Arena Football League 2000s Logo

The Arena Football League was founded in 1986 by Jim Foster, who had gotten the idea from watching a Major Indoor Soccer League game earlier in the decade. After two test games in 1986, the league kicked off in 1987 with four teams travelling the country. In 1988, the league had six clubs each playing in their home city. Interest and support waxed and waned throughout the league's history. The 2009 season was cancelled due to financial strains. The league returned in 2010, but folded after the 2019 season.