In yet another solid move by the American Arena League, they have added the Memphis Blues for the 2027 season. This offseason will go down in history as the most explosive since the af2 added ten expansion teams in 2002. If you aren’t familiar with the Blues, we completely understand, here’s the 411!
As said above, Memphis is headed to the American Arena League, but you may be asking how? Why? Well, we can’t make everything public, though we do have a few details that will clear up the how and why.
Blues: What Fans Need to Know
As of yesterday, as far as we are concerned, this is a brand new franchise. As you see below, the team put out a statement saying, “This isn’t a rebrand. This is a rebirth”. While there has been a recent franchise in the very same city, this is going to be a new entity that functions in a different rule set, in a different arena under a new majority owner, James Fisher.
Fisher has a year of experience under his belt with a former indoor franchise, contributing in several ways, more than was expected or asked of him in 2026, giving him a solid baseline understanding of what to expect when walls go up and turf is laid. He also understands how to get into the community, considering he has plans for a legitimate front office, sales team, and is already ensuring the franchise is well rooted in the community.
He has the experience, league leadership is giving him the tools to succeed, and there is no reason they can’t come out of the gate competitive. Considering the focus on rich local talent in the area and the roots they are trying to plant… we don’t think, despite the name, they will be singing the expansion team blues next season.
When asked about the move, Fisher made a point to say, “We are proud to keep our promises to the community, sign local athletes, and build the groundwork for success in Memphis”
Part of the aforementioned staff is general manager Fred Elliot. Elliott, though polarizing, is a solid hire for the franchise. Elliott has years of experience in the sport and even owns and runs a developmental team that can be utilized to find and polish talent. He is a huge personality in the arena football space and can, hopefully, bring all the hype and excitement needed to see fans in the stands.
Even beyond any of the names, you have to be sustainable. That was a huge emphasis during our conversation with Fisher, and we are extremely confident that they can and will be. The focus on the city and the people of that city comes off like a team owner that has been in or around the game for two decades. Any fan that gets the chance should also join the guys that are on Around the Indoor Football World on Saturday… Rumor has it that a certain team owner may be on the show to talk shop!
How it Affects the AAL
The AAL has been committed to regionality since the league rebooted, and even more so in the 2026-2027 offseason, and the move to add Memphis only hammers that objective home. Considering the plan is to keep the team local to the area, it adds yet another bus trip to the schedule for four other teams, and an extremely short trip for any games against Mississippi.
No trip to Rome, Columbus, Mississippi, or Montgomery would be over six and a half hours, giving everyone in that footprint a more than affordable trip by bus. The average fan doesn’t quite understand how much of a difference it makes.
Overall, we are happy to see Memphis make the move, and not only (for Fisher and company) survive but with a very real chance to thrive in a league that supports and guides its teams to success. We will have more news on the team, how it will function in 2027, and the overall outlook in the coming months. Though if you want to hear all the current happenings around the entire sport and all of its leagues, (once again) check out Around the Indoor Football World every Saturday Morning at 7 Central!
If you enjoy sports, you have found the right place for you. Check out our other recent content:
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Also Check out the Shady Sports Network Indoor and Arena Football Magazine:
https://covver.com/magazine/tbsteelers23-wqk1/ShadySportsMagazineOct/1
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