After a two-year absence, it appears arena football is returning to Spokane, along with the popular Shock name. Spokane is expected to return to the Indoor Football League for the 2020 season, a league source confirmed.

When the Spokane Empire ceased operations after the 2017 season, head coach Adam Shackleford thought his 35-year streak of involvement in football was coming to an end. He had held nearly every title – player, assistant coach, personnel director, offensive coordinator, head coach – but he wondered if it was time to stay on the sideline with his family firmly settled in Spokane.

The season is winding down in arena football leagues across the country but not in Spokane. The franchise – known as the Shock for the first 10 seasons in arenafootball2 and the Arena Football League and the Empire for two seasons in the Indoor Football League – shuttered last July for financial reasons. The organization’s 12-year run was long by most arena franchise standards, but not long enough for its diehard fans.

Terrance Sanders experienced numerous ups and downs during his lengthy arena football career. That’s continued in his post-football life.

Adam Shackleford didn’t think coaching was in his immediate future after the Spokane Empire shuttered operations in July.

Former Spokane Empire coach Adam Shackleford is back in the Indoor Football League game as offensive coordinator and assistant head coach with the Nebraska Danger.

As a handy reference for all things minor league in sports, the movie “Slap Shot” is unerring in tone and applicable across the spectrum.

The Spokane Empire is out of business for the 2018 season and probably for good unless a local owner or ownership group steps forward.

Spokane Empire defensive lineman John Griggs was named to the first team All-IFL team, while defensive back John Hardy-Tuliau was named to the second team, the Indoor Football League announced on Wednesday.

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah – Verlon Reed hit Devin Mahina with a 2-yard touchdown pass as time expired and the Salt Lake Screaming Eagles beat the Spokane Empire 45-42 on Friday, knocking the Empire from Indoor Football League playoff contention. The Empire (8-8) dropped six of their last seven games after starting the season 7-2.

Spokane has spent the last half of the Indoor Football League regular season playing its way out of the postseason. The Empire have dropped five of their last six games but the playoff door is still ajar.