Playing as an independent in 2016 and as a member of the Can-Am Indoor Football League, the team ceased operations following the 2017 season.

[1][2] John Augustine, a longtime figure associated with the semi-professional Buffalo Gladiators of the Northeastern Football Alliance, is leading the Lightning[3] (the team was initially identified as the “Gladiators” in the earliest mentions, but that team name was removed and eventually replaced by Lightning well before the 2015 season).

The Lightning jumped to the Supreme Indoor Football for the 2016 season,[4] however, the league abruptly broke down in winter 2016 before it began play.

[6] Augustine and co-owner Bob Guenther plan on investing $75,000 to build a 2,500-seat temporary stadium at RiverWorks, with seating and fresh artificial turf.

(source: CAIFL and Buffalo Blitz official Web sites) The remainder of the team's schedule (games on May 13, 20 and 27) was not played.