Laredo Rattlesnakes
Encyclopedia
The Laredo Rattlesnakes are a professional indoor football team in the Lone Star Football League
due to begin play in the 2012 season. Based in Laredo, Texas
, the Rattlesnakes will play their home games at the Laredo Energy Arena.
Previously, the Rattlesnakes had been announced as members of the Southern Indoor Football League
along with the two other franchises owned by Chad Dittman, the Rio Grande Valley Magic
and the Corpus Christi Hammerheads
. However, in the press conference announcing the team's logos and color scheme, Dittman says that a deal to team up with other Texas teams for a brand-new league is "99 percent" done. That deal was reached in the form of the Lone Star Football League
, of which the Rattlesnakes will be a charter member.
The Rattlesnakes are the third indoor/arena football team based in Laredo; previous indoor teams included the Laredo Law
of af2
(which only played the 2004 season
before folding) and the Laredo Lobos
of the Intense Football League and later af2 (which played the 2006
and 2007
seasons in these respective leagues before folding).
Originally, the team was called the Laredo Rattlers, however, the Arena Football League
issued a cease-and-desist letter to the team because of the existing Arizona Rattlers
. That practice is apparently unprecedented, as they never contacted the Sioux Falls Storm
or Fayetteville Force
about their names owned by the Tampa Bay Storm
and Georgia Force
, respectively.
Lone Star Football League
The Lone Star Football League is a regional professional indoor football league set to begin its inaugural season in 2012. All six of the LSFL's charter teams are based in the state of Texas, with five teams coming from the Southern Indoor Football League and two from the Indoor Football...
due to begin play in the 2012 season. Based in Laredo, Texas
Laredo, Texas
Laredo is the county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States, located on the north bank of the Rio Grande in South Texas, across from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 236,091 making it the 3rd largest on the United States-Mexican border,...
, the Rattlesnakes will play their home games at the Laredo Energy Arena.
Previously, the Rattlesnakes had been announced as members of the Southern Indoor Football League
Southern Indoor Football League
The Southern Indoor Football League was an indoor football league based in the Southern and Eastern United States. The most recent incarnation of the league was a consolidation of an earlier league of the same name that was formed by Thom Hager along with Dan Blum, Robert Winfrey and Dan Ryan in...
along with the two other franchises owned by Chad Dittman, the Rio Grande Valley Magic
Rio Grande Valley Magic
The Rio Grande Valley Magic is a professional indoor football team of the Lone Star Football League. Based in Hidalgo, Texas, the Magic plays its home games at the State Farm Arena....
and the Corpus Christi Hammerheads
Corpus Christi Hammerheads
The Corpus Christi Hammerheads are a professional indoor football team from Corpus Christi, Texas. They are a member of the Lone Star Football League.-History:The Hammerheads were a charter member of the Intense Football League...
. However, in the press conference announcing the team's logos and color scheme, Dittman says that a deal to team up with other Texas teams for a brand-new league is "99 percent" done. That deal was reached in the form of the Lone Star Football League
Lone Star Football League
The Lone Star Football League is a regional professional indoor football league set to begin its inaugural season in 2012. All six of the LSFL's charter teams are based in the state of Texas, with five teams coming from the Southern Indoor Football League and two from the Indoor Football...
, of which the Rattlesnakes will be a charter member.
The Rattlesnakes are the third indoor/arena football team based in Laredo; previous indoor teams included the Laredo Law
Laredo Law
The Laredo Law is a now-defunct Arena Football League's AF2 expansion team. They played their home games at the Laredo Entertainment Center in Laredo, Texas...
of af2
Af2
AF2 was the name of the Arena Football League's developmental league; it was founded in 1999 and played its first season in 2000. Like parent AFL, the AF2 played using the same arena football rules and style of play. League seasons ran from April through July with the postseason and ArenaCup...
(which only played the 2004 season
2004 af2 season
The 2004 AF2 season was the fifth season the AF2. The league champions were the Florida Firecats, who defeated the Peoria Pirates in Arena Cup V.-Standings:* Green indicates clinched playoff berth* Purple indicates division champion...
before folding) and the Laredo Lobos
Laredo Lobos
The Laredo Lobos were a professional arena football team based out of Laredo, Texas. They were a member of the af2 league. They played their home games at the Laredo Entertainment Center...
of the Intense Football League and later af2 (which played the 2006
2006 Intense Football League season
The 2006 Intense Football League season was the second season of the Intense Football League, since the league temporarily suspended operations in 2005...
and 2007
2007 af2 season
The 2007 AF2 season was the eighth season of the AF2. The regular season began on Friday, March 30 and ended on July 28. The league champions were the Tulsa Talons, who defeated the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers in ArenaCup VIII.-Standings:...
seasons in these respective leagues before folding).
Originally, the team was called the Laredo Rattlers, however, the Arena Football League
Arena Football League
The Arena Football League is the highest level of professional indoor American football in the United States. It is currently the second longest running professional football league in the United States, after the National Football League. It was founded in 1987 by Jim Foster...
issued a cease-and-desist letter to the team because of the existing Arizona Rattlers
Arizona Rattlers
The Arizona Rattlers are a professional arena football team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Conference in the Arena Football League . The Rattlers were founded in 1992 as an expansion team. They play their home games at US Airways Center...
. That practice is apparently unprecedented, as they never contacted the Sioux Falls Storm
Sioux Falls Storm
The Sioux Falls Storm are a professional indoor football team. They are a member of the Indoor Football League. They play their home games at Sioux Falls Arena...
or Fayetteville Force
Fayetteville Force
The Fayetteville Force was a professional ice hockey team. based in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The franchise was a member of the Central Hockey League . They played their home games at the Crown Coliseum.-Background:...
about their names owned by the Tampa Bay Storm
Tampa Bay Storm
The Tampa Bay Storm are an Arena Football League team based in the Tampa Bay Area of Florida. They play their home games in the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa....
and Georgia Force
Georgia Force
The Georgia Force are an Arena Football League team based in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States that plays in the South Division of the American Conference. The team is owned by Doug MacGregor and Donn Jennings...
, respectively.