Waterloo's New Football Team Has a Name and a General Manager

Back in February, a new indoor professional football league announced its intent to start in 2024, and they were doing something a bit different from other start-up football leagues: they were asking people to vote for what cities should get teams.

Three Iowa cities were eligible for teams, and in May, NFL Hall of Famer and Arena League Commissioner Tim Brown announced that Waterloo would be one of the four brand new teams in the brand new Arena League. Recently, the new Waterloo team has revealed its name and named their general manager.

Let's Get to the Name First:

I was admittedly less than thrilled when I learned that the team would be known as the Waterloo Woo. Frankly, it's kind of an atrocious name, and the justification doesn't make a great deal of sense. The Woo gets its name based on the city's history as both a railroad town ("woo" like the noise from a train whistle) and its popularity as a haven for wrestling (Ric Flair's signature "woo").

The Woo will play at The Hippodrome, which is located on the National Cattle Congress, which used to host many WWF, NWA, and WCW events. "Woo" is the perfect thing to chant at any sporting event. It's a less than ideal name, in my opinion. Frankly, it sounds like the name of a Pioneer League baseball team.

About the Name Itself:

Coming in 2024, The Arena League will be yet another football league looking to make a name for itself alongside the USFL, XFL, and the AFL, just to name a few. Full Disclosure: the Arena League is NOT the same as the Arena Football League. The Arena Football League began in 1986, folded in 2019, and is shaping up for a comeback in 2024. The Arena League is a brand new football league that is looking to begin play in 2024.

Commissioner Brown told the people of Waterloo in a May press conference that the Arena League is coming to the Cedar Valley because "people wanted it:"

They were chosen because of the fan support we got when we sent out the information [....] overwhelmingly the city said yes we want a team here sothat is why we were in Springfield. That is why we were in Duluth and we have one more city we will announce in the next couple of weeks, and that is why we are excited because the city and fans are excited. - per KWWL

Photo Credit: KCRG-TV9, YouTube

The Woo Have Their General Manager:

The Arena League also named Bailey McRae as the inaugural general manager of the Waterloo Woo. McRae is a Waterloo East alum, and jumped at the opportunity to spearhead a new team in a new league:

There was no question. They knew where I was with everything. They wanted someone that was able to talk and build relationships. That is what I have been trained to do. I cannot even described how excited I am, how blessed I feel. I am so thankful for the community—everything they have done in keeping the momentum going. - Bailey McRae, per the WCF Courier

More About The Arena League's Rules and Teams:

The Arena League will feature four teams and offer a number of changes/innovations to the game of football, according to its website. Such features are:

A 50-yard, indoor field
15-man rosters with players who play both offense and defense
Faster-aced games with a "quick" play clock and no huddles
Younger athletes
Fan input

The only other team in the league to have a name at this time is the Ozarks Lunkers of Springfield, MO. The two other teams have been confirmed to play in Duluth, MN and Kansas City, MO, but names have not been announced. The league is set to begin play in 2024.