. In 1983, he began organizing the test game in his spare time from his job with the Blitz. By 1985, the USFL had ceased football operations and he began devoting all his time to arena football, and on April 27, 1986, his concept
9696-600: Was named the team's new general manager. The Barnstormers hired former Jacksonville Sharks head coach Les Moss for the 2021 season. Moss then brought former Albany Empire head coach Rob Keefe to Iowa after serving as Keefe's assistant in Albany. The Barnstormers finished 6–6 and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. Moss was released in September 2021. The Barnstormers then hired former Albany Empire assistant general manager Dave Mogensen as its head coach for
9797-461: Was played on June 19, 1987, between the Gladiators and Commandos at Pittsburgh Civic Arena in front of 12,117 fans. The game was deliberately not televised so that it could be analyzed and any follies and failures would not be subject to national public scrutiny. Following the inaugural game, tweaks and adjustments were made, and the first season continued. The Dynamite and Bruisers played in
9898-604: Was purchased by Charles Wang , who is also the Islanders' majority owner, and renamed the New York Dragons . Aside from the league's desire to re-enter the New York market, another major reason cited for the team's relocation was the inadequacy of their Des Moines venue, the Iowa Veterans Memorial Auditorium , also known as "The Barn". Most of the seats in this venue were located directly along
9999-606: Was realized when the test game was played. The test game was played in Rockford, Illinois , on April 27, 1986, at the Rockford MetroCentre . Sponsors were secured, and players and coaches from local colleges were recruited to volunteer to play for the teams, the Chicago Politicians and Rockford Metros , with the guarantee of a tryout should the league take off. Interest was high enough following
10100-541: Was removed when the team moved to the IFL. The circle logo also has wings on each side, with the words "Iowa" and "Barnstormers" on two lines above the circle logo. Below the logo was the words, "Des Moines." The team's colors consisted of black, gold and cardinal. The three colors are a combination of the Iowa Hawkeyes black and gold, and the Iowa State Cyclones cardinal and gold. The goggles on
10201-556: Was to be operated by the same ownership group as the Albany Empire. On February 7, 2019, the league re-added the Columbus Destroyers as another expansion team to bring the league back to six teams. On May 3, 2019, the AFL and ESPN Inc. announced a new media rights agreement to broadcast all games on ESPN3 with ArenaBowl XXXII to be broadcast on ESPN2 . After the season, league commissioner Boe announced
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