Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Defenders played their home games at the Cox Business Center.

The Defenders are the second arena/indoor team based in Tulsa, following the Tulsa Talons which played in arenafootball2 from the league's inaugural season in 2000 until its final season of 2009, and later in the Arena Football League from 2010 until 2011, after which the Talons moved to San Antonio.

The Defenders began play in 2012 as a member of the American Professional Football League.

[1][2] The Defenders experienced immediate success, finishing the regular season with a 9–3 record, tied for second place with the Council Bluffs Express.

[4] For the 2013 season, the Defenders played in the Champions Professional Indoor Football League.