Portland Thunder Become Portland Steel

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(photo credit: Portland Steel/Twitter)

For a young organization growing increasingly accustomed to transition, the Arena Football League’s Portland franchise announced on Tuesday an official name change from its two-year presence as the Portland Thunder to the new, region-influenced Portland Steel.

The moniker switch continues a tumultuous offseason in which the team’s original owner, Terry Emmert, saw his control of the team relinquished in early January to the league itself.  Quickly establishing their authority, the AFL relieved the entire coaching and front office staff of their positions.

The league appointed long-time coach Ron James as the Steel’s head coach and general manager. James had previously coached the Las Vegas (now Cleveland) Gladiators, Utah Blaze, and Pittsburgh Thunder. James replaces Andy Olson, who was hired in September of this offseason and ends his short tenure having not coached a single play for the team. The Thunder had two coaches during their first two seasons in the league: Matthew Sauk in their inaugural 2014 season, and Mike Hohensee last season. For those keeping track at home, that’s four head coaches before the start of a third season in existence.

In a letter to fans through the team website on Feb. 3, Emmert expressed his apologies and sympathies to the Portland Thunder fans as he reflected on the league’s takeover of the team. Emmert stated that the league’s announcement in January caught him “off-guard” as he believed both sides had been “negotiating in good faith” up until that point. Emmert cites some of the AFL’s operating procedures, specifically with their medical insurance policies, as a reason for the rift between the two sides.

Pushing forward, the AFL is ecstatic about the change: “This is a historic day in Portland Arena Football history as the Arena Football League and the staff of the Portland organization focus on setting a new foundation with the exciting announcement that the team will be rebranded as the Portland Steel, effective immediately.” Commenting on the new name itself, James explains: “The name `Steel' implies the strength needed to withstand the tough, action-packed game of Arena Football.”

The Steel will continue to play their home games at the Moda Center, with training camp starting on March 9 and will host the Arizona Rattlers in their first game of the season on April 1.

Fans can follow the new team at their new website (pdxsteel.com) and their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts (@pdxsteel).