ODESSA, Texas — Zach Bugg, the owner of the West Texas Desert Hawks, released a statement on the team's X account on Monday addressing rumors related to the franchise's future.
Bugg addressed online speculation that the Desert Hawks will be blocked from continuing to compete in the Arena Football League, which the team joined for the 2024 season. The aforementioned speculation is that the National Arena League, which the franchise played for in the 2023 season under the name Warbirds, will be blocking West Texas from playing in the AFL.
According to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, a case was filed against WTX Indoor Football, LLC by National Arena League, Inc. on April 25, stating a "Breach of Contract". The hearing is scheduled for May 21 at 10 a.m.
Bugg's statement said in part, "Most of the issues discussed online are baseless and not true. Any internal matters within the team have been addressed and resolved behind closed doors."
Bugg also said, "I have never signed any league affiliation with the National Arena League. They do not have my signature anywhere indicating that I will play in any other league. I plan to take this matter to trial and prove that my team is free to play in any league of my choosing."
The statement also said that the Desert Hawks are determined and committed to bringing arena football back to West Texas and continuing to play their scheduled games.
Head coach Chris Siegfried echoed Bugg's sentiment on X with a guarantee of the team's status this week.
The Desert Hawks have played two games in 2024, and their third game is scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 12 at 2:30 p.m. against the Washington Wolfpack on the road.