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Three problems plagued pro football in this time. Drastically rising salaries, people playing for different teams for the highest possible amount of money, and using college players still in school. The most logical answer seemed to be a league in which all members would follow similar rules. On August 20th in a Jordan and Hupmobile auto showroom, in Canton, Ohio, the American Professional Football Conference was formed. Another meeting was held to organize the new Conference. On September 17th, the name changed once more to the American Professional Football Association. The teams present were from four states, Ohio, Indiana, New York and Illinois. Jim Thorpe of Canton, Ohio was elected the first president. Stanley Cofall of Cleveland as elected as the vice president.
Scheduling of these games were left up to the teams themselves. Some variations existed in number of games played and the number played against APFA member teams. Four more teams, the Buffalo All-Americans, Chicago Tigers, Columbus Panhandles and Detroit Heralds joined the league later. September 26th was the very first game featuring an APFA team in Rock Island's Douglas Park. The Independants defeated the St. Paul Ideals 48-0 that day. October 3rd was the first game against two APFA teams. In Triangle Park, Dayton beat Columbus 14-0. Lou Partlow of Dayton scored the first touchdown in a game between APFA teams. By December, some of the teams disbanded and cancelled their franchises. The first ever APFA player deal was when Bob Nash was sold to Buffalo for $300 and five percent of the profit on gate reciepts.
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