Top 10 Defunct Sports Leagues

The AFL, possibly the most recognized league on this list, once rivaled the NFL. Since 1920, the NFL has dominated the football world with few significant rivals, until the AFL emerged.

Featuring teams such as the Raiders, Patriots, Jets, Chiefs, and Titans (then called the Oilers), the AFL was a huge success, securing TV deals with ABC and NBC. It signed many college football stars, including Billy Cannon. In 1966, the AFL agreed to play against the NFL in what is now known as the Super Bowl. By 1969 or 1970, the AFL merged with the NFL, becoming defunct. Kind of. I'm not entirely sure, to be honest.

In 2018, it was announced that a new league called the Alliance of American Football would begin in early 2019. It had minor differences from other football leagues, such as a 35-second play clock and a rule against throwing the ball into the stands.

The league started with solid reviews and looked promising. However, after only 8 weeks out of the scheduled 10, operations were suspended. Eventually, players were allowed to sign with the NFL. The league then filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and ceased to exist.

Lasting only 11 years, the ABA was quite a competitor to the NBA. The league had a significant impact, featuring legendary players such as Rick Barry, Julius Erving, and David Thompson. It was known for its appealing and creative style of play.

In 1976, the ABA folded, and teams like the Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs joined the NBA. The ABA introduced innovations such as the three-point line and the first dunk contest.

While the XFL was rebooted in 2020 and then again for 2022, the original XFL debuted in 2001. Owned by Vince McMahon, the XFL was like the real-life version of the video game NFL Blitz. It featured creative concepts like player microphones and a race for the ball to determine who gets the first possession.

Initially, the league had strong ratings, but they quickly dropped as people complained about the quality and the lack of competition with the NFL. After one season, the XFL became defunct.

Have you ever wanted to see football all year round? For a short period, the USFL made that possible. For three seasons, owner David Dixon aimed to bring professional football to the world during the spring and summer. NFL legends such as Jim Kelly, Reggie White, and Steve Young played in this league.

The league's sad end came when several owners, led by Donald Trump, went to court against the NFL. Although they won the case, they were then forced to fold.

In 2003, Canada had its own independent minor league baseball league, the Canadian Baseball League, owned by Ferguson Jenkins. The league had eight teams and a trophy called the Jenkins Cup, awarded to the team with the best record.

Despite early promise, the league did not meet expectations. After losing over 4 million dollars during its lone season, the league was auctioned off and never revived.

Originally called the World League of American Football, NFL Europe was backed by the NFL and featured teams from Europe. Between 1991 and 2007, it included teams from countries such as Germany, Spain, the UK, and the Netherlands.

The league had unique play ideas, such as awarding 4 points for field goals longer than 50 yards and having 10-minute overtime periods. Sadly, the league came to a close in 2007.

Besides the NHL, there were other hockey leagues, such as the International Hockey League and Western Hockey League. One standout was the World Hockey Association, which competed against the NHL from 1972-1979. The league featured legends like Bobby Hull, Gordie Howe, and Wayne Gretzky.

Eventually, the WHA merged with the NHL, bringing teams like the Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets into the NHL.

Opening in 1965, the Continental Football League aimed to become a major force in football alongside the NFL. It included famous players like Ken Stabler, Bill Walsh, and Steve Van Buren. By 1969, the league ended as teams folded, forfeited, or were revoked, making its demise inevitable.

The NASL I'm talking about is a time when the New York Cosmos once packed 70,000 fans into a football stadium. It was a time when Pele put this league on the map, when shootouts settled tied games, and when the term Soccer Bowl referred to a major event. ABC Sports, for better or worse, covered this league. This time is now forgotten, but never forgotten by those who participated in it.

Its Joeysworld

This league was founded by Philip K. Wrigley to keep baseball popular during WWII, when many MLB players were drafted. Beginning in 1943, the league had an 11-year run, with over 600 women playing. It even inspired the hit film A League of Their Own.