The Tampa Bay Storm finished 2-15 in 2016. Their two wins came as time expired. They won their first game with a touchdown with no time left. In their second win, they blocked a kick to seal a win. Read more in our Tampa Bay Storm 2017 season preview.
2017 Tampa Bay Storm Season Preview
In 2017, things are completely different. The Storm are a new team and could see themselves in Arena Bowl XXX.
The Storm have signed two big-name players this offseason in quarterback Randy Hippeard and wide receiver Joe Hills. Hippeard had the Orlando Predators at the best record in the league last season before tearing his ACL last July. Hills led the league in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns with the Jacksonville Sharks last season.
The Storm also re-signed wide receiver/kick returner Kendrick Ings and defensive back Cortez Stubbs, two big contributions to the Storm last season. They’ve also signed jack linebacker Alvin Ray Jackson and middle linebacker Dexter Jackson.
The Storm have a lot of talent on their team. Fans can expect the team to win much more than two wins next season.
The 2017 Arena Football League season is the 30th in league history. Five teams will compete for the Foster Trophy in ArenaBowl XXX. The game is set to play on Saturday, Aug. 26. Two of the teams, the Washington Valor and the Baltimore Brigade, are expansion teams. Both were founded by CEO of Monumental Sports and Entertainment Ted Leonsis.
The Philadelphia Soul are the defending champions. They defeated the Arizona Rattlers by a final score of 56-42 to win ArenaBowl XXX.
Short after the 2016 season, the Rattlers left the Arena Football League to join the Indoor Football League. In addition, the Los Angeles KISS, Portland Steel and Orlando Predators all folded. The Sharks left the AFL for the National Arena League, the newest indoor football league.
