(Michigan), Corey Croom (Ball State), and Skip Tramontana (Miami University) were assigned to the Ohio franchise based in Toledo. Patridge, playing for Mississippi, was the all-RFL quarterback, while running back Williams was the league MVP with Mobile. This regional approach worked at the outset of play, as evidenced fan interest in the league at the start of the season. The first commissioner of the league was John "Gus" Bell, who was succeeded by Ron Floridia in May 1999. The league did not secure a television contract, and only one game was ever televised—the May 8, 1999, New Orleans Thunder at Mobile Admirals contest on WHNO, a mainly-religious television station in New Orleans. Despite some efforts made to resume play for a second season, the league folded after its shortened 1999 season. The announced beginning of the XFL for 2001 precluded any realistic chance of the league resuming operations. Teams The league's six charter members were announced on November 12, 1998. They participated in the league's only season, which ran from April to June 1999. Source Regular season Notes: In the seventh week of the regular season, a contest between New Orleans and Ohio was cancelled by the league. In the eighth and final week of the regular season, Shreveport was unable to play in their home stadium. The league rescheduled their intended opponent, New Orleans, to play at Mississippi, and when Shreveport did not travel to play at Ohio, they were assessed a forfeit. Playoffs Games were hosted by the higher-seeded team. Projected expansion teams Proposed for the 2000 season, which was not played. Buffalo, New York Orlando, Florida San Jose, California Winston-Salem, North Carolina Dallas and Monterey, Mexico were originally eyed for expansion, but dropped at the initial stages. Further reading External links Regional Football League (RFL) 1999 Remember the RFL Remembering the RFL RFL 1999 New Orleans Thunder at Mobile Admirals via YouTube References Regional Football League Defunct American football leagues in the United States Sports leagues established in 1997 Sports leagues disestablished in 1999 1997 establishments in the United States 1999 disestablishments in the United States