West Texas Warbirds: A Turbulent History of Arena Football in Texas
The landscape of indoor football in West Texas has been marked by ambition, legal battles, and frequent rebranding. The West Texas Warbirds emerged as the third attempt to establish a lasting arena football presence in Odessa, following in the footsteps of the Odessa/West Texas Roughnecks and the West Texas Wildcatters. From its inception as a community-named expansion team to its eventual relocation and revival, the franchise's journey reflects the volatility of the sport.
The Original Warbirds Era (2019–2023)
The franchise began on October 2, 2019, when Champions Indoor Football (CIF) announced an expansion team for Odessa. To foster local connection, the organization held a name-the-team contest. On December 18, "Warbirds" was selected as the winner, beating out other suggestions such as the Warriors, Law, Outlawz, and Thunder.
Despite the excitement, the team faced immediate hurdles. The planned 2020 inaugural season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, travel restrictions and capacity limits in Texas forced the Warbirds and the Amarillo Venom to withdraw from the CIF. Instead, these two teams, along with several semiprofessional squads, formed the Lone Star Series. The Warbirds emerged victorious in this competition, defeating the Venom 79–60 to claim the championship.
By November 2021, the Warbirds and Venom officially left the CIF to transform the Lone Star Series into the Arena Football Association (AFA), which included members like the Texas Jets, North Texas Bulls, Texas Crude, and the Rio Grande Valley Dorados. In 2023, the team transitioned to the National Arena League (NAL). This period saw a change in leadership when the Kertis ownership group sold the team to former general manager Zack Bugg, who had previously resigned over disagreements regarding the team's direction.
Transition to the West Texas Desert Hawks
Under the ownership of Zack Bugg, the team announced on July 18, 2023, that it would join the relaunched Arena Football League (AFL) for the 2024 season. On August 22, 2023, the team rebranded as the West Texas Desert Hawks.
The move to the AFL was not without conflict. The NAL filed for an injunction to block the move, alleging a breach of contract. The Desert Hawks countered that they were a separate legal entity from the Warbirds. Although a preliminary injunction was granted on May 6, 2024, the team defied the order until a settlement was reached on May 10, 2024, allowing them to play their AFL schedule.
The Sudden Collapse of the Desert Hawks
The Desert Hawks' tenure in the AFL was short-lived. On June 18, 2024, reports surfaced that the team had ceased operations following the dismissal of head coach Chris Siegfried. By June 20, the AFL confirmed the team had ended its season early, though the league initially stated the team had not folded.
On June 21, 2024, Zack Bugg held a press conference announcing his exit from arena football ownership. Bugg cited several reasons for the failure, including accusations of embezzlement against former league official Lee Hutton regarding NFL Network broadcasting funds and disputes with Ector County Coliseum vendors over concessions revenue.
Revival and Relocation to Amarillo
The story of the franchise took a new turn on June 3, 2025, when original owner Leif Kertis and new owner Derek Urias announced plans to bring arena football back to Amarillo for the 2026 season. This new iteration, owned by Kertis, Urias, and Cathy Schick, was established as the Amarillo Warbirds, playing out of the Amarillo Civic Center.
This move filled a void in a city with a deep indoor football history, previously served by the Amarillo Dusters and Amarillo Venom from 2004 to 2021. The path was cleared after the Dusters were excluded from the NAL and lost their lease at the Civic Center. On June 30, 2025, the team officially confirmed they would rejoin the National Arena League. However, the team faced early coaching instability, announcing the departure of head coach Jermaine Blakely on April 23, 2026.
Key Facts
- Original Name: West Texas Warbirds (established 2019).
- Rebranded Name: West Texas Desert Hawks (2023–2024).
- Current Name: Amarillo Warbirds (2026 revival).
- Leagues Played: CIF, AFA, NAL, and AFL.
- Major Achievement: Won the Lone Star Series championship by defeating the Amarillo Venom 79–60.
- Home Venues: Ector County Coliseum (Odessa) and Amarillo Civic Center (Amarillo).
| Era/Identity | Primary League | Key Owner/Leader | Status/Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Texas Warbirds | CIF / AFA / NAL | Leif Kertis / Zack Bugg | Rebranded to Desert Hawks |
| West Texas Desert Hawks | AFL | Zack Bugg | Ceased operations 2024 |
| Amarillo Warbirds | NAL | Kertis, Urias, & Schick | Active/Revived 2026 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Warbirds not play in their inaugural 2020 season?
The 2020 season was cancelled due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What was the Lone Star Series?
It was a series of games between the Warbirds, the Amarillo Venom, and other Texas-based semiprofessional teams, created after the teams withdrew from the 2021 CIF season due to travel and capacity restrictions.
Why did the NAL attempt to stop the Desert Hawks from playing in the AFL?
The NAL filed for an injunction claiming the team breached its contract by leaving the NAL to join the Arena Football League.
What led to Zack Bugg's decision to stop owning the team in 2024?
Bugg cited embezzlement by Lee Hutton regarding broadcasting funds and disputes over concessions revenue at the Ector County Coliseum as primary reasons for his departure.
Where do the Amarillo Warbirds play?
The revived team plays at the Amarillo Civic Center in Amarillo, Texas.