Intense Football League Explained

Pixels:150px
Sport:Indoor football
Founded:2003
Folded:2008
Teams:9
Country:USA
States:Texas
Louisiana
Champion:Louisiana Swashbucklers
Commissioner:Chad Dittman

The Intense Football League (IFL) was a professional indoor football minor league that began operations in 2004. Its focus was in Texas, but it was notable for being the first professional football league to place a franchise in Alaska.

History

During its first season, the El Paso Rumble folded and the league oversaw operations of the team until the end of the season. In 2005, the Amarillo Dusters left for the AF2, while the other teams joined the National Indoor Football League and the league suspended operations. In 2006, the Intense Football League restarted. Three of the original teams (Odessa, San Angelo and Corpus Christi) returned to the IFL, joined by new teams from Belton, Lake Charles, and Laredo.

Following the 2006 season, the Laredo Lobos left for AF2, but the league expanded with three new teams for 2007 in the Frisco Thunder, Katy Ruff Riders, and Alaska Wild (notable for being the first ever professional football team in the state of Alaska). For 2008 another Alaskan team was added with the Fairbanks Grizzlies. The league planned to add a team in El Paso for 2009.[1]

On July 22, 2008, it was announced that the IFL would be merging with United Indoor Football for the upcoming 2009 season, following the National Indoor Bowl Championship between both leagues' champions on August 2. On August 1 it was announced the new league would be called Indoor Football League.[2]

Seasons

All-time IFL teams

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Katy and Frisco to Join IFL in 2007, More to Come . News Release. October 25, 2006 . Our Sports Central .
  2. http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3686820 National Championship Game Leads to Merger Between UIF and IFL - Oursportscentral.com, July 22, 2008