This story has been updated with comments from the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The Sioux Falls Storm Indoor Football Team won’t be playing football next season. The team announced they’d be entering dormancy via a press release on Wednesday.
The decision stems from not having a place to play. The Denny Sanford PREMIER Center declined to offer the Storm a new agreement.
Former USD women’s basketball player Bridget Schumacher has died
The team explored alternative places to play, but weren’t able to finalize a venue ahead of the upcoming season.
“We are disappointed by the situation and saddened to step away, even temporarily, from our incredible fans and community,” Owner and Team President Amber Garry said in a news release. “Our commitment to Storm nation remains unwavering and we look forward to returning stronger than ever for the 2026 season.”
The Storm will pause operations for at least one season, but the hope is to find a solution for the 2026 season.
Denny Sanford PREMIER Center General Manager Mike Krewson told KELOLAND News the PREMIER Center had a meeting with the Storm and shared their concerns over falling attendance months ago.
“I had that meeting with Amber (Amber Garry, Stormer Owner and Team President) from the Storm several months ago, I haven’t heard a peep from her or Todd Tryon,” Krewson said in a phone interview. “I feel that they accepted what their fate was and I’m open to a conversation for the future.”
Krewson also said he was a little surprised to see the Storm’s statement, without having any conversation with the PREMIER Center.
Attendance numbers before and after COVID were gauged by the PREMIER Center and with falling numbers, they opted not to offer a new agreement.
Krewson said that the PREMIER Center’s decision to not make an offer, was based on the rise in rent, that would’ve been needed to even out costs.
A major point of the decision is the cost. Krewson stated how the cost of everything is going up right now, such as workers, cleaning and much more. Since the Storm’s attendance numbers are going down, it wasn’t feasible to keep them in the building.
“We try to work with everybody and you hate to see somebody go,” Krewson said. “It’s a relationship driven industry and I hate to be the one who brings the bad news.”
Every event at the PREMIER Center gets evaluated, especially the tenants according to Krewson.
Former Storm owner and current Indoor Football League commissioner Todd Tryon says the process has been tough to watch.
“It’s been very frustrating to have watched this play out the way it has the past few years,” Tryon said in a news release. “There is too much support and history for this team to not be offered a lease. My belief is a solution will be found and we can all witness the comeback story of the Sioux Falls Storm in 2026.
The 2025 schedule had not yet been released, but the season typically kicks off in March.
KELOLAND News also asked about the Stampede, which is the other main sports tenant at the venue.
Krewson said you can make comparisons with anything, but this decision was about the Sioux Falls Storm.
Local News
/
October 30, 2024
No place to play: Sioux Falls Storm pauses operation for 2025
This story has been updated with comments from the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The Sioux Falls Storm Indoor Football Team won’t be playing football next season. The team announced they’d be entering dormancy via a press release on Wednesday.
The decision stems from not having a place to play. The Denny Sanford PREMIER Center declined to offer the Storm a new agreement.
Former USD women’s basketball player Bridget Schumacher has died
The team explored alternative places to play, but weren’t able to finalize a venue ahead of the upcoming season.
“We are disappointed by the situation and saddened to step away, even temporarily, from our incredible fans and community,” Owner and Team President Amber Garry said in a news release. “Our commitment to Storm nation remains unwavering and we look forward to returning stronger than ever for the 2026 season.”
The Storm will pause operations for at least one season, but the hope is to find a solution for the 2026 season.
Denny Sanford PREMIER Center General Manager Mike Krewson told KELOLAND News the PREMIER Center had a meeting with the Storm and shared their concerns over falling attendance months ago.
“I had that meeting with Amber (Amber Garry, Stormer Owner and Team President) from the Storm several months ago, I haven’t heard a peep from her or Todd Tryon,” Krewson said in a phone interview. “I feel that they accepted what their fate was and I’m open to a conversation for the future.”
Krewson also said he was a little surprised to see the Storm’s statement, without having any conversation with the PREMIER Center.
Attendance numbers before and after COVID were gauged by the PREMIER Center and with falling numbers, they opted not to offer a new agreement.
Krewson said that the PREMIER Center’s decision to not make an offer, was based on the rise in rent, that would’ve been needed to even out costs.
A major point of the decision is the cost. Krewson stated how the cost of everything is going up right now, such as workers, cleaning and much more. Since the Storm’s attendance numbers are going down, it wasn’t feasible to keep them in the building.
“We try to work with everybody and you hate to see somebody go,” Krewson said. “It’s a relationship driven industry and I hate to be the one who brings the bad news.”
Every event at the PREMIER Center gets evaluated, especially the tenants according to Krewson.
Former Storm owner and current Indoor Football League commissioner Todd Tryon says the process has been tough to watch.
“It’s been very frustrating to have watched this play out the way it has the past few years,” Tryon said in a news release. “There is too much support and history for this team to not be offered a lease. My belief is a solution will be found and we can all witness the comeback story of the Sioux Falls Storm in 2026.
The 2025 schedule had not yet been released, but the season typically kicks off in March.
KELOLAND News also asked about the Stampede, which is the other main sports tenant at the venue.
Krewson said you can make comparisons with anything, but this decision was about the Sioux Falls Storm.
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