The Nashville Kats made the playoffs in their first season. Unfortunately, after putting together a 10-4 regular season, they had to face the Tampa Bay Storm in their first playoff game. They lost, 52-49. After going 9-5 in 1998, losing five tight games and beating Milwaukee by a point in overtime, the Kats qualified for the postseason once more. Again, it would be a team from Florida, this time Orlando. They lost, 58-43, after splitting the regular season series. 1999 played out very similar. The team finished 8-6 and lost in the first round of the playoffs at Arizona. 2000 was a breakout year for the Kats. They finished the regular season at 9-5 and qualified for the postseason as a wild card. The Kats one at home against Grand Rapids, 52-14. They then went on a road stretch, winning at Iowa and San Jose by close margins. They played the Arena Bowl at Orlando, but were defeated, 41-38. In 2001, the Kats attempted to follow up their previous year with an even more successful one. The Kats lost four of their regular season matches, one in overtime. In the playoffs, the Kats defeated Toronto and blewout San Jose to advance to the Arena Bowl. This time, the Kats' season was ended by the Grand Rapids Rampage, 64-42. The Kats franchise moved to Georgia, where it has staid since. The Nashville Kats returned in 2005 under new ownership.