The Quad City Steamwheelers announced on Friday afternoon that they would be packing up their bags after a successful first season in Champions Indoor Football (CIF) and moving to the competing Indoor Football League (IFL).
Steamwheelers owner Doug Bland and Iowa Barnstormers general manager John Pettit were both in attendance to discuss the move.
Quad City Steamwheelers announce move to IFL
“I feel like we have a better opportunity all around to build a long-term sustainable business with the IFL and the strong group of owners they have,” Bland said.
The Steamwheelers look to be the eighth team confirmed for the 2019 IFL season – a number that has already increased from six teams a year ago.
“The IFL and the other IFL owners saw what Doug and Crystal Bland did with the QC franchise in 2018 and knew that they were people we wanted to have part of our League,” said IFL Commissioner Mike Allshouse.
In the team’s first season since they re-introduced the Steamwheelers, they were able to make the playoffs and nearly won the first seed in their conference.
The team looks to continue that level of success in the IFL and also to reunite with old rivals around the league.
“We are thrilled to be part of the IFL,” Bland said. “The Quad City fans will now get to see old rivals like the Iowa Barnstormers and the Green Bay Blizzard as well as teams that have been around for 25+ years like the Arizona Rattlers.”
2019 Indoor Football League Team Lineup
Arizona Rattlers
Cedar Rapids*
Green Bay Blizzard
Iowa Barnstormers
Nebraska Danger
Quad City Steamwheelers
Sioux Falls Storm
Tuscon
*A Re-brand is on the way and the team will likely not be called the Titans in 2019
Note: Season tickets have gone on sale for as low as $70. More info can be found here.
