The National Indoor Soccer League (NISL) was an indoor soccer league plagued with internal controversy that began play in 2021 and was based in the Southeast United States. The league fielded men's and women's divisions.[1] On March 24, 2021, the league announced its partnership with Nike yet internal sources state that the partnership never materialized based on the business practices of the NISL management and ownership.[2] On March 29, 2024, the league announced a merger with Major League Indoor Soccer.[3]
On April 29, 2021, the Memphis Americans were officially announced as a charter team in the new NISL[4] On June 7. 2021, the Fayetteville Fury were announced as the league's second team. On August 17, 2021, the Columbus Rapids became the third franchise to join the league. On December 16, 2021, 10 days before the season opener, the Rome (Ga.) Gladiators, a travel team, became the fourth and final team to join the league for its inaugural season.[5]
On July 7, 2022 it was announced that an expansion team was coming to Tampa.[6]
On November 16, 2023, after a fight between the players and coaches of the Memphis Americans and Tampa Bay Strikers, the Memphis Americans went on hiatus.[7]
After endless controversy related to player and staff wages, safety, sponsorship fulfillment, and general business practices on the part of the league and it's owner/director Andrew Haines,[8] on March 29, 2024, the league announced its merger with Major League Indoor Soccer with many staff and players never receiving their wages in full.[9][10]
