The National Arena League (NAL), a premier league in arena football, commissioned Bennett Awards to create its first championship trophy. Unlike some of the sports league traveling trophies, such as the NHL’s Stanley Cup, the NAL will award a new championship trophy to each year’s league champion for permanent display in their home city. The National Arena League was founded in 2016, and in 2017 completed its inaugural season and championship game.
Bennett Awards worked closely with the National Arena League to create a new, cutting edge custom award design for the new National Arena League Championship trophy. The trophy was created in pewter with a sliver-plated finish. The trophy stands 28” tall and weighs approximately 25 lbs. The trophy features a football with NAL logo elements sitting atop a sleek, modern integrated sculpture base.
The new custom trophy was unveiled at the National Arena League Championship Media Day, held July 9, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. The trophy was then presented to the 2017 NAL champions, the Jacksonville Sharks, following their 27-21 championship game victory over the Columbus Lions. The championship game was held July 10, 2017, at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
A video of the hoisting of the championship trophy can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gMMdVxPCN4&feature=youtu.be&t=3h20m9s
