The Lakeland Thunderbolts began in 2005 as an expansion member of the National Indoor Football League, finishing their inaugural season with a 6–8 record and losing in the first round of playoffs to the Rome Renegades with a score of 53–7.

After the 2006 season ended, the 'Bolts decided to move to the American Indoor Football Association.

Lakeland secured the 2007 Southern Division Championship after an 84–62 win over the Mississippi Mudcats on June 16, 2007.

On June 23, they would win AIFA Championship Bowl I at the Florence Civic Center, defeating the Reading Express by a score of 54–49.

[1] On Tuesday December 4, 2007, the AIFA announced they have reached an agreement with the Lakeland Center, and the Thunderbolts will return in 2009.