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2024 Arena Football League season

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2024 AFL season
LeagueArena Football League (2024)
SportArena football
DurationApril 27 – June 29, 2024
Number of teams16 (at start)
8 (after reorganization)
TV partner(s)NFL Network (never materialized)
Gray Television, VYRE, Arenafootball.live
CBS Sports Network (playoffs only)
ArenaBowl XXXIII
Finals championsBillings Outlaws
  Runners-upAlbany Firebirds
Finals MVPIsaac Harker
AFL seasons
2025 →
2024 Arena Football League season is located in the United States
Firebirds
Firebirds
Soul
Soul
Myth
Myth
Kats
Kats
VooDoo
VooDoo
Predators
Predators
Desert Hawks
Desert Hawks
Force
Force
Liberty
Liberty
Storm
Storm
Regulators
Regulators
Rampage
Rampage
Outlaws
Outlaws
Wolfpack
Wolfpack
Marshals
Marshals
Blackbears
Blackbears
class=notpageimage|
Active, Folded

The 2024 Arena Football League season was the first season in the new version of the Arena Football League (AFL), and the 33rd season of play in the history of the Arena Football League brand.

The 2024 season began April 27 with six games. The league was overshadowed by numerous problems and controversies (Especially during the first few weeks of the season.) Among them include the closures of multiple franchises, numerous cancellations of games, and the abrupt departure of the Philadelphia Soul players and staff, and the lack of payments handed out to most teams, resulting in questions about the league's future. The original commissioner of the league, Lee Hutton, was ultimately removed from his post following week 3 and was replaced with Nashville Kats chief advisor Jeff Fisher as interim commissioner in a unanimous vote among the remaining team owners. Eight of the 16 teams that started the 2024 season survived to the end of the regular season, with the Billings Outlaws winning ArenaBowl XXXIII over the de facto defending champion Albany Firebirds on July 19; the 8 surviving teams formed Arena Football One.

Background

[edit]

A year after its second shutdown, the Arena Football League trademarks and logo were bought out by Darren Arbet in 2020. Arbet is a former San Jose SaberCats head coach and was the head coach of the Indoor Football League's Bay Area Panthers. The trademark remained inactive until 2022, when a new website was set up.[1] The website was first noticed on December 12, 2022.[2] Two days later, a tweet from the league account was posted under a post from Tim Capper about the death of John Gregory (head coach of the Iowa Barnstormers), reading "Our thoughts and prayers have gone out to John's family." This tweet was later deleted, along with all the other tweets the Arena Football League Twitter account had up to that point. The new management assumed control of the Instagram account on around December 27 and deleted all posts on around January 6, and then took control of the Facebook account on January 16. On January 16, 2023, after a month of the first tweet, the Twitter account posted a picture of the league’s 2003-18 logo, with the caption #NewProfilePic.[3]

On February 1, 2023, the Arena Football League confirmed the rumors and announced its plans to return in 2024, over a year after the rights to the league were purchased by an investment group called F1 Sports & Entertainment.[4] The relaunched league, led by chairman Chris Chetty, president Anthony Rossi, president of operations Shan Singh, and commissioner Lee A. Hutton III, will feature 16 teams playing a 10-game season over the course of the summer months, followed by a postseason format that was later revealed on June 12, 2024. The league returned its logo to the one used from 2003 to 2018. The new iteration of the league will feature "streaming, betting, technology, (and) virtual reality" elements, per Rossi.

In a February 2023 interview with ArenaFan.com, the commissioner revealed that there had been discussions with potential ownership groups in New Orleans to relaunch the New Orleans VooDoo.[5] In an April interview, he revealed that they were looking to put teams in Philadelphia, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, and Jacksonville, while they also received offers to put a team in Mexico City.[6]

Teams

[edit]

Pre-launch

[edit]

On July 18, 2023, TMZ Sports initially reported that the AFL had selected the following cities that would be receiving new teams: Austin, Texas; Boise, Idaho; Bakersfield, California; Chicago, Illinois; Denver, Colorado; St. Paul, Minnesota; Lake Charles, Louisiana; Cincinnati, Ohio; Orlando, Florida; Salem, Oregon; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; St. Louis, Missouri; Tallahassee, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; Everett, Washington; and Odessa, Texas. [7] The league made the statement official on their Twitter page. Managers of Cincinnati's main indoor arena, the Heritage Bank Center, refuted the report, stating they had rejected the AFL's advances,[8] while the two college/university-owned arenas in the city both said they had not been approached and also would not be open to hosting the league.[9] Representatives with Lake Charles stated that their conversations with the league were still in preliminary phases (having advanced only to the point of informing the league what days their arena was available), and that although they were open to hosting the league, "it’s closer to not being true than being true at this time."[10] The city of Salem was also unaware of the AFL having discussions for placing a team in the city, but were open to hearing more about their plans.[11] In Everett, the manager of the city's only major arena, Angel of the Winds Arena, stated that he was only contacted by a potential ownership group several days after the announcement of teams. When reached for comment, Hutton stated he would only reveal information "on our time."[12] The league eventually secured an agreement with Angel of the Winds Arena in late September; the owners of the Everett franchise, led by the owner of the local semi-pro Everett Royals, noted that he had acquired the franchise after contacting the league after the announcement of cities in hopes of getting Royals players onto the squad, only to find that the league had not yet lined up an owner for the city's team at the time.[13]

On the same day as the TMZ report, the Orlando Predators and West Texas Warbirds (Odessa), who were both playing in the National Arena League, stated they were joining the new AFL, although the Warbirds later removed their Facebook post within the first week.[14][15] (The Warbirds later announced that they would be instead branding as the "Desert Hawks" for the 2024 season.[16]) In a statement to Philadelphia media, Hutton stated that the Philadelphia Soul was also expected to be revived, with Soul co-owner Ron Jaworski returning, if not as an owner then as a consultant.[17] Jaworski denied Hutton's claims.[18]

Among cities considered but ultimately not included, Atlantic City's financial terms were considered unrealistic,[17] Bossier City, Louisiana had too many schedule conflicts for 2024 but expressed interest in 2025,[19] while the Albany Empire—returning champions from the last AFL season in 2019—expressed interest in returning, but was initially unable to accept because of the excessive cost of worker's compensation in the state.[20] (The worker's compensation issue was later resolved, and the league announced a new iteration of the Albany Firebirds would join in 2024.) Neither Buffalo, nor Rochester, New York were considered, despite some interest from Bob Bartosiewicz, who previously owned the Rochester Raiders.[21]

In late 2023, three supposed expansion teams were announced as the "California Grizzlies", "Minnesota Myth", and "St. Louis Rampage". The teams were announced on their respective Instagram and X accounts.[22][23] However, league commissioner Hutton released a statement regarding the addition of these new team names. He stated on his X account, "Any information that concerns the Arena Football League must be endorsed by me or our CEO otherwise it is not reliable. AFL team name announcements will be coming soon for all locations. It is an exciting time as we make our mark to be bigger and better."[24] The Rampage later admitted to being a hoax supported by fans of the St. Louis Battlehawks.[25] Defector Media traced the California Grizzlies to Tim Carbajal, who operates a semi-pro spring football team in the area. Carbajal confirmed the Grizzlies' existence—and confirmed that he, under an alias, had contacted Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield inquiring about using the facility—but otherwise stated he was not at liberty to discuss further details due to Hutton's gag order.[26] The Myth were later revealed as Hutton's own franchise, nominally owned by his wife Diana,[27] who is partner in the Hutton law firm with him.[28] Observers in Boise noticed that the owner of Idaho Central Arena had renewed the domain name for the Boise Burn, a former af2 franchise, weeks before the announcement, and that the AFL was not bringing on the Idaho Horsemen, who play in nearby Nampa.[29] The proposed Tallahassee team was to be the Capital City Cyclones, as announced by a business associate of Cyclones owner Alton Walker,[30] but the Cyclones instead reverted to its previous name as the Tampa Bay Tornadoes and joined the International Football Alliance.[31]

On August 29, 2023, the league officially announced that the Billings Outlaws, formerly of Champions Indoor Football, would be the inaugural members of the new version of the league.[32] On August 31, the West Texas Desert Hawks (formerly the Warbirds) were the second team confirmed.[33] The Orlando Predators were the third team announced on September 25; with the announcement of the Predators, the league announced its intent to instead have 20 teams in its 2024 season, as it planned on absorbing three additional teams from Champions Indoor Football.[34] On October 5, 2023, Hutton appeared with the owners of three remaining CIF teams—the ICT Regulators of the Wichita metropolitan area, Salina Liberty and Southwest Kansas Storm in Dodge City— and CIF commissioner Mike McCoy as they announced the remainder of that league was merging into the AFL, with McCoy being named AFL deputy commissioner three weeks later.[35]

On October 2, 2023, it was announced that the Albany Firebirds name will be brought back and to play in the AFL for 2024. On October 6, 2023, it was officially announced that the Orlando Predators, Billings Outlaws, Southwest Kansas Storm, Salina Liberty, Wichita Regulators, and an Everett AFL team were announced. On October 25, 2023, the Oregon Blackbears were officially announced as the league's newest team. The league claimed that Kayvon Thibodeaux was the majority owner of the Blackbears, but Thibodeaux later denied this, stating that "the league used my name for publicity."[36] The league announced revivals of the Nashville Kats, Philadelphia Soul and Chicago Rush on November 1.

On November 16, 2023, in the AFL relaunch event, Hutton revealed the 16 teams who will play in the 2024 season, while he mentioned the league might expand in the future to 24 teams. He also referred to the original list of cities and revealed that other "leagues and individuals" (none specified) were trying to cancel teams contracts with the arenas and participated in "anti-competitive practices" to try to disturb the league's progress, which caused a move to different locations.[37]

Mid-season changes

[edit]

On May 2, 2024, the Iowa Rampage announced it had folded after one game, citing multiple broken promises from league management to cover increased expenses.[38] The Georgia Force abruptly folded a few days later[39] and on May 9, the Soul suspended operations for the remainder of the 2024 season with hopes of returning in 2025.[40]

On May 13, 2024, in an email from owner Diana Hutton, the Minnesota Myth became the fourth team to suspend operations, blaming it on an inability to raise necessary sponsorships because of "negative publicity" and accusing the owners of "sabotage" in order to force her husband Lee Hutton to resign as commissioner; Hutton confirmed the team's closure publicly a day later.[41][42]

In a press release, the Outlaws indicated that the league would contract to 10 teams for the remainder of the season: Washington, Billings, Rapid City, Southwest Kansas, Salina, West Texas, Wichita, Albany, Nashville, and Orlando, with the league remaining open to continue scheduling games with Oregon and "other teams not mentioned."[43] The Blackbears announced an agreement to continue in the league for the rest of the 2024 season on May 17.[44] The Cedar Rapids River Kings, recently severed from American Indoor Football due to owner misconduct, were added to the schedule as a non-league member for Week 5.[45] Rapid City folded on May 24, due to continued turmoil within the organization.[46] Oregon was again removed from the league on May 28, as incoming president Jared Widman announced that the league would be moving forward with only nine teams.[47]

Multiple sources indicated the West Texas Desert Hawks had ended their season June 18, four days before their last scheduled game and nine days after they had quietly fired their head coach.[48] Salina acknowledged the maneuver and scheduled the River Kings as their opponent for the planned matchup against West Texas.[49] The league confirmed that the Desert Hawks had withdrawn from their final game "for reasons that we will not disclose" on June 20 but that the team had not folded.[50] Desert Hawks owner Zack Bugg folded the team officially on June 21, citing arena concessions money disputes,[51] lingering issues tied to Hutton's promises, and the alleged embezzlement of the money Bugg had fronted to NFL Network to televise a game that the network never televised.[52][53]

Postseason

[edit]
See also: ArenaBowl XXXIII

The AFL announced the updated playoff schedule for the 2024 season on June 12, 2024. There will be six teams that make the playoffs and they will start on July 6, 2024, with two first-round games. In the semifinal round, July 13, 2024, the lowest-seeded winner of the first-round matchups will play the top seed, while the runner-up hosts the highest-seeded. All games for the first two rounds will be hosted by the higher seed. ArenaBowl XXXIII will be hosted at a neutral site, later revealed to be the American Dream Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Friday, July 19, 2024.[54]

Teams

[edit]
Team Location Arena Capacity Founded Folded Head coach
Active
Albany Firebirds Albany, New York MVP Arena 13,785 2023 - Damon Ware
Billings Outlaws Billings, Montana MetraPark First Interstate Arena 8,700 2021 - Cedric Walker
Nashville Kats Nashville, Tennessee Nashville Municipal Auditorium 8,000 2023 - Dean Cokinos
Orlando Predators Orlando, Florida Kia Center 17,192 2019 - E. J. Burt
Salina Liberty Salina, Kansas Tony's Pizza Events Center 7,583 2015 - Heron O'Neal
Southwest Kansas Storm Dodge City, Kansas United Wireless Arena 5,300 2021 - Gary Thomas[55]
Washington Wolfpack Everett, Washington Angel of the Winds Arena 8,149 2023 - J.R. Wells
Wichita Regulators Park City, Kansas Hartman Arena 5,000 2023 - Clinton Solomon
Folded
Georgia Force* Atlanta, Georgia Georgia State Convocation Center** 8,000 2023 2024 Durwood Roquemore
Iowa Rampage* Council Bluffs, Iowa Mid-America Center** 6,793 2023 2024 Tyus Jackson
Louisiana VooDoo* Lafayette, Louisiana Blackham Coliseum 7,450 2023 2024 James Shiver
Minnesota Myth* Minneapolis, Minnesota Target Center 17,500 2023 2024 Rickey Foggie
Oregon Blackbears* Salem, Oregon Oregon State Fairgrounds Pavilion 5,000 2023 2024 Chuck Jones
Philadelphia Soul* Philadelphia, Pennsylvania CURE Insurance Arena (3 games)** 7,605 2003 2024 Patrick Pimmel
Rapid City Marshals* Rapid City, South Dakota Summit Arena at The Monument[56] 10,000 2021 2024 Shon King
West Texas Desert Hawks* Odessa, Texas Ector County Coliseum 5,131 2019 2024 Chris Siegfried[57]

*-Team folded or deactivated during season

**-Planned Team did not play at home arena during season, Georgia was later turned into a traveling team until it folded

Players

[edit]

Players reported to training camp April 4, 2024. Each team carried 35-men rosters into training camp, while final roster cuts will take place on April 20, 2024, with regular season rosters set at 25 players.[58] Originally, the league used ironman rules, where most players must play both offense and defense, as originally used by the Arena Football League from 1987 to 2007, but cancelled the rule after week 4 and allowed free substitution.[59]

Partnerships

[edit]

American 7s Football League (A7FL)

[edit]
See also: A7FL

On January 16, 2024, the AFL announced a partnership with American 7s Football League (A7FL) for player development, as players can transfer between leagues, with the A7FL functioning as its de facto minor league. As part of the partnership, both leagues will collectively align on marketing efforts that "will elevate the visibility of leagues athletes".[60]

USA Football

[edit]
See also: USA Football

In November 2023, the league announced a multi-year partnership with USA Football naming the AFL as an "official national team development & scouting partner", with the AFL helping USA Football recruiting players who want to represent the United States in international competition.[61]

Standings

[edit]

On June 12, 2024, alongside the postseason announcement, the Arena Football League also outlined the seeding procedures for this season:[54]

  1. Winning percentage
  2. Head-to-head record
  3. Head-to-head points scored
  4. Average Points Scored per game played

The final standings for the 2024 season are as follows:

Team W L PCT PF PA
(1)Billings Outlaws 7 1 .875 374 232
(2)Albany Firebirds 7 2 .778 417 349
(3)Salina Liberty 6 2 .750 294 202
(4)Orlando Predators 5 2 .714 314 260
(5)Southwest Kansas Storm 4 5 .444 310 324
(6)Nashville Kats 3 4 .429 320 294
Wichita Regulators 2 6 .250 210 375
Washington Wolfpack 2 7 .222 267 372
Legend
(z) clinched indicated seed
(and home-field advantage if Seed 1)
clinched first-round bye
clinched playoff berth

The following teams achieved these results before their removal from the league, not including points scored:

Team W L PCT Date removed
Oregon Blackbears 3 1 .750 May 28, 2024
Louisiana VooDoo 1 1 .500 May 14, 2024
Iowa Rampage 1 1 .500 May 2, 2024
West Texas Desert Hawks 4 5 .444 June 18, 2024
Minnesota Myth 1 2 .333 May 13, 2024
Philadelphia Soul 0 2 .000 May 9, 2024
Georgia Force 0 2 .000 May 9, 2024[a]
Rapid City Marshals 0 3 .000 May 24, 2024
  1. ^ The Georgia Force folded minutes before the Philadelphia Soul suspended operations.

Season schedule

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]

Week 1

[edit]
Date Away team Result Home team Arena Broadcast Notes
April 27 Orlando Predators 59 62 Albany Firebirds MVP Arena Vyre.tv OT
Minnesota Myth 12 47 Nashville Kats Nashville Municipal Auditorium Gray Television [62]
Philadelphia Soul 18 53 Louisiana VooDoo Blackham Coliseum Gray Television [62] The Dallas Falcons of the American Arena League (AAL2) filled in for the Philadelphia Soul bearing the team jerseys, as Soul head coach Patrick Pimmel and almost the entire Soul roster abruptly resigned prior to leaving for Louisiana.[63]
Iowa Rampage 58 28 Rapid City Marshals Summit Arena at the Monument Arenafootball.live Gray Television [62]
Wichita Regulators 26 66 Billings Outlaws MetraPark First Interstate Arena Arenafootball.live Gray Television [62]
Washington Wolfpack 40 47 Oregon Blackbears Oregon State Fairgrounds Pavilion Arenafootball.live
April 28 Southwest Kansas Storm 40 43 Salina Liberty Tony's Pizza Events Center Vyre.tv
Georgia Force 28 51 West Texas Desert Hawks Ector County Coliseum Vyre.tv

Week 2

[edit]
Date Away team Result Home team Arena Broadcast Notes
May 2 Nashville Kats 41 51 Albany Firebirds MVP Arena Vyre.tv
May 4 Iowa Rampage 18 34 Southwest Kansas Storm United Wireless Arena Vyre.tv This was the Rampage's only game following their announcement to discontinue operations.
Georgia Force 24 63 Oregon Blackbears Oregon State Fairgrounds Pavilion KYKN
May 5 Billings Outlaws 49 12 Washington Wolfpack Angel of the Winds Arena AFL LIVE
West Texas Desert Hawks 30 14 Orlando Predators Kia Center Vyre.tv
Philadelphia Soul 12 47 Minnesota Myth Target Center Vyre.tv
May 6 Salina Liberty PPD Wichita Regulators Hartman Arena Gray Television [62] Postponed to June 15 due to severe weather in the Wichita vicinity.

Because of multiple problems before this week, some schedule changes took place, including the awards of bye weeks to the Louisiana VooDoo and the Rapid City Marshals.[64]

Week 3

[edit]
Date Away team Result Home team Arena Broadcast Notes
May 11 Billings Outlaws 2 0 Rapid City Marshals Summit Arena at the Monument The Marshals abruptly called a flash strike against the league office immediately prior to the start of this game, refusing to play and forcing their arena to issue refunds to ticket holders who had already arrived to see the contest.[65][66]
Orlando Predators 2 0 Louisiana VooDoo Blackham Coliseum The VooDoo suspended operations before this game. The Predators were awarded a forfeit win later in the season.
May 12 Salina Liberty 50 30 Nashville Kats Nashville Municipal Auditorium WPRT-FM The Oregon Blackbears cancelled their Week 3 matchup against Salina when it appeared they would have been a short-notice replacement for the West Texas Desert Hawks due to a court injunction against the latter, but the injunction was lifted and the Desert Hawks were allowed to play. Salina instead filled the place of the Philadelphia Soul in their scheduled game against Nashville.
West Texas Desert Hawks 34 21 Washington Wolfpack Angel of the Winds Arena This game marked history for the Arena Football League as Washington Wolfpack kicker Melissa Strother completed her first extra point in the season, making her the first female player to score a point in the league.[67]
Southwest Kansas Storm 42 44 Wichita Regulators Hartman Arena Gray Television [62]
May 13 Albany Firebirds 2 0 Minnesota Myth – YouTube[68] Originally scheduled for May 9 at Target Center but was moved to May 13 at MVP Arena due to a Minnesota Timberwolves playoff contest. The game was ultimately cancelled when the Myth could "not make the trip."

Week 4

[edit]
Date Away team Result Home team Arena Broadcast
May 16 Orlando Predators 50 39 West Texas Desert Hawks Ector County Coliseum Vyre, Gray Television
May 18 Wichita Regulators 26 58 Nashville Kats F&M Bank Arena
Clarksville, Tennessee		 YouTube
Oregon Blackbears 27 25 Washington Wolfpack Angel of the Winds Arena Vyre
Salina Liberty 35 54 Billings Outlaws MetraPark First Interstate Arena Vyre
May 19 Southwest Kansas Storm 15 66 Albany Firebirds MVP Arena YouTube

Week 5

[edit]
Date Away team Result Home team Arena Broadcast
May 23 Rapid City Marshals 20 76 Washington Wolfpack Angel of the Winds Arena Vyre
May 24 West Texas Desert Hawks 46 47 Albany Firebirds MVP Arena Vyre, YouTube
May 25 Wichita Regulators 25 54 Salina Liberty Tony's Pizza Events Center Gray Television [62]
Nashville Kats 62 69 Orlando Predators Kia Center Vyre

The Southwest Kansas Storm were originally scheduled to play the Billings Outlaws this week; on May 21, the Oregon Blackbears were assigned as the away team for the match, but Oregon declined the assignment "due to unforeseen circumstances" on May 23. The Storm instead hosted the Cedar Rapids River Kings, an independent team that had severed from American Indoor Football two weeks prior; the Storm won that game, 68–12.[45]

Week 6

[edit]
Date Away team Result Home team Arena Broadcast
June 1 Albany Firebirds 32 25 Nashville Kats Nashville Municipal Auditorium YouTube
Billings Outlaws 56 49 West Texas Desert Hawks Ector County Coliseum YouTube, Gray Television [62]
June 2 Salina Liberty 31 34 Southwest Kansas Storm United Wireless Arena YouTube

Week 7

[edit]
Date Away team Result Home team Arena Broadcast Notes
June 8 Albany Firebirds 73 70 West Texas Desert Hawks Ector County Coliseum YouTube, Gray Television [62] OT
Washington Wolfpack 7 42 Salina Liberty Tony's Pizza Events Center YouTube
Nashville Kats 57 54 Billings Outlaws MetraPark First Interstate Arena YouTube
June 9 Wichita Regulators 12 35 Southwest Kansas Storm United Wireless Arena YouTube

Week 8

[edit]
Date Away team Result Home team Arena Broadcast
June 15 Orlando Predators 57 49 Albany Firebirds MVP Arena YouTube
Salina Liberty 37 12 Wichita Regulators Hartman Arena YouTube
Washington Wolfpack 18 58 Billings Outlaws MetraPark First Interstate Arena YouTube
Southwest Kansas Storm 61 65 West Texas Desert Hawks Ector County Coliseum YouTube

Week 9

[edit]
Date Away team Result Home team Arena Broadcast
June 22 Albany Firebirds 35 36 Billings Outlaws MetraPark First Interstate Arena YouTube
Washington Wolfpack 47 46 Southwest Kansas Storm United Wireless Arena YouTube, Gray Television [62]
Orlando Predators 63 18 Wichita Regulators Hartman Arena YouTube

Following the suspension of operations of the West Texas Desert Hawks, the Cedar Rapids River Kings once again stepped in to fill in as Salina Liberty's opponent this week. As the River Kings game is non-league, West Texas is considered to have forfeited their game (and thus technically completed their season) and Salina was awarded the original game 2–0. Likewise, the league's YouTube channel will not carry the game, which will instead be streamed by Eagle Communications.[69] Salina defeated Cedar Rapids 85–18.

Week 10

[edit]
Date Away team Result Home team Arena Broadcast
June 29 Wichita Regulators 48 21 Washington Wolfpack Angel of the Winds Arena YouTube

On June 26, the league decided to cancel the majority of games this week and declare the remaining six teams in the playoffs. Only the Regulators-Wolfpack game remained as scheduled, as both teams were already eliminated from the playoffs by that point.

Postseason

[edit]
 
Round 1Semi-finalsFinal
 
          
 
July 6 – Tony's Pizza Events Center
 
 
5
Southwest Kansas Storm		35
 
July 13 – MVP Arena
 
3
Salina Liberty		41
 
3
Salina Liberty		59
 
 
2
Albany Firebirds		80
 
 
July 19 – American Dream Center
 
 
2
Albany Firebirds		41
 
July 5 – Kia Center
 
1
Billings Outlaws		46
 
6
Nashville Kats		62
 
July 13 – MetraPark First Interstate Arena
 
4
Orlando Predators		32
 
6
Nashville Kats		32
 
 
1
Billings Outlaws		35
 
 
 
 

To allow for easier travel for all involved teams, Nashville was scheduled to play Orlando and Southwest Kansas was scheduled to play Salina in the first round.

Round 1

[edit]
Round One: Nashville Kats 62, Orlando Predators 32–Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Nashville Kats 21 15 131362
Orlando Predators 7 13 01232

at Kia Center, Orlando, Florida

Round One: Southwest Kansas Storm 41, Salina Liberty 35–Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Southwest Kansas Storm 12 6 9835
Salina Liberty 7 24 01041

at Tony's Pizza Events Center, Salina, Kansas

Semifinal

[edit]
Semifinal: Salina Liberty vs Albany Firebirds–Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Salina Liberty 13 29 51259
Albany Firebirds 15 29 152180

at MVP Arena, Albany, New York

Semifinal: Nashville Kats vs. Billings Outlaws–Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Nashville Kats 0 14 21632
Billings Outlaws 0 14 12935

at MetraPark First Interstate Arena, Billings, Montana

ArenaBowl XXXIII

[edit]
Arena Bowl XXXIII–Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Albany Firebirds 0 13 161241
Billings Outlaws 3 14 161346

at American Dream Center, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

Awards

[edit]

League finances

[edit]

In a February 2023 interview with ArenaFan.com, Hutton mentioned that the league would have a salary cap of $700,000, but the league will allow additional salary spending for "franchise players".[6] According to Force quarterback Justin Arth, players were promised a $1,000 per-game salary.[72] While most teams were responsible to pay the full amount, teams that were brought in through the Champions Indoor Football merger were promised a 75% subsidy from the league to cover the increased salaries ($750 per player, per week), a subsidy that was never delivered.[73]

In week 3, Washington and Rapid City both renegotiated their player contracts to a "competitive indoor football salary".[74][75][76]

The higher salaries also reflected the expectation that most players other than quarterbacks would have been required to play both offense and defense, reimplementing the one-platoon system that the original AFL had used from its 1987 launch until 2007. As part of the reorganization, free substitution was restored prior to the Week 4 contests.[77]

Business partnerships

[edit]

On July 18, 2023, the AFL announced a partnership with HUMBL, as the "Official Technology Platform of the AFL", through the 2028 season.[78] On February 28, 2024, the league signed "Official Partnership" deal with BSN Sports for official uniform and equipment.[79]

Media

[edit]

On the AFL relaunch event Hutton declared that the league’s games "will be broadcast, streamed and will also be available in VR".[37] In March the NFL announced that NFL Network will carry 30 games of the 2024 AFL season (games will also be streamed on NFL+).[80] No games have yet aired on the network, which thus far has removed all future schedulings of AFL contests as of week 2.[81] with a spokesman for the Albany Firebirds stating that the network had been "scared off by some of the smaller teams."[82] Oregon Blackbears president Patrick Johnson, who had opposed the television deal and expressed relief that it had been cancelled, described the agreement as predatory, in that NFL Network would keep a $430,000 annual brokered programming fee and would not allow the league to sell any advertising during the games, instead collecting all the advertising revenue for themselves on top of the fee. NFL Network stated that the production company that would have produced the games never received any payment for them, and thus the network would not be carrying any games for the 2024 season.[83] West Texas owner Zack Bugg stated that, contrary to NFL Network's accusation, he had personally paid the money to have one of the games televised and suspected Hutton may have embezzled the money.[84]

The league announced on March 29 that much of the league's schedule will be carried on Gray Television owned-and-operated stations in each team's home market and in regional syndication.[85] After NFL Network cancelled the agreement with the league, most of the planned games that were schedule to be broadcast on the network were moved to VYRE streaming services, while other games were streamed via Arenafootball.live and the Albany Firebirds resorted to using their own team YouTube channel to stream its games. The Nashville Kats and Oregon Blackbears did not have any home games televised due to infrastructure issues at their home arenas for the first several weeks, with their games carried solely on radio via WPRT-FM and KYKN, respectively. Nashville would eventually begin carrying games on YouTube.

Prior to the 2024 playoffs, the league announced a cable and satellite television deal with CBS Sports Network to carry the entirety of the tournament. The same network had been the original league's television partner from 2013 to 2018.[86]

In January 2024 the league launched an official podcast for the 2024 season available on YouTube,[87] Spotify,[88] and other platforms.

Controversy

[edit]

The return of the AFL was marked with multiple controversies throughout the first few weeks, with unpaid bills, players getting kicked out of hotels, replacement teams and players refusing to come out of the home locker room until they were paid.[89][90] Those issues, stemming from misconduct by the league commissioner Lee Hutton III, caused five teams to suspend operations and cancelling the broadcast agreement with the NFL Network.[91][92][93][94]

After cancelling a May 9 home game, the Minnesota Myth folded on May 13, with owner Diana Hutton accusing the league of attempting to sabotage the team in order to force her husband to resign, which he refused to do.[95] Because league central operations were run through the Myth business entity,[96] this caused a crisis with the remainder of the league; in a reported emergency meeting of the remaining teams on May 14, the league's owners, in cooperation with the holding company that holds the AFL's intellectual properties, voted to appoint Nashville Kats president Jeff Fisher as interim commissioner to salvage the remainder of the season.[97][98] This is despite a league bylaw that was believed to have granted Hutton total immunity from ouster by league owners;[75] the ouster was made with the full cooperation of G6 Sports Group (owners of the trademarks and connected to the original F1 group that had founded the revival), who had suggested Fisher for the position.[99]

Signees to outdoor professional leagues

[edit]

The following players signed with NFL, UFL or CFL teams following their involvement with Arena Football League in 2024:

NFL

[edit]
Player Position AFL team NFL team Ref.
Cory Curtis QB Desert Hawks Seattle Seahawks [100]
Desmond Bland C Storm New Orleans Saints [101]
Cade Brewer TE Kats San Francisco 49ers [102]

UFL

[edit]
Player Position AFL team UFL team Ref.
Jeremy Cox RB Storm Arlington Renegades [103]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Official Website of the AFL". Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  2. ^ @zachkeilman (December 13, 2022). "So some good folks on the @InWallsPod Discord just brought this to my attention: That website is new BTW" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  3. ^ @officialafl (January 16, 2023). "#NewProfilePic" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. ^ "News: Arena Football League Relaunch The Arena Football League (AFL) - The AFL Returns in 2024!". demosite475.footballshift.com (Press release). February 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  5. ^ AFL Rewind Exclusive: AFL Commissioner Lee Hutton. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  6. ^ a b AFL Rewind Exclusive: AFL Commissioner Lee Hutton - April Update. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  7. ^ "16 ORG. LOCATIONS REVEALED Chicago, Philly Get Teams". July 18, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  8. ^ Springer, Scott (July 19, 2023). "Cincinnati arena football team won't be at Heritage Bank Center". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  9. ^ Watkins, Steve (July 19, 2023). "Heritage Bank Center GM Ropp says Cincinnati's Arena Football League team won't play there". Cincinnati Business Courier. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  10. ^ Manning, Johnathan (July 19, 2023). "Lake Charles officials address rumors of Arena Football League team". KPLC-TV. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  11. ^ Streng, Nik (July 19, 2023). "New Oregon Arena Football League team based in Salem seems to be a surprise to all: 'We look forward to learning more'". The Oregonian.
  12. ^ Goldstein-Street, Jake (August 8, 2023). "After announcement, Everett's arena football team still seeking arena". HeraldNet.com. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  13. ^ Goldstein-Street, Jake (September 26, 2023). "Everett's new arena football team announces owners, coach". HeraldNet.com. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  14. ^ "Arena Football League makes return to Orlando with Predators name". Orland Business Journal. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  15. ^ "WTX Warbird Football". Facebook. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  16. ^ "Teaser video announcing the team name change". Facebook. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  17. ^ a b Bansil, Sapna (July 20, 2023). "Philadelphia Soul expected to return as the Arena Football League plans a 2024 relaunch". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  18. ^ George, John (November 14, 2023). "Ron Jaworski says he will not be part of resurrected Philadelphia Soul". Philadelphia Business Journal. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  19. ^ Lowe, Megan (July 25, 2023). "Bossier City on Arena Football League radar". Shreveport-Bossier Journal. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  20. ^ Singelais, Mark (July 20, 2023). "Arena GM: Workers' comp stands in way of arena football return". Times Union. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  21. ^ Petro, Mike (February 23, 2023). "Would an Arena Football League team ever work again in Buffalo?". The Buffalo News. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  22. ^ "California Grizzlies". Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  23. ^ "Minnesota Myth". Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  24. ^ Hutton, Lee (July 31, 2023). "OFFICIAL AFL STATEMENT". Arena Football League. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  25. ^ St. Louis Rampage [@STLRampageAFL] (July 31, 2023). "Well, uhh... we got em'. Congratulations AFL, you finally noticed. This is what happens when you just announce locations and not ownership, arenas, team mascots, etc. This is not how you run a football league. Get everything prepared before you do something" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  26. ^ McKenna, Dave (August 1, 2023). "Arena Football League Relaunch Comes As Surprise To Cities That Will Allegedly Have Teams". Defector. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  27. ^ David Griswold (November 14, 2023). "AFL announces nickname, owner, head coach of Minnesota team". KARE. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  28. ^ Professionals. Hutton Law Firm. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  29. ^ Day, Don (July 18, 2023). "An upstart football league says it will field a pro team in Boise, but there are few specifics". BoiseDev. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  30. ^ Jeffery Singletary [@HuddleTouch_CEO] (August 26, 2023). "The New Arena Football League: Capital City Cyclones. The owner Alton Walker, team chaplain Kenny Muldrow, & Huddle Touch CEO Jeffrey Singletary. The Battle for the Capital! Piercing the darkness with the light of the Gospel!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  31. ^ International Football Alliance (section: Our Teams). "Tampa Tornadoes: Located in Tampa Bay, led by Alton Walker and investment group. Multiple years of professional guidance in the arena and outdoors." Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  32. ^ "OUTLAWS JOIN AFL FOR 2024 SEASON". BillingsOutlaws.com. August 29, 2023.
  33. ^ "Arena Football League announces that the West Texas Desert Hawks will be the newest franchise". NewsWest9. August 31, 2023.
  34. ^ "Orlando Predators prepare Arena Football League return with concerts and more". Orlando Business Journal. September 27, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  35. ^ Press conference posted by the ICT Regulators
  36. ^ Anthony I Carter [@acarter_TV] (May 26, 2024). "NEW: New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux told me that he was never part of the Oregon Blackbears ownership group as previously announced by the Arena Football League. Thibodeaux said, "the league used my name for publicity"" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  37. ^ a b "AFL Launch Event New York". Arena Football League.
  38. ^ Parsons, McKenzy (May 2, 2024). "Iowa's AFL team discontinues operations at start of their first season". KETV. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  39. ^ Arth, Justin [@JustinArthQB] (May 9, 2024). "The Georgia Force has officially folded and @OfficialAFL has yet to pay me or my teammates salaries for the first two games we played in. I personally have spent money to make sure my teammates can eat. And have run out of money that affects me going to another team out of state" (Tweet). Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Twitter.
  40. ^ As announced by GM Kelly Logan, the Philadelphia Soul will be “taking a pause” for the 2024 season, with goals to return to play in 2025. We look forward to bringing Soul football back for all of #SoulNation next year.
  41. ^ Anthony Carter (May 13, 2024). "Minnesota Myth cancels 2024 season, players informed to return home immediately". Arena Insider. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  42. ^ Day, Jeff (May 14, 2024). "Arena Football League's Minnesota Myth, once coached by Rickey Foggie, shut down after two games". Star Tribune. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  43. ^ FISHER IN AS AFL COMMISSIONER. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  44. ^ Oregon Blackbears [@OregonAFL] (May 17, 2024). "In a dramatic turn of events, the Oregon Blackbears executive team has agreed in principle with (the Arena Football League) on a new licensing agreement that allows for the completion of the 2024 season and the addition back onto the remaining 2024 AFL schedule" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  45. ^ a b "Schedule change has Billings Outlaws next playing June 1 at West Texas". 406 MT SPORTS. May 23, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  46. ^ "Rapid City Marshals cease of operations citing 'insurmountable obstacle'". NewsCenter1.tv. May 24, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  47. ^ "Arena Football League (AFL) Appoints New President & COO Jared Widman". OurSportsCentral. May 28, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  48. ^ Carter, Anthony (June 18, 2024). "REPORT: West Texas Desert Hawks suspend operations". Arena Insider. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  49. ^ It's official....the AFL has secured another opponent for Saturday, June 22nd. The Cedar Rapids Riverkings out of professional American Indoor Football are coming to town... Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  50. ^ Kelly, Michael (June 20, 2024). "West Texas Desert Hawks ending AFL season early". Times Union. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  51. ^ Brooks-Davis, Jair Ascencio (June 22, 2024). "West Texas Desert Hawks closing down. Zack Bugg steps down as owner". KOSA. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  52. ^ Bauer, Michael (June 22, 2024). "ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE: West Texas Desert Hawks officially fold". Odessa American. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  53. ^ "West Texas Desert Hawks shutting down". newswest9.com. June 21, 2024. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  54. ^ a b "AFL Teams and Leadership Announce Playoff Format for 2024". June 15, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  55. ^ "Change of Leadership going into the '24 Season". Southwest Kansas Storm. July 26, 2023.
  56. ^ "Rapid City Marshals". The Monument. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  57. ^ "Report West Texas Desert Hawks Suspend Operations". June 20, 2024.
  58. ^ Glennon, John (April 5, 2024). "Nashville Kats ready to open training camp at Lipscomb". Nashville Post.
  59. ^ ArenaFan.com [@ArenaFan] (May 21, 2024). "As reported in @406mtsports, prior to the @outlawsafl game vs @salina_liberty Saturday, both teams were informed that the @OfficialAFL was shifting from ironman rules, where a majority of players play both ways, to free substitution" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  60. ^ "Arena Football League and American 7s Football League Announce Strategic Partnership". OurSports Central. January 16, 2024.
  61. ^ "USA Football and AFL Announce Partnership". OurSports Central. November 15, 2023.
  62. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Subject to Change - Gray/AFL Schedule". KWCH-DT. March 27, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  63. ^ Florio, Mike (April 29, 2024). "Arena Football League returns with a thud". Pro Football Talk. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  64. ^ "AFL Week 2 Schedule: Game And Streaming Updates". arenafootballusa.com. May 2, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  65. ^ Statement from Summit Arena at the Monument, May 11, 2024
  66. ^ Statement from Billings Outlaws owner Steven Titus, May 11, 2024
  67. ^ Patterson, Nick (May 13, 2024). "Wolfpack make history, but fall 34-21 to West Texas". HeraldNet.com.
  68. ^ AFL Football Week 3 - Minnesota Myth vs Albany Firebirds
  69. ^ Henry, Tyler (June 20, 2024). SCHEDULE CHANGE: Liberty to play Cedar Rapids Riverkings on Saturday. SalinaPost.com. Eagle Communications. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  70. ^ "Kats Stun Predators, 62-32". Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  71. ^ "Liberty Hold off the Storm 41-34". July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  72. ^ Silverman, Robert (May 20, 2024). "Inside the Collapse of the Arena Football League's Georgia Force". Front Office Sports. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  73. ^ Letasky, John (May 11, 2024). "While on the field warming up, Billings Outlaws find out game at Rapid City is canceled". 406 MT SPORTS. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  74. ^ "Relaunched AFL contracts after just 3 games; Washington Wolfpack still in". The Seattle Times. May 18, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  75. ^ a b Lind, Andrew (May 9, 2024). "NEW: 'Owners can't vote him out,' Q&A with Marshals Co-Owner Wes Johnson". KOTA-TV. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  76. ^ "Wolfpack Tackle Challenges Presented by AFL Struggles, Changes". OurSports Central. May 17, 2024.
  77. ^ Letasky, John (May 18, 2024). "Billings Outlaws spoil Heron O'Neal's homecoming in big victory over Salina Liberty". 406 MT SPORTS. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  78. ^ "HUMBL Selected as the Official Technology Platform of the Arena Football League Through 2028 Season". GlobeNewswire (Press release). July 18, 2023.
  79. ^ "BSN SPORTS Announces Exclusive Partnership With Arena Football League". Arena Football League.
  80. ^ "NFL Network to televise Arena Football League (AFL), Overtime's football league (OT7) games this spring". NFL.
  81. ^ "Arena Football League is off the NFL Network schedule, through next Thursday". NBC Sports. May 2, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  82. ^ Kelly, Michael. "Arena Football League team drops out, back in for Week 2". Times Union. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  83. ^ "Arena Football League pulled from NFL Network amidst chaos, unpaid bills, and replacement players". AwfulAnnouncing.com. May 3, 2024.
  84. ^ Bauer, Michael (June 22, 2024). "ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE: West Texas Desert Hawks officially fold". Odessa American. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  85. ^ "Gray Television Partners to Bring the Arena Football League Viewers Free Over-The-Air Starting April 27". KWCH. March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  86. ^ Glennon, John (July 3, 2024). "Kats, Arena Football League reach TV deal with CBS Sports Network". Nashville Post. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  87. ^ "Arena Football League - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  88. ^ "Arena Football League Podcast". Spotify. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  89. ^ "DEVELOPING: Marshals players 'refuse' to come out of locker room". KOTA. May 12, 2024.
  90. ^ "NEW: 'Owners can't vote him out,' Q&A with Marshals Co-Owner Wes Johnson". KOTA. May 9, 2024.
  91. ^ "Folding Franchises, Cattle Fencing, a Nixed TV Deal: Can the AFL Survive?". Front Office Sports. May 6, 2024.
  92. ^ McKenna, Dave (May 5, 2024). "Is The Newest Arena Football League Already Collapsing?". Defector. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  93. ^ "Arena Football League Return Marred by a Multitude of Failed Promises". UFL News Hub. May 4, 2024.
  94. ^ "Arena Football League team drops out, back in for Week 2". Times Union.
  95. ^ Skluzacek, Josh (May 13, 2024). "Minnesota Myth shutting down 2 weeks into season". KSTP-TV. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  96. ^ McLendon, Natalie (May 20, 2024). "UL-Lafayette owed more than $30,000 after Arena Football League team folds". Louisiana Illuminator. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  97. ^ Mike Moraitis (May 14, 2024). "AFL appointing Jeff Fisher as interim commissioner, per report". TitansWire at USA Today Sports. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  98. ^ Organ, Mike. "Former Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher named Arena Football League interim commissioner". The Tennessean. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  99. ^ Organ, Mike. "Former Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher named Arena Football League interim commissioner". The Tennessean. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  100. ^ Andrew Pettit [@AndrewCPettit] (April 30, 2024). "@OfficialAFL players who have signed with NFL teams in recent weeks: Cory Curtis, Quarterback - West Texas Desert Hawks: Signed w / @Seahawks Desmond Bland, Center - Southwest Kansas Storm: Signed w / @Saints Cade Brewer, Tight End - Nashville Kats: Signed w / @49ers" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  101. ^ "Arena Football Player was signed by the New Orleans Saints two hours before kickoff". NFL Draft Diamonds. April 29, 2024.
  102. ^ Nashville Kats [@NashvilleKatsFB] (April 30, 2024). "Join us in celebrating Cade Brewer being called up to the San Francisco 49ers! Best of luck, Cade—we're all rooting for you!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  103. ^ Southwest Kansas Storm [@SWKStormFB] (May 21, 2024). "Today we say goodbye to RB Jeremy Cox as he is heading to The Arlington Renegades of the UFL! We are going to miss his play and leadership dearly, but wish him nothing but the best in the next step of his career!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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