The team were originally to have been known as the West Virginia Miners and were to have played in the American Indoor Football league.

On July 14, 2023, the AIF announced that Wheeling, West Virginia, would become the fourth city in the newly-revived league to host a new expansion franchise owned by Chris Duffy, Dempsey Fields, and Darryl Seabridge.

[1] Just three days later, the name, logos and colors were unveiled as those of the West Virginia Miners,[2][3] sharing its name with the defunct Prospect League summer collegiate baseball franchise.

On November 1, 2023, the announced their intention to play in the American Arena League's AAL2 and were renamed the Wheeling Miners.

Mere weeks later, on July 6, 2024, the Miners dismantled the Peach State Cats 61-14 to win the AAL2 Championship before leaving for the NAL.