The franchise began as the Louisville RiverFrogs in 1995. Robert Snyder bought the team in February 1998 with intentions of moving the team to South Florida. Upon buying the team, he made the team a family business of sorts. His wife Michelle Dannin was named Vice President Of Communications, and his father Richard Snyder handled the team's legal matters. On May 12, 1998, Snyder signed a five-year agreement with Miami Arena that would allow the arena to host 35 games from October until April 4. Former Tallahassee Tiger Sharks head coach Terry Christensen became the team's first head coach on May 16, 1998. Prior to the start of the 1998–99 ECHL season, the Matadors affiliated with the NHL's Florida Panthers