Eastern Division (AFL)
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The Eastern Division is one of the four divisions of the American Arena Football League. It is also one of two divisions in the "National Conference" and currently consists of the Cleveland Gladiators, the Columbus Destroyers, the Dallas Desperados, the New York Dragons, and the Philadelphia Soul. It was first formed in 1995 when expansion brought up the current divisions. For the current teams, the Columbus Destroyers joined in 1999 as the Buffalo Destroyers and they stayed in the division during their 2004 move to Columbus, Ohio. The Dallas Desperados moved from the American Conference Central Division in 2004. The New York Dragons moved from the Central Division when the Iowa Barnstormers relocated to New York in 2001, while the Philadelphia Soul entered as an expansion team in 2004. In 2007, the Cleveland Gladiators, formerly from Las Vegas, rejoined the Eastern Division.
[edit] Former Eastern Division Teams
- Albany Firebirds, 1995-2000
- Charlotte Rage, 1995-1996
- Connecticut Coyotes, 1995-1996
- New York CityHawks/New England Sea Wolves/Toronto Phantoms, 1997-998, 1999-2000, & 2001-2002
- New Jersey Red Dogs/New Jersey Gladiators/Las Vegas Gladiators 1997-2000, 2001-2002, & 2003
- Nashville Kats, 1997-1998
- Carolina Cobras 2001 & 2004
- Detroit Fury 2003
[edit] Division Champions
- 1995: Albany Firebirds (7-5)
- 1996: Albany Firebirds (10-4)
- 1997: Nashville Kats (10-4)
- 1998: Albany Firebirds (10-4)
- 1999: Albany Firebirds (11-3)
- 2000: Albany Firebirdss (9-5)
- 2001: New York Dragons (8-6)
- 2002: New Jersey Gladiators (9-5)
- 2003: New York Dragons (8-8)
- 2004: New York Dragons (9-7)†
- 2005: New York Dragons (10-6)
- 2006: Dallas Desperados (13-3)
- 2007: Dallas Desperados (15-1)
†Despite winning their division in 2004, the New York Dragons failed to qualify for the playoffs.
