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High-performance sulfonated polyarylenethioethersulfone (SPTES) polymers have been developed as membranes for fuel cells. These high-molecular-weight polymers synthesized by a polycondensation process have an aromatic backbone along with high sulfonic acid content that provides for their high conductivity and robust mechanical properties. Bulky phenyl-based endcapping agents are incorporated into the system to maintain high water stability and retain high proton conductivity. Films with good mechanical properties were obtained by solvent casting. SPTES polymer systems with a 50% degree of sulfonation (SPTES-50) exhibited high proton conductivity (>100 mS/cm) at 65 deg C and 85% relative humidity. Membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) fabricated using SPTES-50 electrolytes that incorporate conventional electrode application techniques have shown high proton mobility. Electrochemical evaluation was performed using nonlinear regression analysis to obtain Tafel parameters.