The National Arena League (NAL) is nearing the conclusion of their 2019 season. This means that expansion will be at the forefront of news in the league.
There is news of a team called the Tampa Bay Tornadoes that could possibly join the NAL for the 2020 season.
Tampa Bay Tornadoes could Join NAL
The NAL looks to have a solid 10 teams in the 2020 season, according to Commissioner Chris Siegfried in an interview during a game this season. The league is at six teams at the moment.
With the new expansion rules, all expansion teams are to submit their expansion applications by the end of August. The date that the team has to pay their dues won’t be until October 10. The schedule will be released on November 1, 2019.
While it may seem promising for the NAL right now, there is still confusion surrounding the situation.
At the beginning of 2019, they seemed to post a lot about the American Arena League (AAL) and joining their league.
After being quiet about the AAL for some time, it leads others wondering where they will go While it is not confirmed that they are joining the NAL, it is a possibility.
The team has already announced its coaching staff for the 2020 season, along with bios for each coach. They will be headed by Stevie Thomas, a former player for the Tampa Bay Storm and Orlando Predators as well as a two-time ArenaBowl MVP.
Coaching Staff
Head Coach – Stevie Thomas
Thomas enters the 2019 season as a rookie head coach, but has plenty of arena football playing experience. He was with Tampa Bay from 1991 through 1999, leading his team to four Arena Bowl Championships. Also played for the Predators in 2000 and won the Arena Bowl for the Orlando Predators.
Thomas finished his playing career with the New Jersey Gladiators in 2001. He is a 2-time Arena Bowl MVP, First Team All-Arena, Second Team All-Arena, made the 15th Anniversary Team, ranked ninth in the AFL’s top 20 players in 2009, ranked 12th in the AFL’s top 25 players in a 2012 poll. He was also an Arena Football Hall of Fame Inductee in 2011.
His arena stats include 7,892 yards and 152 touchdowns in his 11 seasons of playing.
Receiving Assistant Coach – Freddie Solomon
Solomon also enters his rookie year of coaching, but also has plenty of football experience. He was an undrafted rookie and was picked up by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1995 and was released in 1998. During his time with the Eagles, Solomon had 58 receptions for 773 yards and four touchdowns. After his NFL days, he went to the Tampa Bay Storm from 2003 to 2006 and won an Arena Bowl in 2003. After Tampa Bay, Solomon signed with the original Columbus Destroyers where he had 24 receptions for 226 yards and three touchdowns.
Offensive Line Coach – Carl Watts
Watts played multiple seasons in the AFL with the Tampa Bay Storm and a season with the Miami Hooters (1995). With the Storm, Watts led his team to three Arena Bowl victories (1991, 1993, 1996).
Defensive Line Coach – Kelvin Kinney
Kinney’s playing days ended just seasons ago in 2011 as he retired a Dallas Vigilante. Throughout his career, he played with the San Jose Sabercats (2000), Las Vegas Outlaws (2001), Detroit Fury (2001-2002), Tampa Bay Storm (2003-2005, 2008, 2010), Columbus Destroyers (2006-2007), and the Dallas Vigilantes (2011). He also played for the Toronto Augonauts (2001, 2003) and the Edmonton Eskimos (2003, 2004).
Defensive Backs Coach – Tracey Sanders
Sanders played arena football for six seasons, all of which were with the Tampa Bay Storm (1994-1999). In his arena career, he recorded 105 tackles, 2 sacks, 18 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and two interceptions. He also helped his team come out victorious in two Arena Bowls (1995, 1996).
The Venue
According to the team’s Facebook page, the arena that the Tornadoes are going to play is at the Expo Hall in Tampa Bay, FL.
The Expo Hall hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning from the 1992-1993 season. Indoor Soccer, Ice Hockey, and Concerts are very popular in this arena and can hold many thousands of people. For ice hockey, the arena is capable of holding 10,425 people.
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