Intro

Major professional sports leagues differentiate from other sports leagues by popularity, quality, business and economic factors. 

The four major brands have strict rules regarding who may own a team, for example; they generally do not allow anyone to have stakes in more than one franchise of the same sport, citing conflict of interest. This rule was implemented due to high profile controversies involving ownership of Baseball and Hockey teams in the past. There have been incidents where the league even stepped in to take over teams in order to avoid the controversy, such as;

• MLB purchased the Montreal Expos, moved the franchise to Washington, D.C. and renamed it the Nationals, before selling the team to a local group.
• The NHL took over the Buffalo Sabres in 2002 after the owner was arrested for embezzlement. They sold the team the following year
• The NHL seized the Phoenix Coyotes in 2009 to prevent its owner from selling it to a buyer who intended to relocate the team, and sold the team to a Phoenix-area group in 2013.
• The NBA purchased the New Orleans Hornets from its owner in December 2010, and sold the team to the NFL’s New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson in April 2012.
• MLB took over the operations of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2011, citing financial and governance issues stemming from the divorce of the co-owners.
• MLS purchased Chivas USA in 2014 and folded the team after the season.

A seventh example can be found in the CFL, when the league seized the Ottawa Renegades in 2006 suspended the franchise, then sold it to be reactivated in 2014 as the Ottawa Redblacks. 

The NFL  has not taken over operations of any team since 1962, when the American Football League took over the nearly bankrupt Titans of New York in an effort to prevent the team from folding; in 1963, a new ownership group bought the franchise and it became the New York Jets.

Major leagues also grant territorial exclusivity to their owners to avoid marketing and revenue hits, such as a case in MLB where, in order for Nationals to be placed in Washington, Orioles were given rights to television and radio broadcast of Nationals so they did not take a big hit on their revenue bringing in a team that close. NFL is a little less reluctant since all the owners split television revenue equally, for example; when Baltimore Ravens were created, it did not affect Redskins one bit as far as monetary gains goes.

MLB origins

Major League Baseball is the highest level baseball in North America. It consists of the National League (founded in 1876) and the American League (founded in 1901).
Baseball’s National League withstood challenges over the years from other leagues such as the American Association which began in 1882 and was a solid competitor to the NL as the 2 league champions competed in an informal World Series, but eventually four of the AA’s teams defected to the NL and the AA expired in 1891 after labor problems led to the formation of the Players’ League for the 1890 season which attracted a significant amount of the high-caliber baseball talent and caused the NL and AA significant financial harm, but since it lacked financial backing, it too folded in 1891.
The minor Western League moved several franchises in NL cities and even cities abandoned by the NL for the 1900 and 1901 seasons, and renamed itself the American League in direct competition with the NL. They eventually made peace in 1903, and formed MLB, although still legally separated.
As time went on they had other challenges from the likes of the Federal League in 1914 and while African American players were prevented from playing in MLB, various African American leagues reached their peak from the 1920s to the 1940s, and the players showed themselves to be MLB players’ competitive equals.
After Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947, the influx of black stars into the major leagues drained the African-American Leagues of talent and eventually caused their collapse.
Continental League tried taking off but the MLB prevented them from even getting off the ground after they awarded franchises to three of their proposed cities as well as expanding to two others. The two finally merged on an organizational level in 2000 with the elimination of separate league offices; they have shared a single Commissioner since 1920 though.
There are currently 30 teams, with 29 located in the U.S. and 1 in Canada.
Traditionally called the “National Pastime”, baseball was the first professional sport in the U.S.

 

 

 

AL Central

 

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

Established in 1901, White Sox was the original name of the Chicago Cubs, named after the white stockings that the players wore.

• 4 time World/AL champions; 1901, 1906, 1917, 2005
  
• 5 World Series appearances; 1906, 1917, 1919, 1959, 2005
  
• 3 Conference final appearances; 1983, 1993, 2005
  
• 6 division titles; 1983, 1993, 1994, 2000, 2005, 2008
  

 

CLEVELAND INDIANS

Indians were established in 1901 as the Blues, a year later they became the Bronchos. In 1905 they changed their name to the Naps but in 1915 after Nap Lajoie was sold to Philadelphia, the fans voted to rename the club Indians, after a popular 19th century player named Louis Sockalexis, a Penobscot indian and the first Native American to play in the MLB.

• 2 time World champions; 1920, 1948
• 6 World Series appearances; 1920, 1948, 1954, 1995, 1997, 2016
  
• 5 Conference final appearances; 1995, 1997, 1998, 2007, 2016
  
• 9 division titles; 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2007, 2016, 2017
  

DETROIT TIGERS

Established in 1901, Tigers were named after the black and orange striped socks they wore

• • 4 time World champions; 1935, 1945, 1968, 1984
    
  • 11 World Series appearances; 1907, 1908, 1909, 1934, 1935, 1940, 1945, 1968, 1984, 2006, 2012
    
  • 7 Conference final appearances; 1971, 1984, 1987, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013
    
  • 7 division titles; 1969, 1970, 1987, 1991, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

Established in 1969, Royals were named after the American royal livestock show which has been held in Kansas City every year, since 1899

• • 2 time World champions; 1985, 2015
    
  • 4 World Series appearances; 1980, 1985, 2014, 2015
    
  • 8 Conference final appearances; 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1984, 1985, 2014, 2015
    
  • 8 division titles; 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985, 2015

 

MINNESOTA TWINS

Twins were stablished in 1961 but formerly played as Washington Senators from 1901-1904 then switched to Nationals from 1905-1955, then switched back to Senators from 1956-1960. In 1961 they moved to Minnesota and changed their name to reflect the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, where they play.

• 3 time World champions; 1924, 1987, 1991
• 6 World Series appearances; 1924, 1925, 1933, 1965, 1987, 1991
• 5 Conference final appearances; 1969, 1970, 1987, 1991, 2002
• 11 division titles; 1969, 1970, 1987, 1991, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2020

AL East

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Orioles were established in 1954 but formerly played as the Milwaukee Brewers in 1901 before moving and becoming the St. Louis Browns from 1902-1953. In 1954 they moved to Baltimore and changed their name to reflect the state bird of Maryland.

• • 3 time World champions; 1966, 1970, 1983
    
  • 6 World Series appearances; 1966, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1979, 1983
    
  • 10 Conference final appearances; 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1979, 1983, 1996, 1997, 2014
    
  • 9 division titles; 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1979, 1983, 1997, 2014

BOSTON RED SOX

Red Sox were established in 1901 as the Boston Americans, in 1908 they changed their name to reflect the original Boston team, the Red Stockings who moved on to become what is now the Atlanta Braves

• • 8 time World/AL champions; 1903, 1904, 1912, 1915, 1916, 1918, 2004, 2007, 2013
    
  • 12 World Series appearances; 1903, 1912, 1915, 1916, 1918, 1946, 1967, 1975, 1986, 2004, 2007, 2013
    
  • 10 Conference final appearances; 1975, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2013
    
  • 9 division titles; 1975, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1995, 2007, 2013, 2016, 2017
    

NEW YORK YANKEES

Yankees were established in 1903 as the New York Highlanders, before that they had a brief period as Baltimore Orioles from 1901-1902. They changed to Yankees in 1913 since local writers kept referring to them as Yanks to fit them in headlines. It also fit in the sense that they were the American League team and Americans were always referred to as Yanks by the British.

• • 27 time World champions; 1923, 1927,1928, 1932, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1943, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1962, 1977, 1978, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2009
    
  • 40 World Series appearances; 1921, 1922, 1923, 1926. 1927, 1928, 1932, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2009
    
  • 16 Conference final appearances; 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2017
    
  • 19 division titles; 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2012

TAMPA BAY RAYS

Rays were established in 1998 as the Devil Rays, in 2008 they shortened it to just Rays.

• • 2 World Series appearance; 2008, 2020
    
  • 2 Conference final appearances; 2008, 2020
    
  • 3 division titles; 2008, 2010, 2020

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

Blue Jays were established in 1977 and were named in a name the team contest, the name was selected because of the city’s large bird population and the colors blue and white, matched every other Toronto sports team

• 2 time World champions; 1992, 1993
• 2 World Series appearances; 1992, 1993
• 7 Conference final appearances; 1985, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2015, 2016
  
• 6 division titles; 1985, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2015

AL West

HOUSTON ASTROS

Astros were established in 1962 as the Houston Colt .45s, in 1964 they changed to the Astros in honor of NASA which is headquartered in Houston.

• 1 time World champions; 2017
  
• 2 World Series appearances; 2005, 2017
  
• 5 Conference final appearances; 1980, 1986, 2004, 2005, 2020
• 8 division titles; 1980, 1981, 1986, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2017
  

LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM

Angels were established in 1961 as the Los Angeles Angels, named after Los Angeles being referred to as the city of Angels. In 1965 they changed it to California Angels then in 1997 they became the Anaheim Angels. Now they are referred to as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

• • 1 time World champions; 2002
    
  • 1 World Series appearances; 2002
    
  • 6 Conference final appearances; 1979, 1982, 1986, 2002, 2005, 2009
    
  • 9 division titles; 1979, 1982, 1986, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2014

OAKLAND ATHLETICS

Athletics were established in 1968 but formerly played in Philadelphia from 1901-1954 and Kansas City from 1955-1967. They were originally named in tribute to Philadelphia’s first pro team, which was a group of fans from various athletic clubs that came together to form a team in 1871.

• • 4 time World/AL champions; 1902, 1910, 1911, 1913, 1929, 1930, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1989
    
  • 6 World Series appearances; 1905, 1910, 1911, 1913, 1914, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1988, 1989, 1990
    
  • 11 Conference final appearances; 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1981, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 2006
    
  • 17 division titles; 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1981, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2012, 2013, 2020

 

SEATTLE MARINERS

Established in 1977, Mariners got their name from the fans to reflect the maritime history of Seattle

• • 3 Conference final appearances; 1995, 2000, 2001
    
  • 3 division titles; 1995, 1997, 2001

TEXAS RANGERS

Rangers were established in 1972 but played formerly as the Washington Senators from 1961-1971. When they were lured to Texas they changed their name to reflect the State of Texas’s elite law enforcement agency.

• 2 World Series appearances; 2010, 2011
• 33 Conference final appearances; 2010, 2011
• 8 division titles; 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016

NL Central

CHICAGO CUBS

Cubs were established in 1876 as the Chicago White Stockings, changing to Colts in 1894 and to orphans in 1898 before settling on Cubs in 1902. They got the name Cubs because they had a high number of young players at the time.

• 9 time World champions; 1876, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1885, 1886, 1907, 1908, 2016
  
• 11 World Series appearances; 1906, 1907, 1908, 1910, 1918, 1929, 1932, 1935, 1938, 1945, 2016
  
• 6 Conference final appearances; 1984, 1989, 2003, 2015, 2016, 2017
  
• 8 division titles; 1984, 1989, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2016, 2017, 2020
  

CINCINNATI REDS

Reds were established in 1869 as the first professional baseball team; the Red Stockings. They shortened the name to Reds in 1878 but changed again in 1954 to the Redlegs before reverting back to Reds in 1960.

• 6 time World champions; 1881, 1919, 1940, 1975, 1976, 1990
  
• 9 World Series appearances; 1919, 1939, 1940, 1961, 1970, 1972, 1975, 1976, 1990
  
• 8 Conference final appearances; 1970, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1990, 1995
  
• 11 division titles; 1970, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1990, 1994, 1995, 2010, 2012

MILWAUKEE BREWERS

Brewers were established in 1970 but played a year as the Seattle Pilots in 1969. They were named after Milwaukee’s well known beer industry.

• 1 World Series appearances; 1982
• 2 Conference final appearances; 1982, 2011
• 3 division titles; 1981, 1982, 2011

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

Pirates were established in 1887 as the Pittsburgh Allegheneys, changing their name to Pirates in 1890 which was a nickname given to them after they started stealing players from other teams.

• 7 time World/NL champions; 1901, 1902, 1909, 1925, 1960, 1971, 1979
  
• 7 World Series appearances; 1903, 1909, 1925, 1927, 1960, 1971, 1979
  
• 9 Conference final appearances; 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1979, 1990, 1991, 1992
  
• 8 division titles; 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1979, 1990, 1991, 1992

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

Cardinals were established in 1892 as the St. Louis Brown Stockings, in 1898 they changed to the Perfectos but that only lasted a year when they became the Cardinals after a new red color scheme was unveiled in 1900. The owner overheard a woman refer to it as a lovely shade of Cardinal and the name stuck.

• 11 time World champions; 1926, 1931, 1934, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1964, 1967, 1982, 2006, 2011
  
• 19 World Series appearances; 1926, 1928, 1930, 1931, 1934, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1946, 1964, 1967, 1968, 1982, 1985, 1987, 2004, 2006, 2011, 2013
  
• 13 Conference final appearances; 1982, 1985, 1987, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
  
• 13 division titles; 1982, 1985, 1987, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015

NL East

ATLANTA BRAVES

Atlanta Braves were established in 1966 but formerly played as the Boston Red Stockings from 1876-1882, then became Beaneaters from 1883-1906, then changed to Doves from 1907-1908, then to Pilgrims from 1909-1911, then to Braves from 1912-1935, then to Bees from 1936-1940, then back to Braves from 1941-1952. In 1953 they moved to Milwaukee and kept the Braves name and then moved to Atlanta in 1966 as the Braves where they have stayed. The name Braves was given to them after the political organization their owner was a member of; Tammany Hall braves.

• 10 time World/NL champions; 1877, 1878, 1883, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1897, 1898, 1914, 1995
• 7 World Series appearances;  1914, 1948, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1999
• 12 Conference final appearances; 1969, 1982, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2020
• 18 division titles; 1969, 1982, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 20003, 2004, 2005, 2013, 2020

MIAMI MARLINS

Marlins were established in 1993 as the Florida marlins, in 2012 they changed to Miami marlins. Owner Wayne Huizenga was an avid deep sea fisher that chose Marlins because the fish were fierce fighters

• • 2 time World champions; 1997, 2003
    
  • 2 World Series appearances; 1997, 2003
    
  • 2 Conference final appearances; 1997, 2003
    

NEW YORK METS

Mets were established in 1962 and selected their name to represent the entire New York Metropolitan area, named Mets for short.

• 2 time World champions; 1969, 1986
• 5 World Series appearances; 1969, 1973, 1986, 2000, 2015
• 8 Conference final appearances; 1969, 1973, 1986, 1988, 1999, 2000, 2006, 2015
• 6 division titles; 1969, 1973, 1986, 1988, 2006, 2015

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

Phillies were established in 1883 as the Philadelphia Quackers. In 1890 they changed to the Phillies and in 1943 they changed to the Blue Jays before reverting back to the Phillies in 1945. The selected Phillies to represent the citizens of Philadelphia.

• 2 time World champions; 1980, 2008
• 7 World Series appearances; 1915, 1950, 1980, 1983, 1993, 2008, 2009
• 9 Conference final appearances; 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1983, 1993, 2008, 2009, 2010
• 12 division titles; 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1993, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

 

WASHINGTON NATIONALS

Nationals were established in 2005 but formerly played as the Montreal Expos from 1969-2004. They got the name Nationals because Washington is the national capital of the United States.

• • 4 division titles; 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017

NL West

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Diamondbacks were established in 1998 and named after the Diamondback rattlesnake which is the most common rattler in Arizona

• 1 time World champions; 2001
  
• 1 World Series appearances; 2001
  
• 2 Conference final appearances; 2001, 2007
  
• 5 division titles; 1999, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2011

COLORADO ROCKIES

Rockies were established in 1993 and got their name from the Rocky Mountains which run through Colorado

• • 1 World Series appearances; 2007
    
  • 1 Conference final appearances; 2007
    

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

The franchise was established in 1890 as the Brooklyn Bridegrooms, in 1899 they became the Superbas and then in 1911 they changed the name to Trolley-Dodgers after their fans in Brooklyn that would have to dodge trolleys that criss-crossed Brooklyn in that era. By 1913 they dropped it down to just Dodgers but a year later they changed to the Robins. In 1931 they went back to the Dodgers and in 1957 they moved to Los Angeles and keept the name.

• • 10 time World/NL champions; 1890, 1899, 1900, 1955, 1959, 1963, 1965, 1981, 1988, 2020
    
  • 20 World Series appearances; 1916, 1920, 1941, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1959, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1988, 2017, 2020
    
  • 13 Conference final appearances; 1974, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1988, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2020
    
  • 18 division titles; 1974, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1994,1995, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020
    

SAN DIEGO PADRES

Established in 1969, Padres got their name from the priests of the Roman Catholic Mission that was founded in San Diego in the 1700s,  padres is Spanish for priests.

• 2 World Series appearances; 1984, 1998
  
• 2 Conference final appearances; 1984, 1998
  
• 5 division titles; 1984, 1996, 1998, 2005, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

Giants were established in 1883 as the New York Gothams, in 1885 they became the New York Giants after manager Jim Murtie blurted out that they were his Giants after an impressive victory over Philadelphia. In 1857 they moved to San Francisco and retained the name

• • 12 time World/NL champions; 1888, 1889, 1894, 1904, 1905, 1921, 1922, 1933, 1954, 2010, 2012, 2014
    
  • 20 World Series appearances; 1905, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1917, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1933, 1936, 1937, 1951, 1954, 1962, 1989, 2002, 2010, 2012, 2014
    
  • 6 Conference final appearances; 1971, 1987, 1989, 2002, 2010, 2012
    
  • 9 division titles; 1971, 1987, 1989, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2010, 2012, 2014

MLS origins

The MLS was founded in 1993 as a requirement to bring the FIFA World Cup to the United States. The first few years were rough, starting with just 10 teams and eventually having 2 fold, but as years grew on more teams were added and now the league actually takes in a profit as attendances rank closely and sometimes over the likes of NHL or NBA. Right now there are 20 teams, 17 located in the U.S. and 3 located in Canada.

The season runs from March to October, below, you will find each team with their conference, title history, origin, and other key accomplishments as well as a link in their name to their respective sites.

Eastern

 

ATLANTA UNITED

Atlanta United were established in 2017, given the name from a survey by their supporters.

• No Key accomplishments

 

CHICAGO FIRE

Chicago Fire were established in 1998, named after the great Chicago fire of 1871.

• 1 time MLS Cup Champions; 1998
  
• 3 MLS Cup appearances; 1998, 2000, 2003
  
• 1 time Supporter’s Shield winner; 2003
• 7 Semi-Finals appearances; 1998,2000,2003,2005, 2007, 2008, 2009
  
• 3 conference titles; 2000, 2001, 2003
  

 

COLUMBUS CREW

Columbus Crew were established in 1996 and got the name Crew after being dubbed the hardest working team in America.

• 1 time MLS Cup Champions; 2008
  
• 2 MLS Cup appearances; 2008, 2015
  
• 3 time Supporter’s Shield winner; 2004, 2008, 2009
• 7 Semi-Finals appearances; 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2008, 2015, 2018
  
• 3 conference titles; 2004, 2008, 2009

D.C. UNITED

D.C. United were established in 1996 and got the name from being home in the capital of the United States.

• 4 time MLS Cup Champions; 1996, 1997, 1999, 2004
  
• 5 MLS Cup appearances; 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2004
  
• 4 time Supporter’s Shield winner; 1997, 1999, 2006, 2007
• 7 Semi-Finals appearances; 1996,1997,1998,1999, 2004, 2006, 2012
  
• 6 conference titles; 1997, 1998, 1999, 2006, 2007, 2014

MONTREAL IMPACT

Montreal Impact were established in 2012 and got their name from a lower level team that was barely holding Montreal’s Soccer identity with the North American Soccer League.

• 1 Semi-Finals appearances; 2016

NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION

New England Revolution were established in 1996 and got their name because New England was a big part of the American Revolution, as well as owner Robert Kraft wanted to keep a patriotic theme going with his other team; NFL’s Patriots.

• 5 MLS Cup appearances; 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2014
• 7 Semi-Finals appearances; 2002,2003,2004,2005, 2006, 2007, 2014
• 2 conference titles; 2002, 2005

NEW YORK CITY FC

New York City FC were established in 2015 and got their name as a joint venture between the New York Yankees and Manchester City of the English Premier League.

• No key accomplishments to note

RED BULL NEW YORK

Red Bull New York were established in 1996 as the NY/NJ Metro Stars, a few years later they were just Metro Stars, but when they were bought by the Austrian soft drink company, the name was changed to reflect the company.

• 1 MLS Cup appearances; 2008
• 2 time Supporter’s Shield winner; 2013, 2015
• 4 Semi-Finals appearances; 2000, 2008, 2014, 2015
  
• 5 conference titles; 2000, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2016
  

ORLANDO CITY SC

Orlando City SC were established in 2015 and were named as a traditional European Soccer style name, with counterpart Stoke City of the English Premier League.

• No key accomplishments to note

PHILADELPHIA UNION

Philadelphia Union were established in 2010 and got their name from the original 13 colonies when Philadelphia was capital of the Union.

• No key accomplishments outside of a playoff appearance.

TORONTO FC

Toronto FC was established in 2007 and stuck with the conventional Football Club initials from the traditional European clubs.

• 1 time MLS Cup Champion; 2017
• 1 time Supporter’s Shield winner; 2017
• 2 MLS Cup appearances; 2016, 2017
  
• 2 Semi-Finals appearances; 2016, 2017
  
• 1 conference title; 2017

Western

COLORADO RAPIDS

Colorado Rapids were established in 1996 and got their name from Colorado being well known for the white-water rafting in the rapids of the Rocky Mountains.

• 1 time MLS Cup Champions; 2010
  
• 2 MLS Cup appearances; 1997, 2010
  
• 6 Semi-Finals appearances; 1997, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2016
  

FC DALLAS

FC Dallas were established in 1996 as the Dallas Burn but owner Lamar Hunt decided to take on a name more synonymous withe the sport of soccer worldwide.

• 1 MLS Cup appearances; 2010
• 1 time Supporter’s Shield winner; 2016
  
• 3 Semi-Finals appearances; 1999, 2010, 2015
• 6 conference titles; 1997, 1998, 1999, 2006, 2015, 2016
  

HOUSTON DYNAMO

Houston Dynamo were established in 2006 as a new expansion team after they moved from San Jose, and they got their name in honor of the city’s energy industry.

• 2 time MLS Cup Champions; 2006, 2007
  
• 4 MLS Cup appearances; 2006, 2007, 2011, 2012
  
• 7 Semi-Finals appearances; 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017
  
• 1 conference titles; 2008

SPORTING KANSAS CITY

Sporting Kansas City were established in 1996 as the Kansas City Wiz, then in 1997, they became the Kansas City Wizards, but in 2010 they decided to change their name again to continue the MLS trend of European style team names.

• 2 time MLS Cup Champions; 2000, 2013
  
• 3 MLS Cup appearances; 2000, 2004, 2013
  
• 2 time Supporter’s Shield winner; 2000, 2012
• 6 Semi-Finals appearances; 1996, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2011, 2013
• 5 conference titles; 1997, 2000, 2004, 2011, 2012

LA GALAXY

LA Galaxy were established in 1996 and got the name from the barrage of stars that frequent Hollywood. 

• 5 time MLS Cup Champions; 2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014
  
• 9 MLS Cup appearances; 1996, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014
  
• 4 time Supporter’s Shield winner; 1998, 2002, 2010, 2011
• 13 Semi-Finals appearances; 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014
• 8 conference titles; 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2011

 

MINNESOTA UNITED FC

Former lower division team of the NASL, promoted to MLS in 2017 and named by the owner, former CEO of UnitedHealthcare

• No key accomplishments to note

 

PORTLAND TIMBERS

Portland Timbers were established in 2011 and got their name in honor of Oregon’s timber industry 

• 1 time MLS Cup Champions; 2015
  
• 3 MLS Cup appearances; 2015
  
• 2 Semi-Finals appearances; 2013, 2015
• 1 conference titles; 2013

REAL SALT LAKE

Real Salt Lake was established in 2005 and chose their name to pay homage to European Soccer and the Real Madrid team.

• 1 time MLS Cup Champions; 2009
  
• 2 MLS Cup appearances; 2009, 2013
  
• 4 Semi-Finals appearances; 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES

San Jose Earthquakes were established in 1996 as the San Jose Clash. in 1999, they changed their look and name to be more familiar to the bay area, and since the bay is prone to Earthquakes, the name stuck. In 2005 the team moved to Houston but the history and records stayed behind for the new expansion team that was to come out in 2008.

• 2 time MLS Cup Champions; 2001, 2003
  
• 2 MLS Cup appearances; 2001, 2003
  
• 1 time Supporter’s Shield winner; 2005
• 3 Semi-Finals appearances; 2001, 2003, 2010
  
• 3 conference titles; 2003, 2005, 2012

SEATTLE SOUNDERS

Seattle Sounders were established in 2009 and given the name in honor of Puget Sound, which is located in Seattle and was originally used by Seattle’s North American Soccer League team.

• 1 time MLS Cup Champion; 2016
  
• 2 MLS Cup appearance; 2016, 2017
  
• 1 time Supporter’s Shield winner; 2014
• 4 Semi-Finals appearances; 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017
  
• 2 conference titles; 2014, 2017
  

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC

Vancouver Whitecaps FC were established in 2011 and their name Whitecaps refers to the snowy tops on Vancouver’s mountains as well as the ocean waves of the Pacific.

• No key accomplishments to note outside of a few playoff appearances.

NBA Origins

The National Basketball Association is the premier basketball league in the world. It was founded as the Basketball Association of America in 1946, and adopted its current name in 1949, when the BAA partially absorbed the rival National Basketball League. The NBA also had to fend off two incarnations of the American Basketball League, the first being an Eastern circuit that predated the NBA, and the second existing from 1961 to 1963, after Abe Saperstein was repeatedly denied an NBA expansion team. Then, four teams from the rival American Basketball Association joined the NBA with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976 and adopted several of the ABA’s rule variations, most notably the three-point shot.

Throughout NBA history teams have moved a lot causing divisions and conferences to be shuffled around as well as a lot of name changes. Right now, we are at 30 teams, 2 conferences, 3 divisions in each conference and 5 teams in each division.

• JUNE; NBA championship is awarded and draft process starts for the next season
• JULY; Free agency begins
• AUGUST; Rookie Camp starts
• SEPTEMBER; Training Camp and preseason starts
• OCTOBER; Preseason ends and regular season starts
• NOVEMBER-MARCH; Regular season games continue
• APRIL; Regular season ends, playoffs start. 
• MAY; Playoffs/Finals

Eastern Atlantic

 

BOSTON CELTICS

Celtics were established in 1946 and named after the legendary, Original Celtics, which played in the ABL during the 1920s and 1930s, it was also in hope of attracting fans from the city’s large Irish population.

• 17 time NBA champions; 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1986, 2008
  
• 21 NBA Final appearances; 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 2008, 2010
  
• 35 Conference final appearances; 1953, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 2002, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2017, 2018
  
• 31 division titles; 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986,1987, 1988, 1991, 1992, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2017
  

 

BROOKLYN NETS

Nets were established in 2012 but played formerly as New Jersey Americans in 1967 and New York Nets from 1968-1977 in the ABA, and then in NBA as the New Jersey Nets from 1977-2012. They got the name when first moving to New York to rhyme with the other pro teams; Mets (MLB) and Jets (NFL).

• 2 time ABA/NBA champions; 1974, 1976
  
• 5 ABA/NBA Final appearances; 1972, 1974, 1976, 2002, 2003
  
• 2 Conference final appearances; 2002, 2003
  
• 5 division titles; 1974, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006
  

NEW YORK KNICKS

Knicks were established in 1946 and got their name from Knickerbockers, which is a term that traces back to the Dutch settlers to what is now New York in the 1600s, which refers to the style of pants the settlers wore, that rolled up just below the knee.

• 2 time NBA champions; 1970, 1973
  
• 8 NBA Final appearances; 1951, 1952, 1953, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1994, 1999
  
• 16 Conference final appearances; 1947, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1993, 1994, 1999, 2000
  
• 8 division titles; 1953, 1954, 1970, 1971, 1989, 1993, 1994, 2013
  

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

76ers were established in 1963 but played formerly as the Syracuse Nationals for NBL from 1946-194 and NBA from 1950-1963. The name was selected from a name the team contest, submitted in honor of Philadelphia’s roll in the Declaration of Independence, in 1776.

• 3 time NBA champions; 1955, 1967, 1983
  
• 9 NBA Final appearances; 1950, 1954, 1955, 1967, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983, 2001
  
• 21 Conference final appearances; 1950, 1951, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1961, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 2001
  
• 11 division titles; 1950, 1952, 1955, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1977, 1978, 1983, 1990, 2001
  
  

TORONTO RAPTORS

Raptors were established in 1995 as a new expansion team and got their name from a name the team contest, given that Jurrasic Park was huge at the time, it had great influence on the team’s new name.

• 1 Conference final appearances; 2016
• 5 division titles; 2007, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018

Eastern Central

CHICAGO BULLS

Bulls were established in 1966, and got their name representing the city’s livestock.

• 6 time NBA champions; 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998
  
• 6 NBA Final appearances; 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998
  
• 11 Conference final appearances; 1974, 1975, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2011
  
• 9 division titles; 1975,1991,1992,1993,1996, 1997, 1998, 2011, 2012
  

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

Cavaliers were established in 1970 and got their name from a name the team contest

• 1 time NBA champions; 2016
• 5 NBA Final appearances; 2007, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
  
• 8 Conference final appearances; 1976, 1992, 2007, 2009, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
  
• 7 division titles; 1976, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
  

DETROIT PISTONS

Pistons were established in 1957 but played formerly as Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons from 1941-1948 in the NBL, then changing to just Fort Wayne Pistons from1948-1957 when they joined the NBA before moving to Detroit. They were named after Owner Fred Zollner, who owned Zollner Machine Works, which made pistons.

• 5 time NBL/NBA champions; 1944, 1945, 1989, 1990, 2004
  
• 11 NBL/NBA Final appearances; 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1955, 1956, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2004, 2005
  
• 17 Conference final appearances; 1951, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1962, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
  
• 11 division titles; 1955, 1956, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
  

INDIANA PACERS

Pacers were established in 1967 but played with ABA from 1967-1976 before joining the NBA. They were named to signify their intention of setting their pace in basketball and due to the state’s racing history.

• 1 NBA Final appearances; 2000
• 8 Conference final appearances; 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2013, 2014
  
• 6 division titles; 1995, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2013, 2014
  

MILWAUKEE BUCKS

Bucks were established in 1968, They got their name in a name the team contest with a reasoning that “bucks are spirited, good jumpers, fast and agile.”

• • 1 time NBA champions; 1971
  • 2 NBA Final appearances; 1971, 1974
    
  • 8 Conference final appearances; 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1983, 1984, 1986, 2001
    
  • 13 division titles; 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 2001 

Eastern Southeast

ATLANTA HAWKS

Hawks were established in 1968 but played formerly as the Tri-cities Blackhawks for the NBL from 1946-1949, then joining NBA and in 1951 they moved to Milwaukee and since they left the Tri-cities region where the Blackhawk war took place, shortening it to just Hawks. Then they moved to St. Louis from 1955-1968, finally settling in Atlanta.

• 6 time NBA champions; 1958
  
• 4 NBA Final appearances; 1957, 1958, 1960, 1961
  
• 13 Conference final appearances; 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1970, 2015
  
• 11 division titles; 1957,1958, 1959, 1960, 1961,  1968, 1970, 1980, 1987, 1994, 2015

CHARLOTTE HORNETS

Hornets were established in 1988  and were originally meant to be named the Charlotte Spirit, but the objection of local fans got them to rename the team Hornets. The name also stems from the revolutionary war, when Brtitsh General Cornwallis remarked about the resistance met in North Carolina “There’s a rebel behind every bush, it’s a veritable nest of hornets.” In 2004 Hornets left for New Orleans and Charlotte was awarded a new expansion team, calling them the Charlotte Bobcats but in 2014 they went back to Hornets and reclaimed the team history after New Orleans changed their names to Pelicans.

• No key accomplishments to note, outside of a few play appearances
  

MIAMI HEAT

Heat were established in 1988 and got their name from a name the team contest.

• 3 time NBA champions; 2006, 2012, 2013
• 5 NBA Final appearances; 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
• 7 Conference final appearances; 1997, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
• 13 division titles; 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018
  

ORLANDO MAGIC

Magic were established in 1989 and got their name in a name the team contest.

• 2 NBA Final appearances; 1995, 2009
• 4 Conference final appearances; 1995, 1996, 2009, 2010
• 5 division titles; 1995, 1996, 2008, 2009, 2010

WASHINGTON WIZARDS

Wizards were established in 1973 but played as Chicago Packers in 1961, changed their name to Zephyrs in 1962, then moved to Baltimore in 1963 and called themselves Bullets in honor of Baltimore’s original NBA team that played in an Armory. In 1973 they moved again and called themselves the Capital Bullets and then the following year they changed it to Washington Bullets. In 1997 the owner decided to change to Wizards due to a number of recent high profile shooting deaths. 

• 1 time NBA champions; 1978
• 4 NBA Final appearances; 1971, 1975, 1978, 1979
• 5 Conference final appearances; 1965, 1971, 1975, 1978, 1979
• 8 division titles; 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1979, 2017

Western Pacific

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

Warriors were established in 1962 but played as the Philadelphia Warriors from 1946-1962 and San Francisco Warriors from 1962-1971 before changing to Golden Gate Warriors. They were named Warriors in Philadelphia after the former Warriors of the ABL which were owned by the same man that was GM of the new Warriors.

• 6 time NBA champions; 1947, 1956, 1975, 2015, 2017, 2018
  
• 9 NBA Final appearances; 1947, 1956, 1964, 1967, 1975, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
  
• 16 Conference final appearances; 1947, 1948, 1956, 1958, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1967, 1968, 1973, 1975, 1976, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
  
• 11 division titles; 1948, 1951, 1956, 1964, 1967, 1975, 1976, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
  

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

Clippers were established in 1984 but played formerly as Buffalo Braves from 1970-1978 and San Diego Clippers from 1978-1984. They were named following a name the team contest and Clippers were picked in reference to the city’s history as a harbor for Clipper ships and the Star of India which was still harbored in San Diego, and the name was kept when they moved to Los Angeles.

• 2 division titles; 2013, 2014

LOS ANGELES LAKERS

Lakers were established in 1960 but played formerly as Minneapolis Lakers from 1947-1960, the first couple years were playing for the NBL. They are named after the large cargo ships that traveled the many lakes of Minnesota.

• 11 time NBA champions; 1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010
• 25 NBA Final appearances; 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010
• 30 Conference final appearances; 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010
• 28 division titles; 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

PHOENIX SUNS

Suns were established in 1968 and got their name from a name the team contest.

• 2 NBA Final appearances; 1976, 1993
• 9 Conference final appearances; 1976, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1990, 1993, 2005, 2006, 2010
• 6 division titles; 1981, 1993, 1995, 2005, 2006, 2007

SACRAMENTO KINGS

Kings were established in 1985 but formerly played as Rochester Royals for the NBL from 1945-1948 before joining the NBA. In 1957 they moved and became the Cincinnati Royals, staying there until 1972 when they moved to Kansas City and changed their name to avoid confusion with the MLB team of the same name, here they became the Kansas Citty-Omaha Kings, by 1975 they dropped the Omaha and then in 1985 they made another move, to Sacramento. 

• 2 time NBL/NBA champions; 1946, 1951
• 4 NBL/NBA Final appearances; 1946, 1947, 1948, 1951, 
• 8 Conference final appearances; 1949, 1951, 1952, 1954, 1963, 1964, 1981, 2002
• 7 division titles; 1947, 1948, 1949, 1952, 1979, 2002, 2003

Western Northwest

DENVER NUGGETS

Nuggets were established in 1976 in NBA but formerly played as Rockets and Nuggets from 1967-1974 under the ABA. The name refers to the mining industry that Denver was built around

• • 6 time NBA champions; 1929, 1939, 1941, 1970, 1972, 2011
  • 19 ABA/NBA Final appearances; 1976, 
  • 15 Conference final appearances; 1978, 1985, 2009
  • 28 division titles; 1977, 1978, 1985, 1988, 2006, 2009, 2010

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

Timberwolves were established in 1989 and got their name in a name the team contest, but also because Minnesota is home to the largest population of Timberwolves in the lower 48 states.

• 15 Conference final appearances; 2004
• 28 division titles; 2004

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

Thunder were established in 2008 but played formerly as the Seattle Supersonics from 1967-2008. Thunder is fitting for the Oklahoma City franchise because not only is it a reference to powerful storms in the area known as Tornado Alley but the Oklahoma City-based 45th Infantry Division carries Thunderbirds as its nickname, and that’s a reference to the state’s Native American heritage.

• 1 time NBA champions; 1979
• 4 NBA Final appearances; 1978, 1979, 1996, 2012
• 10 Conference final appearances; 1978, 1979, 1980, 1987, 1993, 1996, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016
• 11 division titles; 1979, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

Trail Blazers were established in 1970 and got their name through a name the team contest. Trail Blazers was selected to honor the pioneers along the Oregon trail.

• • 1 time NBA champions; 1977
  • 3 NBA Final appearances; 1977, 1990, 1992 
  • 6 Conference final appearances; 1977,1990,1991, 1992, 1999, 2000
  • 5 division titles; 1978, 1991, 1992, 1999, 2015, 2018
    

 

UTAH JAZZ

Jazz were established in 1979 but played formerly as New Orleans Jazz from 1974-1979. New Orleans is a hot bed for jazz music, Utah had really no history of jazz music but kept the name in a cost saving move.

• 2 NBA Final appearances; 1997, 1998
• 6 Conference final appearances; 1992, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2007
• 9 division titles; 1984, 1989, 1992, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2007, 2008, 2017

Western Southwest

DALLAS MAVERICKS

Mavericks were established in 1980 and got their name from a name the team contest.

• 6 time NBA champions; 2011
• 2 NBA Final appearances; 2006, 2011
• 4 Conference final appearances; 1988, 2003, 2006, 2011
• 3 division titles; 1987, 2007, 2010

HOUSTON ROCKETS

Rockets were established in 1971 but played formerly known as the San Diego Rockets from 1967-1971. Rockets was chosen in a contest due to San Diego’s motto, “A City in Motion” in addition it was the manufacturing site of the Atlas rockets, used by NASA, it kept the name upon moving to Houston since the city is NASA’s headquarters.    

• 2 time NBA champions; 1994, 1995
• 4 NBA Final appearances; 1981, 1986, 1994, 1995
• 8 Conference final appearances; 1977, 1981, 1986, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2015, 2018
  
• 6 division titles; 1977, 1986, 1993, 1994, 2015, 2018
  

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

Grizzlies were established in 2001 but played formerly known as the Vancouver Grizzlies from 1995-2001. The name Grizzlies was chosen after the original name Mounties was abandoned following objections by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, name was kept upon moving to Memphis.

• 15 Conference final appearances; 2013

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS

Pelicans were established in 2002 but formerly played as New Orleans Hornets from 2002-2005, New Orleans Oklahoma City Hornets from 2005-2007 and again the New Orleans Hornets from 2007-2013, before switching to Pelicans, the Louisiana state bird.

• 1 division titles; 2008

SAN ANTONIO SPURS

Spurs were established in 1976 but played formerly known as the Dallas Chaparrals from 1967-1970, Texas Chaparrals in 1970, back to Dallas Chaparrals from 1971-1973, and San Antonio Spurs from 1973-1976, for the ABA. Spurs are a pointed device usually worn by a cowboy on his heels to urge on a horse. 

• 5 time NBA champions; 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014
• 6 NBA Final appearances; 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2014
• 14 Conference final appearances; 1979, 1982, 1983, 1995, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017
  
• 22 division titles; 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1990, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017

NFL origins

The National Football League was founded in 1920, a deal was hammered out in an automobile showroom of downtown Canton, Ohio to establish the American Professional Football Association, starting with 11 teams, growing to the original 14 within the first season and hitting 22 in 1921.  By 1922, the APFA became the NFL and was struggling to make a name for itself, by 1933 the league was down to 10 teams and split into separate conferences. NFL had challenges from other leagues, absorbing some of the teams along the way from ones like AFL 1940-1941 and AAFC 1946-1949 but another AFL emerged in the 60s and challenged NFL but they eventually worked out a deal and merged together in 1966, establishing an AFL v. NFL league championship every season with the winner of the Superbowl taking home the trophy, titled the Lombardi Trophy in 1970 after Green Bay’s coach and winner of Superbowls I & II Vince Lombardi, passed away. Over the years more teams have been added, moved, and taken out, causing divisions and conferences to be shuffled around numerous times bringing us to where we are now; 2 conferences, 8 divisions, and 32 teams, all battling for that prestigious Lombardi Trophy. 

All told, 13 of the NFL’s current 32 franchises were absorbed from a rival league. NFL is the only league not to have an anchor in Canada since they have their own football league, but players have been known to bounce between NFL and CFL. NFL games are the most attended and by far the most popular in the U.S. in terms of ratings and merchandising as well as its championship game, the Superbowl, being the most watched annual event on U.S. television.

 

LOMBARDI TROPHY 

• MARCH– New league year starts, teams sign new players and new coaches start organized team activities (OTA)
• APRIL– All teams are in OTA and college draft happens
• MAY– undrafted and drafted players are being signed and put through rookie camp
• JUNE– Whole teams are brought together for mini-camp
• JULY– Teams are on break early, training camp starts in the end
• AUGUST– Pre-season starts, training camp ends
• SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER– consists of the regular season, weeks 1-16
• JANUARY– Playoffs start for some, off-season starts for others
• FEBRUARY– Superbowl ends the season, off-season starts for everyone.

East

BUFFALO BILLS

Bills were established in 1960, before then they were in the AAFC as the Bisons 1946-1949. They got their name through a “name-the-team” contest where Bills became the winner, honoring a famed Wild West showman Buffalo Bill Cody.

• 2 time league champions; 1964, 1965
• 4 Superbowl appearances; XXV (1990), XXVI (1991), XXVII (1992), XXVIII (1993) 
• 8 conference championship games; 1964, 1965, 1966, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993
• 10 division titles; 1964, 1965, 1966, 1980, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995
  

 

MIAMI DOLPHINS

Dolphins were established in 1966. They got their name in a “name-the-team” contest where dolphins were the winner due to the bottlenose dolphins in the area.

• 2 time league champions; 1972, 1973
• 5 Superbowl appearances; VI (1971), VII (1972), VIII (1973), XVII (1982), XIX (1984) 
• 7 Conference championship games; 1971, 1972, 1973, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1992
• 13 division titles; 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1992, 1994, 2000, 2008

 

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Patriots were established in 1960. They got their name because of Boston’s heritage as the birthplace of the American Revolution. They were the Boston Patriots from 1960-1970

• 6 time league champions; 2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016, 2018
  
• 11 Superbowl appearances; XX (1985), XXXI (1996), XXXVI (2001), XXXVIII (2003),
  XXXIX (2004), XLII (2007), XLVI (2011), XLIX (2014), LI (2016), LII (2017), LIII (2018)
  
• 15 conference championship games; 1963, 1985, 1996, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
  
• 22 division titles; 1963, 1978, 1986, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
  

 

NEW YORK JETS

Jets were established in 1960 as the New York Titans, 3 years later they changed their name to Jets after a group of jets flew over Shea Stadium. It also gave them a name that rhymed with Mets, who they shared Shea stadium with at the time.

• 1 time league champions; 1968
• 1 Superbowl appearance; III (1968)
• 6 conference championship games; 1966, 1968, 1982, 1998, 2009, 2010
  
• 4 division titles; 1968, 1969, 1998, 2002

North

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Ravens were established in 1996 as a new expansion team, they were formerly the Cleveland Browns but a lawsuit kept the name and history of the team in Cleveland. The name was selected in a poll done by the Baltimore Sun in honor of Edgar Allen Poe, who penned the famous poem “The Raven” while living in Baltimore.

• 2 time league champions; 2000, 2012
• 2 Superbowl appearances; Superbowl XXXV (2000) & XLVII (2012)
• 4 conference championship games; 2000, 2008, 2011, 2012
• 6 division titles; 2003, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2018, 2019
  

 

CINCINNATI BENGALS

Bengals were established in 1968, owner Paul Brown wanted a link to the past of Cincinnati so he adopted the Bengals name of a former pro football team in the area.

• 2 Superbowl appearances; XVI (1981) & XXIII (1988)
• 2 conference championship games; 1981, 1988
• 9 division titles; 1970, 1973, 1981, 1988, 1990, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2015

 

CLEVELAND BROWNS

Browns were established in 1950 but played in the AAFC (1946-1949) and took a hiatus from the NFL (1996-1998) when the original team became the Baltimore Ravens. When owner Arthur McBride bought the team he held a newspaper contest to name the team but the team was unable to use the name Panthers, which had originally won the contest. They settled on Browns, named after Coach Paul Brown.

• 8 time league champions; 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1954, 1955, 1964
• 14 conference championship games; 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1964, 1965, 1968, 1969, 1986, 1987, 1989
• 18 division titles; 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1980, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989

 

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Steelers were established in 1933 as the Pittsburgh Pirates, named after the MLB team. In 1940 they became the Steelers to more properly represent the city’s dominant steel industry. Wartime in the 40’s tore teams down since players left to fight, requiring some teams to combine forces. In 1943 Steelers and Eagles combined and became known as the Phil-Pitt Steagles and in 1944 Cardinals and Steelers combined and was called Card-Pitt, but was referred to as Carpets because they went win-less. In 1945 Steelers took their name back as they got more players in.

• 6 time league champions; 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 2005, 2008
• 8 Superbowl appearances; IX (1974), X (1975), XIII (1978),
  XIV (1979), XXX (1995), XL (2005), XLIII (2008), XLV (2010)
• 16 conference championship games; 1972, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1984, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2016
  
• 23 division titles; 1972, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1983, 1984, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2017

South

HOUSTON TEXANS

Texans were established in 2002 as an expansion team. There was a name the team contest that produced 5 choices; Apollos, Bobcats, Stallions, Texans, and Wildcatters. Months later the team unveiled the Texans new logo and uniforms.

• 6 division titles; 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019
  

 

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Colts were established in 1953 as the Baltimore Colts, named after the original Baltimore Colts team of the AAFC which got their name to reflect the great tradition and proud history of the horse-breeding and racing in the Baltimore area. In 1984 they moved to Indianapolis and kept the name.

• 5 time league champions; 1958, 1959, 1968, 1970, 2006 
• 4 Superbowl appearances;  III (1968),  V (1970), XLI (2006), XLIV (2009)
• 11 conference championship games; 1958, 1959, 1964, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1995, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2014
• 19 division titles; 1958, 1959, 1964, 1968, 1970, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1987, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Jaguars were established in 1995 as a new expansion team. The name was selected through a name the team contest.

• 3 conference championship games; 1996, 1999, 2017
  
• 3 division titles; 1998, 1999, 2017
  

 

TENNESSEE TITANS

Titans were established in 1960 as the Houston Oilers, named for the oil industry in Texas, but moved to Tennessee in 1997, playing still as the Oilers until 1998 when they changed their name to Titans. Owner Bud Adams formed a committee and a guess the name contest to gain feedback on an appropriate name, selecting Titans because it reflected heroic attributes like great strength and leadership.

• 2 time league champions; 1960, 1961
• 1 Superbowl appearances; XXXIV (1999)
• 9 conference championship games; 1960, 1961, 1962, 1967, 1978, 1979, 1999, 2002, 2019
  
• 9 division titles; 1960, 1961, 1962, 1967, 1991, 1993, 2000, 2002, 2008

West

DENVER BRONCOS

Broncos were established in 1960 and got their name from a name the team, fan contest but some would say that they were named after the prior Midwest Baseball League team; Denver Broncos.

• 3 time league champions; 1997, 1998, 2015
• 8 Superbowl appearances; XII (1977), XXI (1986), XXII (1987), XXIV (1989), XXXII (1997),
  XXXIII (1998), XLVIII (2013), L (2015)
• 10 conference championship games; 1977, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2013, 2015
• 15 division titles; 1977, 1978, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1998, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

 

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Chiefs were established in 1960 as the Dallas Texans but changed their name to Chiefs when they moved to Kansas City, MO in 1963, which they got the name from a name the team, fan contest.

• 3 time league champions; 1962, 1969, 2019
  
• 3 Superbowl appearances; I (1966), IV (1969), LIV (2019)
  
• 6 conference championship games; 1962, 1966, 1969, 1993, 2018, 2019
  
• 12 division titles; 1962, 1966, 1971, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2003, 2010, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
  

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

Raiders were established in 1960 but were known as the Senors for a brief time before then from a name the team contest but that brought on a load of jokes prompting the board members to change it, moving to Raiders which was the 3rd name on the list from the name the team contest. After 20 years in Oakland, Raiders moved to Los Angeles in 1982 but came back in 1994 and have been there since.

• 3 time league champions; 1976, 1980, 1983
• 5 Superbowl appearances; II (1967), XI (1976), XV (1980), XVIII (1983), XXXVII (2002)
• 14 conference championship games; 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1983, 1990, 2000, 2002
• 15 division titles; 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1983, 1985, 1990, 2000, 2001, 2002

 

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

Chargers were established in 1960, owner Barron Hilton named them Los Angeles Chargers because he liked that fans were yelling charge and sounding the bugle at Dodgers stadium and USC games. A year later they moved to San Diego. In 2017, they moved back to Los Angeles and kept the Chargers name.

• 1 time league champions; 1963
• 1 Superbowl appearance; XXIX (1994) 
• 9 conference championship games; 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1980, 1981, 1994, 2007
• 15 division titles; 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1992, 1994, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

East

DALLAS COWBOYS

Cowboys were established in 1960 but were known for a brief time prior as Dallas Steers and Dallas Rangers but changed the name from Rangers to Cowboys avoid being confused with the MLB team.

• 5 time league champions; 1971, 1977, 1992, 1993, 1995
• 8 Superbowl appearances; V (1970), VI (1971), X (1975), XII (1977), XIII (1978), XXVII (1992), XXVIII (1993), XXX (1995)
• 16 conference championship games; 1966, 1967, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995
• 24 division titles; 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2007, 2009, 2014, 2016, 2018
  

 

NEW YORK GIANTS

Giants were established in 1925 and like most other NFL teams, they “borrowed” the Giants name from the MLB team.

• 8 time league champions; 1927, 1934, 1938, 1956, 1986, 1990, 2007, 2011
• 5 Superbowl appearances; XXI (1986), XXV (1990), XXXV (2000), XLII (2007), XLVI (2011)
• 19 conference championship games; 1933, 1934, 1935, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1944, 1946, 1956, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1986, 1990, 2000, 2007, 2011
• 24 division titles; 1927, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1943, 1944, 1946, 1956, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1997, 2000, 2005, 2008, 2011

 

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Eagles were established in 1933 and owner Bert Bell named them the Eagles after President Roosevelt introduced his “New Deal” program through the National Recovery Administration to combat against the Great Depression, the Eagle was their symbol, and Bell hoped his franchise also was headed for a new deal but by 1943, the war took away a lot of players causing them to team with the Steelers as the Phil-Pitt Steagles but after that season they were able to go back to Eagles.

• 4 time league champions; 1948, 1949, 1960, 2017
  
• 3 Superbowl appearances; XV (1980), XXXIX (2004), LII (2017)
  
• 11 conference championship games; 1947, 1948, 1949, 1960, 1980, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008 , 2017
  
• 15 division titles; 1947, 1948, 1949, 1960, 1980, 1988, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2019
  

 

WASHINGTON

Redskins were established in 1932 as the Boston Braves, named after the MLB team. After a bad year they changed the name to Redskins, 4 years later they moved from Boston to Washington, still holding the name.

• 5 time league champions; 1937, 1942, XVII (1982), XXII (1987), XXVI (1991)
• 5 Superbowl appearances; VII (1972), XVII (1982), XVIII (1983), XXII (1987), XXVI (1991)
• 12 conference championship games; 1936, 1937, 1940, 1942, 1943, 1945, 1972, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1991
• 13 division titles; 1936, 1937, 1940, 1942, 1943, 1945, 1972, 1983, 1984, 1991, 1999, 2012, 2015

North

 

CHICAGO BEARS

Bears were established in 1920 as the Decatur Staleys, then the Chicago Staleys in 1921. In 1922 they changed their name to Bears as a companion to the Chicago Cubs of the MLB because they shared Wrigley Field together.

• 9 time league champions; 1921, 1932, 1933, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1946, 1963, 1985
• 2 Superbowl appearances; XX (1985), XLI (2006)
• 15 conference championship games; 1933, 1934, 1937, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1946, 1956, 1963, 1984, 1985, 1988, 2006, 2010
• 23 division titles; 1921, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1937, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1946, 1956, 1963, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2018
  

 

DETROIT LIONS

Lions were established in 1930 as the Portsmouth Spartans but when they moved to Detroit in 1934 they changed the team to Lions to keep with the jungle cat image of the city’s major league baseball team, the Tigers. 

• 4 time league champions; 1935, 1952, 1953, 1957
• 6 conference championship games; 1935, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1957, 1991
• 8 division titles; 1935, 1952, 1953,1954, 1957, 1983, 1991, 1993

 

GREEN BAY PACKERS

Packers were established in 1919 and got their name by being sponsored by the Indian Packing Company and later the Acme Packing Company.

• 13 time league champions; 1929, 1930, 1931, 1936, 1939, 1944, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1996, 2010
  
• 5 Superbowl appearances; I (1966), II (1967), XXXI (1996), XXXII (1997), XLV (2010)
• 18 conference championship games; 1936, 1938, 1939, 1944, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2019
  
• 25 division titles; 1936, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1944, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1972, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2019
  

 

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Vikings were established in 1961 and got their name because so many people in Minnesota and around the area in that time traced their heritage to Scandinavia where some say vikings originated.

• 4 Superbowl appearances; IV (1969), VIII (1973), IX (1974), XI (1976)
• 10 conference championship games; 1969, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1987, 1998, 2000, 2009, 2017
  
• 20 division titles; 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1998,  2000, 2008, 2009, 2015, 2017

South

ATLANTA FALCONS

Falcons were established in 1966 and got their name from a name the team contest where a school teacher was declared the winner for her reason; “The falcon is proud and dignified with great courage and fight”

• 2 Superbowl appearances; XXXIII (1998),LI (2016)
  
• 4 conference championship games; 1998, 2004, 2012, 2016
  
• 6 division titles; 1980, 1998, 2004, 2010, 2012, 2016
  

 

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Panthers were established in 1995 as a new expansion team and got their name and colors from the owner’s son.

 

• 2 Superbowl appearances; XXXVIII (2003), L (2015)
• 4 conference championship games; 1996, 2003, 2005, 2015
• 6 division titles; 1996, 2003, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015

 

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Saints were established in 1967 and got their name due to the fact the team was born on the Roman Catholic Holiday of All Saints Day.

• 1 time league champions; 2009
• 1 Superbowl appearances; XLIV (2009)
• 3 conference championship games; 2006, 2009, 2018
  
• 8 division titles; 1991, 2000, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2017, 2018, 2019
  

 

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Buccaneers were established in 1976 and got their name after a board reviewed hundreds of names, selecting Buccaneers due to the local pirate legends in the area.

• 1 time league champions; 2002
• 1 Superbowl appearances; XXXVII (2002)
• 3 conference championship games; 1979, 1999, 2002
• 6 division titles; 1979, 1981, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2007

West

ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals were established in 1898 and got their name when the owner bought them faded maroon uniforms and told people they weren’t faded, they were cardinal red. They started as the Racine Cardinals, then moved to Chicago in 1922 but kept the name. In 1944 the wars forced teams to merge together since players were leaving to fight, Cardinals merged with Steelers and became Card-Pitt but due to their win-less season they were referred to as “Carpets”. In 1945 they went back to Chicago Cardinals then kept the name when they moved to St. Louis in 1960 and again when they moved to Phoenix in 1988, changing the name to Arizona Cardinals in 1993.

• 2 time league champions; 1925, 1947
• 1 Superbowl appearances; XLIII (2008)
• 4 conference championship games; 1947, 1948, 2008, 2015
• 5 division titles; 1947, 1948, 2008, 2009, 2015

 

LOS ANGELES RAMS

Rams were established in 1946 but played as the Cleveland Rams from 1937-1942 and 1944-1945 before they moved to Los Angeles. in 1995 they moved to St. Louis but came back to Los Angeles in 2016. The name Rams, was picked by general manager Wetzel because his favorite football team had always been the Fordham Rams. Owner Homer Marshman liked the name as well.

• 3 time league champions; 1945, 1951, 1999
• 4 Superbowl appearances; XIV (1979), XXIV (1999), XXXVI (2001), LIII (2018)
  
• 15 conference championship games; 1945, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1955, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1985, 1989, 1999, 2001, 2018
  
• 20 division titles; 1945, 1950, 1951, 1955, 1967, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1985, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2017, 2018
  

 

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

49ers were established in 1950 but were part of the AAFC from 1946-1949. The name was selected as a recognition of the pioneering and adventurous spirit of the 1849 gold rush that took place just east of San Francisco.

• 5 time league champions; 1981, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1994
• 7 Superbowl appearances; XVI (1981), XIX (1984), XXIII (1988), XXIV (1989), XXIX (1994),
  XLVII (2012), LIV (2019)
  
• 16 conference championship games; 1970, 1971, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2019
  
• 20 division titles; 1970, 1971, 1972, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2002, 2011, 2012, 2019
  

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Seahawks were established in 1976 and the name came from a fan contest with Seahawks being selected the best choice.

• 1 time league champions; 2013
• 3 Superbowl appearances; XL (2005), XLVIII (2013), XLIX (2014)
• 4 conference championship games; 1983, 2005, 2013, 2014
• 10 division titles; 1988, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2016

NHL Origins

The National Hockey League was started in 1917 after team owners suspended the National Hockey Association and formed the NHL to oust one of the owners. The league spent the first quarter of the century battling the other two major leagues; Pacific Coast Hockey Association and Western Canada Hockey League, for the Stanley Cup, eventually emerging as the major players and completing a deal with the Stanley Cup trustees to gain full control of the cup in 1947. Around the same time, the Great Depression and World War II broke the league down from ten to six teams which are titled to this day, The Original Six; Bruins, Blackhawks, Redwings, Canadiens, Rangers, and Maple Leafs. In 1967 the league expanded, doubling the amount of teams to 12, then in 1974, they added 6 more to compete with the World Hockey Association, eventually the WHA ceased operations in 1979 and NHL absorbed 4 of their teams as well. Currently there are 30 teams in the NHL split into 2 conferences; Eastern and Western, consisting of 2 divisions each; Atlantic/Metropolitan for the East and Central/Pacific for the West.

ATLANTIC DIVISION
METROPOLITAN DIVISION
CENTRAL DIVISION
PACIFIC DIVISION

Below, you will find a calendar of key NHL events for the year, followed by each team with their division, title history, origin, and key accomplishments as well as a link in their name to their respective sites.

• JUNE; Stanley Cup is awarded and draft process starts for the next season
• JULY; Free agency begins
• AUGUST; Rookie Camp starts
• SEPTEMBER; Training Camp starts
• OCT-MARCH; Regular season
• APRIL; Regular season ends, playoffs start. 
• MAY; Playoffs/Finals

Atlantic Division

 

 

BOSTON BRUINS

Bruins were established in 1924 and made their debut as the first American team in the NHL. Owner Charles Adams picked the colors to match his Bookside Stores and then wanted something that equated to strength and power for a team, selecting Bruins. 

• 6 time Stanley Cup champions; 1929, 1939, 1941, 1970, 1972, 2011
• 2 time President’s Trophy winners; 1990, 2014
• 19 Stanley Cup Final appearances; 1927, 1929, 1930, 1939, 1941, 1943, 1946, 1953, 1957, 1958,  1970, 1972, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1988, 1990, 2011, 2013
• 15 Conference final appearances; 1969, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1983, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 2011, 2013
• 28 division titles; 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1933, 1935, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1983, 1984, 1990, 1991, 1993, 2002, 2004, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014

 

BUFFALO SABRES

Sabres were established in 1970, the name was picked from a contest since team officials were looking for a fresh name not being used anywhere in the pros and something different than buffalo/bison variations used by other teams in the city of Buffalo.

• 1 time President’s Trophy winners; 2007
• 2 Stanley Cup Final appearances; 1975, 1999
• 6 Conference final appearances; 1975, 1980, 1998, 1999, 2006, 2007
• 6 division titles; 1975, 1980, 1981, 1997, 2007, 2010

 

DETROIT REDWINGS

Redwings were established in 1926 as the Detroit Cougars. In 1930 they became the Falcons, then in 1932 their new owner James Norris renamed it Redwings after a team Norris played for in his youth; Winged Wheelers. 

• 11 time Stanley Cup champions; 1936, 1937, 1943, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2008
• 6 time President’s Trophy winners; 1995, 1996, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008
• 24 Stanley Cup Final appearances; 1934, 1936, 1937, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1945, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2008, 2009
• 10 Conference final appearances; 1987, 1988, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2009
• 10 division titles; 1934, 1936, 1937, 1943, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1965, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2001,  2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011

 

FLORIDA PANTHERS

Panthers were established in 1993 as a new expansion team to the Miami area. The team was named after the endangered Florida Panthers that roam the everglades of Florida.

• 1 Stanley Cup Final appearances; 1996
• 1 Conference final appearances; 1996
• 2 division titles; 2012, 2016

 

MONTREAL CANADIENS

Canadiens were established in 1910 as a member of the NHA, being one of the first to join NHL in the beginning. Canadiens is French for Canadians.

• 24 time Stanley Cup champions; 1916, 1924, 1930, 1931, 1944, 1946, 1953, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1986, 1993
• 35 Stanley Cup Final appearances; 1914, 1916, 1917 ,1919, 1924, 1925, 1930, 1931, 1944, 1946, 1947, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1986, 1989, 1993
• 15 Conference final appearances; 1968, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1993, 2010, 2014
• 37 division titles; 1918, 1928, 1929, 1931, 1932, 1937, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1956, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1992, 2008, 2013, 2015, 2017
  

 

OTTAWA SENATORS

Senators were established in 1992 as a new expansion team but named after the original Senators that moved in 1934, which were named Senators because Ottawa is the capital of Canada and because of the Canadian Senate.

• 1 time President’s Trophy winners; 2003
• 1 Stanley Cup Final appearances; 2007
• 3 Conference final appearances; 2003, 2007, 2017
  
• 4 division titles; 1999, 2001, 2003, 20063

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING 

Lightning were established in 1992, bringing NHL to the sunshine state for the first time. They were named Lightning because Tampa is considered the lightning capital of the world, or at least in North America, to some.

• 1 time Stanley Cup champions; 2004
• 2 Stanley Cup Final appearances; 2004, 2015
• 5 Conference final appearances; 2004, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2018
  
• 3 division titles; 2003, 2004, 2018
  

 

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Maple Leafs were established in 1917 as the Arenas, changing to the St. Patricks in 1919, and eventually the Maple Leafs in 1927. Before all that they were the Blueshirts, though not recognized by the NHL (1912-1917). Owner Conn Smythe changed the name to Maple Leafs because he liked the name from an old team he scouted and the link it had to Canada’s National symbol.

• 14 time Stanley Cup champions; 1914, 1918, 1922, 1932, 1942, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1967
• 22 Stanley Cup Final appearances; 1914, 1918, 1922, 1932, 1933, 1935, 1936, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1942, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1967
• 5 Conference final appearances; 1978, 1993, 1994, 1999, 2002
• 8 division titles; 1914, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1938, 1948, 1963, 2000

Metropolitan Division

•  

 

CAROLINA HURRICANES

Hurricanes were established in 1997 but they were formerly the New England Whalers of the WHA from 1972-1979 and then the Hartford Whalers from 1980-1997 before becoming the Hurricanes, named after the violent wind and heavy rainstorms that frequent the Carolinas.

• 1 time Stanley Cup champions; 2006
• 2 Stanley Cup Final appearances; 2002, 2006
• 3 Conference final appearances; 2002, 2006, 2009
• 4 division titles; 1987, 1999, 2002, 2006

 

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

Blue Jackets were established in 2000 as a new expansion team. They were named to pay homage to Ohio’s contributions to American history, primarily that during the Civil War where Ohio provided more Union soldiers than any other state and Columbus was where the blue jackets they wore were manufactured.

• No key accomplishments to date outside of a couple playoff appearances.

 

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Devils were established in 1982 but played as the Kansas City Scouts from 1974-1976 and the Colorado Rockies from 1976-1982 before becoming the Devils, getting their name from a legend dating back to 1735 where a woman that dabbled in sorcery gave birth to a creature that reportedly had features of a snake, bat, kangaroo, horse and a man. Legend has it that same creature still roams the woods of New Jersey to this day and is still referred to as the Jersey Devil. 

• 3 time Stanley Cup champions; 1995, 2000, 2003
• 5 Stanley Cup Final appearances; 1995, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2012
• 7 Conference final appearances; 1988, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2012
• 9 division titles; 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010

 

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Islanders were established in 1972 as a new expansion team and got their name because they played on Long Island in New York. 

• 4 time Stanley Cup champions; 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983
• 5 Stanley Cup Final appearances; 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984
• 10 Conference final appearances; 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1993
• 6 division titles; 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1988

 

NEW YORK RANGERS

Rangers were established in 1926 and got their name from a play on words of founder and promoter Tex Rickard. They were regarded as Tex’s Rangers

• 4 time Stanley Cup champions; 1928, 1933, 1940, 1994
• 3 time President’s Trophy winners; 1992, 1994, 2015
• 11 Stanley Cup Final appearances; 1928, 1929, 1932, 1933, 1937, 1940, 1950, 1972 ,1979, 1994, 2014
• 11 Conference final appearances; 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1979, 1986, 1994, 1997, 2012, 2014, 2015
• 8 division titles; 1927, 1932, 1942, 1990, 1992, 1994, 2012, 2015

 

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

Flyers were established in 1967 and got their name from a name the team contest, although it was spelled differently than the winning version of the name; Fliers

• 2 time Stanley Cup champions; 1974, 1975
• 8 Stanley Cup Final appearances; 1974, 1975, 1976, 1980, 1985, 1987, 1997, 2010
• 15 Conference final appearances; 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1995, 1997, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2010
• 16 division titles; 1968, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2011

 

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Penguins were established in 1967 as a new expansion team and since their new home was given the nickname of “The Igloo” (Civic Arena) because of its resemblance to them, it was only fitting for them to be called the Penguins.

• 5 time Stanley Cup champions; 1991, 1992, 2009, 2016, 2017
  
• 1 time President’s Trophy winners; 1992
• 6 Stanley Cup Final appearances; 1991, 1992, 2008, 2009, 2016, 2017
  
• 10 Conference final appearances; 1970, 1991, 1992, 1996, 2001, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2016, 2017
  
• 8 division titles; 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2008, 2013, 2014

 

WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Capitals were established in 1974 as a new expansion team and got their name because their new home was in the Capital of the United States Of America, Washington D.C.

• 1 time Stanley Cup champions; 2018
  
• 3 time President’s Trophy winners; 2010, 2016, 2017
  
• 2 Stanley Cup Final appearances; 1998, 2018
  
• 3 Conference final appearances; 1990, 1998, 2018
  
• 11 division titles; 1989, 2000, 2001, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018

Central Division

 

 

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Blackhawks were formed in 1926 but formerly played as the Portland Rosebuds for the WHL. Owner Frederic McLaughlin named them in honor of the military unit he served with in the U.S. Army.

• 6 time Stanley Cup champions; 1934, 1938, 1961, 2010, 2013, 2015
  
• 2 time President’s Trophy winners; 1991, 2013
  
• 13 Stanley Cup Final appearances; 1931, 1934, 1938, 1944, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1971, 1973, 1992, 2010, 2013, 2015
  
• 18 Conference final appearances; 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015
  
• 16 division titles; 1967, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1993, 2010, 2013

 

COLORADO AVALANCHE

Avalanche were established in 1995 but played formerly as the Quebec Nordiques with the WHA from 1972-1979 and with NHL from 1979-1995. Their name was selected because the Rocky Mountains, located in Colorado are prone to Avalanches, a powerful natural force of nature in which snow rolls down the mountain destroying everything in its path.

• 2 time Stanley Cup champions; 1996, 2001
  
• 2 time President’s Trophy winners; 1997, 2001
  
• 2 Stanley Cup Final appearances; 1996, 2001
  
• 8 Conference final appearances; 1982, 1985, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002
• 11 division titles; 1986, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2014

 

DALLAS STARS

Stars were established in 1993 but formerly played as Minnesota North Stars from 1967-1993. They were named North Stars in honor of Minnesota’s state motto but upon the move to Dallas, they shortened it to Stars.

• 1 time Stanley Cup champions; 1999
• 2 time President’s Trophy winners; 1998, 1999
  
• 4 Stanley Cup Final appearances; 1981, 1991, 1999, 2000
  
• 10 Conference final appearances; 1968, 1971, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2008
  
• 9 division titles; 1982, 1984, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2016
  

 

MINNESOTA WILD

Wild were established in 2000 as a new expansion team and were named Wild in reference to Wilderness, and Minnesota’s majestic wildlife.

• 1 Conference final appearances; 2003
• 1 division titles; 2008
  

NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Predators were established in 1998 as a new expansion team. The name and logo pays tribute to the fossils found in 1971 when construction workers came across the bones of a saber-toothed tiger.

• 1 time President’s Trophy winners; 2018
• 1 Stanley Cup Final appearances; 2017
• 1 Conference final appearances;  2017
  
• 1 division title; 2018

 

ST. LOUIS BLUES

Blues were established in 1967 and got their name from W.C. Handy’s song of the same name since owner Sid Salamon was a huge fan and singing the blues was the spirit of St. Louis

• 1 time President’s Trophy winners; 2000
• 3 Stanley Cup Final appearances; 1968, 1969, 1970
  
• 7 Conference final appearances; 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1986, 2001, 2016
  
• 9 division titles; 1969, 1970, 1977, 1981, 1985, 1987, 2000, 2012, 2015
  

 

WINNIPEG JETS

Jets were established in 2011 but formerly played as Atlanta Thrashers from 1999-2011 and were named after the original Winnipeg Jets team that played from 1979-1996 then moved to Phoenix to become the Coyotes.

• 1 division titles; 2007
  
• 1 Conference final appearance; 2018

Pacific Division

 

ANAHEIM DUCKS

Ducks were established in 1993 by the Disney Corporation after a successful hockey-themed kids movie, The Mighty Ducks was made. They held the name Mighty Ducks of Anaheim from 1993-2006 then dropped it down to just Anaheim Ducks.

• 1 time Stanley Cup champions; 2007
• 2 Stanley Cup Final appearances; 2003, 2007
• 4 Conference final appearances; 2003, 2006, 2007, 2017
  
• 6 division titles; 2007, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
  

 

ARIZONA COYOTES

Coyotes were established in 1996 but were formerly the Winnipeg Jets from 1972-1979 in the WHA and then from 1979-1996 with NHL. They were called the Phoenix Coyotes from 1996-2014 then just to Arizona. The name was chosen from a name the team contest where Coyotes was selected since the coyote is a predatory canine that roams the Southwestern Desert.

•  
• 1 Conference final appearances; 2012
• 1 division titles; 2012

 

CALGARY FLAMES

Flames were established in 1980 but played formerly as the Atlanta Flames from 1972-1980. They were given the name in honor of the famous fire of Atlanta during the Civil War in 1864 that destroyed the city. Upon moving to Calgary, the name was retained in honor of the city’s oil industry. 

• 1 time Stanley Cup champions; 1989
  • 2 time President’s Trophy winners; 1988, 1989
• 3 Stanley Cup Final appearances; 1986, 1989, 2004
• 4 Conference final appearances; 1981, 1986, 1989, 2004
• 6 division titles; 1988, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1995, 2006

 

EDMONTON OILERS

Oilers were established in 1979 but played formerly as Alberta Oilers. They were named in honor of Canada’s oil industry, Edmonton is the leading source.

• 5 time Stanley Cup champions; 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990
• 2 time President’s Trophy winners; 1986, 1987
• 7 Stanley Cup Final appearances; 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990, 2006
• 9 Conference final appearances; 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 2006
• 6 division titles; 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987

 

LOS ANGELES KINGS

Kings were established in 1967 and were given the name because founder Jack Kent Cooke wanted a name of royalty. 

• 2 time Stanley Cup champions; 2012, 2014
• 3 Stanley Cup Final appearances; 1993, 2012, 2014
• 5 Conference final appearances; 1969, 1993, 2012, 2013, 2014
• 1 division titles; 1991

 

SAN JOSE SHARKS

Sharks were established in 1991 and got their name through a name the team contest in which Sharks were picked because there are multiple varieties of sharks that live in the Pacific Ocean as well as several shark research facilities in the area. the Bay Area alone is referred to as Red Triangle due to the large shark population.

• 1 time President’s Trophy winners; 2009
• 1 Stanley Cup Final appearances; 2016
• 4 Conference final appearances; 2004, 2010, 2011, 2016
• 6 division titles; 2002, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

 

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Canucks were established in 1970 and named after a Canadian folk hero, Johnny Canuck, who was a great logger, skater and hockey player.

• 2 time President’s Trophy winners; 2011, 2012
• 3 Stanley Cup Final appearances; 1982, 1994, 2011
• 3 Conference final appearances; 1982, 1994, 2011
• 10 division titles; 1975, 1992, 1993, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013

 

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

Golden Knights were established in 2018 and were named after the U.S. military academy West Point’s Black Knights

• 1 Stanley Cup Final appearances; 2018
• 1 Conference final appearances; 2018
• 1 division titles; 2018