ISFL rivalries
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Over the course of its existence, the National Simulation Football League has seen various teams develop rivalries. Sometimes these rivalries are born out of on-field results (e.g. the Otters-Outlaws rivalry), sometimes for off-field reasons (e.g. Hawks-Liberty rivalry), and sometimes for a combination of the two (e.g. Liberty-Legion rivalry).
Below is a summary of each known rivalry in the NSFL.
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Hawks-Liberty
The Hawks-Liberty rivalry is widely considered to be the league's first proper rivalry, having spawned out of various off-field incidents throughout the 2017 (S2) season. The Liberty, despite being an expansion team, would win an Ultimus before the Hawks – capturing their first championship in Ultimus Bowl VII, vs Ultimus Bowl X for the Hawks – but trail overall in the series. The rivalry was easily the most bitter in the league for some time, though attitudes have since cooled.
Otters-Outlaws
In the early days of the league, the Outlaws won three straight Ultimus Bowls, having to go through the Orange County Otters in the ASFC Championship every time. In the wake of the Arizona Outlaws multi scandal, the Otters would leapfrog their old divisional rivals and become the dominant force in the league, having led the series ever since.
Liberty-Legion
As expansion teams founded at the same time, it was only natural that the two would form a rivalry of sorts. The rivalry was never particularly intense, and effectively died when the Las Vegas Legion retired many, before relocating and rebranding to the New Orleans Second Line.
NOLA-Baltimore rivalry
The clashes between the New Orleans Second Line and the Baltimore Hawks between 2024 (S9) and 2026 (S11) saw some of the best teams in league history go head-to-head, with the two franchises contesting the Ultimus in each of the three season. This rivalry could probably be considered more of a friendly one, with both sides showing great respect for the other throughout.
Liberty-Butchers rivalry
The rivalry between the Philadelphia Liberty and the Chicago Butchers exploded into prominence in 2035 (S20), when various Liberty players began requesting no-trade clauses specifically preventing them from being traded to the Butchers. Chicago players responded in kind over the following seasons, while both sides engaged in public arguments.
See also
References
