West Division (AFL) explained

West
Sport:Arena Football
League:Arena Football League
Conference:National Conference
Founded:1992 (as the Western Division, as a member of the American Conference)
Champion:Arizona Rattlers (10th title)
Most Champs:Arizona Rattlers (10 titles)

The Western Division was one of four divisions that previously made up the Arena Football League. The Western Division was formed in 1992 when the AFL first split into three divisions. The League used only conferences in 1993 and 1994, but returned to division play in 1995. Because the number of active AFL teams has decreased greatly in recent years, the league no longer uses divisions.

Division lineups

1992[1]

Creation of the Western Division. Arizona, Sacramento, and San Antonio are enfranchised. San Antonio folded in 1993 as the AFL realigned into the American/National conference format, suspending the Western Division (for two years) as well. Also in the 1993 season, Sacramento Attack joined the National Conference as they move to Miami, Florida as the Hooters.

1995[2]

The Western Division returned as an American Conference division. San Jose SaberCats enfranchised.

1996

Las Vegas moved to Anaheim as the Piranhas. Minnesota Fighting Pike enfranchised.

1997

Minnesota folded.

1998–1999

Anaheim folded. Portland moved in from the American Conference's Central Division.

2000

Los Angeles Avengers enfranchised. Portland moved to Oklahoma City as Oklahoma Wranglers.

2001

Houston moved in from the Central Division.

2002

Dallas Desperados enfranchised. Houston and Oklahoma folded.

2003

Colorado Crush enfranchised. Dallas moved to Central Division

2004–2005

Colorado moved to Central Division. Las Vegas moved in from National Conference's Eastern Division.

2006–2007

Utah Blaze enfranchised.

2008

Las Vegas moved to Cleveland, rejoining the Eastern Division. In 2009, the AFL was put on a one-year hiatus as Los Angeles Avengers folded, San Jose suspended, and Utah played for the AIFA's 2009 season.

2010

The Western Division moved to the National Conference. Spokane moved in from the now-defunct AF2. Utah moved back from AIFA.

2011–2013

San Jose returned.

2014

Los Angeles Kiss enfranchised, Utah folded, San Jose and Spokane moved to the Pacific Division.

2015

Las Vegas Outlaws enfranchised, San Antonio went dormant.

Divisions were discontinued after the 2015 season.

Wild Card qualifiers

Season Team Record Playoff Results
Western Division
1992 4–6 Lost Quarterfinals (at Drive) 23–48
American Conference
1995 7–5 Lost Quarterfinals (Barnstormers) 52–56
1996 9–5 Lost Quarterfinals (at Storm) 16–30
1997 8–6 Lost Quarterfinals (at Barnstormers) 59–68
1998 7–7 Lost Quarterfinals (at Storm) 46–65
2000 12–2 Won Wild Card Round (Destroyers) 41–34
Won Quarterfinals (at Firebirds) 53–50
Lost Semifinals (at Predators) 44–56
7–7 Won Wild Card Round (at Sea Wolves) 52–38
Lost Quarterfinals (at SaberCats) 40–63
2001 8–6 Won Wild Card Round (Fury) 52–44
Lost Quarterfinals (at SaberCats) 49–68
2002 11–3 Won Quarterfinals (Cobras) 61–59
Won Semifinals (Rush) 46–35
Lost ArenaBowl XVI (at SaberCats) 14–52
8–6 Lost Wild Card Round (Storm) 41–66
7–7 Won Wild Card Round (Firebirds) 47–46
Lost Quarterfinals (at Rush) 47–60
2003 11–5 Lost Quarterfinals (Rattlers) 63–70
10–6 Won Wild Card Round (Gladiators) 69–26
Won Quarterfinals (at Avengers) 70–63
Won Semifinals (at SaberCats) 66–49
Lost ArenaBowl XVII (at Storm) 29–43
2004 11–5 Won Quarterfinals (Storm) 56–52
Won Semifinals (Rush) 49–35
Won ArenaBowl XVIII (at Rattlers) 69–62
9–7 Lost Quarterfinals (at Rattlers) 42–59
2005 9–7 Lost AC Semifinals (at Crush) 48–56
2006 8–8 Won AC Wild Card Playoffs (Blaze) 57–34
Lost AC Divisional Playoffs (at SaberCats) 48–62
7–9 Lost AC Wild Card Playoffs (at Rattlers) 34–57
2007 9–7 Won AC Wild Card Playoffs (Blaze) 64–42
Lost AC Divisional Playoffs (at Rush) 20–52
8–8 Lost AC Wild Card Playoffs (at Avengers) 42–64
2008 8–8 Lost AC Wild Card Playoffs (Rampage) 41–48
6–10 Lost AC Wild Card Playoffs (Crush) 44–49
National Conference
2010 10–6 Lost NC Semifinals (at Shock) 49–57
2011 9–9 Lost NC Semifinals (at Rattlers) 33–62
2012 12–6 Lost NC Semifinals (at Rattlers) 48–51
12–6 Won NC Semifinals (at Talons) 35–34
Lost NC Championship (at Rattlers) 69–75
2013 14–4 Won NC Semifinals (at Rush) 69–47
Lost NC Championship (at Rattlers) 57–65
13–5 Lost NC Semifinals (at Rattlers) 49–59

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1992 Season - Pro Football Archives . 2022-10-17 . www.profootballarchives.com.
  2. Web site: 1995 Season - Pro Football Archives . 2022-10-17 . www.profootballarchives.com.