It had been a long time since I last covered football, so when news broke in October 2023 that the ownership group behind the Indy Fuel hockey team would launch a franchise in the Indoor Football League (IFL), I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.
Like many sports fans, my exposure to indoor football was limited. I remembered the Arena Football League’s struggles with bankruptcy and attempts at revival, but the IFL was largely new territory for me.
To get up to speed, I began watching 2024 IFL games—available for free on YouTube at the time—and quickly found myself drawn in. While visiting family in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, I attended a game in person during the 2024 season. It was fast-paced, exciting, and featured a wide range of fan engagement activities. The experience sold me.
When the new team unveiled its name—Fishers Freight—my interest grew even more. Unlike the Indy Fuel and the Ignite volleyball team, both of which also call the new Fishers Event Center home, the Freight became the only professional sports team to carry the Fishers name.
The hiring of Dixie Wooten as head coach and general manager further underscored the franchise’s commitment to winning. Wooten brought a strong track record and high energy, and in an early video interview I conducted with him, he made it clear he was ready to build this team from the ground up.
While I had to miss the home opener in April due to a prior family trip, I caught the game on video. After that, I didn’t miss another home game all season, covering each one with media credentials. I also tuned in to the road games online.
Ahead of the season, I interviewed IFL Commissioner Todd Tryon, who discussed the league’s decision to move from free YouTube broadcasts to a paid streaming model, the IFL Network. In April, the league announced it had already reached 15,000 subscribers—a number that, I am certain, exceeded expectations.
On the field, the Freight got off to a thrilling start, opening the season with a road win over Northern Arizona followed by a home victory against Tulsa. As the IFL’s only expansion franchise, Fishers made an early splash with a 2-0 record.
But the momentum didn’t last.
Injuries and instability at quarterback led to a rash of turnovers and penalties, sparking a nine-game losing streak that ultimately dashed any playoff hopes. Yet even during the downturn, the Freight never lost their fight—or their fans.
The season took a hopeful turn late, thanks to the emergence of quarterback Felix Harper, who helped the team close the year with five straight wins. Harper’s leadership gave the team new life, and during a video message to fans at the final home game, Coach Wooten declared, “The best is yet to come.”
Following the season finale, reporter Eva Hallman spoke with Coach Wooten, who acknowledged the adversity but emphasized the team’s potential. He praised his team for persevering during the 9-game losing streak.
“We have the best ownership, best front office—and at the end of the day, we have the best city as well,.” said Coach Wooten
Indeed, fan support has been one of the biggest success stories of the season. The Freight drew 5,600 fans on opening night, and even during the height of the losing streak, attendance remained strong, based on my observations, not dropping below 3,800. The final home game, despite having no playoff implications, drew more than 5,000 fans—a testament to the community’s enthusiasm.
As the offseason begins, Coach Wooten and his staff will get to work building a roster capable of contending in 2026. Based on what I’ve seen, the IFL offers a high-energy, professional product that’s both entertaining and accessible. Covering the Fishers Freight in their inaugural season has been a joy—and I can’t wait to see what next year brings.