Ultimate Disposition of The 15 Charter Franchises
By the start of the 1920 APFA season, the nascent National Football League was composed of 15 franchises. Of those teams, only two are still in operation as of 2013 (denoted in bold):
- Akron Pros: Changed name to Akron Indians in 1926. Permanently suspended operations in 1927.
- Buffalo All-Americans: Changed name to Buffalo Bisons in 1924, Buffalo Rangers in 1926, and changed back to Buffalo Bisons in 1927 before suspending operations halfway through 1927. Resumed play in 1929, but folded following the season. City is currently represented by the Buffalo Bills, a charter member of the American Football League in 1960.
- Canton Bulldogs: Cleveland Bulldogs in 1923. Suspended operations in 1924. Resumed play in Canton in 1925. Folded following 1926 season. City is currently represented only by the preseason Pro Football Hall of Fame Game.
- Chicago Cardinals: Merged with Pittsburgh Steelers for one year in 1944. Returned as an independent team in 1945. Moved to St. Louis in 1960. Moved to Phoenix in 1988. Changed name to Arizona Cardinals in 1994.
- Chicago Tigers: Folded following 1920 season.
- Cleveland Tigers: Folded following 1921 season. City is currently represented by the Cleveland Browns.
- Columbus Panhandles: Changed name to Columbus Tigers in 1923. Folded following 1926 season.
- Dayton Triangles: See "The case of the Indianapolis Colts" below.
- Decatur Staleys: Moved to Chicago in 1921. Changed name to Chicago Bears in 1922.
- Detroit Heralds: Changed name to "Tigers" and folded in the middle of the 1921 season, sending its players to Buffalo. City currently represented by the Detroit Lions.
- Hammond Pros: Folded following 1926 season.
- Massillon Tigers: Represented at the September 17, 1920 meeting, by Ralph Hay, but never played in the league and they are counted as a charter member on a technicality.
- Muncie Flyers: Folded following 1921 season.
- Rochester Jeffersons: Suspended operations following 1925 season; folded in 1928.
- Rock Island Independents: Left NFL and became an independent team following 1924 season. Joined first American Football League in 1926, but folded before end of season.
Read more about this topic: National Football League Franchise Moves And Mergers
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