BILLINGS — With chaos in the first-year Arena Football League, Billings Outlaws owner Steven Titus told The Billings Gazette and 406mtsports.com on Friday morning that he had called for an emergency league meeting for the same afternoon.
On Thursday, the Iowa Rampage informed its fans via social media that the team would be “discontinued.”
The Iowa Rampage ownership team sincerely regrets to inform you that the the team will be discontinued.
— Iowa Rampage (@IowaRampageAFL) May 2, 2024
Please read the full press release below for more information: pic.twitter.com/z1rAW4c5qR
That comes after the AFL schedule for Week 2 was shuffled, including an Outlaws game, and after games to be televised on the NFL Network weren’t.
There have been other reports that other AFL teams are also in danger of folding. The AFL began the season as a 16-team league.
According to a report from Beyond The Walls, there is information circulating that as many 8 additional #AFL teams may fold “within the next few days or so”. We will provide updates as we get them! Buckle up! #AFLNews #AFL2024 pic.twitter.com/OHHY42zJEc
— Indoor Football Insider (@IndoorInsider) May 3, 2024
Titus wanted Outlaws (1-0) fans to know his team will continue to play this season.
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“The Billings Outlaws will be playing football in 2024. We just have to finalize who our playing partners are and figure out which leadership will lead the league into prosperity,” he said. “At today’s meeting I will be calling for the immediate resignation of our league commissioner (Lee A. Hutton, III) and CEO (Travelle Gaines).”
The Rapid City (South Dakota) Marshals of the AFL released a press statement Thursday that addressed the AFL situation. Wes Johnson, co-owner and president of the Marshals said “we are fully committed to maintaining the stability of our team, and providing our fans with an exceptional experience both on and off the field."
The Marshals press release stated: “Amidst ongoing discussions concerning the stability and future of the Arena Football League (AFL), the Rapid City Marshals acknowledge the complexities that have emerged, including ceasing of operations of fellow AFL team the Iowa Rampage along with the inability for the league (AFL) to meet their financial obligations promised to the Rapid City Marshals. However, the Marshals remain resolute in their dedication to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity, with the hopes of the continuation of football operations.”
On Wednesday, the Rapid City Marshals X account tweeted about a schedule change for this week, saying, “Per league memorandum Rapid City will have a bye week during Week 2.”
FYI pic.twitter.com/ixSDEQsEZ3
— Rapid City Marshals (@MarshalsAFL) May 1, 2024
The Outlaws Week 2 scheduled game was also affected. Billings was originally to play the Oregon Blackbears on Saturday, but the AFL switched the contest. Instead, Billings will play the Washington Wolfpack (0-1) at 4 p.m. Sunday in Everett, Washington.
Titus confirmed the Outlaws game at Washington on Sunday was still set. Titus earlier told The Gazette and 406 MT Sports that the AFL had switched the game and opponent due to wall pads at the facility in Salem being on cattle fencing, unreliable internet capabilities at the Salem Pavilion Arena, and rebound nets failing league standards.
However, the AFL then scheduled the Georgia Force to play at the Blackbears on Saturday. The Oregon team is owned by the AFL, according to Titus.
“We are playing in Washington. The guys leave tonight (Friday),” Titus said. “I’ve been talking to Washington ownership and we’ll be playing this weekend. The Washington leadership is a wonderful group of people and we look forward to beating them this week. I hate having to beat them, but we have to; it’s just part of the game plan.”
In a news release by the Rampage, the AFL has been accused of not delivering on promises to help cover travel, provide jerseys, camp gear and warmups, and a failure to cover a portion of player pay. The letter also addresses games not appearing on the NFL Network yet.
It was previously announced and later chronicled by news outlets, including 406 MT Sports and The Gazette, that 30 AFL games would be on the NFL Network beginning opening weekend.
“We were promised a large portion of broadcast revenue to operate our teams and that didn’t come to fruition,” Titus said. “I’m picking up the tab the league promised it would pay.”
Titus said he feels compassion for the players caught in the middle.
“Some of the guys are extremely vulnerable and come out of the situation more vulnerable than they came into it," he said. "This could have been avoided if people were honest and not greedy.”
While there is uncertainty surrounding the relaunched AFL, Titus did say he was confident in the Outlaws’ future.
“The Billings Outlaws are sustainable and we are not going anywhere,” he said. “I know how much money I have in my checking account and we’ll be more than fine.”
Email Gazette Sports Editor John Letasky at john.letasky@406mtsports.com or follow him on X/Twitter at @GazSportsJohnL