| Las Vegas Outlaws | |
|---|---|
 The Las Vegas Outlaws logo | |
|
Founded: |
2014 |
|
Folded: |
2015 |
|
Location: |
Las Vegas, Nevada |
|
Arena: |
Thomas & Mack Center |
|
Team Colors: |
Black, Gold |
|
Owner(s): |
Vince Neil |
|
Head Coach(es): |
Aaron Garcia |
|
Division Titles: |
0 |
|
Championships: |
0 |
The Las Vegas Outlaws is a franchise primarily recognized by the Arena Football League. It was founded in 2014 by Rock and Roll legend Vince Neil only a few months after he became minority owner of the Jacksonville Sharks. They played their only season in the Western Division within the National Conference, headed by former ArenaBowl-winning quarterback Aaron Garcia. They folded after their inaugural season due to low attendance turnouts and financial struggles.
To Live and Die as Outlaws (2015)[]
Vince Neil, most known for his time onstage with his band, Mötley Crüe, became a minority owner of the Jacksonville Sharks in early 2014. Shortly after the end of the 2014 season, he announced the plans for a new expansion team, which came to be known as the Las Vegas Outlaws. The team made history by signing former All-Arena quarterback Aaron Garcia to serve as head coach, one year removed from his playing days. With additional signings in JJ Raterink and Jomo Wilson, whom Garcia played with in previous seasons, as well as productive players in Tysson Poots, Eddie Moten, and Tanner Varner, the Outlaws had pieces for the team to build around long-term.
Terrence Campbell making a diving play against the Los Angeles KISS.
The Outlaws saw early returns on their investments, with the team beginning the season at 3-2 through five weeks of action, including a 61-48 win over the Los Angeles KISS where starting quarterback JJ Raterink threw nine touchdown passes to no picks. However, a 28-61 blowout at the hands of the San Jose SaberCats in Week Seven was a turning point, with the loss beginning a five-game losing streak where Raterink's play began to falter, leading Garcia to turn to back-up Sean Brackett. Their next win came against the Spokane Shock in Week Twelve, but Brackett became inactive until the final game of the regular season, leaving a struggling Ratterink and third-string quarterback Dennis Havrilla to take the reins. The Outlaws went 1-1 in the next two weeks, including a comeback victory over the Portland Thunder in Week Fourteen. A win would not come again for the rest of the season, however a tie via forfeit came when the Outlaws and New Orleans VooDoo cancelled a scheduled game. This turn of events would bring the Outlaws's inaugural regular season record to 5-12-1.
Turnover to the League and Playoff Controversy[]
Prior to the end of the 2015 regular season, the AFL took complete ownership over the financially-unstable Las Vegas Outlaws and New Orleans VooDoo. The move was unfortunate, but not surprising: The Outlaws only averaged 4,731 fans per home game, with one game against the San Jose SaberCats only drawing 2,166 people. Then-AFL commissioner Scott Butera would conduct a search for an ownership group interested in purchasing either franchise, though the attempt came up fruitless.
The AFL decided to cease operations for both the Las Vegas Outlaws and New Orleans VooDoo shortly after the end of the regular season. What made this controversial was that the Outlaws had a better record than the Portland Thunder, who were 5-13 and within the same conference, therefore technically guaranteeing them a playoff spot. Ceasing operations when they did, the league denied the Outlaws that chance in the postseason, replacing them with the Portland Thunder just prior to the start of the playoffs. Despite an outcry from media outlets, fans, coaches, and otherwise, the decision was not reversed, and the Outlaws ended without a hitch.
Final Roster[]
| Quarterbacks |
|---|
| Sean Brackett |
| Dennis Havrilla |
| Kasey Peters |
| JJ Raterink |
| Fullbacks |
|---|
| N/A |
| Wide Receivers |
|---|
| Larry Beavers |
| LaDon Hudson |
| Clinton Solomon |
| Doug Williams |
| Jason Willis |
| Tysson Poots ▲ |
| Jomo Wilson ▲ |
| Jamarko Simmons ▼ |
| Offensive Linemen |
|---|
| Nyere Aumaitre |
| Terrence Campbell |
| Kevin Myers |
| Justin Wells |
| Zack Williams |
| Will Wright |
| Jeff Nady ▲ |
| Brandyn Dombrowski ▼ |
| Abe Markowitz ◄ |
| Defensive Linemen |
|---|
| Terrance Carter |
| Jabari Fletcher |
| Mike Lewis |
| Mark Weivoda |
| Junior Aumavae ▲ |
| Ernest Owusu ▲ |
| Matt Hardison ▼ |
| Brandon Peguese ▼ |
| Julius Williams ◄ |
| Linebackers |
|---|
| Wesley Mauia |
| Tanner Varner ▲ |
| Romelle Jones ▼ |
| Defensive Backs |
|---|
| Ray Little |
| Eddie Moten |
| Demarcus Robinson |
| Matt Vinal |
| Donovan Henley ▲ |
| Wesley Pendleton ▲ |
| Dee Webb ▼ |
| Myron Lewis ◄ |
| Kickers |
|---|
| Ernesto Lacayo |
| Ross Gornall ▲ |
[▲ - Injured List; ▼ - Suspended List; ◄ - Refused to Report]
Overall Statistics[]
| Overall Record | 5-12-1 |
|---|---|
| Home Record | 3-5-1 |
| Away Record | 2-7 |
| Overtime Record | 0-0 |
| Playoff Record | 0-0 |
| Total Seasons in AFL | 1 |
| Most Points Scored in a Game | 70 (4/4/15) |
| Least Points Scored in a Game | 27 (7/18/15) |
| Best Single-Season Record | 3-5-1 (2015) |
| Worst Single-Season Record | 3-5-1 (2015) |
| Longest Winning Streak | 2 |
| Longest Losing Streak | 5 |
| Longest Home Winning Streak | 2 |
| Longest Road Winning Streak | 1 |