Past, Present, Future: A History of RI Sports Teams

Despite being the smallest state in the US, Rhode Island is no stranger to professional sports. Whether talking about current or former sports teams, the state has made its mark across major and minor league sports disciplines, shaping some of the biggest teams and leagues across hockey, American football, basketball, and baseball.

Providence Grays, Major League Baseball (1878–1884)

Major League Baseball was founded in 1876 and consisted of eight teams across the United States. However, after Hartford, Connecticut’s Dark Blues disbanded in 1877, Rhode Island was gifted a place on the league’s roster. This culminated in two championships in 1879 and 1884 before folding in 1885. The team’s alumni include Hall of Famer Charles "Old Hoss" Radbourn, who won 310 games in his pitching career.

Fall River Marksmen, Football (1922–1933)

The Marksmen made their mark in the US’s first professional soccer league, becoming one of the most successful soccer clubs in the United States, winning 340 out of 454 games. Unfortunately, with the rise of the Great Depression in the 1930s, the team relocated to New York City before the Great Depression stopped its relocation efforts soon after. In its tenure as a football club, it installed an innovative solution for nighttime games: floodlights.

Providence Steam Roller, American Football (1916–1933)

Predating the founding of the National Football League (NFL), the Steam Rollers joined the NFL in 1925 and became champions in 1928. The last champion team to no longer be in the NFL. During the 1928 season, the team’s lineup featured coach Hall of Famer Jimmy Conzelman and player George "Wildcat" Wilson. Unfortunately, money would run dry during the height of the Great Depression, forcing the team to fold in 1933.

Providence Steamrollers, Basketball (1946–1949)

The Steamrollers played in the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which became the National Basketball Association (NBA) shortly after the team folded in 1949. Despite being one of the league’s worst-performing teams, they did compete against the New York Knicks in the first-ever Christmas Day basketball game.

Providence Reds, Minor League Hockey (1926–1977)

Sharing its history with the American Hockey League (AHL), The Reds were the last unaffiliated team to ever reside in Rhode Island, lasting until 1972 before their ties with the New York Rangers and relocating to New York in 1977. However, the team lives on, playing in the AHL as the Hartford Wolf Pack, with all four of the Reds’ championships remaining as the only to the current team’s records.

Pawtucket Red Sox, Minor League Baseball (1970–2020)

The Red Sox, also known as the PawSox, was the affiliate and developmental team for the Boston Red Sox until the team relocated closer to Boston in Worchester, MA in 2021. In their time at Pawtucket, they won four league championships, the last of which came in 2014.

Providence Bruins, Minor League Hockey (1992–Present)

The Bruins are the affiliate team of the Boston Bruins and arrived in Providence after its tenure as the Maine Mariners from 1987 to 1992. Thus far, the team has secured one championship, which came back in 1999, and calls the Amica Mutual Pavillion home.

Rhode Island FC, Football (2019–Present)

After decades of affiliate and minor league teams, Rhode Island received its latest professional team in 2019 for the United Soccer League (USL). Located at Beirne Stadium in Smithfield, the football club hopes to become a flagship venue for sports and entertainment in Rhode Island and one of the most respected teams in their league.

JWU Wildcats, Collegiate Sports

Johnson & Wales University’s Providence Campus has 15 NCAA Division III teams, 4 club sports, and a Co-Ed Equestrian program. Over the years, it has acquired multiple Division III All-American and GNAC championships. The school hopes to provide an educational experience through intercollegiate athletic competition, intramurals, recreation, fitness, and wellness programs to inspire professional success and lifelong personal and intellectual growth.