Mike Black

Professional career After his college career, Black moved to Florida to be with his mother. He tried out for the Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League (AFL) in both 1992 and 1993 but was not signed either time. He also played in the 1993 AFL All-Star Game.

In May 1995, before the start of the season, Black was traded to the Iowa Barnstormers for future considerations. He was roommates with future Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner while with the Barnstormers. Black kicked a 34-yard game winning field goal in his Barnstormers debut. Black played in all 14 games for the second consecutive year in 1997, making 13 of 25 field goals and 96 of 106 extra points while leading the AFL in kicker scoring for the second time in his career with 135 points.

In February 1998, Black and David Witthun were traded to the New York CityHawks for Kent Wells. Black appeared in all 14 games for New York during the 1998 season, scoring 23 of 46 field goals and 59 of 67 extra points. As a result, on March 7, 2000, he was traded to the Orlando Predators for the ninth overall pick in the 2000 AFL expansion draft. However, on March 21, 2000, he was traded to the Buffalo Destroyers for Josh Taves. In regards to the trade to Buffalo, Black later stated "I was definitely let down. I was under the assumption Orlando wanted me to be their kicker." Black commuted by jet from his home in Tampa to play games for the Buffalo Destroyers.

On December 1, 2000, it was reported that Black had signed a multi-year contract with the Tampa Bay Storm. He appeared in all 14 games for the Storm in 2001, scoring 13 of 22 field goals and 91 of 94 extra points. He was then placed on injured reserve on July 25, 2002, before the start of the playoffs. The Storm signed Pete Elezovic to replace Black for the postseason. After taking time off for his ACL to heal, Black re-signed with the Storm on April 9, 2003, after the team released the ineffective Ian Howfield. Black played in two games for the Storm during the 2003 season, converting two of three field goals and 10 of 11 extra points, before being released himself on April 25. In late February 2004, Black re-signed with the Storm after the team released Howfield again. Black played in four games during the 2004 season, totaling one of four field goals and 16 of 19 extra points.

Black signed with the Grand Rapids Rampage of the AFL on April 2, 2004. He appeared in one game for the Rampage, converting zero of three field goals and five of five extra points. Since 1998, Black has worked as a spotter for ESPN for NFL and college football games.