History of Divisions

This page shows the history of AFA divisions from 1945 to today.

## Pre-Division Era

From 1945 to 1972, the AFA was not separated into conferences. Before the divisions, playoffs were usually seeded depending on the team's record on the standings board.

### Birth of the AFA: 1945

 Providence Packers

### 1948: First expansion & relocation

The (original) Baltimore Braves and the Hartford Hammers are added. Buffalo moves to Rochester.

 Rochester Chasers

### Four teams (1949)

Hammers and Chasers fold.

 Providence Packers

### Eight teams (1950)

The Philadelphia Quakers, Chicago Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Bulldogs are added to the league.

### 1951: Providence Packers leave

The Packers leave the league, but wont fold until a few years later.

 Pittsburgh Pirates

### Six teams (1958-1968)

The Baltimore Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Rockies all fold, while the Cincinnati Comets and Green Bay Guardians join. The league would stay with six teams until 1969.

 Philadelphia Quakers

### The Next Generation: 1969

Six new teams are added. The list includes the Washington Braves, Pittsburgh Nailers, Los Angeles Stars, Milwaukee Hunters, Detroit Navys and the New Orleans Golds. Cincinnati and Green Bay fold, making them the last teams to cease operations in the AFA.

## Division Era

In 1972, divisions were created, seperating the league.

### Twelve teams (1972-1973)

The Montreal Marauders and Vancouver Vibrants are added.

 Los Angeles Stars
 New Orleans Golds
 Pittsburgh Nailers
 **Vancouver Vibrants** | Washington Braves

### Sixteen teams (1974-1975)

The California Sailors, Dallas Outlaws, Missouri Kings and St. Louis Scouts are added. The Vibrants and Hunters exchange spots in the divisions. In addition to this, subdivisions are added.

 **California Sailors** | **Dallas Outlaws** | Boston Brigade
 Chicago Cardinals
 Milwaukee Hunters
 **Missouri Kings** | **St. Louis Scouts** | Washington Braves

### Eighteen teams (1976-1979)

The Portland Pioneers and Atlanta Firebirds expand into the league.

 California Sailors
 Milwaukee Hunters
 **Missouri Kings** | St. Louis Scouts
 **Portland Pioneers** |  |  | Vancouver Vibrants

### 1980: AFA-NFA merger

Two more teams join, the Buffalo Buckeyes and Nashville Smokies, from the merger between the AFA and the NFA. Detroit moves to New York and the California Sailors become the San Francisco Sailors.

 Chicago Cardinals
 Milwaukee Hunters
 Missouri Kings
 Portland Pioneers
 **San Francisco Sailors** | St. Louis Scouts

### 1981: Vancouver becomes the Toronto Beavers

The Vibrants move to Toronto to become the Beavers.

 Chicago Cardinals
 Milwaukee Hunters
 Missouri Kings
 Portland Pioneers
 San Francisco Sailors

### 1983: Buckeyes move to Louisville, Toronto changes their name

The Buckeyes relocate to Louisville to become the Blues. The Toronto Beavers are renamed the Toronto Titans.

 Chicago Cardinals
 Milwaukee Hunters
 Missouri Kings
 Portland Pioneers
 San Francisco Sailors

### 1985: Washington relocates to Baltimore

The Washington Braves move north to become the Baltimore Braves.

 Chicago Cardinals
 Milwaukee Hunters
 Missouri Kings
 Portland Pioneers
 San Francisco Sailors

### Twenty-two teams (1988-1989)

The Seattle Metropolitans and Miami Marines join the league. The Titans move to the North division.

### 1990: Missouri changes their name

The Missouri Kings become the Kansas City Kings.

### Twenty-four teams (1991-1992)

The league is reorganized to prepare for a 30 team future, while the Anaheim Aviators and Washington Senators are added.

### Twenty-six teams (1993-1995)

The Minnesota Superiors and Detroit Robins join.

### Twenty-eight teams (1996-1998)

The Houston Apollos and Phoenix Coppers join. The Minnesota Superiors move to the East.

### Thirty teams (1999-2004)

The Charlotte Buzzers and Tampa Bay Tropics are added. Proposals such as Oklahoma City, Utah and Virginia Beach were planned however were not approved.

### 2000: Blues relocate to Denver

The Louisville Blues relocate and become the Denver Stallions. They switch spots with the Detroit Robins.

### 2003 realignment

For the first time in 12 years, the league realigns the league in order for future expansion teams to make their way.

### Thirty-one teams (2004-2006)

The Cleveland Commanders join. They ended up getting a 15-1 record and winning the AFA Finals the next year.

### Thirty-two teams (2007-present)

In 2007, the most recent expansion occurred. The Indianapolis Speeders joined, and switched spots with the Minnesota Superiors, with the Minnesota Superiors ending up in the Western Division.

### 2013: St. Louis Scouts lockout

Because of the St. Louis Scouts lockout in 2013, the divisions realigned. St. Louis temporarily relocates to Winnipeg.

### 2016-2022

The Anaheim Aviators are renamed the Los Angeles Aviators.

### 2023: Four Subdivision Realignment

The league realigns the divisions once again, this time in 4 subdivisions. The divisions were unveiled live on May 11, 2023, along with the schedule release.