Top 10 Dormant Mitten State Franchises

     Throughout the years, several sports franchises in the state of Michigan have come and gone never to be heard from again.  This post is a top ten list of those dormant, or defunct sports teams seen through the eyes of the Mitten State Sports Report.  Not every team that disappeared from existence qualifies for the list.  If a franchise left the state of Michigan they are not considered dormant.  For example, the Detroit Shock of the Womens National Basketball Association (WNBA) moved to Tulsa, the Detroit Wheels of the World Football League (WFL) moved to Charlotte, and my personal favorite the Detroit Drive of the Arena Football League (AFL) moved to Massachusetts.  Top ten lists are sure to bring debate, and this publication will be no different.  So let the arguments begin, and as always you can leave a comment for everyone to read, or email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com








                                       Top 10 Dormant Mitten State Sports Teams







10. Kalamazoo Kings- 2001-2008 - Frontier League




     The Kalamazoo Kings were a professional baseball team not affiliated with Major League Baseball.  Along with the Traverse City Beach Bums, the Kings competed in the East Division of the Frontier League.  The Kings played their home games at Homer Stryker Field, and in 2005 won the Frontier League Championship Series.  Although the Kalamazoo Kings folded in 2008, the Frontier League lives on with fourteen current teams.









9. Detroit Neon- 1994-1997 - Continental Indoor Soccer League




     The Detroit Neon were an indoor soccer team created in the mid-90's to capture some of the success that the Detroit Rockers were experiencing.  Although the Neon and Rockers played in separate leagues, they competed with one another for fans at a time when the sport was growing.  With stars like Drago, and Andy Chapman, the Detroit Neon lead the Continental Indoor Soccer League in attendance their first season, and earned a television deal with PASS Sports in 1997.  The crazy colors of their uniforms, along with home games at The Palace of Auburn Hills appealed to fans, but the Continental Indoor Soccer League folded along with the Detroit Neon.  During their brief existence, the Neon were also known as the Detroit Safari.







8. Detroit Fury- 2001-2004 - Arena Football League




     Although the Fury did not endure the type of success that the Detroit Drive, or Grand Rapids Rampage experienced, they did reach the postseason in two of its four seasons.  The Fury entered the league at a time when Arena Football was at its peek in popularity.  Prime time television deals, video games, and rosters spattered with former NFL players, produced the perfect storm for the brief success of the Arena Football League.  The Fury's record in four seasons was 22-41, and in 2004 the Arena Football League announced the termination of the franchise.










7. Detroit Demolition- 2002-2009 - Independent Women's Football League




     The Detroit Demolition were a women's semi-professional football team based in Detroit Michigan.  Originally known as the Detroit Danger, the Demolition switched leagues four times in seven seasons, and played some games at Livonia Franklin High School.  The Demolition experienced much success in their brief history with an overall record of 72-9.  They won five championships, and played in six championship games in their seven seasons of existence.











6. Flint Generals- 1993-2010 - International Hockey League, Colonial Hockey League




     The Flint Generals were a professional hockey team, and a staple of the Mid Michigan area.  They played their home games at Perani Arena, and their games were broadcasted on (am) radio where loyal fans could tune in.  During their seventeen year history, the Generals won the Colonial Cup twice, and played in the International Hockey League, the Colonial Hockey League, and the United Hockey League.  None of those leagues exist today, but several of its teams currently play in the Central Hockey League, and also the East Coast Hockey League.  In the years spanning from 1969-1985, a separate minor league Flint Generals team existed, but is not affiliated with the team that existed from 1993-2010. 










5. Detroit Rockers- 1990-2001 - National Professional Soccer League




     The Detroit Rockers survived the longest tenure as an indoor soccer team in Michigan.  They played their home games at Joe Louis Arena, Cobo Hall, and the Palace of Auburn Hills.  The Rockers won the NPSL Championship in the 1991-1992 season, and were bought by the Illitch family the following season.  The Illitch family owned the Rockers from 1992-1996, but the National Professional Soccer League lost momentum when the Detroit Neon came into existence in 1994.  The Neon took away star power from the Rockers when they lured away Andy Chapman, and Drago. There was not enough fan base to support two indoor soccer leagues, and the National Professional Soccer League, along with the Continental Indoor Soccer League both eventually folded. 











4. Grand Rapids Hoops- 1989-2003 - Continental Basketball Association




     The Continental Basketball Association was a professional basketball league that served as a minor league to the NBA. Similar to the NBA D- League, the CBA would infiltrate small markets hungry for professional sports organizations.  Each NBA team had an affiliated CBA team that they could use as a farm system for their organization.  The Hoops never really found a home court of their own, playing in four home arenas in their fourteen year history.  The Hoops were a welcome addition to a sports town that eventually included the West Michigan White Caps, and the Grand Rapids Griffins.  The Continental Basketball Association ceased existence in 2009.










3.  Detroit Ignition- 2006-2009 - Major Indoor Soccer League




     During their brief history, the Ignition played their home games at Compuware Arena, (in Plymouth) and were televised on the Versus Network, and on Comcast Local.  Attendance was always solid for Ignition games, but the arena was to small, holding about half as many fans as other Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) venues.  Jamarcus Beasley was the franchise player for the Ignition in their short but successful campaign.  The Ignition lost in the MISL Championship game in 2006-2007, and in the following season they lost in the semi-finals.  In 2008-2009 the MISL folded and the Ignition joined the bizarre XSL (Xtreme Soccer League) where they finished in first place with a 12-8 record.  The XSL featured no playoff system, and the league along with the Ignition folded in 2009.  Today the MISL is back with some of its original teams and games can be seen live online for free.  Many of the Ignition's former players currently play in the reconstructed MISL.










2. Grand Rapids Rampage- 1998-2008 - Arena Football League




     Founded in 1998, the Grand Rapids Rampage were a successful Arena Football team that played their home games at Van Andel Arena.  Winners of Arena Bowl XV, the Rampage made six playoff appearances in their ten year history.  Some former Rampage players include former Detroit Lions wide receiver Scotty Anderson, former NFL wide receiver Troy Edwards, and former NFL quarterback Michael Bishop.   Rampage games were often broadcasted on the ABC Network along with other Arena Football games.  The Arena Football League lives on today, but without the inclusion of the Grand Rapids Rampage.










1. Detroit Vipers- 1994-2001 - International Hockey League




     The Detroit Vipers first season at the Palace of Auburn Hills was played during the NHL lockout, which gave the Vipers momentum from the get go.  Perhaps the Vipers greatest claim to fame was when they beat a team of NHL all-stars, in an exhibition game during the lockout.  During the Vipers seven years of existence they won four division championships, and captured the Turner Cup in 1997 lead by rookie Sergei Samsonov.  Samsonov  was drafted the following season by the Boston Bruins (8th pick of the 1st round) and went on to become an NHL superstar.  In the 1997-1998 season, Gordy Howe skated a shift with the Vipers making him the only player in history to play professional hockey in six different decades.  The Vipers also included veteran NHL players at the tail end of their careers, such as former Detroit Red Wings Jimmy Carson, and Shawn Burr.  Many people feel that Vipers downfall began with the purchase of the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning by owner Bill Davidson.  Davidson used the Vipers as a farm club for the Lightning and both franchises struggled.  In 2001 the Detroit Vipers along with the International Hockey League ceased operations.






Who do you think should have made the Top 10?  Leave a comment and voice your opinion!