Tennessee River Sharks

The Tennessee River Sharks were a professional indoor football team based in East Ridge, Tennessee, a suburb of Chattanooga. They were part of the now-defunct National Indoor Football League (NIFL) and played their home games at Camp Jordan Arena.

History

The team was established in 2006 by owner Jamie LaMunyon, who had a history of starting and folding minor league sports teams. The general manager and head coach of the River Sharks was Chris Carter, who had previous experience in coaching but was drawn into the turbulent management of the team.

The River Sharks managed to start the 2006 season with a 5-2 record. However, financial difficulties quickly plagued the team. Players were reportedly unpaid, and the financial instability of the franchise became apparent. The team eventually folded before completing their inaugural season. The team's downfall was marked by a significant loss in Cincinnati, after which the team ceased operations.

Legacy

Following the disbandment of the team, Coach Chris Carter distanced himself from the situation and later took on a role as a high school football coach. The Tennessee River Sharks are remembered as a cautionary tale of the instability that often plagued lower-tier professional sports teams during this era.