Western 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) |
| Teams | |
| No. of teams | |
| Championships | |
| Most recent West champion(s) | Arizona Rattlers (10th title) |
| Most West 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".
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
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 and 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 and 2005
Colorado moved to Central Division. Las Vegas moved in from National Conference's Eastern Division.
2006 and 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.
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.
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Wikipedia