Fixtures

아레나 풋볼 리그, 플레이오프 05/19 00:00 4 Billings Outlaws vs Oregon Blackbears - View
아레나 풋볼 리그, 플레이오프 05/23 23:00 5 Washington Wolfpack vs Oregon Blackbears - View
아레나 풋볼 리그, 플레이오프 06/02 00:05 6 Rapid City Marshals vs Oregon Blackbears - View
아레나 풋볼 리그, 플레이오프 06/08 19:00 7 Louisiana Voodoo vs Oregon Blackbears - View
아레나 풋볼 리그, 플레이오프 06/16 19:30 8 Nashville Kats vs Oregon Blackbears - View
아레나 풋볼 리그, 플레이오프 06/23 01:30 9 Oregon Blackbears vs Minnesota Myth - View

Wikipedia - Oregon Blackbears

The Oregon Blackbears are a professional indoor football team based in Salem, Oregon. They were announced as one of the inaugural teams for the revived Arena Football League (AFL), beginning play in 2024. They will play their home games at the Oregon State Fairgrounds Pavilion.

History

The Blackbears are the third official Oregon-based team to play in the Arena Football League, but are the first to play outside of the Portland, Oregon, area. They are also the first major sports team based in Salem.

Oregon AFL History

Initial Logo (2023)

The first team representing the state of Oregon in the AFL were the Portland Forest Dragons, who played from 1997 to 1999 before relocating to Oklahoma City and being rebranded as the Oklahoma Wranglers. Oregon would not see the AFL again until 2013 when the Portland Thunder were established by Clackamas billionaire Terry Emmert and would take the field a few months later. The Thunder were rebranded as the Portland Steel in 2016 after the league took control of the franchise from Emmert, then abruptly folded at season's end with no explanation. The second incarnation of the league would fold three years later. Both teams played their home games at the Moda Center.

Birth of the Blackbears

Four years after the AFL folded for the second time, it was announced on February 1, 2023 that the league intended on relaunching in 2024. On July 18, the 16 intended market cities were announced, including Salem. Like some other locations, Salem city officials were surprised about the announcement, but stated that they "look forward to learning more".

On October 25, 2023, a press release announced that the team would be called the Oregon Blackbears. The ownership group is led by former Oregon Ducks standout and current New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux and that their head coach is former player Chuck Jones. Their main rivals in the new AFL are the Washington Wolfpack.