The IFL was a professional American football league that existed from 1981-1982 before merging with the NAFL in 1983. The league featured 4 teams in its inaugural season and 8 teams plus a league-owned practice squad in 1982. The stated goals of the IFL were:

• International - Spread American Football outside of the US.
• Innovative - Fast paced games with new rules, formations, and strategies.
• Iron - Hard hitting action.

According to memos featured in the Jeff Pearlman's book, The I in Team, a 4th 'I' appeared on earlier drafts, Invigorate. The Invigorate goal was a hodgepodge of ideas intended to engage fans with the IFL during the season and outside of it. Activities included barbecues with players, coaches, and other staff, a prototype of what is now called a “T-Shirt Canon”, a lottery for Iron Bowl tickets, and interactive halftime shows. Although these ideas were incorporated by individual teams, Invigorate was dropped from the league's first press release in 1980.