On October 17, 2016, the Rage announced they had joined the new Arena Developmental League (which then became the National Arena League) in an introductory press conference, with their logo and color scheme unveiled that day.[1] The Rage were owned by Corpus Christi-area businessman Eric Dee Smith, who is an Army veteran and a former corrections officer, with Leonard Harris serving as the team's general manager. The ADL officially confirmed the Rage's membership on October 28.[2]
After the team's fourth game of their inaugural 2017 season, the Rage's operations were apparently taken over by the league from owner Eric Smith.[3] Afterwards, the Rage had two home games cancelled during the season by the league: the first being the May 20 game against the Georgia Firebirds, which was cancelled as a cost-cutting measure as the league had also taken control of the Firebirds franchise the week before,[4] and their final June 16 game against the High Country Grizzlies as both teams had already been eliminated from playoff contention.[5] Neither game was considered a forfeit; they were simply erased from the league schedules as a no contest. The Rage folded during the last week of the season.
