The three new teams were the Cedar Rapids Titans, New Mexico Stars and the Everett Raptors.
The season kicked off on February 19, 2012, when the Chicago Slaughter beat the Bloomington Edge 50–34.
For the 2012 season, the IFL switched to a two-conference format with no divisions,[1] due, in large part, to the loss of all the Texas-based teams (except the Allen Wranglers) to the newly formed Lone Star Football League.
The Wranglers brought attention to the league for offering a US$500,000 contract to unemployed wide receiver Terrell Owens to become the team's part-owner and wide receiver.
The front office of the league saw changes as well, as Commissioner Tommy Benizio resigned.