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 Team and League History

 
  

April 1999

  
         
    Xtreme Football League logoThe formation of the Xtreme Football League is announced at a news conference in Birmingham. The XFL will be an Eastern U.S. indoor football league. The plans are to begin play in April 2000 with 10 to 12 teams committed by June 1. The XFL's playing season will be April through August.

Local sports entrepreneur Art Clarkson will serve as acting Commissioner of the league as well as own the Tennessee Valley (Huntsville, AL) franchise. Clarkson is responsible for bringing back both baseball and hockey to Birmingham years ago when he organized the Birmingham Barons and the Birmingham Bulls. Both teams are still in operation. Clarkson is no longer involved with either franchise, however. Clarkson said, "We're leaning more toward taking the outside game indoors. We'll have offensive and defensive teams with no nets. We are going to entertain people. That's the bottom line." Plans are to have eight players on a side from each team, a twenty-two man roster and a sixteen game schedule. The field size will be 200-feet long and 85-feet wide. Also, each team in the league will have territorial rights to former players from local colleges. Clarkson said, "We have to have a common draft, territorial rights and be in a position where you don't get into a bidding war over players. Once you do that, you're out of business." The league will be divided into two geographical divisions and a two-tiered postseason playoff will determine the league champion. Ticket prices are expected to average around $10. Games will be played on Friday and Saturday nights.

The Birmingham team will be owned by David Berkman, Charles Felix and Bruce Burge, the same ownership group that purchased the Birmingham Bulls of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) from Clarkson last year. The group will also own the Jacksonville (FL) and Pensacola (FL) franchises. Felix said no nickname, colors or logos have been chosen for the Birmingham team yet. "The people are the best ones to name the team," he said. "We're going to have a contest and hope to select a name within the next 60 days."

Clarkson named the cities that have already committed: Birmingham, Greenville (SC), Tennessee Valley (Huntsville, AL), Jacksonville, Norfolk (VA), Pensacola, Richmond (VA), Roanoke (VA) and Tallahassee (FL). Other cities that may join the league include: Charleston (SC), Fayetteville (NC), Winston-Salem (NC). While most of the teams will be owned by current ECHL owners, many of them have failed in other sporting endeavors before. Their Eastern Indoor Soccer League folded last season after just two years of action. Clarkson said, "We're going to have some fun with this thing. That's the idea of the league. If the teams remember people want to have fun, they'll be successful."

Franchises in the new league, now going for $75,000, will be owned in part or in whole mostly by existing ECHL owners. This will allow those owners to use their hockey teams' support and office staff to reduce costs. Maximum team budgets will be around $600,000, which is roughly half of most Arena Football League (AFL) budgets. Each team needs to average at least 5,000 fans per game to break even.

The XFL will face some stiff competition next year. The AFL plans to organize their own minor league called arenafootball2 (af2), that would play in smaller markets. In addition, the Indoor Professional Football League (IPFL) operates franchises from Baton Rouge to Hawaii. Another problem for the XFL could be securing a television deal. ESPN shows AFL games, while springs at Fox are filled with Major League Baseball. "We're working on a TV deal," Clarkson said. "Certainly, you can survive without TV. There's not a minor-league sport that's television-generated. We've got to be arena-driven."

  
         
  

June 1999

  
         
      XFL acting Commissioner Art Clarkson was quoted as saying, "The XFL is still a league in formation. When we open next April - and we will - it may be different from what it is now. This is a tier-two professional sport. The budgets are geared toward the market. If the owners don't get crazy, we will be successful. If they do, we won't." Biloxi (MS), Greensboro (NC), Lafayette (LA) and Little Rock (AR) were also mentioned as possible franchise sites.   
         
  

July 1999

  
         
      It was announced early this month that the owners had narrowed the list of potential team names down to six; the Barbarians, the Blast, the Bruisers, the Bubbas, the Magicians and the Steeldogs. Obviously, the nickname "Bubbas" has generated quite a lot of discussion on local talk radio stations. Many fans hope the "Bubbas" name was added as some type of publicity stunt and if that's the case, the owners have achieved their goal. Most believe Birmingham already has a huge redneck reputation without our football teams adding to it on purpose. A final decision is expected sometime in August, when they will unveil the team name and logo.   
         
    arenafootball2 logoIt is announced that the Xtreme Football League will merge with arenafootball2. The AFL's Commissioner David Baker announced the merger.

The XFL teams from Birmingham, Greenville (SC), Tennessee Valley (Huntsville, AL), Jacksonville, Norfolk (VA), Pensacola, Richmond (VA), Roanoke (VA) and Tallahassee (FL) would be joining the previously committed AF2 teams from Little Rock, Oklahoma City, Quad Cities (IL/IA) and Tulsa (OK). It is expected that Shreveport and Ft. Myers (FL) will join the af2 in 2001. There are also six other cities under consideration for franchises. Only two of those cities will be approved and will be named after ArenaBowl XIII. The XFL members each paid $150,000 to enter the af2.

Mary Ellen Garling, AFL vice president of league development and executive director of af2, said, "Geographically and competitively, it makes sense. These markets form a solid southeastern region from which our product can expand and it also allows for competitive football with other regions. I am proud of the entire 2000 ownership group who represent a premiere class of operators and will build the solid foundation of arenafootball2."

According to owner Charles Felix, merger discussions had been taking place even before the XFL's formation was announced in April but only became final earlier in the week. Felix said, "The AFL came to us. At first, we were miles apart, but we worked out the economic differences. The big thing is the AFL understands the middle-tier market, like we do. It makes sense not to compete with each other."

arenafootball2 teams would operate in arenas with seating capacity between 6,000 to 12,000. Teams will operate under AFL rules and operating procedures, and travel to games by bus. Regular season and playoff games would span May to August, concurrent with the AFL schedule, but conclude at least one week prior to the ArenaBowl, the AFL's championship game. The AFL has patented their game system for the rebound nets, sideboards, and equipment. The teams will play a regular season of eighteen games followed by divisional playoffs. The divisional playoffs will determine the two participants for the inaugural ArenaCup.

On February 8, 1999, the National Football League (NFL) acquired an exclusive option to purchase up to 49.9 percent of the Arena Football League. The option can be exercised over the next three years, and is subject to the approval of NFL owners. NFL owners were given the chance to purchase AFL expansion teams for $3 million. Other investors will pay at least $5 million. However, the af2 is not part of the NFL agreement.

  
         
  

August 1999

  
         
    Birmingham Steeldogs logoIt is announced that Birmingham's entry in arenafootball2 would be named the Steeldogs. The Steeldogs name beat out two other finalists, the Blast and the Barbarians.

At the same press conference, former University of Alabama running back Bobby Humphrey was named as the head coach. He will also serve as director of player personnel. Birmingham is the first af2 team to hire a coach. Humphrey, 33 and a native of Birmingham, was a two-time All-American and still holds the title of all-time leading rusher at Alabama. Professionally, he played with the Denver Broncos in 1989-1991, the Miami Dolphins in 1992 and the Buffalo Bills in 1995. While with the Broncos, Humphrey was the NFL's 1989 Rookie-of-the-Year and played in the 1990 Super Bowl. He has had no prior coaching experience. On his coaching future, Humphrey said, "I've never been so nervous in my life. I've stood up in front of hundreds of reporters at the Super Bowl, and I wasn't as nervous as I am today. I just don't know what to expect. I never expected to be here as a head coach. You start asking me questions about how I'm going to coach, what am I going to do on fourth-and-inches? Well, I don't know. I've not faced a lot of fourth-and-inches. I've always been the one running the play. Someone else was making the decisions. This is a big opportunity for me. What better place to be than right here among the people who watched you play in high school, in college and in the pros? It was an opportunity I just couldn't pass up. Ten, fifteen years ago, I could have never seen myself doing this. But I've got a burning desire to coach. I'm going to make the best of this opportunity, unlike some of those that I have blown in the past."

  
         
  

December 1999

  
         
    It is announced that Birmingham would be getting a franchise in the new Spring Football League. Steeldogs owner Charles Felix said the new team would not hurt his team, which will have it's first training camp in March 2000. "I can't say totally that it's not going to affect us, but I think Arena Football is a product that is different from this spring football. It's more exciting, higher scoring, better action and a better entertainment product," Felix said. He is attending a week-long seminar in Phoenix called "Arena Football University", which is designed to help new af2 owners learn more about owning an arena football team. Felix went on to say, "I may be wrong, but I think other spring football leagues tried in Birmingham. And they've had spring football league in other cities that have been unsuccessful. I can't see how that would really hurt us. I know a lot of people are trying these things. I don't know how far their going to wind up getting. In Birmingham - at least in the South - if you're going to have players play football, I'd rather be indoors."

Steeldogs Head Coach Bobby Humphrey said one of the eight players he has signed was concerned about the impact of the SFL on the af2. "My main reaction is that it's somewhat of a competition, if this thing does pan out," Humphrey said. af2 teams will only have 18 active and 3 reserve players, which means the SFL shouldn't have much impact on af2 rosters. Humphrey is signing Birmingham natives or players with ties to the state. The SFL will be conducting an invitation-only scouting combine in Tempe, Arizona  in late January. "I'm thinking these guys are not going to be just local guys," Humphrey said. Felix also commented by saying, "I'm not sure who these players are going to be."

  
         
  

January 2000

  
         
    At a press conference in Birmingham, af2 Commissioner Mary Ellen Garling announced that the Steeldogs would host the first af2 game ever. Their March 31st opponent would be the Tennessee Valley Vipers. 

The af2's Director of Communications and Sponsor Relations, Matthew Eres, said, "We think the rivalry between Birmingham and Tennessee Valley will be strong, kind of like the Orlando Predators and Tampa Bay Storm (of the Arena Football League). They are 100 miles from each other, and we think it's a great way to kick off the inaugural season. It's an historic game for the new league."

  
         
  

March 2000

  
         
     
 

2000 arenafootball2

 
  National Conference   American Conference  
  Arkansas Twisters   Augusta Stallions  
  Birmingham Steeldogs      Carolina Rhinos  
  Pensacola Barracudas   Charleston Swamp Foxes   
  Quad City Steamwheelers    Greensboro Prowlers  
  Tallahassee Thunder   Jacksonville Tomcats  
  Tennessee Valley Vipers   Norfolk Nighthawks  
  Tulsa Talons   Richmond Speed  
      Roanoke Steam  
  
         
  

June 2000

  
         
    The af2's Board of Directors announced they had voted to expand the playoffs to include eight teams. Prior to the vote, only four teams qualified for the playoffs. Ken Easley, Chairman of the Rules Committee, said, "A majority of owners thought that changing the playoff format, although late in the season, was of great value no only to our league, but to our fans and players. We believe that adding four additional teams to the playoffs will galvanize fan support in those cities and will give the players an opportunity to vie for a championship."

The new playoff schedule begins with quarterfinals on August 1st or 2nd, semifinals on August 5th or 6th and the Arena Bowl on August 10th.

  
         
  

August 2000

  
         
    Steeldogs' owner Charles Felix discusses his team's chances of survival now that the XFL has officially placed the Birmingham Thunderbolts here. "Whether or not we succeed will depend on what we do as a franchise, not what anyone else does. We've had a year to establish ourselves, and that helps. But you're talking about two entirely different brands of football. And you're also talking about a city of a million people. If we both sold out on the same night, there are still 900,000 people left," Felix said.   
         
  

September 2000

  
         
    Indoor Football League logoIt is reported that an arenafootball2 ownership group was negotiating to purchase some of the Indoor Football League's stronger franchises. The Orlando Predator Entertainment, Inc. is considering purchasing the IFL, which would then allow the af2 to create a Midwest division. The af2's Quad City Steamwheelers' owner Jim Foster said that OPE's Chief Executive Officer Brett Bouchy asked his opinion on the feasibility of folding IFL franchises into af2 during an owners meeting at the Arena Football League's Arena Bowl last month in Orlando, Florida. "I was asked what would I think and I said, 'Heck yes.' I don't really know where it has gone since then," Foster said.

Garling said she and Bouchy first met with IFL founder and league owner Keary Ecklund a year ago to discuss a possible merger or purchase. Since then, she said, "Brett has maintained a strong interest in the Peoria market. It would not surprise me if they are talking." But, Garling said, "In terms of confirming or denying a deal, that is between Brett and Peoria." In order for the two leagues to come together, however, af2 and AFL approval would be required. "We would have a lot of hurdles to jump through before we get to that place," Garling said. It is not known whether the merger could be accommodated for the league schedule next year.

Still, af2 expansion is an ongoing priority. The af2 debuted with 15 teams last year and during the season announced plans to expand to 24 by next spring's kickoff. The league also has targeted an expansion to 40-plus teams as a goal within the next several years.

The IFL fielded 21 teams last year, with most of the markets based in the Midwest. Foster said many of those would make a sensible Midwest loop for af2, which currently consists of markets in the Southeast that are too far for the Steamwheelers to reach by bus. The IFL markets that might succeed in af2 are Peoria, Wichita, Topeka, Lincoln, Bismarck, Fargo, Sioux Falls, Green Bay, Madison and La Crosse.

The IFL is owned by Ecklund, with the single exception of the locally owned franchise in Lincoln.

  
         
  

October 2000

  
         
    Garling announces that the af2 has officially acquired the Indoor Football League. Garling said af2 officials bought the rights to 20 IFL teams and she insists they plan to continue playing in those markets. The only IFL team that af2 didn't acquire the rights to was Topeka (KS).

With the purchase, the af2 will become one of the largest leagues in professional sports. All 15 teams from last season will be back to compete in the 2001 season along with expansion teams in Fort Myers (FL), Lafayette (LA), Bossier City (LA), Memphis (TN), Macon (GA), and (pending arena lease approval) Louisville (KY). League officials indicated they would prefer to form four divisions with eight or nine teams in each. ''We would like to bring in a maximum of thirty-six teams and a minimum of thirty-two,'' Garling said.

 "This is a momentous day for arenafootball2. The acquisition of the IFL gives arenafootball2 the ability to grow and generate a new fan base that has never been exposed to the game of Arena Football, while continuing our expansion goal of reducing travel expenses and creating natural geographical rivalries," Garling said.

"We're proud that the Indoor Football League can add an important building block to arenafootball2. By combining these leagues we can offer the greatest number of fans the best opportunity for their long term enjoyment of Arena Football. We think the excitement and support we've generated in IFL markets will blend well with the existing teams in af2," said former IFL owner and founder Keary Ecklund.

''We want to make sure arena football is there today, tomorrow and 10 years from now,'' said Garling.

  
         
    The af2 announces that their Board of Directors has approved the addition of six new teams into the league to begin play in the 2001 season. Lincoln (NE), Peoria (IL) and Wichita (KS) are the first three cities from the former IFL to be approved into arenafootball2. Expansion franchises were officially granted to Baton Rouge (LA), Columbus (GA) and Rochester (NY). With these additions, the af2 now has 27 teams mostly located in the Midwest and Southeast regions.

The Baton Rouge franchise is owned by the AFL's Tampa Bay Storm. Tampa Bay also owns the expansion Lafayette (LA) Roughnecks.

The Rochester franchise will be owned by the AFL's Buffalo Destroyers.

The Peoria Pirates went undefeated and won the IFL championship last year.

"We are thrilled to have these six new teams in the fold for the 2001 season," said af2 Executive Director Mary Ellen Garling. "To have four AFL owners as well as two proven sports operators, all with a successful track record, adds a tremendous amount of credibility while allowing us to further our goal of bringing the game of Arena Football to small to mid-sized communities through coast to coast expansion."

All of the original fifteen teams from last season will be back to compete in the 2001 season.

  
         
  

December 2000

  
         
    Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Executive Director Frank Poe said that the Steeldogs owners were currently negotiating the sale of the team to Steven J. Umberger of Jacksonville, Florida. Umberger is President of ValueClick International, a provider of Internet advertising services.

"We have signed off on an assignment agreement with a new owner. It is making its way through their processes," Poe said. He also said the deal should be completed this week and would not affect the team's current agreement with the BJCC. 

Owners Charles Felix, David Berkman and Bruce Burge have called a press conference for Wednesday. When questioned on the sale, Felix was evasive. "Wednesday will be an update on the Steeldogs, on a lot of topics. We really haven't done anything for the press in a while as far as the Steeldogs are concerned," Felix said. He did say the owners had entertained offers for the team, but nothing was final.

The ownership group still own two other af2 teams, the Jacksonville Tomcats and the Pensacola Barracudas, as well as the East Coast Hockey League's Birmingham Bulls and Pensacola Ice Pilots.  

  
         
    Steven and Kathryn Umberger were officially announced as the new owners of the Birmingham Steeldogs. The purchase price was not disclosed. Umberger, currently the President of ValueClick International, is a one-time IBM employee who made his fortune in Internet companies. Kathryn has ties to the city, as her father was born in Montgomery and raised in Birmingham.

The sale will give former majority owner David Berkman more time and energy to devote to his hockey teams in Pensacola and Birmingham. "David can direct his passion now toward the Bulls without having to have the concern or decision making relating to the two teams here. He can really focus on the hockey team. And his passion is for hockey," Felix said.

The Umbergers have been searching for an af2 franchise to buy for the last six months. "We chose Birmingham for several reason: A great history of football, a great front-office staff, super coaches and excitement. We feel it's the right city and team and we want to do our part to deliver a product you can be proud of. I can assure you there are better returns on an investment than football. I'm doing this because I love football and what's going on with arenafootball2 is exciting. I have a reputation for being able to see ahead of the curve. We could have bought several teams, but this, we think, was the best opportunity for us. There is a void for entertainment here. This is football country. To me, it made good business sense. There's a lot of upside here," Umberger said.

The former owners of the Steeldogs, Felix, Berkman and Burge, will retain ownership of the ECHL's Birmingham Bulls franchise. However, there is speculation that Umberger will have the option to buy the Birmingham Bulls at a later date. "I want to be a player in this town. I want to put on an event Birmingham can call its own. The opportunities are there to take this in a lot of different directions," Umberger said.

  
         
  

April 2001

  
         
     
 

2001 arenafootball2

 
  American Conference   National Conference  
  Northeast
Division
  Southeast
Division
  Midwest
Division
  South Central
Division
 
  Carolina 
Rhinos
  Augusta 
Stallions
  Iowa 
Barnstormers
  Arkansas 
Twisters
 
  Charleston
Swamp Foxes 
  Columbus 
Wardogs
  Lincoln 
Lightning
  Baton Rouge 
Blaze
 
  Greensboro
Prowlers 
  Florida 
Firecats
  Louisville 
Fire
  Birmingham
Steeldogs
 
  Norfolk 
Nighthawks
  Jacksonville   
Tomcats 
  Peoria 
Pirates
  Bossier City 
Battle Wings
 
  Richmond 
Speed
  Macon 
Knights
  Quad City
Steamwheelers 
  Lafayette 
Roughnecks
 
  Roanoke 
Steam
  Pensacola
Barracudas
  Tulsa 
Talons
  Memphis 
Xplorers
 
  Rochester 
Brigade
  Tallahassee 
Thunder
  Wichita 
Stealth
  Tennessee Valley 
Vipers
 
  
         
  

December 2001

  
         
    The league announces that the Quad-City Steamwheelers, who won the first two af2 championships, would not be allowed to participate in the 2002 playoffs and are under a two-year probation. The release indicated that AFL commissioner David Baker "found that the team violated certain player compensation guidelines concerning the housing and transporting of players and other unreported compensation."

The Steamwheelers will not have their 2000 and 2001 titles stripped, but the league is clearly keeping an eye on the team, which has a 37-1 record over the past two seasons.

"The commissioner will continue to watch the operation," af2 spokesman Ron Deuter said. "You can probably compare it to a situation with a college team."

  
         
  

January 2002

  
         
    The af2 announces that the Umberger's have sold the Steeldogs to two Birmingham natives, Buddy King and Scott Myers. Umberger, who also owns the af2's Jacksonville Tomcats, stated that he wanted to be closer to his family in Jacksonville. Terms of the sale were undisclosed.

King began wooing Umberger at a golf tournament late last fall. Even at a meeting with King and Myers last month, Umberger said he wasn't thinking about selling the team. 

"I thought we were throwing our name in the hat," King said. "I said to Scott, the worst thing that can happen is that he knows we're interested, if he ever gets in position to sell. We knew he was from Jacksonville, and had an outside shot (there). We never knew he owned the Jacksonville team as well."

But Umberger had tired of operating the Steeldogs from Jacksonville, and chose the Tomcats as his main focus. It also doesn't hurt that Jacksonville is in line for an Arena League team when the city's new coliseum opens in 2003, and Umberger has expressed a desire to be involved with an Arena franchise.

Both King and Myers previously had ties to professional sports in Birmingham. In 1991 and 1992, King played for the World League of American Football's Birmingham Fire. Myers has worked previously with the Birmingham Fire as well as the East Coast Hockey League's Birmingham Bulls. It was during their time with the Fire that King and Myers formed a relationship and shared a mutual dream of one day owning a team of their own. 

"It's ironic, but ten years ago, Scott and I were sitting at an arena football game in Orlando and we thought this would be a great game for Birmingham. This is a dream come true for me and I look forward to continuing the standard the Steeldogs have set in the af2," said King.

During his second season with the Fire, King tore the arch in his foot and retired from professional football. Later that year, he ventured into the pharmaceutical industry, concentrating on sales and business development. After five years, King started his own company, CTEX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. In 2001, CTEX was acquired by ANDRX Corporation. He is currently the Chairman/CEO of Athlon Pharmaceuticals. King will be the team's financial backing, while Myers will handle day-to-day operations.

"We have a variety of goals, but they essentially boil down to two," Myers said. "Lead the league in attendance, and win the ArenaCup championship. That's what we intend to do this year."

  
         
  

April 2002

  
         
     
 

2002 arenafootball2

 
  American Conference   National Conference  
  Northeast
Division
  Eastern
Division
  Atlantic
Division
  South
Division
  West
Division
  Midwest
Division
  Central
Division
  South
Division
 
  Albany
Conquest
  Augusta
Stallions
  Cape Fear
Wildcats
  Charleston
Swamp Foxes  
  Bakersfield 
Blitz
  Lincoln
Lightning
  Arkansas
Twisters
  Birmingham
Steeldogs
 
  Mohegan
Wolves
  Carolina
Rhinos
  Greensboro
Prowlers
  Florida
Firecats
  Fresno
Frenzy
  Louisville
Fire
  Bossier City 
Battle Wings 
  Mobile
Wizards
 
  New Haven
Ninjas
  Columbus 
Wardogs
  Norfolk
Knighthawks 
  Jacksonville
Tomcats
  Hawaiian
Islanders
  Peoria
Pirates
  Memphis
Xplorers
  Pensacola
Barracudas
 
  Rochester
Brigade
  Macon
Knights
  Richmond
Speed
  Tallahassee 
Thunder
  San Diego
Riptide
  Quad City
Steamwheelers 
  Tulsa
Talons
  Tennessee Valley 
Vipers
 
  Wilkes-Barre/ 
Scranton
Pioneers
      Roanoke
Steam
          Wichita
Stealth
         
  
         
  

March 2003

  
         
      Beginning this season, the Steeldogs will use a slightly different logo. The steel dog holding the football in its mouth is still there but it is now facing straight ahead. Also, the wording has been reworked to enhance the straight ahead look.   
         
  

April 2003

  
         
     
 

2003 arenafootball2

 
  American Conference   National Conference  
  Northeast
Division
  Atlantic
Division
  South
Division
  West
Division
  Midwest
Division
  Central
Division
 
  Albany
Conquest
  Cape Fear
Wildcats
  Birmingham  
Steeldogs
  Bakersfield 
Blitz
  Cincinnati
Swarm
  Arkansas
Twisters
 
  Mohegan
Wolves
  Charleston
Swamp
Foxes  
  Columbus
Wardogs
  Hawaiian
Islanders
  Green Bay
Blizzard
  Bossier City
Battle Wings 
 
  Rochester
Brigade
  Greensboro
Prowlers
  Florida
Firecats
  San Diego
Riptide
  Louisville
Fire
  Memphis
Xplorers
 
  Wilkes-Barre/  
Scranton
Pioneers  
  Norfolk
Nighthawks  
  Macon
Knights
  Wichita
Stealth
  Peoria
Pirates
  Tulsa
Talons
 
      Richmond
Speed
  Tennessee
Valley  
Vipers
      Quad City
Steamwheelers  
     
  
         
  

March 2004

  
         
     
 

2004 arenafootball2

 
  American Conference   National Conference  
  Northeast
Division
  Mid-South
Division
  South
Division
  West
Division
  Southwest
Division
  Midwest
Division
 
  Albany
Conquest
  Arkansas
Twisters
  Birmingham  
Steeldogs
  Bakersfield 
Blitz
  Laredo
Law
  Green Bay
Blizzard
 
  Cape Fear
Wildcats
  Bossier City  
Battle Wings 
  Columbus
Wardogs
  Central Valley
Coyotes
  Oklahoma City
Yard Dawgz  
  Louisville
Fire
 
  Manchester
Wolves
  Memphis
Xplorers
  Florida
Firecats
  Hawaiian
Islanders
  Rio Grande
Valley
Dorados
  Peoria
Pirates
 
  Wilkes-Barre/  
Scranton
Pioneers
  Tennessee
Valley  
Vipers
  Macon
Knights
  San Diego
Riptide
  Tulsa
Talons
  Quad City
Steamwheelers  
 
                  Wichita
Stealth
     
  
         
  

November 2004

  
         
    United Indoor Football Association logoA new twelve team indoor football league is announced, the United Indoor Football Association. Two arenafootball2 league teams, the Tennessee Valley Vipers and the Peoria Pirates have elected to join the UIF. The Vipers will play in the new league as the Tennessee Valley Pythons. 

Pythons owner Art Clarkson is excited about the league's chances. "We have a chance to take indoor football to another level," Clarkson said.

Some speculate the main reason for Tennessee Valley and Peoria's exit from the af2 is the $50,000 fee each franchise must pay to the Arena Football League each year. 

According to a league press release, eight of the twelve teams have been in business four years or more. Nine of the teams come from the National Indoor Football League while Dayton is the lone expansion team.

"When you say it's a new league, it's really not a new league," Clarkson said. "This is going to be a very stable league. We are going to keep this thing fiscally responsible."

Each UIF franchise will play a fifteen-game regular season schedule with eight home games. The season will run from March through July with playoffs to follow. The playoff format has yet to be determined. Neither has the pay scale. In fact, most everything about the league has yet to be decided. 

"This is an ongoing process," Clarkson said. "The league is still being formed. Next year is going to be interesting."

  
         
  

April 2005

  
         
     
 

2005 arenafootball2

 
  American Conference   National Conference  
  South
Division
  East
Division
  West
Division
  Midwest
Division
 
  Arkansas
Twisters
  Albany
Conquest
  Bakersfield  
Blitz
  Amarillo
Dusters
 
  Birmingham  
Steeldogs
  Green Bay
Blizzard
  Central Valley
Coyotes
  Bossier City  
Battle Wings 
 
  Florida
Firecats
  Louisville
Fire
  Rio Grande  
Valley
Dorados
  Memphis
Xplorers
 
  Macon
Knights
  Manchester
Wolves
  San Diego
Riptide
  Oklahoma City
Yard Dawgz  
 
  South Georgia  
Wildcats
  Wilkes-Barre/  
Scranton
Pioneers
  Tulsa
Talons
  Quad City
Steamwheelers  
 
  
         
  

August 2005

  
         
    Franchise owners Buddy King and Scott Myers announce they will not retain Bobby Humphrey as head coach after the Steeldogs suffered through a dismal 2-14 season. 

"After six seasons we decided not to renew Bobby's contract for the 2006 season. We made the decision early on that we were not going to make any changes until after the season. You hope that you don't have to make these decisions," King said.

King said he and Myers had hope that at some point Humphrey would get the season turned around, which factored into their choice not to make a change during the season. "The decisions we made last year, coaching changes at the assistant level, we had hoped that would get us into a position to get into the playoffs and to a championship. It turned out we ended up 2-14. There's only one other way to look at it at that point," King said.

No replacement has been hired, but the team will make a decision as soon as possible. "We'll open it up to anyone. But most likely the candidates at the top of the list will be the ones with (Arena Football League) or af2 experience. They will have arena football coaching experience. It's hard to come into this league with no arena league experience and coach," King said.

Humphrey leaves with a 51-50 record during his six year coaching career. He has coached in the af2 longer than anyone else. His 51 victories are a league record.

"It's a hard decision because he's such as class guy," King said. "He not only came to work, he put his life and family in the Steeldogs. It's tough to make these decisions but at the end of the day, coaching is about winning."

  
         
  

October 2005

  
         
    Ron Selesky is named the Steeldogs head coach. Selesky was the af2 Coach of the Year in 2002 after leading the expansion Albany (NY) Conquest to a 13-3 regular season record and a Northeast Division title. 

Selesky has also been the head coach of the Louisville Fire in the af2 in 2001 and the Buffalo Destroyers and Carolina Cobras of the AFL. His most recent job was as defensive coordinator for the Columbus Destroyers under head coach Chris Spielman this past season. He played college ball at Division III North Central College in Naperville, Ill., and went on to play for the Minnesota Vikings in 1987. 

Selesky has been either director of player personnel or head coach on all nine of his coaching stops. It was that recruiting knowledge that prompted co-owner Buddy King to hire Selesky as the Steeldogs head coach and vice president of football operations. "We talked a lot about the coach we wanted here (would be skilled at) coast-to-coast recruiting," King said. "Ron brings that to us. We feel like (Selesky) has helped players get to the AFL and have tryouts in the NFL."

While his resume includes head coaching stints in the af2 and the AFL, it also shows that Selesky hasn't stayed in one spot for more than a year since his first job as director of player personnel and assistant coach for the AFL's Tampa Bay Storm from 1997 to 1999. "A lot of (my moves) were opportunities to move up. When you look at both leagues, the AFL and af2, the Birmingham Steeldogs are one of the longest continuously tenured teams that have been in the same city," said Selesky.

  
         
  

April 2006

  
         
     
 

2006 arenafootball2

 
  American Conference   National Conference  
  South
Division
  East
Division
  West
Division
  Midwest
Division
 
  Birmingham  
Steeldogs
  Albany
Conquest
  Bakersfield  
Blitz
  Amarillo
Dusters
 
  Florida
Firecats
  Green Bay
Blizzard
  Central Valley
Coyotes
  Arkansas
Twisters
 
  Macon
Knights
  Louisville
Fire
  Everett
Hawks
  Bossier City  
Battle Wings 
 
  Memphis
Xplorers
  Manchester
Wolves
  Spokane
Shock
  Oklahoma City
Yard Dawgz  
 
  South Georgia  
Wildcats
  Wilkes-Barre/  
Scranton
Pioneers
  Stockton
Lightning
  Rio Grande Valley
Dorados
 
  Tennessee
Valley Vipers
  Quad City
Steamwheelers   
      Tulsa
Talons
 
  
         
  

October 2006

  
         
    Scott Myers, Steeldogs co-owner and managing partner, says he and co-owner Buddy King are looking for prospective investors to expand the team's ownership group. Without the infusion of new partners, the franchise could be forced to leave the city. The Steeldogs have been a part of arenafootball2 since its inception seven years ago.

"When Buddy and I took over the team in January of 2002, we wanted this to be Birmingham's team and we wanted to prove that a team could be successful. There are easier markets than Birmingham to do minor-league sports. We're always trying to get more involvement from the city. We're always trying to get more involvement from the (BJCC)," Myers said.

Myers and King have no set plan for the search but they want to pattern the franchise after two other af2 teams, the Manchester Wolves and the Louisville Fire. The Wolves have seven partners while the Fire have sixteen. With multiple owners come multiple possibilities; more ways to split costs, more community contacts and more resources.

Myers insists the new partners "are football fans, that enjoy the family entertainment that we provide and that want to be involved in the community."  They have talked to a couple of people who are in the process of looking things over and deciding what level of participation they would be comfortable with.

"We're trying to increase our position so that we're able to stay and maintain the team. We don't want to move. We want to continue to fight," Myers said.

  
         
  

December 2006

  
         
    At a press conference at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex, team owners announce that effective immediately the Birmingham Steeldogs will be referred to as the Alabama Steeldogs. The name change was made to better embody the fan base of its home state, majority owner Buddy King announced. "Birmingham has grown into a region, not just a city. We wanted to reflect sponsors (and) fans that come from all over the state to watch this football team play," King said.

King hopes the name change will enable the Steeldogs to branch out to sponsors that have been previously unavailable. This is critical to help keep the team in the city. "What we want to see is the Alabama Steeldogs here thirty or forty years from now," King said.

In October the owners said they were looking for additional ownership partners and King said that effort is still underway.

Other arenafootball2 teams such as the Arkansas Twisters and Florida Firecats have experienced success with a statewide image. "Some of the other teams in the AFL found it creates more opportunities for sponsorship and to reach more people throughout the state," King said.

Team colors will remain orange and black, with "Alabama" on the front of their away jerseys.

  
         
  

March 2007

  
         
     
 

2007 arenafootball2

 
  American Conference   National Conference  
  West
Division
  Midwest
Division
  East
Division
  Southwest
Division
  Central
Division
  South
Division
 
  Albany
Conquest
  Cincinnati
Jungle Kats
  Bakersfield       
Blitz
  Amarillo
Dusters
  Bossier-Shreveport
Battle Wings
  Alabama
Steeldogs
 
  Mahoning Valley
Thunder
  Fort Wayne
Fusion
  Boise
Burn
  Arkansas
Twisters
  Corpus Christi
Sharks
  Florida
Firecats
 
  Manchester
Wolves
  Green Bay
Blizzard
  Central Valley
Coyotes
  Lubbock
Renegades
  Laredo
Lobos
  South Georgia
Wildcats
 
  Wilkes-Barre/
Scranton
Pioneers
  Louisville
Fire
  Everett
Hawks
  Oklahoma City
Yard Dawgz
  Rio Grande Valley
Dorados
  Tennessee Valley
Vipers
 
      Quad City
Steamwheelers
  Spokane
Shock
  Tulsa
Talons
  Texas
Copperheads
     
          Stockton
Lightning
             
          Tri-Cities
Fever
             
  
         
  

August 2007

  
         
    Hopes are dimming for the future of the Steeldogs. Co-owner and managing partner Scott Myers says he is still looking for new majority ownership and unless investors are found, the Steeldogs could be forced to fold or move. Reportedly, there are three different groups or individuals have shown significant interest on various levels. Myers would not release any names but said that all would keep the team in Birmingham. Also, he has had discussions with investors for minority ownership.

Birmingham is one of only three teams that have been in the af2 since its inception eight years ago. The Quad City Steamwheelers, the Tulsa Talons and the Arkansas Twisters are the others. Current owners Myers and Buddy King purchased the Steeldogs in 2002.

"My inclination is to play football in 2008 as the Alabama Steeldogs. I'm doing everything I can to make sure that is reality. We have to have somebody who is willing to take up a significant portion of the team in order for it to move forward. I'm trying to do whatever I can to keep this team here, to keep entertaining fans and to keep it as a sports product in our community," Myers said.

Naturally, the city can help this situation. A more favorable lease with the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Complex and improved city involvement would go a long way. So, too, would an increase in season tickets. "Birmingham is not the easiest market to do these kind of ventures," Myers said.

Another fly in the ointment is the All American Football League which is scheduled to begin play in the spring of 2008. While the AAFL is an outdoor league that will play in large stadiums, both will play during the spring and summer, which will cause a competition for fans, community attention and corporate support. Exaggerating the issue is the AAFL is mid-to-upper tier professional football while the af2 is a minor league of the Arena Football League. "We have speed bumps like every business does - large companies (and) small companies. Sports business is no different. It's a tough business," Myers said.

All arenafootball2 franchises have until the August 24th executive committee meetings in Shreveport to file the required certificate of obligation to be a part of the 2008 season. "It's a short window. That gives us two weeks," Myers said.

  
         
    At the annual arenafootball2 league meeting in Shreveport, Myers said there is nothing new to report in his search for new financial backing. When asked if the Steeldogs would continue on, Myers answered, "We're still in the same position. We still need a new majority owner. Short of that transpiring we won't."

Myers said that there is a possibility he could receive a two week extension from the league but it is unknown whether he will pursue that option.

  
         
    The arenafootball2 league has granted Myers a deadline extension to continue his search for a new majority owner. Co-owners Myers and Buddy King are currently in discussion with a possible buyer but there has been no indication on how serious the talks are.   
         
  

October 2007

  
         
    Alabama Steeldogs co-owner and managing partner Scott Myers announces that he will inform arenafootball2 officials today of his plans not to field a team for the 2008 season. "Officially the Steeldogs will not be competing in the 2008 season. We're not technically considered what is called 'dormant.' There are always opportunities for the team to come back in 2009," Myers said.

Following the 2006 season, Myers and Steeldogs co-owner and President Buddy King began searching for additional investors with no success. When the 2007 season ended, Myers said, "We really went full bore to find an ownership group that could come in and take over the Steeldogs. I've been working pretty diligently on that for the past three months, since the season ended. I've spoken with people from San Diego, California, to Washington, D.C., to Slidell, Louisiana, to one guy in Montgomery. Yet nobody in Birmingham has expressed interest or have we had any discussions with (anyone from Birmingham). It's been frustrating, obviously."

Myers said all of the discussions were with potential buyers who would have kept the team in Birmingham. "We've wanted the team to stay here. We've wanted to keep this form of football family entertainment in the community and for the community. We just weren't able to find an ownership group that will allow us to do that," Myers said.

The Steeldogs went 65-69 in eight seasons and made the playoffs in 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2007. In 2002, the Steeldogs enjoyed their best season of all and advanced to the af2 National Conference Championship Game.

Myers and King have owned the Steeldogs for the past six seasons. "That's something we're really proud of. When we had our fourth season here, we became the longest-running professional football team in the city's history and we've added four years to that. For us to provide family entertainment and football and opportunities for athletes to go on to the next level has been great," Myers said.

Even with the announcement of suspending play, Myers said there is still a chance that he can find new majority ownership in the next few days. Discussions are taking place with at least one possible buyer, he said, but that won't affect the decision not to play next season.

"The league wants to keep the Steeldogs as a member team, even if we're not playing in 2008 and the team is dormant. We're not officially dormant now. We're still in the holding pattern in the sense that no ownership is in place to file for that dormancy. But we're definitely not playing in 2008," Myers said.

  
         
 
 
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Last Update: February 19, 2008