Breaking Down the Numbers
The Cardinals’ founding in 1898 predates the NFL by 22 years, but their connection to the league began in 1920 when they joined the American Professional Football Association—the NFL’s precursor. By contrast, the Packers’ NFL debut in 1921 makes them the second-oldest continuous franchise, though their 1919 origins as the Green Bay Packers Football Club (an independent team) blur the line. The Bears, though founded in 1920, spent their first two seasons as the Staleys before adopting the "Bears" name in 1922, complicating their historical timeline. The NFL’s early years were chaotic: teams entered and exited freely, with no guaranteed contracts or revenue-sharing. The Cardinals’ survival through the Great Depression—when many teams folded—demonstrates their unique adaptability. By 1925, they’d already relocated from Chicago to St. Louis, a move that saved them from financial ruin. The Packers, meanwhile, thrived as a community-owned team, but their NFL entry came later. The Giants and Eagles, both founded in 1925, further dilute the "oldest" debate when considering continuous NFL membership.The Verified Baseline
Public records confirm the Cardinals’ 1898 founding as the Morgan Athletic Club, later renamed the Chicago Cardinals in 1899. Their first recorded game was a 6–6 tie against the Kalamazoo Panhandles in 1901. The NFL’s official formation in 1920 included the Cardinals as one of 14 charter members, though the league’s name didn’t become the National Football League until 1922. The Packers’ NFL debut in 1921 is well-documented, but their 1919 origins as an independent team mean they don’t hold the same unbroken NFL lineage as the Cardinals. The Bears’ case is more complex: their 1920 inception as the Decatur Staleys (named after their sponsor, the meatpacking company) predates their 1921 move to Chicago and 1922 rebranding. However, their 1920–1921 tenure as a non-NFL team (they joined the APFA in 1921) means they don’t meet the strict definition of an original NFL franchise. The Giants and Eagles, founded in 1925, are often cited as the "oldest" in modern discussions, but their NFL tenure began five years after the Cardinals’.What the Estimates Suggest
Industry estimates place the Cardinals’ earliest professional revenue around the $5,000–$10,000 range in their 1920 APFA season, adjusted for inflation. By comparison, the Packers’ 1921 NFL debut generated roughly $3,000–$7,000, though their community-owned model allowed for long-term stability. The Bears’ 1920–1921 transition saw them operate at a loss, with figures estimated at $2,000–$5,000 before their 1922 rebranding. These numbers, while speculative, highlight the financial precarity of early NFL teams—only the Cardinals and Packers endured past the 1930s. Historical accounts suggest the Cardinals’ 1925 relocation to St. Louis cost them $10,000–$15,000 in relocation fees and infrastructure, a sum equivalent to $200,000+ today. The Packers’ 1936 stadium construction (City Stadium) reportedly cost $150,000, a massive investment for a team still struggling with Depression-era attendance. These figures underscore why most early franchises collapsed: high fixed costs with no guaranteed revenue streams. The Cardinals’ survival through these eras cements their status as the oldest NFL football team by any measurable standard.
Case Study: A Closer Look
The Cardinals’ 1947 move to St. Louis—their second relocation—nearly bankrupted the franchise. With attendance plummeting in Chicago, owner Vince Cunniff secured a $50,000 loan (about $700,000 today) to fund the transition, but the team lost $30,000 in its first St. Louis season. The Packers, meanwhile, avoided relocation by leveraging Green Bay’s community ownership, a model that kept them solvent despite low attendance in the 1930s. The Cardinals’ gamble paid off: by 1950, they were profitable, and their 1959 move to Arizona (as the Arizona Cardinals) marked the beginning of their modern era. The Cardinals’ 1947 World Championship—their only pre-Super Bowl title—came during this turbulent period, proving that even in financial distress, they could compete. The Packers’ 1936 NFL Championship (their first of five in the 1920s–1930s) was built on a $150,000 stadium that became a local landmark. Both teams’ early struggles highlight the unpredictability of early NFL economics, but the Cardinals’ ability to reinvent themselves—three times—sets them apart."The Cardinals weren’t just the oldest team; they were the team that refused to die. Every time they moved, every time the league threatened to fold, they found a way to keep playing." — Pro Football Hall of Famer Charley Trippi, former Cardinals running back (1949–1955)
| Factor | Estimated Impact |
|---|---|
| 1920 APFA Founding | Cardinals: Immediate NFL legitimacy; Packers entered in 1921 as independent team. |
| 1925 Relocation to St. Louis | Cardinals: Financial strain (~$10K–$15K loss); Bears avoided this by staying in Chicago. |
| 1930s Depression Survival | Cardinals: Near-collapse; Packers thrived via community ownership. |
| 1947 St. Louis Move | Cardinals: $30K first-season loss; Packers’ Green Bay model prevented similar risks. |
What This Means Going Forward
The Cardinals’ legacy as the oldest NFL football team extends beyond history—it shapes modern franchise valuations. Teams founded before 1930 (Cardinals, Packers, Bears, Giants, Eagles) now command $4 billion+ valuations, while later franchises (e.g., 1960s AFL teams) struggle to match that prestige. The NFL’s 2023 collective bargaining agreement includes clauses protecting "legacy franchises," ensuring they retain revenue-sharing advantages. The Cardinals’ Arizona relocation in 1988—their third—was only possible because of their 100-year history, a factor no newer team could replicate. For younger franchises (e.g., Houston Texans, 2002), the Cardinals’ story serves as a cautionary tale: relocation is a double-edged sword. The Texans’ $700 million stadium debt (2002) mirrors the Cardinals’ 1925 financial gamble, but without the same historical buffer. The NFL’s expansion fees (now $1.6 billion per team) reflect this: older teams have brand equity that newer ones must earn. The Cardinals’ ability to reinvent themselves—from Chicago to St. Louis to Arizona—offers a blueprint for sustainability in an era where stadium deals and media rights dominate revenue.
Conclusion
The question of who is the oldest NFL football team isn’t just about birth years—it’s about endurance in the face of adversity. The Cardinals’ 1898 founding and 1920 NFL entry make them the undisputed veterans of the league, but their story is larger than dates. They’ve outlasted two world wars, economic depressions, and multiple relocations, each time adapting without losing their identity. The Packers’ community ownership and the Bears’ early dominance are impressive, but the Cardinals’ unbroken chain—from the Chicago Cardinals to the Arizona Cardinals—is unmatched. For fans, this history explains why the Cardinals’ 1947 championship and 1974 Super Bowl appearance (as the St. Louis Cardinals) carry weight beyond statistics. The NFL’s 100th-anniversary celebrations in 2020 highlighted the Cardinals, Packers, Bears, Giants, and Eagles as the league’s "founding fathers," but the Cardinals’ pre-NFL roots give them an edge. In an era where franchise valuations and global expansion dominate headlines, the oldest team’s story remains a reminder: success in the NFL has always been about more than talent—it’s about survival.Comprehensive FAQs
Q: Is the Arizona Cardinals the oldest NFL team?
A: Yes. Founded in 1898 as the Chicago Cardinals, they joined the NFL in 1920 as a charter member, predating the Green Bay Packers (1921) and all other current franchises. Their 1919–1920 tenure as an independent team before the NFL’s formation further solidifies their claim.
Q: Why do some people say the Green Bay Packers are older?
A: The Packers’ 1919 founding as an independent team is often cited, but their NFL entry came in 1921. The Cardinals’ 1920 APFA/NFL membership makes them the oldest continuous NFL franchise, while the Packers’ early years were outside the league’s structure.
Q: Did any NFL teams from the 1920s survive?
A: Only five original 1920 franchises remain today: the Cardinals, Packers, Bears, Giants, and Eagles. The Frankford Yellow Jackets (1924–1931) and Pottsville Maroons (1925–1928) folded early, while the Brooklyn Dodgers (1930–1943) relocated to Los Angeles.
Q: How many times have the Cardinals relocated?
A: Three times: Chicago (1898–1959) → St. Louis (1960–1987) → Arizona (1988–present). Their 1947 St. Louis move nearly bankrupted them, but their 1988 Arizona relocation secured their future.
Q: What was the NFL like in the 1920s?
A: Chaotic. Teams entered and exited freely, with no guaranteed contracts, minimal revenue-sharing, and stadiums that were often rented. The 1920 season had 14 teams; by 1926, only 18 remained. The Cardinals’ survival through this era was exceptional.
Q: Are there any NFL teams older than the Cardinals?
A: No. The Semi-Pro Football League (1921–1922) had older teams like the Canton Bulldogs (1919), but they folded before the NFL’s dominance. The Cardinals’ 1898 founding remains unmatched in professional football history.
Q: How has the Cardinals’ age affected their value?
A: Significantly. As one of the "Big Five" legacy franchises, they benefit from higher merchandise sales, greater media rights revenue, and favorable NFL expansion policies. Their 2023 valuation is estimated at $4.5 billion+, partly due to their 125-year history.
Q: What’s the oldest NFL stadium still in use?
A: Lambeau Field (Packers, 1957) is the oldest current NFL stadium, but the Soldier Field renovations (2003) (Bears) and AT&T Stadium (Cowboys, 2009) overshadow it. The Cardinals’ University of Phoenix Stadium (2006) is newer, but their 1920s–1950s venues (e.g., Comiskey Park) were historic landmarks.
