On February 11, 1981, while watching the Major Indoor Soccer League all-star game at Madison Square Garden, James F. Foster drew the outline of a miniature football field over a hockey rink on a manila envelope and penciled in notes on what would evolve into a curiously new and exciting adaptation of America's favorite team sport. The NFL marketing veteran had created a unique new game of "indoor" professional football that was quite distinct from the established outdoor game. He began with a proven sport -- American football -- and knowing that there was no room for competition with the NFL, he decided to create an indoor, summer "hybrid." In doing so, he applied the best of the outdoor game with innovative twists: 50-yard fields, eight-player single-platoon system, drop kicks and rebound nets.
Fascinating, complex new game piques fans' interest
In 1985, after the rise and fall of the USFL, Foster began to further develop the game. To measure public response, he conducted a "test game" in Rockford, Ill. on April 26, 1986. The response led to a "showcase game" February 26, 1987 at the Rosemont Horizon in Chicago. The game was enthusiastically greeted by 8,200 fans and set the stage for the national debut of the Arena Football League in June 1987. Four teams were fielded for the inaugural 1987 season: Chicago Bruisers, Denver Dynamite, Pittsburgh Gladiators and Washington Commandos. The Dynamite, led by QB Whit Taylor, defeated the Gladiators, 45-16, to become champions of ArenaBowl I before 13,232 fans in Pittsburgh's Civic Arena and a live ESPN audience. The average attendance in that inaugural season was 11,279. Firebirds swoop, Indoor War becomes rival-free A new era of "The 50-Yard Indoor War" unfolded in 1990. Foster and partners at Gridiron Enterprises, Inc. made the decision to sell licenses to investors in major markets, and thereby enabled private ownership of teams. March 27, 1990, the U.S. Patent Office issued patent No. 4,911,433 for the Arena Football Game System, making it the only sports league in history able to play a patented, rival-free game. The 1990 season also marked the debut of the Albany Firebirds, currently the league's longest-running team in its original city.
'Storm' warning looms, League-wide attendance skyrockets
Following the 1990 season, the league made its second venture onto foreign "turf." The Detroit Drive, a team comprised of five current members of the Arena Football Hall of Fame that would accumulate four championships from 1988-93, collided with the Dallas Texans before 14,257 fans in Paris, France. Back in America, the league expanded from 6 to 8 teams in 1991, including the debut of the Orlando Predators. Further south, the Tampa Bay Storm (formerly Pittsburgh Gladiators) established a single game attendance record with 24,445 fans versus Denver -- that record, however, was broken one year later by the same team. The league averaged an all-time high of 12,813 fans per game.
The 'Snakepit' comes to life, Wagner steps out on stage
The four-time winner of the NBA's Executive of the Year award, Jerry Colangelo, brought Arena Football to Phoenix in 1992. The Rattlers were, and still are, coached by former Dallas Cowboy great Danny White and averaged 15,505 fans in America West Arena (a.k.a. 'The Snakepit'). The league introduced divisional play for the first time while ESPN returned as its television network. On the field, the Predators "unleashed" Barry Wagner, who claimed the first of six consecutive Ironman of the Year awards. In 1993, both the Rattlers and Predators sold-out each home game. While at the Thunderdome in Tampa Bay, the league champions shattered their own attendance record for a regular season game (28,746 vs. Orlando) and playoff contest (21,111 vs. Albany).
Rattlers stun Predators, Milwaukee welcomes 'Arenaball'
The 1994 season was highlighted by great team accomplishment. Only a 40-39 loss to Tampa Bay in the final game of the season kept the Predators from becoming the seventh team in the history of professional football to go undefeated and untied in a regular season. Arizona became the lowest seed ever to win the league title, climbing from the third seed to upset Orlando, 36-31, in ArenaBowl VIII. The true meaning of "fan support" was demonstrated in Milwaukee as 14,232 fans per game struggled along with the expansion Mustangs through a 0-12 season.In 1995, the expansion Iowa Barnstormers, owned by Jim Foster, fell eight points short of an ArenaBowl IX appearance. The Barnstormers, in just three seasons under team owner Jim Foster, have vaulted to the No. 2 spot on the league's all-time winning percentage list.
Ten years later, fan total reaches one million for season
The league's 10th Anniversary season in 1996 proved to be record-setting. More than one million fans (1,400,344) attended the league's slate of games for the first time in history. Additionally, ESPN's broadcast of ArenaBowl X between the Storm and Iowa Barnstormers reached 1,037,582 households. On the field, Storm QB, and current head coach of the Predators, Jay Gruden, became the league's first 15,000-yard career passer.
Kats, 'Dogs, 'Hawks and Dragons make debut, Rattlers claim title before 17,436
The 1997 season marked David Baker's first as league commissioner, and what followed was a "high-scorin', heart-stoppin', helmet-poppin'" experience. In consecutive seasons, more than one million fans attended games. The Rattlers, who led the 14-team circuit with 15,980 fans per game, claimed their second championship in ArenaBowl XI against the Barnstormers before 17,436 fans, a team record. Three expansion teams joined the league in 1997: Nashville Kats, New Jersey Red Dogs and New York CityHawks. The Kats (12,283) and Red Dogs (11,660) ranked No. 5 and No. 7, respectively, in league-wide attendance average. The Portland Forest Dragons (formerly Memphis Pharaohs) averaged 9,517 per game in their first season in the Pacific Northwest despite a 2-12 record. On the year, five clubs averaged more than 50 points per game -- the league's per game combined point total reached an all-time high 91 points per game. The Red Dogs set a professional football record with 91 points versus the Texas Terror (now Houston ThunderBears) on June 20, 1997.
America's "best-kept" secret uncovered, ABC Sports announces landmark agreement
As witnessed by the league's average of more than 10,000 fans per game since 1993, Arena Football is no longer the "best-kept secret" in sports. ESPNChilton Sports Poll (June 1997) revealed that more than 40 million people know about the Arena Football League and 50 million have watched the game on television. In addition, Arena Football is more popular than Major League Soccer and professional tennis, and within five percentage points of professional golf and the NHL. The league's twelfth season will mark its first-ever appearance on national network television, as ABC Sports will televise ArenaBowl XII live on August 23, 1998. ESPN will televise 20 games, including the first-ever live "Monday Night" schedule. On top of that, the expansion Grand Rapids (MI) Rampage debut in 1998 with a new team in Buffalo, N.Y. set to begin play in 1999.
Arena Football's Historical Timeline
1981, James F. Foster attends indoor soccer game at Madison Square Garden, Feb. 11, 1981, and diagrams outline of miniature football field over hockey rink on manila envelope… from the diagram, sport of Arena Football is conceived.
1986, First "test game" between Rockford Metros and Chicago Politicians April 26, 1986 in Rockford, Ill.
1987, "Showcase game" between Chicago Bruisers and Miami Vise staged Feb. 26, 1987 at Rosemont Horizon before 8,257 spectators… inaugural four-team league -- Chicago Bruisers, Pittsburgh Gladiators, Denver Dynamite and Washington Commandos -- becomes official June 19, 1987… Led by QB Whit Taylor and head coach Tim Marcum, Dynamite defeats Gladiators, 45-16, and becomes league's first-ever champions (13,232 fans at Pittsburgh Civic Arena and live ESPN audience)… league's average attendance is 11,279 per game.
1988, Chicago Bruisers and Los Angeles Cobras plays to league's only tie game (37-37), as neither team scores in 7-minute overtime (under current rules, overtime is 15 minutes, with sudden death coming after each team has at least one possession)… Detroit Drive, owned by Little Caesar's Pizza mogul and Detroit Tigers owner Mike Ilitch, claima first of 4 championships… George LaFrance makes debut with Detroit, and goes on to become league's career leader in 6 statistical categories.
1989, Detroit Drive and Chicago Bruisers competes in league's first-ever European exhibition game -- Arenaball Transatlantic Challenge -- in London, Nov. 18, 1989.
1990, Albany Firebirds enters league, April 19, 1990, and is currently longest-running team in its original city… U.S. Patent Office issues patent No. 4,911,433 for Arena Football Game System, making it only sports league in history to play patented, rival-free game… Foster and partners at Gridiron Enterprises make decision to sell licenses to investors in major markets, and enables private ownership of teams… following 1990 season, Detroit Drive and Dallas Texans competes in Paris, France before 14,257 spectators.
1991, Phoenix Suns' owner Jerry Colangelo awarded expansion team Sept. 11, 1991 (Rattlers began play in 1992)… former Dallas Cowboy great Danny White named Rattlers' head coach Oct. 10, 1991… Orlando Predators join league… Pittsburgh Gladiators becomes Tampa Bay Storm… Storm sets then-all-time attendance record vs. Denver (24,445) July 13, 1991 at the ThunderDome… league attendance reaches all-time high 12,813 per game.
1992, Predators record league's only shutout June 13, 1992 vs. San Antonio Force (50-0)… in that game, San Antonio's Matt Franz misses 6 field goals… before sell-out crowd of 15,505 on June 13, 1992, expansion Rattlers defeat Sacramento Attack, 51-36, in first-ever-sporting event in America West Arena… Aug. 15, 1992 vs. Tampa Bay, Predators begins streak of 25 consecutive sell-outs (1992-1995)… June 19, 1992 at Orlando Arena, Barry Wagner catches 2 TD passes, winning two-point conversion, recovers on-sides kick and makes game-saving tackle - all in final 60 seconds - to give Orlando 50-49 win over Detroit in game that's been called "The Miracle Minute" (teams combine for 3 TDs, 2 two-point conversions, 3 turnovers, safety, 7 different possessions, and successfully recovered on-sides kick in final 46 seconds).
1993, Milwaukee awarded expansion team for 1994… Tampa Bay averages league-record 20,469 fans for 13-game schedule (previous best was Tampa Bay's 20,092 for 11-game schedule in 1992)… June 19, 1993 at ThunderDome, Storm breaks their single-game attendance record with 28,746 fans vs. Orlando (Storm lost that game, 46-45)… Predators, Rattlers sell-out entire home slate… Aug. 28, 1993 marks first all-star game played in Des Moines, Iowa before crowd of 7,189… game benefited victims of floodwaters that ravaged city during that year (National Conference defeats American Conference, 61-41).
1994, Only 40-39 loss to Tampa Bay in final game prevents Predators from becoming seventh team in history of professional football to go undefeated and untied in regular season… Arizona becomes lowest seed ever to win league title, climbing from third seed to upset Orlando, 36-31, in ArenaBowl VIII… San Jose awarded expansion team Dec. 7, 1994 (SaberCats began play in 1995)… first-year Mustangs average 14,232 fans despite 0-12 season… Des Moines, Iowa awarded expansion team Aug. 15, 1994 (Barnstormers began play in 1995).
1995, Tim Marcum named head coach of Storm, and would go on to win back-to-back titles in 1995 and '96… Iowa becomes first true expansion team to win first-round playoff game following defeat of Rattlers, Aug. 12, 1995… Sept. 1, 1995 before playoff record crowd of 25,087, Storm claim third title in 5 seasons following 48-35 win over Orlando… Predators' Barry Wagner becomes first player to claim both Ironman of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards.
1996, League's 10th anniversary… total attendance since 1987 tops 5 million and surpasses one million for season… ESPN's telecast of ArenaBowl X between Tampa Bay and Iowa viewed in 1,037,582 households… Aug. 8, 1996, Orlando defeats Anaheim, 50-44, in OT in league's longest game (68 mins., 45 secs.)… May 18, 1996, San Jose's Aaron Mills matches pro football record with 63-yard FG vs. Florida… Mustangs completes greatest single season turnaround in league history, improving by 6 wins (4-8 to 10-4)… Storm QB Jay Gruden becomes league's first 15,000-yard career passer… Nashville, New York, New Jersey awarded expansion teams (Kats, CityHawks, Red Dogs begin play in 1997).
1997, ESPNChilton Sports Poll (June 1997) reveals that more than 40 million people know about Arena Football League and 50 million have watched the game on television… Memphis Pharaohs become Portland Forest Dragons… in consecutive seasons; more than one million fans attend games… Rattlers lead 14-team attendance circuit with 15,980 per game and defeat Iowa in ArenaBowl XI before team record 17,436… five clubs average more than 50 points per game, league's per game combined point total is all-time high 91.0 per game… June 20, 1997, Red Dogs set professional football record with 91 points vs. Texas … Buffalo, N.Y. awarded expansion team Aug. 24, 1997 (team begins play in 1999).
1998, The debut of the Arena Football League on national network television was a success, with ArenaBowl XII on Sunday, August 23, 1998 earning a 1.6 rating on ABC's Wide World of Sports… an estimated television audience of more than two million watched the Orlando Predators earn their first-ever championship by defeating the Tampa Bay Storm, 62-31, before 17,222 fans in Tampa's Ice Palace… CNNSI.com, in coordination with broadcast.com, presented first-ever Webcast of the league's championship game… over 72 million people in the United States are fans of games played by the Arena Football League according to a 1998 ESPN Chilton Sports Poll… Arena Football League completed its purchase of the patent, trademark and copyrights associated with the Arena Football game worldwide from Gridiron Enterprises, Inc. (August 13)… Arena Football made its debut in Kansas City, Mo. (July 25) at Kemper Arena when Nashville defeated Florida in a regular season neutral site game before 7,967 fans… Tinactin products signed on as league's premier national sponsor… with his first pass against Portland on June 6, Milwaukee QB Todd Hammel surpassed Jay Gruden as Arena Football's career passing leader… in a ground-breaking move, AFL Board of Governors approved application of New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson to place an Arena League team in New Orleans for 2000 (Mr. Benson is the first-ever NFL team owner to apply for and purchase an Arena League team)… NFL owners amended bylaw to NFL Constitution on May 22 to allow NFL owners to acquire Arena League teams within their market... Texas Terror re-named Houston ThunderBears… Grand Rapids (MI) Rampage begins play… Los Angeles will begin play in 2000 -- the team is owned by Casey Wasserman.
(League History provided courtesy of the Arena Football League and for informational use only. Any other use is strictly prohibited.)