Valley's FXFL team will be 'Brawlers'

NILES — The speculation surrounding an FXFL team coming to the Mahoning Valley proved to be accurate.

The FXFL (Fall Experimental Football League) on Wednesday introduced the Mahoning Valley Brawlers as its newest franchise.

The Brawlers, who will play their home games at Eastwood Field, will be part of the four-team league which officials describe as “a developmental league for the NFL.”

The Brawlers were introduced at a news conference Wednesday morning at the Eastwood Mall. The team will be operated by HWS Baseball, the current owner of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.

“We are pleased to announce the addition of the Mahoning Valley as part of our 2015 membership and look forward to our partnership with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers,” said FXFL League Commissioner Brian Woods. “This gives us an exciting new market with an attractive fan base.”

The FXFL will also include franchises in Brooklyn, Florida and Hudson Valley, N.Y.

The Brawlers will play three home games — Saturday, Oct. 3; Thursday, Oct. 15; and Wednesday, Nov. 4.

The Brawlers nickname is an apparent homage to the area's boxing heritage and reputation for toughness.

The team name and logo — a visage of an old-style, bare-knuckles fighter — were unveiled Wednesday morning.

Return to Vindy.com and read Thursday's Vindicator sports section for complete details.