The first professional football team in New York had the full backing of the New York Giants baseball team. The team playing at the Polo Grounds was set to make its debut in 1919, but due to New York's blue laws outlawing games on Sunday the plans were scraped.

The Blue Laws would be changed and the Polo Grounds was host of a showcase game between the Canton Bulldogs and the Buffalo All-Americans at the Polo Grounds in December 1920. The game attracted 20,000 spectators witnessed the contest, a strong showing for the league's first season.