Unlike other sports, NFL doesn’t have a big history that runs of centuries. Instead, it is equipped with a history of few decades that is filled with many ups and downs. The birth of NFL happened during a late night meeting that took place at Hupmobile Auto showroom in Ohio during 1920. In this meeting, 4 of the leading Ohio football clubs got together in order to discuss about forming a single league for American football. This meeting gave life to the American Professional Football Associated, which operated under a set of pre-defined rules. Two years later, the name of the associated was changed to National Football League.
These four football clubs sensed the need of expanding NFL in order to make it a more popular and productive. Therefore, they conducted meetings with several other pro teams in Great Lakes region. NFL in 1920 was quite different from what we see today. Those first franchises included Canton Bulldogs, Akron Pros., Dayton Triangles, Cleveland Indians, Hammond Pros, Columbus Panhandles, Rochester Jefferson’s, Muncie Flyers, Buffalo All Americans, Rock Island Independents, Detroit Heralds, Chicago tigers, Racine Cardinals and Decatur Stanley’s. Unlike these days, the games were played as a small town league with the participation of few hundred fans.
Throughout the past few decades, new teams joined the league at a dizzying speed. This enhanced the fan base at a rapid pace, which enhanced its popularity in a great manner. Even though you cannot find the above mentioned teams in the modern world league, you can find The Green Bay Packers, who joined one year after the formation of the league. Racine Cardinals and Decatur Stanley’s also lasted until recent past, but they were forced to change their names to Chicago Cardinals and Chicago Bears as a result of relocations.
As mentioned earlier, NFL had to face several ups and downs throughout its journey for over nine decades. At the initial stage, they focused on large eastern cities and small Midwestern towns. When they became popular in those areas, they focused on expansion in urban areas. They took a wise decision to expand the league to urban areas in the right time because it enhanced the stability through enhanced attendance. They had to face many issues with cultural relevance and financial viability. Some of those issues can even be seen nowadays. However, most of the financial issues have been solved since it is one of the most money making sports available.
Those days, baseball was recognized as the national pastime of Americans. Baseball icons such as Babe Ruth had the ability to fill huge stadiums with thousands of fans. However, that popularity and attention passed gradually to NFL throughout the history. Now, many people prefer NFL than baseball in America. This popularity is increasing day by day and the entire league definitely has a better future.
