Wheeling Miners Join National Arena League for 2025

WHEELING, WV – The Wheeling Miners announced today that they have joined the National Arena League.  The Miners will begin NAL competition in the upcoming 2025 season and play their home games at the Wesbanco Arena in Wheeling, WV. Owner Chris Duffy made the announcement during a press conference on Friday morning.  Duffie said that he looked forward to taking the Miners into the established league. 

“The National Arena League provided us an opportunity to partner with like minded owners and teams that are dedicated to bringing a professional product both on and off the field,” Duffy said. “We are excited to build on our success this season and also bring the competition, and nationally recognized teams of the NAL, to our fans here in Wheeling.”

The National Arena League currently has six teams located in three time zones across the country.  The NAL also is home to the two longest running indoor football teams in the nation, the Omaha Beef and the Sioux City Bandits.  The Miners also join the Carolina Cobras, who are an original member of the NAL.  The Colorado Spartans and Idaho Horsemen are entering their second season of competition in the league. 

Wheeling Head Coach Josh Resignalo previously spent time in the NAL as Head Coach and General Manager of the Cobras in 2021 and 2022, and has over 18 years of experience coaching the indoor game. Resignalo expressed the team’s commitment to providing a continued professional product to the fans of Wheeling.

“We look forward to the competition that the NAL will bring to our fans,” Resignalo said. “As a former coach in the league, I know that we will continue to provide a quality product to our fans that they have come to expect, since we started this franchise.”

The commissioner of the National Arena League, Todd Walkenhorst, indicated that the opportunity to add a team to the league, with the credentials of the Miners, was a great opportunity that does not come around often.

“When you look at the product that this organization has developed, in a relatively short period of time, it’s obvious that they are experienced and competent in running a team,” Walkenhorst said. “To have the opportunity to bring on an expansion team, that already is operating at that level, is something that does not occur often and is an addition the NAL is excited to add to our league.”
The National Arena League plays a ten game regular season that is scheduled to begin in March. For more information about the National Arena League and its members, please visit www.nationalarenaleague.com. 


ABOUT THE NATIONAL ARENA LEAGUE
(NAL) The National Arena League is a premier arena football league, committed to delivering thrilling sports entertainment to fans nationwide. With a focus on high-octane action, and top-tier competition, the NAL showcases talented athletes, dedicated coaches, and passionate team owners. The league's unwavering commitment to excellence has solidified its position as a prominent force in the world of arena football. 

For more information regarding expansion opportunities or partnerships, contact Commissioner Todd Walkenhorst at todd@nationalarenaleague.com.