Timeline of the National Central Football League

This timeline of the National Central Football League (NCFL) tracks the history of each of the league's 36 current franchises from the early days of the league, through its merger with the National Football Association (NFA), and the International Football Association (IFA). The history of franchises that began as independent teams, other defunct leagues are shown as well.

1920-1933 Birth of the NCFL

1920

The National Central Football League is formed September 17, 1920, at Canton, Ohio. The fourteen teams were mainly drawn from the Ontario-Quebec State League, New York professional League, and other leagues. A $100 membership fee was charged. The Chicago Giants folded after the season.

Team folded this season ^

1920 NCFL

Albany All-Pros	0	Detroit Tigers
Boston Hammers	0	Montreal Blues
Brooklyn Steel	0	New York Dragons
Buffalo Warthogs	0	Ontario Lakers
Chicago Giants^	0	Philadelphia Renegades
Cincinnati Fighting Eagles	0	Rochester Americans
Cleveland Lions	0	Toronto Wolves

1921

With the low entry barrier of a $100 membership fee, the number of teams balloons to 20. Four of these franchises would last only one season, with the Chicago Chippers only making it through a single game. Two other franchises folded mid-season.

1921 name changes

1920 team name	1921 team name
Brooklyn Steel	Brooklyn Steelers

First season in NCFL *

Team folded this season ^

Only season in the league *^

1921 NCFL

Albany All-Pros	0	Indianapolis Indians*
Baltimore Cannon*^	0	Louisville Reds*
Boston Hammers	0	Mississauga Millers*^
Brooklyn Steelers	0	Montreal Blues
Buffalo Warthogs	0	New York Dragons
Chicago Chippers*^	0	Ontario Lakers
Cincinnati Fighting Eagles	0	Philadelphia Renegades^
Cleveland Lions	0	Rochester Americans
Detroit Tigers	0	St. Louis Triangles*
Hartford Whaling Ships*^	0	Toronto Wolves^

1922

Two Franchises were awarded.

1922 name changes

1921 team name	1922 team name
Indianapolis Indians	Indiana Indians

First season in NCFL *

Team folded this season ^

Only season in the league *^

1922 NCFL

Ontario Lakers	0	Buffalo Warthogs
Syracuse Spartans*	0	New York Dragons
Boston Hammers	0	Detroit Tigers
Chicago Change*^	0	Montreal Blues
Louisville Reds	0	Albany All-Pros
Cleveland Lions	0	Rochester Americans
Cincinnati Fighting Eagles	0	Brooklyn Steelers
Indiana Indians	0	St. Louis Triangles

1923

Three new franchises were awarded

First season in NCFL *

Team folded this season ^

Only season in the league *^

1923 NCFL

Ontario Lakers	0	Buffalo Warthogs
Syracuse Spartans*	0	New York Dragons
Boston Hammers	0	Detroit Tigers
Massachusetts Meerkats*	0	Montreal Blues
Louisville Reds	0	Albany All-Pros
Cleveland Lions	0	Rochester Americans
Cincinnati Fighting Eagles	0	Brooklyn Steelers^
Indiana Indians	0	St. Louis Triangles
Washington Presidents*	0	Rockford Railroad*