TEAM PAYS HOMAGE TO FORMER COLISEUM TEAM AND ADDS GRIT WITH NEW LOGOS
Uniondale, NY – The Entertainment Football Association (ENTFLA) proudly introduced its Long Island team, set to begin play at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in June, as the
“New York Dragons.”
The name was chosen from hundreds of community submissions, with league officials noting it reflects “the community’s love for the previous arena football team that played in the Coliseum for many years,” explained Hall of Famer and ENTFLA Commissioner Andre Reed.
The team unveiled a series of well-crafted logos designed by Philadelphia-based artist Winston Alford-Hamburg. The logos offer a modern, aggressive aesthetic while paying homage to the original Dragons brand. They prominently feature a distinctive “Long Island Orange” color, representing the region’s renowned sunsets and vibrant community spirit.
“It’s only fitting that Long Island’s new arena football team will be called the New York Dragons,” said General Manager Peter Schwartz, who served as the play-by-play voice for the original Dragons franchise in the Arena Football League from 2001 to 2008. “The Dragons were a significant part of the Long Island sports landscape for eight exciting seasons. I’m delighted that our new team will continue the legacy and tradition of the old team. Our goal with the new Dragons is to complete the mission of the original franchise and hang a championship banner from the rafters of the Coliseum.”
The original Dragons, formerly the lowa Barnstormers, relocated to Long Island in 2001.
They made the Arena Football League playoffs five times in eight seasons and claimed Eastern Division championships in 2003, 2004, and 2005. The franchise featured some of the AFL’s most notable players, including quarterback Aaron Garcia, wide receivers Kevin Swayne and Mike Furrey, and defensive specialist Billy Parker.
The new Dragons franchise becomes the latest addition to Long Island’s professional sports scene, joining their Nassau Coliseum co-tenants, the Long Island Nets of the NBA G League and the NHL’s New York Islanders. Other Long Island teams include the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League, the Long Island Rough Riders of United Soccer League, American Soccer Club-New York of the National Professional Soccer League, and the Long Island Stingrays of the ABA.
Since opening in 1972, Nassau Coliseum has been home to a rich history of professional sports, hosting the Islanders and the New York Nets of the ABA and NBA. Other teams to call “The Barn” home have included the New York Arrows (Major Indoor Soccer League) the New York Sets (World Team Tennis), and the New York Saints (Major Indoor Lacrosse League and National Lacrosse League).
The Dragons will soon announce their head coach and will begin training camp in May Their season opener is set for June 7 on the road against the Danbury Diesel, followed by their home opener on June 14 against the New Jersey Ciphers at Nassau Coliseum.
The Entertainment Football Association will kick off its inaugural season on June 6, 2025, with teams competing in Danbury, CT; Fitchburg, MA; Morristown, NJ; and Long Island, NY. Each community will host four home games; combining high-level football with a slate of entertainment, including post-game concerts after every contest.
For more information about today’s announcements and other New York Dragons updates, visit NY Dragons Football