The Iowa Rampage, a part of the rebooted Arena Football League, have recently decided to discontinue operations. This decision comes after team owners expressed their frustration with the AFL and Commissioner Lee Hutton for failing to deliver on promises made. Issues such as delayed deliveries of football, jerseys, and camp gear, as well as the NFL Network backing out of televising games, were cited as reasons for the team’s closure. Additionally, Hutton’s failure to address open issues during weekly calls was also a point of contention.
In a press release, Rampage owners Trevor Burdett and Mike Taliaferro criticized Hutton and his team for ruining the revival of the AFL and ruining the hopes of players across the country. The decision to discontinue operations was not taken lightly, but with the lack of promised support from the league, the owners felt they had no other choice. As a result, the Rampage has been removed from the online roster of teams, leaving the AFL with 15 franchises for now.
The future of the Arena Football League remains uncertain as this recent development has called into question the stability and viability of the league moving forward. The closure of the Iowa Rampage serves as a warning sign for other teams and the league as a whole, highlighting the importance of fulfilling promises and supporting teams to ensure the success of the AFL. Only time will tell what lies ahead for the Arena Football League and its remaining franchises.