The Southern Division is one of four divisions of the Arena Football League. It's also one of two divisions within the "American Conference", although they have been part of the "National Conference" from 1995 through 2008. The Southern Division has been marked for its entire existence as being the most brutal and competitive division in the AFL. 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. 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
- Miami Hooters
- Orlando Predators
- Tampa Bay Storm
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
- Florida Bobcats
- Orlando Predators
- Tampa Bay Storm
- Texas Terror
Miami Hooters renamed Florida Bobcats. Texas Terror enfranchised.
1997
- Florida Bobcats
- Orlando Predators
- Tampa Bay Storm
Texas Terror moved to the American Conference's Central Division.
1998 and 1999
- Florida Bobcats
- Nashville Kats
- Orlando Predators
- Tampa Bay Storm
Nashville moved in from the National Conference's Eastern Division.
2000
- Carolina Cobras
- Florida Bobcats
- Nashville Kats
- Orlando Predators
- Tampa Bay Storm
Carolina Cobras enfranchised.
2001
- Florida Bobcats
- Nashville Kats
- Orlando Predators
- Tampa Bay Storm
Carolina moved to Eastern Division.
2002 and 2003
- Carolina Cobras
- Georgia Force
- Orlando Predators
- Tampa Bay Storm
Carolina moved back from Eastern Division. Florida Bobcats folded. Nashville moved to Atlanta as Georgia Force.
2004 and 2005
- Austin Wranglers
- Georgia Force
- New Orleans VooDoo
- Orlando Predators
- Tampa Bay Storm
Austin Wranglers and New Orleans VooDoo enfranchised. Carolina moved back to Eastern Division.
2006
- Austin Wranglers
- Georgia Force
- Kansas City Brigade
- Orlando Predators
- Tampa Bay Storm
Kansas City Brigade enfranchised. New Orleans VooDoo suspended due to Hurricane Katrina.
2007
- Austin Wranglers
- Georgia Force
- New Orleans VooDoo
- Orlando Predators
- Tampa Bay Storm
Kansas City moved to Central Division. New Orleans reactivated.
2008
- Georgia Force
- New Orleans VooDoo
- Orlando Predators
- Tampa Bay Storm
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
- Alabama Vipers
- Jacksonville Sharks
- Orlando Predators
- Tampa Bay Storm
The Southern Division moved to the American Conference. Alabama moved in from af2. Jacksonville Sharks enfranchised.
2011 and 2012
- Georgia Force
- Jacksonville Sharks
- New Orleans VooDoo
- Orlando Predators
- Tampa Bay Storm
Alabama moved to Duluth as Georgia Force. New Orleans reactivated.
2013
- Jacksonville Sharks
- New Orleans VooDoo
- Orlando Predators
- Tampa Bay Storm
Georgia Force folded.
Division Champions[]
- 1992: Orlando Predators (9-1)
- 1995: Tampa Bay Storm (10-2)
- 1996: Tampa Bay Storm (12-2)
- 1997: Orlando Predators (10-4)
- 1998: Tampa Bay Storm (12-2)
- 1999: Tampa Bay Storm (11-3)
- 2000: Orlando Predators (11-3)
- 2001: Nashville Kats (10-4)
- 2002: Orlando Predators (7-7)
- 2003: Tampa Bay Storm (12-4)
- 2004: New Orleans VooDoo (11-5)
- 2005: Georgia Force (11-5)
- 2006: Orlando Predators (10-6)
- 2007: Georgia Force (13-3)
- 2008: Georgia Force (10-6)
- 2010: Jacksonville Sharks (12-4)
- 2011: Jacksonville Sharks (14-4)
- 2012: Jacksonville Sharks (10-8)
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