Wheeling Miners
The Wheeling Miners are a privately held American Arena League indoor football franchise based in Wheeling, WV — the only pro arena football team in West Virginia — playing home games at WesBanco Arena and serving Ohio Valley families, local businesses, and youth athletes through tickets, sponsorships, merchandise, and community programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersWheeling, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Wheeling Miners does
The Wheeling Miners are a privately held professional arena football franchise and the only such team in West Virginia, founded in November 2023. They compete in the American Arena League (AAL) and play home games at WesBanco Arena in downtown Wheeling, WV, with exclusive use of the $32 million Highlands Sports Complex as their practice facility — an arrangement documented as unique among AAL/NAL teams. The franchise won the AAL2 Championship in 2024 with an undefeated 10-0 season (61-14 final), competed in the NAL in 2025, and returned to the AAL for 2026, its third season of play.
The business operates on a multi-stream revenue model: ticket sales (single-game, season subscriptions across four tiers priced $75–$650, group, student, and kids specials) sold through Etix, the WesBanco Arena box office, and phone; merchandise sales through Shirts n More Inc. and on-site game-day retail; and a portfolio of title, official, and community sponsorships (WVU Medicine, Tunnel Ridge, Ohio Motor Group, Heavenly Coach, WTOV 9, Marshall County Chamber, and others). Adjacent revenue and engagement lines include the Gold Rush and Monday Night Gold Rush podcasts, the WMYFL youth flag football league, the Book Club literacy program, the Lady Wheeling Miners dance team, and authenticated game-worn jersey auctions on the DASH platform.
The franchise is led by owner Chris Duffy, CFO Jennifer McIntyre, General Manager Chris Cipriani (also owner of Cipco Solutions), and Head Coach Chris McKinney. Chris Duffy holds a part-ownership stake in the Pittsburgh Outlaws (AAL2), which serves as a developmental farm team. Customer segments center on Ohio Valley families and sports fans, local businesses and corporate groups seeking sponsorship or group-ticket opportunities, and youth/student athletes reached through WMYFL and student ticket programs. Distribution is regional, spanning the Ohio Valley across West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
Wheeling Miners firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Wheeling Miners
- Legal name
- Wheeling Miners
- Website
- https://gowvminers.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Wheeling Miners are a privately held American Arena League indoor football franchise based in Wheeling, WV — the only pro arena football team in West Virginia — playing home games at WesBanco Arena and serving Ohio Valley families, local businesses, and youth athletes through tickets, sponsorships, merchandise, and community programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Wheeling Miners is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wheeling
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Wheeling Miners business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Revenue from single game tickets, season tickets, group tickets (10+), student specials, and kids specials sold through Etix.com, box office, and phone orders
- Merchandise Sales: Official team apparel and merchandise sold through Shirts n More Inc., including online store with T-shirts and hoodies, plus game day sales at WesBanco Arena
- Sponsorships and Partnerships: Title sponsors (WVU Medicine), official partners (Tunnel Ridge, Ohio Motor Group, Heavenly Coach), community partners (WTOV 9, Marshall County Chamber), and various corporate partners providing revenue in exchange for branding and promotional opportunities
- Team Housing Services: Partnership with McLure Hotel and Conference Center for player accommodations
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Section 300 Season Tickets - Upper level seating |
| Subscription | Annual | Section 200 Season Tickets - Mid-level seating |
| Subscription | Annual | Section 100 Season Tickets - Lower level premium seating |
| Subscription | Annual | EndZone Season Tickets |
| Subscription | Annual | Loge Box Seating |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Single Game Tickets |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Group Tickets |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Book Club Tickets |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Wheeling Miners product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Wheeling Miners are a professional arena football franchise that operates and sells ticket access to live arena football games played at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, WV. The franchise sells single game, group, season, student, and kids tickets; official team apparel and merchandise; and supports these core offerings with community programs including a youth flag football league (WMYFL), a Book Club program, and a dance team (Lady Wheeling Miners), plus the Monday Night Gold Rush podcast and game-worn jersey auctions.
Product overview
Wheeling Miners operates as a professional arena football organization offering a portfolio of live entertainment and community-focused products. The core offering is arena football games at WesBanco Arena, supported by ticket products across multiple categories (single game, group, season/renewals, student, kids). The organization extends its portfolio with complementary products including official team merchandise, the Monday Night Gold Rush podcast, youth flag football league (WMYFL), a book club program, and the Lady Wheeling Miners dance team. Game day programs and special theme nights (70s Night, Cancer Awareness Night, Coal Miners Appreciation Night) further enhance the fan experience.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Arena Football Games Professional indoor arena football games played at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, WV in 8-on-8 format on a 50-yard field with padded walls. The team competes in the American Arena League (AAL).
- Single Game Tickets Individual game tickets for home games at WesBanco Arena, sold via Etix online platform and the WesBanco Arena Box Office.
- Group Tickets Discounted tickets for parties of 10 or more, with groups seated together whenever possible. Includes themed group nights and promotional events.
- Season Ticket Packages Renewable season ticket packages offering 5 home games with potential 6th game free. Pricing tiers: Section 300 ($75), Section 200 ($110), Section 100 ($190), EndZone ($75), Loge ($650 for 4 seats). Payment plans available with 25% down.
- Official Team Apparel and Merchandise Official Wheeling Miners merchandise including T-shirts, hoodies, and on-field apparel, provided by Shirts n More Inc. Available at WesBanco Arena on game days and through an online team store.
- Monday Night Gold Rush Podcast A live-recorded weekly radio and podcast-style show hosted by 'Uncle Tim', bringing fans inside the stories, personalities, and behind-the-scenes content of Miners football. Recorded every Monday night at Generations Restaurant & Pub.
- WMYFL Youth Flag League Wheeling Miners Youth Flag League, a youth flag football program run in partnership with the Wheeling YMCA, designed to develop young athletes and engage families in the community.
- Wheeling Miners Book Club Youth literacy and community engagement program where children can sign up for book club membership paired with game tickets and reading incentives. Sections: Green ($80), Yellow ($150), Red ($195).
- Lady Wheeling Miners Dance Team Professional dance team providing in-game entertainment, performances during timeouts, and community appearances. Directed by Cassidy Sansone.
- Game Day Programs Official digital and printed game day programs for each home game, available as PDF downloads, featuring team information, sponsor content, and game day guides.
- Game-Worn Jersey Auctions Auction platform for authenticated game-worn jerseys. Bidders can view and purchase authenticated game-worn jerseys at fans.winwithdash.com/auction/.
Companies that use Wheeling Miners
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Wheeling Miners technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Wheeling Miners partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.
- KanawhaminorOfficial In-Game Entertainment provider for AAL Playoffs 2026.
- Marshall County Chamber of CommerceminorOfficial Community Partner. Dedicated to helping businesses and organizations thrive throughout Marshall County region.
- Chris Cipriani / Cipco SolutionscoreGeneral Manager Chris Cipriani is owner of Cipco Solutions, a marketing services provider serving the tri-state area. He continues leading his business while overseeing Miners front office operations including corporate sponsorships, group ticket sales, PR, and marketing.
- WTOV 9coreOfficial Community Partner for 2026 season. Local TV station and trusted voice in Ohio Valley for decades, providing media coverage and promotion of team activities.
- Lauttamus Communications & SecurityminorOfficial Community Partner for 2026 season. Plays vital role behind scenes providing communications and security services.
- Ohio Motor GroupcoreOfficial Community Partner for 2026 season. Automotive group committed to supporting local programs and investing in the community.
- Heavenly CoachcoreOfficial Travel Partner for 2026 season. Provides team transportation for road trips and away games, ensuring safe and comfortable travel.
- Tunnel RidgecoreReturning Official Partner and Title Sponsor of Coal Miners Appreciation Night on June 6th. Coal mining is the backbone of the Ohio Valley and Tunnel Ridge leads celebration of local miners and their families.
- Pittsburgh OutlawscoreAAL2 franchise owned by Miners Owner Chris Duffy. Serves as Miners farm system and developmental Arena Football team.
- RL Strength and ConditioningminorCollaborative partnership with RL Strength in Bellaire to inspire Ohio Valley youth through sports. Players conducted free workout sessions with local kids. Hosting 'Lions Only' Night for participating youth.
- Shirts n More Inc.coreOfficial Team Apparel Partner providing coach and player on-field apparel as well as fan merchandise. Located at 2517 Jacob St, Wheeling, WV 26003. Family-owned since 1981, they provide game day apparel at WesBanco Arena and operate the online Team Apparel store.
- McLure Hotel and Conference CentercoreOfficial Team Housing Partner. Historic hotel at downtown Wheeling blocks from WesBanco Arena, providing accommodations for players. Opened 1852, has hosted 11 presidents. Renovated 1982-1984 with 135 rooms.
- WVU MedicineflagshipTitle sponsor of 2026 Cancer Awareness Night. Provides healthcare sponsorship and branding at WesBanco Arena games. WVU Medicine has multiple locations in Wheeling serving the Ohio Valley community.
- The Highlands Sports ComplexcoreState-of-the-art $32 million athletic supercenter serving as official practice facility. Features six basketball/volleyball courts, full-sized turf fields, arcade, café, and meeting rooms. Unique among NAL teams.
- MNTR+minorOfficial broadcast home of Miners Football. Provides streaming and coverage of all action, highlights, and team content.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Wheeling Miners competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Jacksonville Sharks: Established arena football franchise with a strong championship history. Comparable as a same-category indoor football franchise operating in a mid-sized market with comparable ticket pricing, theme-night programming, and sponsorship strategy.
- Iowa Barnstormers: Indoor football franchise with a long history in arena/indoor football leagues. Comparable in terms of league tier, single-venue operations, season-ticket-based revenue model, and community-driven marketing approach in a mid-sized market.
- Mississippi Wolfpack: American Arena League opponent played by the Wheeling Miners in early 2026. Comparable as a same-league AAL arena football franchise with similar operating profile, regional fan base, and league economics.
- Columbus Lions: Long-standing indoor football franchise based in Columbus, GA, that has played across multiple arena football leagues. Comparable in league tier, venue scale, and small-to-mid-market sponsorship and ticketing model.
- Jersey Bearcats: American Arena League opponent of the Wheeling Miners in the 2026 season. Directly comparable as a fellow AAL arena football franchise competing in the same league schedule, with similar team size, venue economics, and ticket-pricing structure.
- Pittsburgh Outlaws: AAL2 arena football franchise part-owned by Wheeling Miners owner Chris Duffy. Functions as the Miners' farm system and developmental team, sharing talent pipeline and likely back-office resources, making it the closest comparable in terms of league, ownership overlap, and operational model.
- Carolina Cobras: Indoor/arena football franchise that has competed in NAL and AAL. Directly comparable as a same-league arena football operation with similar team structure, ticket pricing tiers, and small-market sponsorship economics.
- Duke City Gladiators: Indoor arena football franchise that has operated in IFL and related arena football leagues. Comparable as a small-to-mid-market indoor football operation with similar ticket pricing, sponsorship structure, and gameday entertainment programming.
- Albany Empire: Arena football franchise that has competed in NAL. Comparable in league tier and small-market operating profile, with similar ticketing, sponsorship, and community engagement model.
Regional players
- Wheeling Nailers: ECHL minor-league hockey team based in Wheeling, WV — sharing the same city and likely overlapping fan demographic. Comparable as a regional minor-league sports franchise competing for the same local entertainment and corporate sponsorship dollars, though in a different sport.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Wheeling Miners social profiles
Digital presenceWheeling Miners financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Wheeling Miners leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles17 records
Wheeling Miners funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Wheeling Miners M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Wheeling Miners
What does Wheeling Miners do?
The Wheeling Miners are a professional arena football franchise that operates and sells ticket access to live arena football games played at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, WV. The franchise sells single game, group, season, student, and kids tickets; official team apparel and merchandise; and supports these core offerings with community programs including a youth flag football league (WMYFL), a Book Club program, and a dance team (Lady Wheeling Miners), plus the Monday Night Gold Rush podcast and game-worn jersey auctions.
Is Wheeling Miners a public or private company?
Wheeling Miners is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Wheeling Miners founded?
Wheeling Miners was founded in 2023. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Wheeling Miners based?
Wheeling Miners is headquartered in Wheeling, United States, in the North America region.
How does Wheeling Miners make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are merchandise Sales, sponsorships and Partnerships and team Housing Services.
Who are Wheeling Miners's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Jacksonville Sharks, Iowa Barnstormers, Mississippi Wolfpack, Columbus Lions, Jersey Bearcats, Pittsburgh Outlaws, Carolina Cobras, Duke City Gladiators and Albany Empire. Wheeling Nailers is listed as a regional player.
Does Wheeling Miners have an API?
No public API is recorded for Wheeling Miners.