Tag: Ed Gatlin

2001 Oklahoma Wranglers Media Guide from the Arena Football League

Oklahoma Wranglers

The Oklahoma Wranglers were a well-traveled Arena Football League franchise that settled in Oklahoma City in the spring of 2000 following brief runs in Memphis (1995-1996) and Portland, Oregon (1997-1999). The Wranglers played their two seasons at the 28-year old Myriad Convention Center downtown. The team intended to move into the $89 million Ford Center upon its opening in the spring of 2002. But owner Ed Gatlin removed his financial support of the money-losing franchise during the summer of 2001. The AFL dissolved the franchise in November 2001.

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1997 Portland Forest Dragons Media Guide from the Arena Football League

Portland Forest Dragons

This brief entry in the Arena Football League shared Portland, Oregon’s 19,000-seat Rose Garden arena with the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers. Largely undistinguished in competition, the Dragons did help to jumpstart the NFL career of wide receiver Oronde Gadsden, who went on to a solid 6-year stint with the Miami Dolphins after excelling in Portland.

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2002 Wichita Stealth Pocket Schedule from Arena Football 2

Wichita Stealth

The Wichita Stealth were an indoor football team that played in Arena Football 2, the small-market developmental league for the Arena Football League from 2001 until 2004.

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1995 Memphis Pharaohs Media Guide from the Arena Football League

Memphis Pharaohs

The Memphis Pharaohs were a two-year entry in the Arena Football League.  They were the first pro sports franchise to play in the infamous Pyramid Arena, a $62 million dollar white whale project that lasted a mere 15 years after its opening. The Pharaohs signed cult football legend Marcus Dupree, though he never played a down, and endured an 0-14 season before leaving town in 1996.

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