as early as october 2, 2012, a salina team had appeared on the cpifl website. however, their information was quickly taken down because no arena lease had yet been signed. the team was officially announced on october 18 after having signed a five-year lease with the bicentennial center and a "name-the-team" contest took place on the bicenntenial center's website. on october 25, the three finalists were announced as the "salina storm", "salina bombers", and "salina shock". the winning name of "salina bombers" was announced on november 1.