With the recent announcement of the revival of the Arena Football League in 2024, it was that the league will have 16 teams play ten games. The most burning question now is what cities will get a team in 2024. Well to help with this let us go back in time for some inspiration as to the teams who should return for the next chapter of the AFL.
1. The San Jose SaberCats.
If you read my proposal for the XFL you may recognize this name as it was one of the 32, I picked (yes 32 teams go read that article). This is a layup of a choice as the AFL is returning with some familiar faces from the SaberCats. So why not bring back the cats for one more go around?
2. The Arizona Rattlers
A team tied for the most Arena Bowls the Rattlers currently call the Indoor Football league home, but it is very likely with the history and pedigree that Arizona has in the AFL that we shall once again hear the rattlers before they strike. Also, the AFL league office is in Phoenix, so you know
3. The Tampa Bay Storm
The one team that has as many Arena Bowls as Arizona. Perhaps the most dominant team to ever grace the AFL. While the Storm folded in 2017 recent success by the Bucs has stirred up a football-hungry city and lightning may strike twice in Tampa.
4. The Cleveland Gladiators
Over 20 years of AFL football which was played in the Rock and Roll capital of America. They could never quite get over the hump and win an Arena Bowl but a shot at redemption is something the city of Cleveland knows very well.
5. The Georgia Force
This team managed to play for ten years in the AFL from 2002 to 2012. Even though they were an average team the city they played in at the time Duluth Georgia which is 29 minutes north of Atlanta never got a fair shake as the team came about during the financial hardships that had been plaguing the south around 2010. If they were moved to Atlanta however success may come their way.
6. The Jacksonville Sharks
Still playing ball today in the National Arena League the sharks started to play in 2010 and have had some success in 1 Arena Bowl and several NAL titles. Bringing back the Sharks would also bring back the Sharks Storm rivalry which would be an easy game to promote on TV.
7. New Orleans Voodoo
First off, the name is kick ass so that helps a lot. Second, they played from 2004 til 2015 in some capacity. If the AFL does not bring New Orleans in there may be a hex put upon the league.
8. The Orlando Predators
From 1991-2016 the Predators roamed the AFL claiming two Arena Bowls and starting the career of Jay Gruden as a coach. Bringing the Predators back in would be a true battle of Florida and bring a team to a football-starved city.
9. The Philadelphia Soul
One of the final members of the league the Soul won three Arena Bowls they lasted from 2004 until the league folded in 2019 so why not as the league is resurrected show that the body might die, but the Soul lives.
10. The Spokane Shock
A team that truly blazed a trail all their own as the Shock played in the AF2, AFL, and IFL in their 15-year run as a team only ending in 2021. Winning championships wherever they went. A market not known for sports yielded positive attendance for the team and showed that Spokane can and will support a team.
11. The Milwaukee Mustangs
A team that had multiple chances at life gets another after they were ham strung with their second coming as it happened during the aftermath of the 2008 collapse. A growing market could show that they are worthy of a big league team in the future just look at the Brewers.
12. The Dallas Desperados
The Desperados did damage in a league full of heavy hitters. They were, however, victims of the 2008 recession thus bringing them to justice far too soon so why not saddle up for another season?
13. The Grand Rapids Rampage
The one-time Arena Bowl champs played for ten years before much like many teams fell victim to the recession of 2008. However much like the Shock they show that some smaller markets are perfect for the AFL.
14. The Chicago Rush
From 2001 until 2013 the Rush dominated the Central division and claimed an Arena Bowl along the way. It would only be fitting to put a team in the city where the AFL began.
15. The Iowa Barnstormers
Since 1995 the Barnstormers have been playing Arena Football. The team that Kurt Warner played for before becoming the NFL hall of Famer he is today. It would only be fitting for the Barnstormers to fly home to AFL.
Now the final team could be one of the final teams that played for the AFL The Washington Valor the Albany Empire the Atlantic City Blackjacks, or the Baltimore Brigade. However, I think a different Brigade should take the final spot
16. The Kansas City Brigade
Not the Command the Brigade bring back the Captain Max Runway, Let the Sprint Center ring with air raid sirens and Zombie Nation after every score. Bring back the best logo in the history of the AFL with the stealth bomber and the most beautiful uniforms the league ever had.
As for the divisions, I would believe they would play out like this Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Georgia make up the Southeastern Division. Chicago, Kansas City, Iowa, and New Orleans are the Central. Cleveland, Philly, Milwaukee, and Grand Rapids are the Great Lakes division. Dallas, Arizona, Spokane, and San Jose are the Western Division
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