Eastern Division (AFL)

The Eastern Division is one of four divisions that make up the Arena Football League. It's also one of two divisions within the "National Conference". It currently consists of the Cleveland Gladiators, the Columbus Destroyers, the Dallas Desperados, the New York Dragons, and the Philadelphia Soul. It was first formed in 1995 when expansion brought up the current divisions. For the current teams, the Columbus Destroyers joined in 1999 as the Buffalo Destroyers and they would stay in the division during their 2004 move to Columbus, Ohio. The Dallas Desperados moved from the American Conference Central Division in 2004. The New York Dragons moved from the Central Division when the Iowa Barnstormers relocated to New York in 2001, while the Philadelphia Soul entered as an expansion team in 2004. In 2007, the Cleveland Gladiators, formerly from Las Vegas, joined the Eastern Division.