 | |
| Founded | 1958 |
|---|---|
| Dissolved | 1971 |
| League | Eastern Football Conference Atlantic Coast Football League Continental Football League |
| Team history | Franklin Miners (1958—61) Paterson Miners (1962) Newark Bears (1963–65) Orlando Panthers (1965–71) |
| Based in | Orlando, Florida |
| Arena | Tangerine Bowl |
| Championships | 2 (ACFL) 2 (COFL) |
| Division titles | none |
The Orlando Panthers were a professional American football team based in Orlando, Florida. Founded in 1958 as the Franklin Miners, the team spent its first four years in the Eastern Football Conference, then three further years in the Atlantic Coast Football League (ACFL) before moving to the Continental Football League (COFL) in 1965. The franchise moved from Newark, New Jersey to Orlando in 1966 and found success on the field as the Panthers. However, while the team won the COFL championship twice they were plagued by financial difficulties. The team jumped back to the ACFL in 1970 but were suspended by the league after the season.