The Las Vegas Outlaws were a professional Arena Football League (AFL) team based in Las Vegas, Nevada. They played in the AFL's National Conference West Division in 2015. The franchise was owned by Vince Neil, lead singer for Mötley Crüe and former minority owner of the Jacksonville Sharks. On September 11, 2014, it was announced that Aaron Garcia was to be the team's first head coach.
This was the third and most recent attempt at an AFL franchise in Las Vegas since two other teams played briefly, the Las Vegas Sting from 1994 to 1995 before relocating to Anaheim and becoming the Anaheim Piranhas and the Las Vegas Gladiators from 2003 to 2007 before they relocated to Cleveland.Strip Scribbles: Vince Neil’s arena football team expansion; Jeff Dunham’s $100,000 donation, Robin Leach, Las Vegas Sun, June 18, 2014 Neil won approval from the league for the franchise on June 17, 2014. According to reports from ESPN, he asked to name his team the "Las Vegas Outlaws", not to be confused with the former XFL franchise from 2001 of the same name.Vince Neil gets AFL approval, ESPN.com, June 20, 2014 That wish was granted on August 22, 2014, when the announcement was officially made that the team would indeed be called the Outlaws.Las Vegas Outlaws To Join Arena Football League in 2015, Adam Markowitz, ArenaFan.com, August 22, 2014, AFL Communications, Arena Football League mobile app, August 22, 2014Arena Football League tests Vegas waters for third time, Mark Anderson, Las Vegas Review-Journal, August 22, 2014
After initial rumors had the team playing at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, the team actually played at the Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of UNLV, previous home to the Sting and Gladiators.
History Vince Neil joined fellow musicians Jon Bon Jovi, Tim McGraw and Kiss band members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley that have started AFL franchises. Bon Jovi created the Philadelphia Soul in 2004, while McGraw, a country music star, was minority owner of Bud Adams's version of the Nashville Kats from 2005 to 2007. Simmons and Stanley founded the Los Angeles KISS which existed from 2013 until 2016 and played at the Honda Center in Anaheim, former home of the Piranhas. Neil was named minority owner of the Jacksonville Sharks just two months prior to the formation of his own team.
League takeover and demise On July 12, 2015, ArenaFan.com reported that the Outlaws and the New Orleans VooDoo were to be taken over by the league due to poor attendance and financial issues. Both teams were expected to finish the season, then commissioner Scott Butera would conduct a search for new owners.AFL assumes control of Outlaws, VooDoo, announcement expected this week, Adam Markowitz, ArenaFan.com, July 12, 2015 The scheduled game between the Outlaws and the VooDoo was cancelled and declared a tie. Vince Neil was supposedly likely to have returned as majority owner, but a new ownership group would have had to be formed. However, on August 9, 2015 it was announced that the Outlaws would cease operations effective immediately, despite having qualified for the 2015 playoffs. They were replaced as the fourth and final seed in the National Conference by the Portland Thunder.
Final roster Las Vegas Outlaws roster Quarterbacks
Fullbacks Currently vacant
Wide receiversOffensive linemen
Defensive linemen Linebackers
Defensive backs
Kickers Injured reserve
DB
DL
WR LB WR
League suspension
K DL
DL
Refuse to report DB
Other league exempt Currently vacant
Inactive reserve FB WR
Recallable reassignment Currently vacant
Head coaches Name Term Regular season Playoffs Awards W L T Win% W LAaron Garcia512100
Season-by-season results ArenaBowl championsArenaBowl appearanceDivision championsPlayoff berth
SeasonLeagueConferenceDivisionRegular seasonPostseason resultsFinishWinsLossesTiesAFLAmericanWest2nd5121Total5121(includes only regular season)00—(includes only the postseason)5121(includes both regular season and postseason)
References