The Southern Division is one of four divisions of the Arena Football League. It's also one of two divisions within the "American Conference", although they have been part of the "National Conference" from 1995 through 2008. The Southern Division has been marked for its entire existence as being the most brutal and competitive division in the AFL. The Southern Division was formed in 1992 when the AFL first split into three divisions. The League used only conferences in 1993 and 1994, but returned to division play in 1995. The Southern Division has produced 10 ArenaBowl teams and 5 champions. Rivalries such as the Tampa Bay Storm and Orlando Predators, known as the "War On I-4," used to define this division, but the Georgia Force had risen to the top and dominated in recent years before their folding.
1992
Creation of the Southern Division. Charlotte Rage enfranchised. In 1993, New Orleans Night folded upon suspension of the Southern Division while the league has been realigned into the American/National conference structure.
1995
The Southern Division returns, now part of the National Conference. Three of the National Conference teams, Miami, Orlando, and Tampa Bay reformed this division.
1996
Miami Hooters renamed Florida Bobcats. Texas Terror enfranchised.
1997
Texas Terror moved to the American Conference's Central Division.
1998 and 1999
Nashville moved in from the National Conference's Eastern Division.
2000
Carolina Cobras enfranchised.
2001
Carolina moved to Eastern Division.
2002 and 2003
Carolina moved back from Eastern Division. Florida Bobcats folded. Nashville moved to Atlanta as Georgia Force.
2004 and 2005
Austin Wranglers and New Orleans VooDoo enfranchised. Carolina moved back to Eastern Division.
2006
Kansas City Brigade enfranchised. New Orleans VooDoo suspended due to Hurricane Katrina.
2007
Kansas City moved to Central Division. New Orleans reactivated.
2008
Austin Wranglers moved to af2. In 2009, the AFL has been put on a one-year hiatus while Georgia Force and New Orleans are suspended.
2010
The Southern Division moved to the American Conference. Alabama moved in from af2. Jacksonville Sharks enfranchised.
2011
Alabama moved to Duluth as Georgia Force. New Orleans reactivated.