Indoor Football League to add expansion team in Austin, Texas, hints at possible New Jersey team
Photo by MJ Tangonan on Unsplash
The Indoor Football League is adding an expansion team in Austin, Texas and potentially more beginning in 2027.
IFL President of Business Division Jared Widman announced that the league will add a team in Austin during the Cup championship game between the Arizona Rattlers and the Vegas Knight Hawks Sunday night.
“They say everything is bigger in Texas and the Lone Star State is way too big for the [San Antonio] Gunslingers to be alone. I am very happy to announce that the IFL is going to be keeping it weird next year, we’re coming to Austin.” Widman said on the Yahoo! Sports broadcast.
Widman did not share more details about the expansion, but hinted that the league could also be adding a team in New Jersey, with the American Dream Mall as the home base. The Mall has been the host of this year’s inaugural IFL Cup series that featured four games involving the Arizona Rattlers, New Mexico Chupacabras, Orlando Pirates, and Vegas Knight Hawks.
“A really smart guy once told me the best way to predict a future is to create it. We didn’t come to New Jersey for no reason. I’m not saying it’s guaranteed but coming real soon, American Dream is not the only place in this parking lot that you’re going to be able to see indoor football.” Widman added.
This announcement now makes two teams and potentially three that is expected to join the league in 2027. Last Thursday, IFL officials shared it will be expanding to Athens, Georgia during a press conference at Akins Ford Arena.
“The Indoor Football League is proud to officially welcome Athens to the IFL family,” said IFL Commissioner Todd Tryon. “This is one of the strongest football communities in America, and today’s excitement showed exactly why Athens is such a tremendous fit for our league. With an outstanding ownership group, a first-class venue, and a passionate fan base, we believe this franchise has all the ingredients for long-term success.”
The Austin Turfcats were the last IFL team who played at Luedecke Arena in 2010, but folded after its first season.
This remains a developing story and more updates will be shared as it becomes available.
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