West Division (AFL)
Conference | National Conference |
---|---|
League | Arena Football League |
Sport | Arena Football |
Founded | 1992 (as the Western Division, as a member of the American Conference) |
No. of teams | |
Most recent champion(s) | Arizona Rattlers (10th title) |
Most titles | 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. As the number of active AFL teams has decreased greatly in recent years, the league now consists of only two four-team conferences and does not currently use the term "division".
Division lineups
1992
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
- Arizona Rattlers
- Las Vegas Sting
- San Jose SaberCats
The Western Division returned as an American Conference division. San Jose SaberCats enfranchised.
1996
- Anaheim Piranhas
- Arizona Rattlers
- Minnesota Fighting Pike
- San Jose SaberCats
Las Vegas moved to Anaheim as the Piranhas. Minnesota Fighting Pike enfranchised.
1997
- Anaheim Piranhas
- Arizona Rattlers
- San Jose SaberCats
Minnesota folded.
1998 and 1999
- Arizona Rattlers
- Portland Forest Dragons
- San Jose SaberCats
Anaheim folded. Portland moved in from the American Conference's Central Division.
2000
- Arizona Rattlers
- Los Angeles Avengers
- Oklahoma Wranglers
- San Jose SaberCats
Los Angeles Avengers enfranchised. Portland moved to Oklahoma City as Oklahoma Wranglers.
2001
- Arizona Rattlers
- Houston Thunderbears
- Los Angeles Avengers
- Oklahoma Wranglers
- San Jose SaberCats
Houston moved in from the Central Division.
2002
- Arizona Rattlers
- Dallas Desperados
- Los Angeles Avengers
- San Jose SaberCats
Dallas Desperados enfranchised. Houston and Oklahoma folded.
2003
- Arizona Rattlers
- Colorado Crush
- Los Angeles Avengers
- San Jose SaberCats
Colorado Crush enfranchised. Dallas moved to Central Division
2004 and 2005
- Arizona Rattlers
- Las Vegas Gladiators
- Los Angeles Avengers
- San Jose SaberCats
Colorado moved to Central Division. Las Vegas moved in from National Conference's Eastern Division.
2006 and 2007
- Arizona Rattlers
- Las Vegas Gladiators
- Los Angeles Avengers
- San Jose SaberCats
- Utah Blaze
Utah Blaze enfranchised.
2008
- Arizona Rattlers
- Los Angeles Avengers
- San Jose SaberCats
- Utah Blaze
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
- Arizona Rattlers
- Spokane Shock
- Utah Blaze
The Western Division moved to the National Conference. Spokane moved in from the now-defunct af2. Utah moved back from AIFA.
2011-2013
- Arizona Rattlers
- San Jose SaberCats
- Spokane Shock
- Utah Blaze
San Jose returned.
2014
- Arizona Rattlers
- Los Angeles Kiss
- San Antonio Talons
Los Angeles Kiss enfranchised, Utah folded, San Jose and Spokane moved to the Pacific Division.
2015
Las Vegas Outlaws enfranchised, San Antonio went dormant.
After 2015 Both Conferences no longer have divisions, Arizona and Los Angeles are still in the National Conference, alongside Portland Thunder. Las Vegas folded due to lack of ownership.
Division Champions
- 1992: Dallas Texans (5-5)
- 1995: San Jose SaberCats (8-4)
- 1996: Arizona Rattlers (11-3)
- 1997: Arizona Rattlers (12-2)
- 1998: Arizona Rattlers (10-4)
- 1999: Arizona Rattlers (10-4)
- 2000: San Jose SaberCats (12-2)
- 2001: San Jose SaberCats (10-4)
- 2002: San Jose SaberCats (13-1)
- 2003: San Jose SaberCats (12-4)
- 2004: Arizona Rattlers (11-5)
- 2005: Los Angeles Avengers (10-6)
- 2006: San Jose SaberCats (10-6)
- 2007: San Jose SaberCats (13-3)
- 2008: San Jose SaberCats (11-5)
- 2010: Spokane Shock (13-3)
- 2011: Arizona Rattlers (16-2)
- 2012: Arizona Rattlers (13-5)
- 2013: Arizona Rattlers (15-3)
- 2014: Arizona Rattlers (15-3)
- 2015: Arizona Rattlers (14-4)