Gridiron Developmental Football League

The Gridiron Developmental Football League (GDFL) is a low-level american football minor league based in Memphis, Tennessee, using the franchise model.

, the league has 29 teams. The GDFL plays a playoff format similar to NCAA tournament, as 14 teams make the playoffs, with the two finalists meet in the Gridiron Bowl. The league also has an All-Star game called Hype Bowl, where the best players from the Impact Conference meets their counterparts from Xtreme Conference, and played annually before the championship game.

Teams' typical payroll budget changes between franchises, while salary payment also varies per players and per skillset – as some are getting paid, others aren't getting paid at all and some are getting only "gas money". 

The league have partnering agreements with the Elite Football League of India (EFLI) and the  (FDNFA) for player development.

History

Origins
The league was first conceived in 2009 and formed in 2010, with Charles Thompson as the founder and first president, and with representatives of several regional semi-pro football teams, that had a plan to form a 32 team pro minor league.

Inaugural Teams 
Memphis Blast, Arkansas Pirates, Carolina Warriors, Mississippi Raiders, Huntsville Hurricanes, Derby City Thunder, Hopkinsville Marauders, River City Raptors, Kentucky Wolverines, Ohio Browns, Columbus Gladiators, Tristate Sharks, Goshen Rampage, North Carolina Bengals, Lumberton Razorbacks, Carolina Cougars, Carolina Lions, Carolina Warhawks, Carolina Warriors, Port City Snipers, Beaufort Broncos, Palmetto Havoc, Palmetto State Spartans, CSRA Cobras, Georgia Crush, Rock Hill Scorpions, Lake Norman Fear, Ashville Grizzlies.

2019–present
In September 2019 the GDFL reached an agreement with Labelle Developmental Football League (formerly Labelle Community Football League) to absorb the league teams under the  Gridiron Developmental Football League umbrella, and to launch "GDFL West Coast". On later date, it was announced that the West Coast Football Alliance teams will become GDFL members, and the Colorado Football Association also confirmed that their league teams are joining the GDFL. On October the league and Developmental Football International (DFI) announced joint-venture agreement, that "would strengthen the American developmental football landscape through stability, commercial growth and the professional development of club football in four main regions throughout the United States", with attempt to mirror the United Soccer League.

As with almost all other sports leagues, the GDFL first postponed and then suspended operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In 2023 the league announced that the Watertown Red & Black - the oldest active football team in the United States - would be joining the league and the Racine Raiders - the second oldest active semi-pro team in the United States and the semi-pro team with the most all-time franchise wins - would be joining the league.

Teams

Impact Conference
 Impact East Division: Everett Royals, Seattle Seminoles, Spokane Wolfpack. Wenatchee Valley Storm 
 Impact North Division: Grit City Knights, South Lane Buzzards, Washington Warriors, West Sound Rebels
 Impact West Division: Inglewood Blackhawks, Santa Clarita Valley Tigers, SoCal Coyotes
 Impact South Division: Arizona Roadrunners, Lancaster Mustangs, Salt Lake City Senate

Xtreme Conference
 Xtreme East Division: Central New York Vikings, Syracuse Strong, Troy Fighting Irish, Watertown Red & Black
 Xtreme North Division: Baltimore Lightning, Capital City Seahawks, Columbus Fire, Erie Express, Washington Bulldawgs
 Xtreme Midwest: Racine Raiders, St. Paul Pioneers, Wisconsin Hitmen
  Xtreme South Division: Georgia Brigade, Huntsville Rockets, Memphis Blast, Tri-City Outlaws
 Xtreme West Division: Charlotte Colonials, New York Falcons, Orchard Park Ducks, Upstate Predators

Notable former teams
 Albany Metro Mallers
 Carolina Warriors
 Central Penn Piranha
 Chambersburg Cardinals
 Dallas Diesel
 Lehigh Valley Storm
 Myrtle Beach Sharks
 Nashville Storm
 Pittsburgh Colts
 Tampa Bay Warriors

GDFL National Champions

GDFL Commissioners
Bo Townsend (2019–present)       
George Burch (2017–2019) 
Devin Richardson (2015–2017)
Steven Roper (2014–2015)
Charles Thompson (2010–2014)

Notable players
       
Delvin Breaux – Former New Orleans Saints player.
Tyron Carrier – Former Montreal Alouettes player.
De'Mon Glanton – Former Arena Football League player.
Kache Palacio – Former Seattle Seahawks player.
Keon Lattimore – Former San Francisco 49ers player.

References

American football leagues in the United States
Sports leagues established in 2010
Professional sports leagues in the United States
2010 establishments in the United States