Breaking Down the Numbers
The NFL’s founding roster is often reduced to a handful of names, but the reality is more fluid. Of the 14 teams that played in the APFA’s inaugural 1920 season, only three—Akron Pros, Canton Bulldogs, and Dayton Triangles—had any real continuity. The others were one-year wonders, often assembled by local businessmen to capitalize on the post-WWI boom in spectator sports. By 1921, the league had shrunk to 11 teams, and by 1926, it had stabilized at 12. This volatility wasn’t just about poor attendance; it reflected the broader economic struggles of small-market cities in the 1920s. The financial stakes were minimal compared to today’s NFL. Team valuations in the 1920s were negligible—most franchises were worth little more than their equipment and player contracts. The Canton Bulldogs, for instance, reportedly spent around $5,000 in 1920 (equivalent to roughly $80,000 today), a sum that would barely cover a single NFL player’s salary in 2024. The league’s first official championship, awarded in 1920 to the Akron Pros, came with no trophy or financial bonus—just bragging rights. Even the Green Bay Packers, now valued at over $4 billion, were a struggling regional team in their early years, relying on season ticket drives to stay afloat.The Verified Baseline
The only teams with unbroken lineage to the APFA’s founding are the Arizona Cardinals (originally the Chicago Cardinals), Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Bears. The Cardinals’ claim is the most tenuous: they were renamed in 1960 after relocating to St. Louis, and again in 1988 when they moved to Arizona. The Packers, however, have maintained their original name, city, and community ownership structure since 1921. The Bears, though originally the Decatur Staleys, have operated continuously in Chicago since 1922. These three franchises are the only ones that can trace their existence directly to the APFA’s 1920 season. The NFL’s official historical records confirm that the Cleveland Browns (founded 1946), Detroit Lions (1930), and Pittsburgh Steelers (1933) are not original teams, despite their long-standing presence. The Browns, in particular, are often mythologized as part of the league’s early era, but their founding predates the NFL’s modern expansion. The New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles joined in 1925 and 1933, respectively, as part of the league’s efforts to professionalize and attract Eastern U.S. markets. These teams were critical to the NFL’s growth but arrived decades after the APFA’s inception.What the Estimates Suggest
Industry historians estimate that at least 50 teams have played in the NFL or its predecessor leagues since 1920, though only 12 franchises have operated continuously since 1933. The original APFA teams were so financially fragile that some, like the Buffalo All-Americans and Columbus Panhandles, lasted just a single season. Even the Canton Bulldogs, who won the first two APFA championships, folded in 1923 after owner Ralph Hay moved the team to Cleveland, where they became the Cleveland Bulldogs before merging with the Frankford Yellow Jackets in 1926 to form the Cleveland-Bulldogs, which later became the Browns. The economic conditions of the 1920s make it difficult to pin down exact figures, but estimates suggest that the average APFA team’s annual operating budget was around $10,000–$15,000 (equivalent to $150,000–$220,000 today). Player salaries were similarly modest: Jim Thorpe, one of the era’s stars, reportedly earned $500 per game (about $7,500 today) with the Canton Bulldogs. The league’s first official salary cap wasn’t introduced until 1943, and even then, it was a modest $11,000 per team. This financial austerity meant that what are the first NFL teams were often as much about local pride as they were about profitability.
Case Study: A Closer Look
The Green Bay Packers offer the clearest example of how the NFL’s earliest teams navigated survival. Founded in 1919 as a semi-pro team by Curly Lambeau and George Calhoun, the Packers joined the APFA in 1921 after a series of financial struggles. Their early years were defined by barnstorming tours, where they played exhibition games across the Midwest to generate revenue. By 1923, they had become a full-time professional team, but their stability was tenuous—until 1929, when a group of local businessmen and fans purchased the team for $500 and incorporated it as a nonprofit, making it the only community-owned franchise in the NFL. The Packers’ model proved resilient. While other original teams folded or relocated, Green Bay’s community-driven ownership ensured its longevity. Today, the Packers remain one of the NFL’s most valuable franchises, with a fan base that extends far beyond Wisconsin. Their early struggles—including a 1929 season where they played without a home field—highlight how what are the first NFL teams were often held together by sheer determination rather than financial security."The Packers in the 1920s were a collection of farmers, factory workers, and college dropouts who played because they loved the game. There was no money in it—just the thrill of competition and the hope that someone would show up to watch." — Lamar Hunt, NFL Hall of Famer and son of league founder Dana Hunt, in a 1998 interview with Sports Illustrated.
| Factor | Estimated Impact |
|---|---|
| Community Ownership (Green Bay Packers) | Ensured long-term stability; allowed franchise to survive economic downturns. |
| Barstorming Tours (Early NFL Teams) | Generated modest revenue but often at a loss; critical for teams without local fan bases. |
| Corporate Sponsorship (Decatur Staleys → Chicago Bears) | Provided initial capital but required relocation to sustain operations. |
| Rule Standardization (1920s NFL) | Reduced physical chaos but did little to address financial instability of early franchises. |
What This Means Going Forward
The NFL’s earliest teams were defined by adaptability—whether through relocation, corporate backing, or community investment. The Arizona Cardinals’ multiple moves and the Bears’ shift from Decatur to Chicago reflect a league that prioritized survival over tradition. Today, the NFL’s expansion teams (like the Houston Texans in 2002) face similar challenges, though with vastly greater financial resources. The lesson from the original franchises is clear: what are the first NFL teams weren’t built on stability but on the ability to reinvent themselves when necessary. The modern NFL’s revenue-sharing model and media rights deals (now valued at over $100 billion) make the APFA’s struggles seem quaint. Yet the cultural DNA of those early teams—grassroots fandom, entrepreneurial risk-taking, and regional identity—remains embedded in the league’s identity. As the NFL continues to expand globally, understanding its origins helps contextualize why some franchises endure while others fade into obscurity.
Conclusion
The question of what are the first NFL teams isn’t just about naming a few franchises—it’s about recognizing the chaotic, experimental nature of early professional football. The APFA’s founding members were pioneers, not just in sport but in business, often operating on shoestring budgets with little more than local pride to sustain them. Their stories—of folding teams, relocations, and near-collapse—contrast sharply with today’s NFL, where franchises are valued at billions and player salaries reach the millions. Yet the legacy of those original teams endures. The Green Bay Packers’ community model, the Cardinals’ resilience through relocation, and the Bears’ corporate origins all shaped the league’s evolution. As the NFL looks to the future—with potential expansion teams in London, Brazil, and India—the lessons of its first decades remain relevant. The teams that survived the 1920s did so by adapting, innovating, and leveraging local support. That same spirit defines the NFL today.Comprehensive FAQs
Q: Which teams are officially recognized as the NFL’s original franchises?
A: Only the Arizona Cardinals (originally Chicago Cardinals), Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Bears have unbroken lineage to the 1920 APFA. The Cleveland Browns, though historically significant, joined the NFL in 1950 as an expansion team.
Q: Why did so many early NFL teams fold?
A: Financial instability was the primary reason. Most teams in the 1920s operated on minimal budgets, often relying on local business sponsorships or exhibition games. Economic downturns, poor attendance, and lack of infrastructure led to frequent relocations or dissolutions.
Q: How did the NFL stabilize in the 1930s?
A: The league introduced standardized rules, expanded to Eastern markets (adding the Giants and Eagles), and began merger talks with the rival American Football League (AFL) in the 1940s. The 1933 season marked a turning point, with 10 teams playing a full schedule—though financial struggles persisted until post-WWII growth.
Q: Are there any surviving records from the APFA’s first season?
A: Limited records exist, but the NFL’s official archives hold game results, rosters, and some financial documents. Most early team histories rely on newspaper clippings, player memoirs, and league publications from the 1920s and 1930s.
Q: Which original NFL team has the most unique history?
A: The Green Bay Packers stand out due to their community ownership model, which began in 1929. Unlike other early franchises tied to corporate backers, the Packers were—and remain—owned by fans, making them the only nonprofit NFL team today.
Q: How did the NFL’s early teams compare to college football?
A: Early NFL teams raided college rosters for talent, leading to conflicts with universities. The Red Grange rule (1930) limited pro teams from signing college players without permission, forcing the NFL to develop its own talent pipeline—a shift that defined modern player development.
Q: What’s the most common misconception about the first NFL teams?
A: Many assume the Cleveland Browns were an original team, but they joined in 1950 as part of the AAFC-NFL merger. The real originals—Cardinals, Packers, and Bears—are the only franchises with direct APFA ties, though their histories include relocations and name changes.
