The Phantoms joined the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) in 2008 as an expansion team.

The Michigan Pirates played a home playoff game in Flint, in 2007, with the idea of moving there, but the team folded after the 2007 season.

The Phantoms played their home games at the Perani Arena and Event Center in Flint, Michigan.

The Phantoms approached their last game of 2008 with a roster of just 9 or 10 or maybe 50 and looked to semi-pro teams for additional players.

[3] On the day of the game, only 11 players were available (with 16 required to field a team), forcing the Phantoms to forfeit.