The National Indoor Soccer League (NISL) was an

indoor soccer Indoor soccer or arena soccer is a form of five-a-side football, five-a-side or six-a-side version of minifootball. It is derived from association football and adapted to be played in walled hardcourt indoor arenas. It differs from the FIFA, FIFA ...

league plagued with internal controversy that began play in 2021 and was based in the Southeast United States. The league fielded men's and women's divisions. On March 24, 2021, the league announced its partnership with Nike yet internal sources state that the partnership never materialized based on the business practices of the NISL management and ownership. On March 29, 2024, the league announced a merger with Major League Indoor Soccer.

History

On April 29, 2021, the Memphis Americans were officially announced as a charter team in the new NISL On June 7. 2021, the Fayetteville Fury were announced as the league's second team. On August 17, 2021, the Columbus Rapids became the third franchise to join the league. On December 16, 2021, 10 days before the season opener, the Rome (Ga.) Gladiators, a travel team, became the fourth and final team to join the league for its inaugural season. On July 7, 2022, it was announced that an expansion team was coming to

Tampa Tampa ( ) is a city on the Gulf Coast of the United States, Gulf Coast of the U.S. state of Florida. Tampa's borders include the north shore of Tampa Bay and the east shore of Old Tampa Bay. Tampa is the largest city in the Tampa Bay area and t ...

. On November 16, 2023, after a fight between the players and coaches of the Memphis Americans and Tampa Bay Strikers, the Memphis Americans went on hiatus. After endless controversy related to player and staff wages, safety, sponsorship fulfillment, and general business practices on the part of the league and its owner/director Andrew Haines, on March 29, 2024, the league announced its merger with Major League Indoor Soccer with many staff and players never receiving their wages in full.

Staff

* Andrew Haines – Executive Board of Directors * Joshua Blair – Executive Board of Directors * Jason Gibson – Executive Board of Directors * Michael Taylor – Executive Board of Directors * Donald Bunney – Creative Director

Teams

Final Season

Former

Champions

References

External links

* Indoor soccer leagues in the United States Sports leagues established in 2021 Sports leagues disestablished in 2024 Professional sports leagues in the United States 2021 establishments in the United States {{US-sport-stub