Lone Star Football League
The Lone Star Football League (LSFL) was a regional professional indoor football minor league[1] that played three seasons from 2012 to 2014. All of the LSFL's charter teams were based in the state of Texas, with five teams coming from the Southern Indoor Football League, three from the Indoor Football League, plus one expansion team. The LSFL played three seasons to completion before merging with the Champions Professional Indoor Football League in August 2014 to form Champions Indoor Football.
 | |
| Sport | Indoor football |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2011 |
| Inaugural season | 2012 |
| Ceased | 2014 |
| CEO | Darlene Jones |
| No. of teams | 5 |
| Country |  United States |
| Last champion(s) | San Angelo Bandits (1st title) |
| Most titles | Amarillo Venom (2 titles) |
| Related competitions | IFL SIFL |
| Official website | TexasLSFL.com |
History
2012 season
The 2012 season began with the Houston Stallions, Amarillo Venom, Rio Grande Valley Magic, Laredo Rattlesnakes, West Texas Roughnecks, Corpus Christi Hammerheads, and Abilene Ruff Riders participating. While a number of the other teams scheduled to launch in 2012 did not make it to the start of the regular season, only the Mesquite Bandits had their franchise revoked rather than fold voluntarily.[2] The Houston team was 7–0 when it folded halfway through the season.[3] The Amarillo Venom finished the regular season 10–4 and went on to defeat the Rio Grande Valley Magic 62–40 in the LSFL championship game.[4] Former Clemson linebacker Antonio Clay was practicing with the West Texas Roughnecks in Odessa, Texas in 2012.
2013 season
For 2013, the LSFL played with just five teams. Amarillo, Laredo, Corpus Christi, and Abilene (now known as the Bombers) returned from the 2012 season. The league added two new teams; the expansion San Angelo Bandits and the New Mexico Stars (formerly of the Indoor Football League and the LSFL's first and only team outside of Texas).[5] The league announced in October that the Corpus Christi Hammerheads had been removed from the league due to its ownership violating by-laws. The Amarillo Venom defeated the Laredo Rattlesnakes 70–69 to repeat as league champions.[6] After the season, in late September 2013, the Laredo franchise announced it was ceasing operations due to the financial and legal difficulties of its owner.[7]
2014 season
With the Laredo and Abilene franchises failing to return, the LSFL added the West Texas Wildcatters in Odessa[8] and the Rio Grande Valley Sol in Hidalgo to the league.
Merger with the CPIFL
On August 14, 2014, it was announced at the league website that they merged with the Champions Professional Indoor Football League to create what they say is the largest indoor football league in the country.[9] The merged league became known as Champions Indoor Football.
Teams
| Team | Location | Arena (Capacity) |
|---|---|---|
| Amarillo Venom | Amarillo | Amarillo Civic Center (4,912) |
| Rio Grande Valley Sol | Hidalgo | State Farm Arena (5,500) |
| San Angelo Bandits | San Angelo, Texas | Foster Communications Coliseum (5,260) |
| West Texas Wildcatters | Odessa | Ector County Coliseum (5,131) |
- Abilene Bombers – played in LSFL during the 2012 and 2013 seasons
- Corpus Christi Hammerheads – played in LSFL for 2012 season, franchise revoked by league for multiple violations of league bylaws[10]
- Frisco Falcons – announced for the 2012 season but folded before the schedule was released
- Houston Stallions – Due to the resignations of its general manager and staff, the Stallions were unable to complete the 2012 season[3]
- Laredo Rattlesnakes – played in LSFL during the 2012 and 2013 seasons
- Mesquite Bandits – originally set to play in inaugural 2012 season, franchise revoked by league before season started for lack of preparations for inaugural season as well as breach of franchise agreement[2]
- New Mexico Stars – played in LSFL for 2013 and 2014 seasons
- Rio Grande Valley Magic – played in LSFL for 2012 season, franchise revoked by league for multiple violations of league bylaws[10]
- West Texas Roughnecks – played in LSFL for 2012 season, folded after new ownership could not be found
Franchising
The LSFL required a $25,000 franchise fee to join, as well as a $25,000 letter of credit.[11]
References
- "Minor League Markets:Methodology". Sports Business Journal. 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
- "Mesquite Bandits Membership Revoked". Our Sports Central. January 30, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
- "LSFL-leading Houston Stallions cease operations, affecting Ruff Riders' schedule". Abilene Reporter-News. Abilene, TX. June 5, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
- "Venom win inaugural LSFL title". San Angelo Standard-Times. San Angelo, TX: E. W. Scripps Company. July 22, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
- Christ, Bob (September 14, 2012). "Stars Shifting to Lone Star League". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
- Mayer, Jacob (July 14, 2013). "Impressive legacy: Venom hang together to win another title". Amarillo Globe-News. Amarillo, TX: Morris Communications. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
- Mack, Jason (September 30, 2013). "Rattlesnakes cease operation". Laredo Morning Times. Laredo, TX: Hearst Corporation. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
- "FOOTBALL: Professional indoor team returns to Odessa". Odessa American. October 16, 2013. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
- Merger Between CPIFL and LSFL is a Success Archived 2014-08-14 at the Wayback Machine, CPIFL website, August 14, 2014
- "Dittman Membership Terminated". Lone Star Football League. September 27, 2012. Archived from the original on October 8, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
- Christ, Bob (October 5, 2012). "Coach Has Ownership". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved October 5, 2012.