Electric football has had many momentous events. One of them occurred in 1996 when the Miggle Electric Football Convention opened at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Chicago. Although it’s now referred to as the “second” Miggle Convention, at the time it was being called the first. This was how Miggle promoted it, and also the nomenclature given to it by the media coverage of the day.

Unforgettable Buzz author Earl Shores talking with an attendee at the 1996 Miggle Electric Football Convention.

The 1996 event was Miggle’s attempt to move electric football into the “big time,” and for those of us lucky enough to have attended, it was something we will never forget. It really was the first true gathering of all the “units” of electric football — players, painters, builders, collectors — it was a dream come true for anyone who loves electric football.

Mike Landsman Vision for Electric Football

Miggle President Mike Landsman was visionary in creating the event and placing it in a venue like the Hyatt. The media coverage Miggle received was glowing and well-earned. Electric football was certainly “back on the map” during that frigid January weekend. 

And when the final gun went off late Sunday afternoon, Mark and Bill Klingbeil had defended their Super Bowl title. Electric football now had their own version of the Lombardi-coached Packers of Super Bowl I and II. The legendary electric football status Mark and Bill have achieved since is well deserved.   

Earl & Roddy