Philadelphia Cougars moving up to SFL with purchase of Florida Storm

The Philadelphia Cougars led by Chris Britton III and Jason Peace is headed to the pros after five seasons in the minor league, with the acquisition of the Florida Storm.

"Reaching the highest level of SFL ownership means competing with the best, representing the city of Philadelphia with pride, and building a culture that players want to be part of," Britton said. "It’s truly an honor."

The move continues a shift in SFL history as former champions step aside for the next generation of SFL leadership takes shape. Florida, led by Max Paul since Season 8, won five championships in Seasons 10, 11 and 12 - the first three of the player progression era - and then again in Season 21 and 22 - the first two seasons of the 2k4 era. 

Paul steered the Storm to 176 wins (2nd all-time). Florida won 68% of its games, played in 25 playoff games, won 17 of them and played in seven of the league's 26 championships - all 1st in SFL history. He emceed the inaugural 2019 Hall-of-Fame ceremony and was inducted into the SFL Hall-of-Fame in 2021.

"What Max and his leadership team in Florida accomplished was something I never thought was possible," said Commissioner Cameron Irvine. "The Storm was the league's first dynasty and showed how a focused and driven strategy paired with one of the best coaching minds in sim football could go out and win titles - that these results weren't just random. After 10 years, there was nothing more for Mighty to accomplish. He'll always be one of the biggest puzzle pieces in SFL history."

Mexico City, Vancouver and D.C. are now the only franchises left standing who have won a SFL title, allowing for the next group of talented SFL stars to etch their place in history on the SFL Championship trophy.

For Philadelphia, their time is now. Fittingly, Philadelphia started in Season 8 of the SFLm and is the seventh team to be called up to the pros from those eight teams who played that season. The Cougars will play in the East Division, while the Carolina Skyhawks will shift to the South for the league's 27th season kicking off Friday July 31 at the 2026 SFL Convention in Denver, Colorado.

"It’s an honor to be trusted with the responsibility to  bring something special to the city of Philadelphia while also being able to bring the Philly brand of ball to the SFL," Peace said.

Philadelphia will renew their Keystone Cup rivalry with the Pittsburgh Riverhogs. Britton will face his former team the D.C. Dragons as a divisional foe. The Cougars will also get to renew old SFLm matchups with Albuquerque, Bossier City, Chicago and Lexington.

"This has been an awesome run but every good thing always comes to an end," Paul said. "10 years is a long time and I've made friends & brothers across the league. I hope I've impacted and helped push the league in the right direction."

Philadelphia will finish out its SFLm regular season stretch in Season 13 in the thick of the playoff hunt against Boston on Tuesday May 19.