The city of Anaheim, California was awarded an expansion team on August 15, 2013. The team, named the Los Angeles Kiss , was the first AFL team to call Los Angeles home since the Los Angeles Avengers in 2008. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley , members of the rock band Kiss , were the owners of the expansion franchise.[ 1]
Two teams that competed in 2013 suspended operations, (Chicago Rush & Utah Blaze ) and their rosters were dispersed throughout the league during a dispersal draft on September 6, 2013.[ 2]
The Milwaukee Mustangs sold their league membership to Terry Emmert , who then started a new franchise in Portland, Oregon named the Portland Thunder .[ 3]
On December 17, 2013 it was announced that ESPN had agreed to a multi-year deal in televising several games, including the ArenaBowl . Additionally, at least 75 games during the season were to be aired on ESPN3 , the network's online streaming service. ESPN had owned an equity interest in the former league organization prior to its bankruptcy, and had previously aired games as recently as the 2008 season , prior to the league's hiatus that resulted in the canceled 2009 season.[ 4]
With teams expanding, relocating and suspending operations, the AFL announced the divisional alignment for 2014 on October 29, 2013. The two conferences had an even number of teams, and were placed in two divisions.[ 5]
Conference
Division
Teams
American
East
Cleveland Gladiators , Iowa Barnstormers , Philadelphia Soul , Pittsburgh Power
South
Jacksonville Sharks , New Orleans VooDoo , Orlando Predators , Tampa Bay Storm
National
Pacific
Portland Thunder , San Jose SaberCats , Spokane Shock
West
Arizona Rattlers , Los Angeles Kiss , San Antonio Talons
Regular season standings
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Eight teams qualify for the playoffs: four teams from each conference, of which two are division champions and the other two have the best records of the teams remaining.[ 6]
Green indicates clinched playoff berth Blue indicates division champion Gray indicates division champion and conference's best record a
Conference Semifinals
Conference Championship
ArenaBowl XXVII
1
Cleveland
39
4
Philadelphia
37
1
Cleveland
56
American Conference 2
Orlando
46
2
Orlando
56
3
Pittsburgh
48
A1
Cleveland
32
N1
Arizona
72
1
Arizona
52
4
Portland
48
1
Arizona
72
National Conference 2
San Jose
56
2
San Jose
55
3
Spokane
28
Conference semifinals
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Conference
Date
Kickoff
Away
Score
Home
Game site
Recap
American
August 10
3:00 p.m. EDT
Orlando Predators
46–56
Cleveland Gladiators
Quicken Loans Arena
[ 11]
National
August 10
8:00 p.m. EDT
San Jose SaberCats
56–72
Arizona Rattlers
US Airways Center
[ 12]
Date
Kickoff
Away
Score
Home
Game site
Recap
August 23
8:00 p.m. EDT
Arizona Rattlers
72–32
Cleveland Gladiators
Quicken Loans Arena
Offense
Position
First team
Second team
Quarterback
Nick Davila , Arizona
Shane Austin , Cleveland
Fullback
Derrick Ross , Philadelphia
Mykel Benson , San Antonio
Wide receiver
Marco Thomas , Iowa Rod Windsor , Arizona Dominick Goodman , Cleveland
Greg Carr , Orlando Darius Reynolds , Iowa Donovan Morgan , Los Angeles
Center
Antonio Narcisse , Pittsburgh
Shannon Breen , Cleveland
Offensive lineman
Rich Ranglin , San Jose Michael Huey , Arizona
Colin Madison , Pittsburgh Wayne Tribue , Philadelphia
Defense
Position
First team
Second team
Defensive end
James Ruffin , Spokane Ted Jennings , Philadelphia
Cliff Dukes , Arizona Mike Lewis , Iowa
Nose guard
Jason Stewart , San Jose
Willie McGinnis , Cleveland
Middle linebacker
Beau Bell , Los Angeles
Francis Maka , San Jose
Jack linebacker
Tanner Varner , Orlando
Bryce Peila , Portland
Defensive back
Marquis Floyd , Arizona Varmah Sonie , Portland Marrio Norman , Cleveland
Cameron McGlenn , New Orleans Kelvin Rodgers , San Antonio Rayshaun Kizer , Philadelphia
^ "Arena Football League, KISS Bring Pro Football Back to Los Angeles" . Arena Football League . August 15, 2013. Archived from the original on 2017-02-09. Retrieved October 30, 2013 .^ Richard Obert (September 7, 2013). "Rattlers bolster pass rush with addition of Alex Magee in dispersal draft Friday" . www.azcentral.com . azcentral.com. Retrieved September 9, 2013 . ^ Don Walker (October 2, 2013). "Milwaukee Mustangs bound for Portland" . www.jsonline.com . Journal Sentinel, Inc. Retrieved October 30, 2013 . ^ "ESPN Acquires Rights to Arena Football Starting in 2014" . arenafootball.com . Arena Football League. December 17, 2013. Archived from the original on December 22, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013 .^ "With Rush gone, AFL sets realignment for 2014 season" . www.dailyherald.com . Paddock Publications, Inc. October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2013 .^ "Playoff Qualification, Selection of Teams" . Arenafootball.com . Archived from the original on August 7, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2014 .^ "Gladiators Beat Soul on Last Play, Again" . Cleveland Gladiators . Arenafan.com. August 3, 2014. Retrieved August 3, 2014 .^ Aseltine, Griffin (August 3, 2014). "San Jose Shocks Spokane in Playoff Blowout, 55-28" . Arenafan.com . ArenaFan. Retrieved August 4, 2014 . ^ Sims, Jeff (August 4, 2014). "Morris and KEEFENSE Surge Power" . Arenafan.com . ArenaFan. Retrieved August 4, 2014 . ^ Loeschman, Matt (August 4, 2014). "Snakes alive -- Floyd interception saves Rattlers' season" . Arenafan.com . ArenaFan. Retrieved August 4, 2014 . ^ Rosenblum, Jonah (August 10, 2014). "Steady Gladiators Best Orlando, Advance to ArenaBowl" . Arenafan.com . ArenaFan. Retrieved August 12, 2014 . ^ Loeschman, Matt (August 11, 2014). "Rattlers show championship form in dominating Cats" . Arenafan.com . ArenaFan. Retrieved August 12, 2014 .
