Women's Professional Football League
Encyclopedia
The Women's Professional Football League (WPFL) is the original and longest operating women's professional American football
league in the United States. Now with teams across the United States, the WPFL had its first game in 1999 with just two original teams: the Lake Michigan Minx and the Minnesota Vixens. Fifteen teams nationwide competed for the championship in 2006.
The league has been recognized in national media campaigns, in the book Atta Girl, and even had a team (the New England Storm
) that has a commercial relationship with an NFL team, the 2002 Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots
.
Unlike the other women's American football
franchises, the WPFL operates as a fall
league and not a spring league.
that women were passive. This sentiment formed the background for the women's football league that was started in order to prove that women had the power to do what men did, with hopes that people would enjoy women's football as much as they did men's. In 1965, the name changed to its current incarnation. Since there were no college women's football teams in the US, most of their athletes came from basketball
, rugby
, and international football (soccer). After a few years, the sport began to fade.
In 1999 two businessmen, Carter Turner and Terry Sullivan, decided to research the feasibility of a professional women’s football league by gathering together top female athletes into two teams and playing an exhibition game in front of an audience. The game between the Lake Michigan Minx and the Minnesota Vixens at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
in Minneapolis, Minnesota was a success and turned into a six game exhibition tour across the country dubbed the “No Limits” Barnstorming Tour.
The success of the Barnstorming Tour led to the first official WPFL season in 2000 with 11 teams competing nationwide. This first season ended with some turmoil however; the regular season was shortened by several games, players were not given their promised $100 per-game salaries, and there were allegations regarding instability with some of the league's financial backers.
The WPFL rebounded the next year completing the 2001 season after several organizational changes. Notable changes included the departure of founders Sullivan and Turner (Turner then founded the WAFL
; restructure of the league by several WPFL team owners: Melissa Korpacz - New England Storm, Robin Howington - Houston Energy, and Donna Roebuck and Dee Kennamer - Austin Rage; changes to player/team compensation; and the moving of the start of the season from fall to summer.
, the National Women's Football Association
and the Women's Football League
. Unfortunately, these individual leagues do not see eye-to-eye, so the possibility of forming one unified league is not likely.
Three-fourths of the teams that had played in the WPFL for the 2007 season have since defected to other leagues to begin play in 2009; many of them have moved to the IWFL, although some moved to the NWFA and a few others have joined the upstart Women's Football Alliance
. Only two currently remain in the league, and as such, the league's future with so few teams would be in obvious jeopardy.
Because of the efforts of these organizations, some women's teams are allowed to play in some of the million-dollar domes and arenas originally built for men's teams. Noted stadiums have included the Astrodome in Houston, Texas
, and some of the highly facilitated places in Detroit, Michigan
.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
league in the United States. Now with teams across the United States, the WPFL had its first game in 1999 with just two original teams: the Lake Michigan Minx and the Minnesota Vixens. Fifteen teams nationwide competed for the championship in 2006.
The league has been recognized in national media campaigns, in the book Atta Girl, and even had a team (the New England Storm
New England Storm
The New England Storm was a women’s professional football team.The New England Storm originated when in 2000, Melissa "Missi" Korpacz, contacted the Women's Professional Football League to ask about bringing a team to the New England area...
) that has a commercial relationship with an NFL team, the 2002 Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
.
Unlike the other women's American football
Women's American football
Women have begun playing full-contact American football. Most leagues play by the same rules as their male counterparts, with one exception: women's leagues use a slightly smaller football. Women primarily play on a semi-professional or amateur level in the United States...
franchises, the WPFL operates as a fall
Autumn
Autumn is one of the four temperate seasons. Autumn marks the transition from summer into winter usually in September or March when the arrival of night becomes noticeably earlier....
league and not a spring league.
History
In the early 1960s, many women thought that sports in the US were sexist and needed to shift in another direction, moving beyond the stereotypeStereotype
A stereotype is a popular belief about specific social groups or types of individuals. The concepts of "stereotype" and "prejudice" are often confused with many other different meanings...
that women were passive. This sentiment formed the background for the women's football league that was started in order to prove that women had the power to do what men did, with hopes that people would enjoy women's football as much as they did men's. In 1965, the name changed to its current incarnation. Since there were no college women's football teams in the US, most of their athletes came from basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, rugby
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
, and international football (soccer). After a few years, the sport began to fade.
In 1999 two businessmen, Carter Turner and Terry Sullivan, decided to research the feasibility of a professional women’s football league by gathering together top female athletes into two teams and playing an exhibition game in front of an audience. The game between the Lake Michigan Minx and the Minnesota Vixens at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University...
in Minneapolis, Minnesota was a success and turned into a six game exhibition tour across the country dubbed the “No Limits” Barnstorming Tour.
The success of the Barnstorming Tour led to the first official WPFL season in 2000 with 11 teams competing nationwide. This first season ended with some turmoil however; the regular season was shortened by several games, players were not given their promised $100 per-game salaries, and there were allegations regarding instability with some of the league's financial backers.
The WPFL rebounded the next year completing the 2001 season after several organizational changes. Notable changes included the departure of founders Sullivan and Turner (Turner then founded the WAFL
Women's American Football League
The Women's American Football League was a women's football league that was formed in 2001. After disbanding, the teams merged with the Women's Affiliated Football Conference , the Independent Women's Football League and the American Football Women's League , itself now disbanded.-Teams:*Arizona...
; restructure of the league by several WPFL team owners: Melissa Korpacz - New England Storm, Robin Howington - Houston Energy, and Donna Roebuck and Dee Kennamer - Austin Rage; changes to player/team compensation; and the moving of the start of the season from fall to summer.
Effects
Fifteen teams competed in the 2006 WPFL season. The league has hundreds of players and is growing, but the league is more "semi-pro" as none of the athletes earn enough money playing football to make a living. However, the league still refers to them as professional athletes. Other leagues that connect to women's football include the United Football League, the Independent Women's Football LeagueIndependent Women's Football League
The Independent Women's Football League was founded in 2000, and began play in 2001.IWFL founders began with the goal to establish a quality women's football league that would be respected as the top level of women's tackle football in the world....
, the National Women's Football Association
National Women's Football Association
The National Women's Football Association was a full-contact American football league for women headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. The league was founded by Catherine Masters in 2000, as the two benchmark teams, the Alabama Renegades and the Nashville Dream played each other six times in...
and the Women's Football League
Women's Football League
The Women's Football League was a small women's American football team that began playing in 2002. Its last season was in 2007. It was composed of three teams, one in Grand Rapids, Michigan, one in Tennessee, and one in North Carolina, the Jacksonville Dixie Blues, who now play in the Women's...
. Unfortunately, these individual leagues do not see eye-to-eye, so the possibility of forming one unified league is not likely.
Three-fourths of the teams that had played in the WPFL for the 2007 season have since defected to other leagues to begin play in 2009; many of them have moved to the IWFL, although some moved to the NWFA and a few others have joined the upstart Women's Football Alliance
Women's Football Alliance
The Women's Football Alliance is a full-contact Women's American football league which began play in the spring of 2009. They have now completed three full seasons and grew to over 60 teams slated for the 2011 season. The women play 11 person tackle football games with rules that basically mirror...
. Only two currently remain in the league, and as such, the league's future with so few teams would be in obvious jeopardy.
Because of the efforts of these organizations, some women's teams are allowed to play in some of the million-dollar domes and arenas originally built for men's teams. Noted stadiums have included the Astrodome in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, and some of the highly facilitated places in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
.
Teams
- New Mexico Burn
Former teams
- Dayton Rebellion
- Colorado Valkyries (2000 season only)
- Albany Ambush (withdrew from 2006 schedule)
- Tulsa Black Widows (withdrew from 2006 schedule)
- Austin Rage (withdrew from 2003 schedule)
- New England StormNew England StormThe New England Storm was a women’s professional football team.The New England Storm originated when in 2000, Melissa "Missi" Korpacz, contacted the Women's Professional Football League to ask about bringing a team to the New England area...
- Pacific Blast (withdrew from 2003 schedule)
- Missouri Prowlers (folded)
- Florida StingraysFlorida StingraysThe Florida Stingrays was a 2008 expansion team of the American Indoor Football Association. They played their home games at the Lee County Civic Center...
(folded) - Wisconsin Riveters (expelled)
- Syracuse Sting 2001-2004
- Arizona Caliente
- Georgia Gladiators
- Lake Michigan Minx
- Long Beach AftershockLong Beach AftershockThe Long Beach Aftershock is a women’s professional football team.The Aftershock was founded in May 2002, by many players who won the first Women’s World Bowl as part of the California Quake, of the now disbanded Women's American Football League ....
- San Francisco Stingrays
- New York Dazzles
- Northern Ice
- New England IntensityNew England IntensityThe New England Intensity is a football team in the Independent Women's Football League based in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. Home games are played at Joseph P. Hanlon Field on the campus of Medway High School in Medway....
(joined IWFLIndependent Women's Football LeagueThe Independent Women's Football League was founded in 2000, and began play in 2001.IWFL founders began with the goal to establish a quality women's football league that would be respected as the top level of women's tackle football in the world....
) - Carolina QueensCarolina QueensThe Carolina Queens are a women's American football team based out of Charlotte, North Carolina playing in the Independent Women's Football League...
(joined IWFLIndependent Women's Football LeagueThe Independent Women's Football League was founded in 2000, and began play in 2001.IWFL founders began with the goal to establish a quality women's football league that would be respected as the top level of women's tackle football in the world....
) - Cape Fear ThunderCape Fear ThunderThe Cape Fear Thunder is a football team in the Women's Spring Football League based in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Home games are played at John P...
(joined IWFLIndependent Women's Football LeagueThe Independent Women's Football League was founded in 2000, and began play in 2001.IWFL founders began with the goal to establish a quality women's football league that would be respected as the top level of women's tackle football in the world....
) - Connecticut CyclonesConnecticut CyclonesThe Connecticut Cyclones are a team of the Women's Football Alliance. Based in Hartford, the Cyclones played two seasons in the Women's Professional Football League and one in the Independent Women's Football League before joining the WFA .Originally scheduled to begin play in 2009, the Cyclones...
(joined IWFLIndependent Women's Football LeagueThe Independent Women's Football League was founded in 2000, and began play in 2001.IWFL founders began with the goal to establish a quality women's football league that would be respected as the top level of women's tackle football in the world....
, now in WFAWomen's Football AllianceThe Women's Football Alliance is a full-contact Women's American football league which began play in the spring of 2009. They have now completed three full seasons and grew to over 60 teams slated for the 2011 season. The women play 11 person tackle football games with rules that basically mirror...
) - Dallas DiamondsDallas DiamondsThe Dallas Diamonds are a women's professional American football team in the Women's Football Alliance . It is made up of 46 players and has a coaching staff of 10...
(joined IWFLIndependent Women's Football LeagueThe Independent Women's Football League was founded in 2000, and began play in 2001.IWFL founders began with the goal to establish a quality women's football league that would be respected as the top level of women's tackle football in the world....
) - Las Vegas ShowgirlzLas Vegas ShowgirlzThe Las Vegas Showgirlz are a team of the Women's Football Alliance. Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Showgirlz play their home games on the campus of Faith Lutheran Jr/Sr High School in the city's upscale Summerlin district....
(joined IWFLIndependent Women's Football LeagueThe Independent Women's Football League was founded in 2000, and began play in 2001.IWFL founders began with the goal to establish a quality women's football league that would be respected as the top level of women's tackle football in the world....
, now in WFAWomen's Football AllianceThe Women's Football Alliance is a full-contact Women's American football league which began play in the spring of 2009. They have now completed three full seasons and grew to over 60 teams slated for the 2011 season. The women play 11 person tackle football games with rules that basically mirror...
)) - Wisconsin WolvesWisconsin WolvesThe Wisconsin Wolves are an Women's Football Alliance team based in Wausau, Wisconsin. The team was founded in 2006 and play their home games at Lussier Stadium on the campus of Madison LaFollette High School. The Wolves were the third Wisconsin WPFL franchise founded in the state but have...
(joined IWFLIndependent Women's Football LeagueThe Independent Women's Football League was founded in 2000, and began play in 2001.IWFL founders began with the goal to establish a quality women's football league that would be respected as the top level of women's tackle football in the world....
) - Los Angeles AmazonsLos Angeles AmazonsThe Los Angeles Amazons are a women's semi-professional American football team based in Los Angeles, California. A member of the Women's Football Alliance, the Amazons play their home games at Miguel Contreras Learning Complex....
(joined NWFANational Women's Football AssociationThe National Women's Football Association was a full-contact American football league for women headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. The league was founded by Catherine Masters in 2000, as the two benchmark teams, the Alabama Renegades and the Nashville Dream played each other six times in...
, now in IWFLIndependent Women's Football LeagueThe Independent Women's Football League was founded in 2000, and began play in 2001.IWFL founders began with the goal to establish a quality women's football league that would be respected as the top level of women's tackle football in the world....
) - Minnesota VixenMinnesota VixenThe Minnesota Vixen are a professional women's football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The team has been known as the Minnesota Vixens and Minneapolis Vixens prior to being known as the Vixen ....
(joined NWFANational Women's Football AssociationThe National Women's Football Association was a full-contact American football league for women headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. The league was founded by Catherine Masters in 2000, as the two benchmark teams, the Alabama Renegades and the Nashville Dream played each other six times in...
, now in IWFLIndependent Women's Football LeagueThe Independent Women's Football League was founded in 2000, and began play in 2001.IWFL founders began with the goal to establish a quality women's football league that would be respected as the top level of women's tackle football in the world....
) - New Jersey TitansNew Jersey TitansThe New Jersey Titans are a team of the Women's Spring Football League. Based in Wayne, New Jersey, the Titans play their home games on the campus of the Passaic County Technical Institute....
(joined NWFANational Women's Football AssociationThe National Women's Football Association was a full-contact American football league for women headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. The league was founded by Catherine Masters in 2000, as the two benchmark teams, the Alabama Renegades and the Nashville Dream played each other six times in...
, now in WFAWomen's Football AllianceThe Women's Football Alliance is a full-contact Women's American football league which began play in the spring of 2009. They have now completed three full seasons and grew to over 60 teams slated for the 2011 season. The women play 11 person tackle football games with rules that basically mirror...
)) - New York NemesisNew York NemesisThe New York Nemesis is a women's tackle football team playing out of the Capital District of New York. It is a member of the Independent Women's Football League , a league with over 30 teams across the United States...
(joined NWFANational Women's Football AssociationThe National Women's Football Association was a full-contact American football league for women headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. The league was founded by Catherine Masters in 2000, as the two benchmark teams, the Alabama Renegades and the Nashville Dream played each other six times in...
, now in IWFLIndependent Women's Football LeagueThe Independent Women's Football League was founded in 2000, and began play in 2001.IWFL founders began with the goal to establish a quality women's football league that would be respected as the top level of women's tackle football in the world....
) - Empire State RoarEmpire State RoarThe Empire State Roar is a Women's American football team. They play in Rochester, New York at the East Rochester High School Field and are currently a member of the Women's Football Alliance. The team was formerly a member of the Women's Professional Football League until 2008...
(joined WFAWomen's Football AllianceThe Women's Football Alliance is a full-contact Women's American football league which began play in the spring of 2009. They have now completed three full seasons and grew to over 60 teams slated for the 2011 season. The women play 11 person tackle football games with rules that basically mirror...
) - Indiana SpeedIndiana SpeedThe Indiana Speed is a football team in the Women's Spring Football League. They play on the near north side of Indianapolis, Indiana at Park Tudor School's football field....
(joined WFAWomen's Football AllianceThe Women's Football Alliance is a full-contact Women's American football league which began play in the spring of 2009. They have now completed three full seasons and grew to over 60 teams slated for the 2011 season. The women play 11 person tackle football games with rules that basically mirror...
) - Thee Toledo ReignThee Toledo ReignThee Toledo Reign is a football team in the Women's Football Alliance. Based in Toledo, Ohio they play at Gallagher Stadium on the campus of Central Catholic High School...
(joined WFAWomen's Football AllianceThe Women's Football Alliance is a full-contact Women's American football league which began play in the spring of 2009. They have now completed three full seasons and grew to over 60 teams slated for the 2011 season. The women play 11 person tackle football games with rules that basically mirror...
) - Houston Energy (joined IWFLIndependent Women's Football LeagueThe Independent Women's Football League was founded in 2000, and began play in 2001.IWFL founders began with the goal to establish a quality women's football league that would be respected as the top level of women's tackle football in the world....
) - Kentucky ValkyriesKentucky ValkyriesThe Kentucky Valkyries are a team of the Women's Football Alliance scheduled to begin play for the 2010 season. Based in the city of Bowling Green, the Bandits will likely compete in the Mid-Atlantic Division against the Kentucky Karma, Columbus Comets, Cleveland Fusion, Pittsburgh Force, and...
(joined WFAWomen's Football AllianceThe Women's Football Alliance is a full-contact Women's American football league which began play in the spring of 2009. They have now completed three full seasons and grew to over 60 teams slated for the 2011 season. The women play 11 person tackle football games with rules that basically mirror...
) - So Cal ScorpionsSo Cal ScorpionsThe So Cal Scorpions were a semi-pro women's football team based in San Diego, California. In 2011, they played in the Women's Football Alliance after five seasons in the defunct Women's Professional Football League, followed by two seasons off and one season in the Independent Women's Football...
(joined IWFLIndependent Women's Football LeagueThe Independent Women's Football League was founded in 2000, and began play in 2001.IWFL founders began with the goal to establish a quality women's football league that would be respected as the top level of women's tackle football in the world....
, now in WFAWomen's Football AllianceThe Women's Football Alliance is a full-contact Women's American football league which began play in the spring of 2009. They have now completed three full seasons and grew to over 60 teams slated for the 2011 season. The women play 11 person tackle football games with rules that basically mirror...
)
Championships
| Year | Champion | Score | Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Lake Michigan Minx | 30-27 | Minnesota Vixens |
| 2000 | Houston Energy | 39-7 | New England Storm |
| 2001 | Houston Energy | 47-14 | Austin Rage |
| 2002 | Houston Energy | 56-7 | Wisconsin Riveters |
| 2003 | Northern Ice | 53-12 | Florida Stingrays |
| 2004 | Dallas Diamonds | 68-13 | Northern Ice |
| 2005 | Dallas Diamonds | 61-8 | New York Dazzles |
| 2006 | Dallas Diamonds | 34-27 | Houston Energy |
| 2007 | SoCal Scorpions | 14-7 | Houston Energy |
See also
- Independent Women's Football LeagueIndependent Women's Football LeagueThe Independent Women's Football League was founded in 2000, and began play in 2001.IWFL founders began with the goal to establish a quality women's football league that would be respected as the top level of women's tackle football in the world....
(IWFL) - National Women's Football AssociationNational Women's Football AssociationThe National Women's Football Association was a full-contact American football league for women headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. The league was founded by Catherine Masters in 2000, as the two benchmark teams, the Alabama Renegades and the Nashville Dream played each other six times in...
- Women's American Football LeagueWomen's American Football LeagueThe Women's American Football League was a women's football league that was formed in 2001. After disbanding, the teams merged with the Women's Affiliated Football Conference , the Independent Women's Football League and the American Football Women's League , itself now disbanded.-Teams:*Arizona...
(WAFL) - American Football Women's LeagueAmerican Football Women's LeagueThe American Football Women's League which debuted on May 15, 2002, was one of the first women's football leagues formed, originally using the name WAFL, or Women's American Football League in 2001...
(AWFL) - List of leagues of American football