SFL releases Divisional Alignment for Season 24

by Cameron Irvine

The Simulation Football League is going through some more changes in Season 24 as it seeks stability at the top of its franchises and is proud to announce its finalized alignment for the season.

WEST DIVISION

  • Arizona Scorpions
  • Los Angeles Lycans
  • Sin City Samurai 
  • Vancouver Legion
  • Washington Trident

The Sin City Samurai is the breaking news of the group. Formerly the Canton Classics, owner Kristian Aleixo is stepping aside to focus on other ventures including his new professional women's football team - the Indiana Valor. He's sold his stake in the team to former Canton Classic player Talon Steele who - alongside Adam Chance - will move the team to Las Vegas and start the next chapter of the franchise.

"I hope to build upon Aleixo's experience of owning an SFL team," Steele said. "All of us on the Classics would like to thank him for all his time and effort he has put in to building what has become such a great family and team here. Myself, along with my Co-Owner Adam Chance, will be moving and re-branding the team to the Sin City Samurai. We have chosen this City designation to not dishonor the former team that resided in Las Vegas, but to start a new legacy in the Greatest city in Nevada. We will enter a new era with this team, but one that continues our tradition of winning and toughness that was established in Canton. We wish to thank all of our former and current teammates as well as all of our fans that were a part of what was and hope you all will join us in what is to come."

Washington will also be competing in their first season in the division after moving from Detroit in the off-season under the leadership of Robert Thump. Arizona won the division last season, making it to the Quarterfinals.

SOUTH DIVISION

  • Albuquerque Atoms
  • Bossier City Steamers
  • Fort Worth Toros
  • Houston HeadHunters
  • Mexico City Aztecs

The South loses the Louisiana Revolution but gains a playoff team in the Albuquerque Atoms, furthering the division's Tex-Mex nickname. Defending champion Mexico City resides in this division and the Toros also made a playoff appearance last season.

CENTRAL DIVISION

  • Chicago Warriors
  • Denver Nightwings
  • Indianapolis Ramblers
  • Minnesota Legend
  • Oklahoma City Renegades

Oklahoma City is back under the direction of Michael Irvine and new General Manager Austin Sanders. Indianapolis is under new leadership too, under the direction of Robert Cherry. Minnesota has dominated this division, winners of four straight, as the teams around them try to put together a push to compete for a division title.

NORTH DIVISION

  • Baltimore Vultures
  • D.C. Dragons
  • Lexington Miners
  • Pittsburgh Riverhogs
  • Queen City Corsairs

Lexington is the newcomer of the group, pushed from the Central to the North to give this division two playoff teams from last season. Baltimore's the other - the Vultures beat Lexington in the Wild Card round, but fell in the Quarterfinals. The Dragons, Riverhogs and Corsairs hope to improve and get back to the postseason.

EAST DIVISION

  • Atlanta Swarm
  • Carolina Skyhawks
  • Charleston Predators
  • Florida Storm
  • Nashville Tempo

The only division that won't experience any changes heading into Season 24, four teams made the playoffs last season and all teams finished at least 6-6 in one of the most competitive division races in SFL history.

Kickoff of the league's 24th season will be Friday January 3 with three games on the menu. The Schedule Release Show for Season 24 will be announced later this month. Each team will play 12 games over 15 weeks, playing each divisional opponent once and eight other teams in non-division contests.

25 teams will once again compete for 12 playoff spots with the five division winners earning automatic bids.