Columbus Lions

American indoor football team

Columbus Lions

Current season
Established 2006
Play in Columbus, Georgia
at the Columbus Civic Center
ColumbusLions.net
League/conference affiliations

* World Indoor Football League (2007)
* American Indoor Football Association (2008–2009)
* Western Conference (2008)
* South Division (2008)
* South Division (2009)
* Southern Indoor Football League (2010–2011)
* Eastern Conference (2011)
* South Division (2011)
* Professional Indoor Football League (2012–2015)
* American Conference (2014)
* American Indoor Football (2016)
* Southern Division (2016)
* National Arena League (2017–2022)
* American Indoor Football Alliance (2023)
* American Indoor Football (2024)
* National Arena League (2025–current)

Current uniform

Team colors| Blue, black, silver, white

Mascot| Leo the Lion
Personnel
Owner(s)| Richard Maslia[1]
Kacee Smith[2]
John Hargrove
Jay Patel[3]
Eugenio Castro
Bush Sporting Enterprises LLC
Chairman| Kacee Smith
President| Kacee Smith
General manager| Lee Snow
Head coach| Damian Daniels
Team history

* Columbus Lions (2007–present)

Championships
League championships (5)

* SIFL: 2010
* PIFL: 2015
* AIF: 2016, 2024
* AIFA: 2023

Conference championships (0)

Division championships (3)

* AIFA: 2009
* SIFL: 2011
* AIF: 2016

Playoff appearances (17)

* WIFL: 2007
* AIFA: 2008, 2009
* SIFL: 2010, 2011
* PIFL: 2012, 2014, 2015
* AIF: 2016, 2024
* NAL: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022
* AIFA: 2023
* AIF: 2024

Home arena(s)

* Columbus Civic Center (2007–present)

The Columbus Lions are a professional indoor football team based in Columbus, Georgia, and are a member of the National Arena League (NAL).

The Lions were founded in 2006 as an expansion team of the World Indoor Football League (WIFL). After the WIFL went under in 2007, the Lions joined the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) where they played for two seasons. When the AIFA broke apart, the Lions joined the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL). The Lions joined the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) in 2012 when the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) teams split up into two new leagues. After the 2015 season, the PIFL broke apart, and the Lions joined American Indoor Football for 2016. They were a founding member of the National Arena League (NAL) for the 2017 season. The then joined the new American Indoor Football Alliance for 2023 before they rejoined American Indoor Football for 2024.[4]

In their first seventeen seasons, the Lions have won five league championships: in 2010, 2015, 2016, 2023, and 2024.

## History

[edit]

Columbus Lions logo 2006–2022

### Initial seasons (2007–2016)

[edit]

The Lions were founded in 2006. They began play in the short-lived World Indoor Football League (WIFL) in 2007. The Lions' inaugural game on February 26, 2007, was marred by tragedy when opposing defensive back Javon Camon of the Daytona Beach Thunder was killed after a hard but clean hit by Lions fullback Cedric Ware during the fourth quarter.[5][6] The Lions finished with the best regular season record, but lost the championship to the Augusta Colts. For the Lions' inaugural season, head coach Jason Gibson won the league's Coach of the Year Award.

The WIFL collapsed after the season and the Lions moved to the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) where they played two seasons in 2008 and 2009, winning their division in 2009. They would then join the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) and play from 2010 to 2011. They won the SIFL championship in 2010 defeating the Louisiana Swashbucklers in President's Cup II,.[7] The SIFL split into two separate leagues before the 2012 season, with the Lions going to the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL). In 2015, they defeated the Richmond Raiders in PIFL Cup IV.

Following the Lions' 2015 championship, the Lions moved back to American Indoor Football (AIF), formerly the AIFA, for the 2016 season.[8] The Lions completed the regular season 8–0 and won the 2016 AIF Championship over the West Michigan Ironmen.[9] One week after winning the championship, the Lions announced they were leaving the AIF for the 2017 season.[10]

### National Arena League (2017–2021)

[edit]

Columbus playing the Louisiana Swashbucklers on April 14, 2012. Note the pink numbers in support of cancer awareness.[11]

In July 2016, Lions' owners Skip Seda and his father, Keke Seda, announced the formation of a new league called the Arena Developmental League to begin play in spring 2017.[12] They named former Canadian Football League, Arena Football League, and AF2 coach John Gregory as the league's commissioner. In November 2016, the Jacksonville Sharks joined and the Sedas yielded control over the new league for it to become the National Arena League.

The Lions appeared in the NAL playoffs in every season they participated. They, and the NAL, would not play in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They made three appearances in the NAL Championship Game, losing to the Jacksonville Sharks 27–21 in 2017, the Carolina Cobras 66–8 in 2018, and the Albany Empire 79–62 in 2021.

### New ownership (2022–present)

[edit]

On August 30, 2022, the Lions announced new ownership led by Jeff Levack, who also has ownership stake in the Orlando Predators and Albany Empire. He was a part of two staffs that helped the Empire win three championships in four years.[13] On September 13, 2022, they introduced new branding for the team designed by former player and designer, Mike Jones. They also announced arena football veteran player and coach Chris McKinney as the second head coach in team history after Gibson had left and became head coach of the Jacksonville Sharks.[14] On December 22, the National Arena League had announced that the membership of the Lions had been discontinued.[15] One day later, the Lions announced they had joined the regional American Indoor Football Alliance.[16] They played only home games, going 6–0,[17] and defeated the Mississippi Raiders 55–10 in the league championship.[18]

On August 4, 2023, the Lions announced their return to relaunched American Indoor Football for the 2024 season.[19]

### Return home to the NAL (2024 – beyond)

[edit]

In 2024, the Lions announced they were returning home to the league they helped start, the National Arena League.

## Season-by-season results

[edit]

League champions | Conference champions | Division champions | Playoff berth | League leader

|
|
|
|

Season | Team  | League | Conference | Division | Regular season | Postseason results

|
|
|
|
|
|

Finish  | Wins  | Losses
2007 | 2007 | WIFL |  |  | 1st  | 10  | 4  | Lost World Indoor Bowl I (Augusta) 60–63
2008 | 2008 | AIFA | Western  | South  | 2nd  | 10  | 4  | Lost Divisional (Mississippi) 50–52
2009 | 2009 | AIFA  |  | South  | 1st  | 11  | 3  | Won Divisional (Fayetteville) 45–35
Lost Semifinal (Reading) 51–60
2010 | 2010 | SIFL |  |  | 2nd  | 8  | 3  | Won Semifinal (Lafayette) 54–22
Won President's Cup II (Louisiana) 68–13
2011 | 2011 | SIFL  | Eastern  | South  | 1st  | 11  | 1  | Won Divisional (Trenton) 62–60
Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Albany) 61–75
2012 | 2012 | PIFL |  |  | 3rd  | 6  | 6  | Lost Semifinal (Albany) 36–60
2013 | 2013 | PIFL  |  |  | 6th  | 4  | 8  | Did not qualify
2014 | 2014 | PIFL  | American  |  | 2nd  | 7  | 5  | Lost American Conference Championship (Nashville) 39–44
2015 | 2015 | PIFL  |  |  | 1st  | 8  | 3  | Won Semifinal (Lehigh Valley) 69–41
Won PIFL Cup IV (Richmond) 64–38
2016 | 2016 | AIF |  | Southern  | 1st  | 8  | 0  | Won Southern Division Semifinal (New Mexico) 49–37
Won Southern Division Championship (Florida) 79–66
Won AIF Championship (West Michigan) 74–32
2017 | 2017 | NAL |  |  | 3rd  | 9  | 3  | Won Semifinal (Lehigh Valley) 52–50
Lost NAL Championship (Jacksonville) 21–27
2018 | 2018 | NAL  |  |  | 4th  | 8  | 7  | Won Semifinal (Massachusetts) 50–36
Lost NAL Championship (Carolina) 8–66
2019 | 2019 | NAL  |  |  | 4th  | 6  | 8  | Lost Semifinal (Jacksonville) 43–67
2020 | 2020 | NAL  | Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021 | 2021 | NAL  |  |  | 2nd  | 6  | 2  | Won Semifinal (Orlando) 61–43
Lost NAL Championship (Albany) 62–79
2022 | 2022 | NAL  |  |  | 3rd  | 7  | 5  | Lost Semifinal (Carolina) 51–65
2023 | 2023 | AIFA |  |  | 1st  | 6  | 0  | Won AIFA Championship (Mississippi) 55–10
2024 | 2024 | AIF  |  |  | 1st  | 5  | 0  | Won AIF Championship (Corpus Christi) 46–20
Totals  | 130 | 62 | All-time regular season record
14 | 11 | All-time postseason record
144 | 73 | All-time regular season and postseason record

## Players

[edit]

### Current roster

[edit]

Columbus Lions roster Quarterbacks

* \-- Marcus Brooks
* \-- Tahj Thomas

Running backs

* \-- Romello Kimbrough
* \-- Marco Lee

Wide receivers

* \-- Jaylin Clark-McNatte
* \-- Damecio Ewing
* \-- Jarmon Fortson
* \-- Tremell Gooden
* \-- Tyson Jarrell
* \-- Brian Robinson

|  | Offensive linemen

* \-- Ma'Ataua Brown
* \-- Kenny Carter
* \-- Kendrick Washington
* \-- Justin Youmes

Defensive linemen

* \-- DeAndre Brown
* \-- Desmond Scott
* \-- Trenton Thompson
* \-- Mykell Yancie

|  | Linebackers

* \-- Zach Brown
* \-- Dekoven Ware
* \-- Marte' Sears

Defensive backs

* \-- James Gray
* \-- Droell Greene
* \-- Benjamin Smiley
* \-- Dreko Statham

Special teams

* \-- Christian Bartley
* \-- Rysan Richardson

|  | Reserve lists

* Rookies in italics
* Roster updated March 13, 2025
* 25 Active, 0 Inactive

|
|
|
|
|
|

### Awards and honors

[edit]

The following is a list of all Lions players who have won league awards:

| Offensive Player of the Year

Season  | Player  | Position
2010 | Chris McCoy | QB
2012 | Maurice Dupree | WR
2017 | Michael Reeve | WR
2018 | Mason Espinosa [20] | QB

| Defensive Player of the Year

Season  | Player  | Position
2007 | Jauron Dailey | LB
2007 | Damian Daniels | DB
2009 | Damian Daniels | DB
2010 | Damian Daniels | DB
2011 | Damian Daniels | DB
2013 | Anthony Shutt | DB

| Special Teams of the Year

Season  | Player  | Position
2007 | Eugene Goodman | RB
2010 | Trey Crum | K

| Lineman of the Year

Season  | Player  | Position
2010 | Franklin Lloyd | DL

| Offensive Rookie of the Year

Season  | Player  | Position
2012 | London Crawford | WR
2015 | Casey Kacz[21] | QB

| Most Valuable Player

Season  | Player  | Position
2015 | Terrence Ebagua[22] | WR
2021 | Mason Espinosa[23] | QB

## Staff

[edit]

Columbus Lions staff |

Front office

* Owner – Richard Maslia
* Owner – Kacee Smith
* Owner – John Hargrove
* Owner – Jay Patel
* Owner – Eugenio Castro
* Owner – Bush Sporting Enterprises LLC
* General manager – Lee Snow
* Director of football operations – Robert Cross
* Director of sales and marketing – Matthew Kelley
* Director of fan experience – Megan Hudson
* Director of partnerships – Nicole Mesis
* Director of game day operations – Matthew Jones

Head coaches

* Head coach – Damian Daniels
* Assistant head coach – Bruce Figgins

Offensive coaches

* TBD

|  |  | Defensive coaches

* TBD

|
|
|
|

## Head coaches

[edit]

Note: Statistics are correct through the 2024 American Indoor Football season.

Name  | Tenure  | Regular season  | Playoffs  | Awards

|
|
|
|

W  | L  | Win%  | W  | L
Jason Gibson  | 2007–2022  | 119  | 62  | .657  | 12  | 11  |
Chris McKinney  | 2023  | 6  | 0  | 1.000  | 1  | 0  |
Damian Daniels | 2024–present  | 5  | 0  | 1.000  | 1  | 0  |

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Lee Snow (June 21, 2023). "Lions Welcome Experienced Newcomer to Ownership Group". www.columbuslions.net. Columbus Lions. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
2. ^ "Lions Add New Member To Ownership Group". Columbus Lions. November 10, 2020.
3. ^ "Staff". Columbus Lions. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
4. ^ "COLUMBUS LIONS JOIN AMERICAN INDOOR FOOTBALL (AIF) FOR THE 2024 INDOOR SEASON". aif-proindoorfootball.com. American Indoor Football. August 3, 2023. Archived from the original on August 4, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
5. ^ "Indoor football player dies after head-to-head hit". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. February 27, 2007. Retrieved February 27, 2007.
6. ^ "Daytona player dies". www.ledger-enquirer.com. Ledger-Enquirer. Retrieved February 27, 2007.[permanent dead link]
7. ^ Chris White (July 19, 2010). "SIFL CHAMPIONSHIP: Fans soak up Lions' big win". www.ledger-enquirer.com. Ledger-Enquirer. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
8. ^ Keith Groller (September 14, 2015). "Steelhawks moving to a new indoor football league for 2016". www.mcall.com. The Morning Call. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
9. ^ Dana Barker (June 19, 2016). "Lions capture AIF title in bizarre, blowout fashion". www.ledger-enquirer.com. Ledger-Enquirer. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
10. ^ "Columbus Lions leaving AIF following 2016 season". www.wltz.com. Frankly and WLTZ. June 27, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
11. ^ Matthew Hester (April 10, 2012). "Kicker Trey Crum Returns to Lions". www.proifl.com. Professional Indoor Football League. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
12. ^ "Lions owner Seda establishes new Arena Developmental League". Ledger-Enquirer. July 7, 2016.
13. ^ "LIONS PURCHASED BY VETERAN ARENA FOOTBALL OWNERSHIP GROUP". www.columbuslions.net. Lee Snow. August 30, 2022. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
14. ^ "Lions introduce new head coach, new team logos". www.wtvm.com. Jonathon Hoppe and Tony Reese, WTVM. September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
15. ^ "NAL DISCONTINUES MEMBERSHIP OF THE COLUMBUS LIONS". National Arena League. July 14, 2022.
16. ^ "LIONS JOIN REGIONAL ARENA LEAGUE". National Arena League. December 23, 2022.
17. ^ "And the regular season comes to a close at 6-0!". Facebook. June 23, 2023.
18. ^ "LIONS WIN IT ALL!". Columbus Lions. July 21, 2023.
19. ^ "COLUMBUS LIONS JOIN AMERICAN INDOOR FOOTBALL (AIF) FOR THE 2024 INDOOR SEASON". aif-proindoorfootball.com. American Indoor Football. August 4, 2023. Archived from the original on August 4, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
20. ^ "Lions bringing League MVP Mason Espinosa back for the 2022 Season". columbuslions.net. February 11, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
21. ^ "Lions' QB Kacz named PIFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year". www.ledger-enquirer.com. Ledger-Enquirer. July 13, 2015. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
22. ^ "Columbus Lions' WR Terrence Ebagua named PIFL MVP". www.ledger-enquirer.com. Ledger-Enquirer. July 19, 2015. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
23. ^ {{https://www.columbuslions.net/news/mason-espinosa-wins-the-2021-nal-most-valuable-pla

## External links

[edit]

* sports portal
* Georgia (U.S. state) portal

* Official site
* Lions' 2008 stats[permanent dead link]
* Lions' 2009 stats[permanent dead link]
* Lions' 2011 stats[permanent dead link]

* v
* t
* e

Columbus Lions seasons

* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017

Bold indicates League Championship victory
Italics indicates League Championship Game appearance

* v
* t
* e

National Arena League

Teams|

* Beaumont Renegades
* Carolina Cobras
* Colorado Spartans
* Columbus Lions
* Idaho Horsemen
* Omaha Beef
* Shreveport Rouxgaroux
* Sioux City Bandits
* Wheeling Miners

Venues|

* Columbus Civic Center (Columbus)
* Denver Coliseum (Colorado)
* Ford Arena (Beaumont)
* Ford Idaho Center (Idaho)
* Greensboro Coliseum Complex (Carolina)
* Hirsch Memorial Coliseum (Shreveport)
* Liberty First Credit Union Arena (Omaha)
* Tyson Events Center (Sioux City)
* WesBanco Arena (Wheeling)

Former teams|

* Albany Empire (2021–2023)
* Corpus Christi Rage (2017)
* Dayton Wolfpack (2017)
* Fayetteville Mustangs (2023)
* Georgia Firebirds (2017)
* High Country Grizzlies (2017)
* Jacksonville Sharks (2017–2023)
* Jersey Flight (2020–2021)
* Lehigh Valley Steelhawks (2017–2018)
* Maine Mammoths (2018)
* Massachusetts Pirates (2018–2020)
* Monterrey Steel (2017)
* New York Streets (2019)
* Oklahoma Flying Aces (2024)
* Orlando Predators (2019–2023)
* San Antonio Gunslingers (2022–2023)
* West Texas Warbirds (2023)
* West Virginia Roughriders (2020)

Former venues|

* Albany Civic Center (Georgia)
* Amway Center (Orlando)
* Arena Monterrey (Monterrey)
* Chisholm Trail Coliseum (Oklahoma)
* Cross Insurance Arena (Maine)
* Crown Coliseum (Fayetteville)
* CURE Insurance Arena (Jersey)
* DCU Center (Massachusetts)
* Ector County Coliseum (West Texas)
* Freeman Coliseum (San Antonio)
* Holmes Center (High Country)
* MVP Arena (Albany)
* PPL Center (Lehigh Valley)
* VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena (Jacksonville)
* Westchester County Center (New York)

Seasons|

* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

* v
* t
* e

Sports teams based in Georgia

Baseball|

MLB
Atlanta Braves

Gwinnett Stripers

Columbus Clingstones
SAL
Rome Emperors
CPL
Macon Bacon
Exhibition teams
Party Animals
Savannah Bananas

Basketball|

NBA
Atlanta Hawks
WNBA
Atlanta Dream
NBA G League
College Park Skyhawks
ECBL
C-Port Trojans
Fort Gordon Eagles
TBL
Coastal Georgia Buccaneers
Georgia Soul

Esports|

CDL
Atlanta Faze
OWL
Atlanta Reign

Football|

NFL
Atlanta Falcons
AIF
Columbus Lions
WFA
Atlanta Phoenix
EIF
Peach State Cats

Hockey|

ECHL
Atlanta Gladiators
Savannah Ghost Pirates
SPHL
Macon Mayhem
FPHL
Columbus River Dragons
Athens Rock Lobsters

Lacrosse|

NLL
Georgia Swarm

Pickleball|

MLP
Atlanta Bouncers

Roller derby|

WFTDA
Atlanta Roller Derby
Classic City Rollergirls
Soul City Sirens

Rugby league|

USARL
Atlanta Rhinos

Rugby union|

MLR
Rugby ATL
RSL
Life University
GRU
Atlanta Renegades
Augusta Rugby Football Club
Savannah Shamrocks RFC
Trojans Rugby Football Club

Soccer|

MLS
Atlanta United FC
MLSNP
Atlanta United 2
USL1
South Georgia Tormenta FC
NISA
Georgia Lions SC
Savannah Clovers FC
USL2
Dalton Red Wolves SC
East Atlanta FC
Peachtree City MOBA
Southern Soccer Academy
Tormenta FC 2
NPSL
Apotheos FC
Georgia Revolution FC
Georgia Storm FC
LSA Athletico Lanier
Columbus United FC

Ultimate|

UFA
Atlanta Hustle

Volleyball|

LOVB
LOVB Atlanta
PVF
Atlanta Vibe

* v
* t
* e

Professional Indoor Football League

Teams|

* Alabama Hammers
* Albany Panthers
* Charlotte Speed
* Columbus Lions
* Erie Explosion
* Georgia Fire
* Harrisburg Stampede
* Lehigh Valley Steelhawks
* Knoxville NightHawks
* Louisiana Swashbucklers
* Nashville Venom
* Richmond Raiders
* Trenton Freedom

Arenas|

* Von Braun Center (Alabama)
* Albany Civic Center (Albany)
* Columbus Civic Center (Columbus)
* Erie Insurance Arena (Erie)
* Forum Civic Center (Georgia)
* Giant Center (Harrisburg)
* Knoxville Civic Coliseum (Knoxville)
* Stabler Arena (Lehigh Valley)
* Sudduth Coliseum (Louisiana)
* Nashville Municipal Auditorium (Nashville)
* Richmond Coliseum (Richmond)
* Sun National Bank Center (Trenton)

Seasons|

* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015

* v
* t
* e

Southern Indoor Football League

Teams|

* Abilene Ruff Riders
* Alabama Hammers
* Albany Panthers
* Augusta Colts
* Augusta Mavericks
* Austin Turfcats
* Carolina Speed
* Columbus Lions
* Corpus Christi Hammerheads
* Erie Explosion
* Fayetteville Force
* Florida Kings
* Greenville Force
* Harrisburg Stampede
* Houma Conquerors
* Houston Lightning
* Houston Stallions
* Lafayette Wildcatters
* Laredo Rattlesnakes
* Louisiana Swashbucklers
* Mobile Bay Tarpons
* Richmond Raiders
* Rio Grande Valley Magic
* Texas Hurricanes
* Trenton Steel

Arenas|

* American Bank Center
* Bojangles' Coliseum
* Cajundome
* Columbus Civic Center
* Cumberland County Crown Coliseum
* Erie Insurance Arena
* Gray Civic Center
* Mitchell Center
* Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center
* Richard E. Berry Educational Support Center
* Richmond Coliseum
* State Farm Arena
* Sudduth Coliseum
* Sun National Bank Center
* Taylor County Expo Center
* Von Braun Center

Seasons|

* 2009
* 2010
* 2011

* v
* t
* e

American Indoor Football

Current teams|

* Cedar Rapids River Kings
* Coralville Chaos
* West Michigan Ironmen

Current venues|

* Alliant Energy PowerHouse (Cedar Rapids)
* Xtream Arena (Coralville)
* Trinity Health Arena (Muskegon)

Future teams|

* Wyoming Cavalry (AIF)
* Pennsylvania Union

Future venues|

* Wyoming Center at the CAM-PLEX (Gillette)
* Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center (Pennsylvania)

Seasons|

* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2024
* 2025

See also|

* Arena Football League
* Indoor Football League
* National Arena League
* The Arena League

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template