South Division (AFL)

South
Conference American Conference
League Arena Football League
Sport Arena Football
Founded 1992 (as the Southern Division, as a member of the National Conference)
Teams
No. of teams
  Jacksonville Sharks
  Orlando Predators
  Tampa Bay Storm
Championships
Most recent South champion(s) Orlando Predators (7th title)
Most South titles Orlando Predators (7 titles)

The American Conference - South Division is a division of the Arena Football League's American Conference. There are currently three teams that reside in the division: Jacksonville Sharks of Jacksonville, Orlando Predators of Orlando and Tampa Bay Storm of Tampa.

The Southern Division was formed in 1992 when the AFL first split into three divisions. The League used only conferences in 1993 and 1994, but returned to division play in 1995. The Southern Division has produced 10 ArenaBowl teams and 5 champions, with the most recent during the 2011 Arena Football League season by the Sharks. Rivalries such as the Tampa Bay Storm and Orlando Predators, known as the "War on I-4," used to define this division, but the Georgia Force had risen to the top and dominated in recent years before their folding.

Division lineups

1992

Creation of the Southern Division. Charlotte Rage enfranchised. In 1993, New Orleans Night folded upon suspension of the Southern Division while the league has been realigned into the American/National conference structure.

1995

The Southern Division returns, now part of the National Conference. Three of the National Conference teams, Miami, Orlando, and Tampa Bay reformed this division.

1996

Miami Hooters renamed Florida Bobcats. Texas Terror enfranchised.

1997

Texas Terror moved to the American Conference's Central Division.

1998 and 1999

Nashville moved in from the National Conference's Eastern Division.

2000

Carolina Cobras enfranchised.

2001

Carolina moved to Eastern Division.

2002 and 2003

Carolina moved back from Eastern Division. Florida Bobcats folded. Nashville moved to Atlanta as Georgia Force.

2004 and 2005

Austin Wranglers and New Orleans VooDoo enfranchised. Carolina moved back to Eastern Division.

2006

Kansas City Brigade enfranchised. New Orleans VooDoo suspended due to Hurricane Katrina.

2007

Kansas City moved to Central Division. New Orleans reactivated.

2008

Austin Wranglers moved to af2. In 2009, the AFL has been put on a one-year hiatus while Georgia Force and New Orleans are suspended.

2010

The Southern Division moved to the American Conference. Alabama moved in from af2. Jacksonville Sharks enfranchised.

2011 and 2012

Alabama moved to Duluth as Georgia Force. New Orleans reactivated.

2013 and 2014

Georgia Force folded.

2015

New Orleans VooDoo moved to East Division.

After 2015 Both Conferences no longer have divisions, although Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa Bay still remain in the American Conference, alongside Philadelphia Soul (from the now-defunct East division).

Division Champions

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