Oregon Blackbears
Current season
Established 2023
Play in Oregon State Fairgrounds Pavilion
in Salem, Oregon
League/conference affiliations
Current uniform
Team colorsBlack, Gray, Orange
     
Personnel
Owner(s)Kayvon Thibodeaux
Head coachChuck Jones
Team history
  • Oregon Blackbears (2024–present)
Championships
League championships (0)
Conference championships (0)
Division championships (0)
Home arena(s)

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

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. 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.[1] On July 18, the 16 intended market cities were announced, including Salem.[2] Like some other locations, Salem city officials were surprised about the announcement, but stated that they "look forward to learning more".[3]

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.[4][5][6][7]

References

  1. ↑ Thompson, Jaylon (February 1, 2023). "Arena Football League announces it's returning for 2024 season with 16 teams". USA Today. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  2. ↑ Arnold, Geoffery C. (July 18, 2023). "Salem, Oregon to get an Arena Football League team in 2024: Report". The Oregonian. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  3. ↑ Streng, Nik (July 21, 2023). "New Oregon Arena Football League team based in Salem seems to be a surprise to all: 'We look forward to learning more'". The Oregonian. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  4. ↑ Arnold, Geoffrey C. (October 25, 2023). "Former Oregon Ducks star Kayvon Thibodeaux leads ownership team of Arena Football League's Oregon Blackbears franchise". The Oregonian. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  5. ↑ Arnold, Geoffrey C. (October 25, 2023). "Oregon Blackbears' launch is 'a full go' for Arena Football League franchise in Salem". The Oregonian. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  6. ↑ White, Austin (October 25, 2023). "Oregon Blackbears announced as new team in Arena Football League". Portland Tribune. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  7. ↑ KGW Staff (October 25, 2023). "Salem gets an Arena Football League team: Meet the Blackbears". KGW. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
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