The team was planned to begin play in 2025 alongside the rest of the AF1, but the Crusaders, along with Monterrey, announced that they would be pushing their seasons back to 2026.

Ultimately, Carbajal was unable to secure a lease agreement with Mechanics Bank Arena, and the Grizzlies never made it to play.

Its head coach Kurt Bryan was a co-creator of the A-11 offense briefly used in outdoor football.

[3] Team president Scott McKibben had previously been chairman of the Oakland Coliseum authority.

[4] On November 18, 2024, the AF1 league announced that the Crusaders and Monterrey Kings will sit out the 2025 season and debut in 2026.