List of defunct Texas sports teams explained

This is a list of former sports teams from the US state of Texas:

Baseball

Major leagues

Negro leagues^{[1] [2] [3]}

• Austin Black Senators (early 1910s)
• Abilene Eagles
• Cleburne Yellow Jackets
• Dallas Black Giants
• Dallas Brown Bombers
• Dallas Green Monarchs
• Fort Worth Black Cats
• Fort Worth Black Panthers
• Fort Worth Giants
• Fort Worth Wonders
• Galveston Flyaways
• Houston Black Buffaloes
  • Houston Eagles Jasper Steers
• Mineola Black Spiders
• Paris Giants
• San Angelo Black Sheep Herders
  • San Antonio Black Bronchos San Antonio Black Indians
• San Antonio Bombers
• Waco Black Cardinals
• Waco Black Navigators
• Waco Yellowjackets
• Waco Tigers
• Wichita Falls Black Spudders

Minor leagues

American Association (20th century)

• Houston Buffaloes (1959–1961)

American Association of Independent Professional Baseball

• Coastal Bend Aviators (2003–2007)

Big State League

• Abilene Blue Sox (1956–1957), moved from West Texas–New Mexico League
• Austin Pioneers (1947–1955)
• Beaumont Exporters or Beaumont Shippers (1956); Beaumont Pirates (1957)
• Bryan Majors (1953); Bryan Indians (1954)
• Corpus Christi Clippers (1954–1957)
• Del Rio Indians (1954)
• Gainesville Owls (1947–1951)
  • Galveston White Caps (1954–1955), moved from Gulf Coast League Greenville Majors (1947–1950), moved from East Texas League (1946); Greenville Majors (1953)
• Harlingen Capitals (1954–1955), moved from Gulf Coast League (1951–1953) and Rio Grande Valley League (1950)
• Longview Cherokees (1952–1953)
  • Lubbock Hubbers (1956), moved from West Texas–New Mexico League Paris Red Peppers (1947), moved from East Texas League (1946); Paris Panthers (1948); Paris Indians (1952–1953)
• Port Arthur Sea Hawks (1955–1956), moved from Evangeline League (1954) and Gulf Coast League (1950–1953); Port Arthur Redlegs (1957)
• Sherman-Denison Twins (1947–1951)
• Temple Eagles (1949–1954); Temple Redlegs (1957)
• Texarkana Bears (1947–1953), moved from East Texas League (1946)
• Texas City Hubbers (1955); Texas City Exporters (1956)
• Tyler East Texans (1951–1953); Tyler Tigers (1954–1955)
• Victoria Eagles (1956); Victoria Rosebuds (1957), moved to Texas League (1958–1961)
• Waco Dons (1947); Waco Pirates (1948–1953), (1954–1956)
• Wichita Falls Spudders 1947–1953, moved to Longhorn League (1954); Wichita Falls Spudders (1956–1957)

Central Baseball League

• Abilene Prairie Dogs (1995–1999)
• Coastal Bend Aviators (2003–2007)
  • Corpus Christi Barracudas Lubbock Crickets (?-1995)
• Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings (1994–2003, 2006–2007) now Harlingen WhiteWings (2008–present)
• San Antonio Tejanos (1995)
• Tyler Wildcatters (1994–1997)

Continental Baseball League

• Texas Heat (2007)

Mexican League

• Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos (Owls of the Two Laredos) (1940–1984); renamed Tecolotes de Nuevo Laredo (1985–present)

Texas Association (Class-C)

First stage: 1896/second stage:1923–1926^[4]

Teams/years

Austin Rangers	1923–1924
Austin Senators	1896, 1925–1926
Corsicana Oilers	1923–1928
Dallas Navigators	1896
Denison Tigers	1896
Fort Worth Panthers	1896
Galveston Sandcrabs	1896
Houston Buffaloes	1896
Marlin Bathers	1923–1925
Mexia Gushers	1923–1928
Palestine Pals	1925–1926
San Antonio Missionaries	1896
Sherman Students	1896
Sherman Twins	1923
Paris Midlands	1896
Temple Surgeons	1924–1926
Terrell Terrors	1925–1926
Waco Indians	1923–1924

Texas League

• Alexandria Aces
• Amarillo Giants
• Amarillo Gold Sox (1939–1982)
• Amarillo Sonics
• Ardmore Rosebuds
• Ardmore Territorians
• Austin Braves
• Austin Senators
• Beaumont Exporters (1920–49) and (1953–55)
• Beaumont Golden Gators (1983–1986)
• Beaumont Millionaires
• Beaumont Oil Gushers
• Beaumont Oilers
• Brenham Orphans
• Cleburne Railroaders (1906–1907)
• Corpus Christi Giants
• Corsicana Oil Citys
• Corsicana Oilers
• Dallas Eagles (1958–1964)
• Dallas Giants (1958–1964), under name Dallas Rangers
• Dallas Griffins
• Dallas Marines
• Dallas Rangers (1958–1964)
• Dallas Rebels (1958–1964), under name Dallas Rangers
• Dallas Steers (1958–1964), under name Dallas Rangers
• Dallas Submarines
• Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs (1965–1971)
• El Paso Dodgers
• El Paso Sun Kings
• Fort Worth Cats (1958–1964), under name Dallas Rangers
• Fort Worth Panthers (1958–1964), under name Dallas Rangers
• Galveston Buccaneers
• Galveston Crabs
• Galveston Pirates
• Galveston Sand Crabs
• Houston Buffaloes (1907–1958)
• Houston Wanderers
• Longview Cannibals
• Midland Angels (1985–1998), now Midland RockHounds
• Midland Cubs (1972–1984), now Midland RockHounds
• Paris Eisenfelder's Homeseekers
• Paris Parisites
• Rio Grande Valley Giants (1960–1961)
  • San Antonio Bears San Antonio Brewers
• San Antonio Bronchos
• San Antonio Bullets
• San Antonio Dodgers (1977–1987), now San Antonio Missions
• San Antonio Indians
• The San Antonio Missions were AA Team that moved to Amarillo in 2018 and renamed Sod Poodles
• Sherman-Denison Students
• Texarkana Casketmakers
• Tyler Sports
• Victoria Rosebuds (1959–1961)
• Victoria Toros
• Waco Cubs
• Waco Navigators
• Waco Steers
• Waco Tigers
• Wichita Falls Spudders (1920–1957)
• Wichita Pilots (1989–2007), became Wichita Wranglers in 1989
• Wichita Wranglers (1989–2007)

Texas–Louisiana League

• Laredo Apaches (1940–1995)
• Beaumont Bullfrogs (1994)

West Texas–New Mexico League

• Abilene Apaches (1939); became Abilene Blue Sox (1946–1955)
• Amarillo Gold Sox (1939–1942); Amarillo Gold Sox (1946–1955), moved to Western League 1956–1958
• Big Spring Barons 1938–1940; Big Spring Bombers (1941); Big Spring Pirates (1942)
• Borger Gassers (1939–1942, 1946–1954)
• El Paso Texans (1955), moved to Southwestern League 1956–1957, moved from Arizona–Texas League 1952–1954
• Lamesa Lobos (1939–1941); Lamesa Dodgers (1942); Lamesa Lobos (1946–1952)
• Lubbock Hubbers (1938–1942), (1946–1955), moved to Big State League (1956–1958)
• Midland Cardinals (1937–1938); Midland Cowboys (1939–1940)
• Monahans Trojans (1937)
• Odessa Oilers (1937); Odessa Oilers (1940)
• Pampa Oilers (1939–1942), (1946–1955), moved to Southwestern League (1956–1957)
• Plainview Ponies (1953–1955), moved to Southwestern League (1956–1957)
• Wichita Falls Spudders (1941–1942)
• Wink Spudders (1937–1938)

Basketball

Men's

American Basketball Association

• Dallas Chaparrals (1967–1973), became the San Antonio Spurs
• Houston Mavericks (1967–1969)

Continental Basketball Association

• Wichita Falls Texans (1988–1994)

Women's

National Women's Basketball League

• Houston Stealth (2002–2004)

Women's National Basketball Association

• San Antonio Stars (2003−2017)
• Houston Comets (1997–2008)

Cricket

Pro Cricket

• Texas Arrow Heads (2004)

Football

Major football leagues

American Football League - National Football League

• Houston Oilers (1960–1996), became the Tennessee Oilers (1997–1998), then renamed the Tennessee Titans
• Dallas Texans (1952)
• Dallas Texans (1960–1962), became the Kansas City Chiefs

Canadian Football League

• San Antonio Texans (1995)

Spring Football League

• Houston Marshals (2000)
• San Antonio Matadors (2000)

United States Football League

• Houston Gamblers (1984–1985)
• San Antonio Gunslingers (1984–1985)

World Football League

• San Antonio Wings (1975)
• Houston Texans (1974–1975)

World League of American Football

• San Antonio Riders (1991–1992)

Arena-indoor football

American Professional Football League

• Conroe Storm (2007-2008)
• Texas Thunder (2004)
• Wichita Falls Diablos (2008)

Arena Football League

• Austin Wranglers (2004–2007)
• Dallas Desperados (2002-2008)
• Dallas Texans (1990–1993)
• Fort Worth Cavalry (1994)
• Houston Thunderbears (1996–2001)
• San Antonio Force (1992)
• San Antonio Talons (2012–2014)
• Texas Terror (1996–1997)

Alliance of American Football AFL

• San Antonio Commanders (2019)

AF2

• Laredo Law

Champions Indoor Football

• San Angelo Bandits (2015–2016)

Indoor Professional Football League

• Texas Terminators (1999)

Intense Football League

• El Paso Rumble (2004)
• Laredo Lobos (2006–2007)
• Lubbock Lone Stars (2004–2005)

National Indoor Football League

• Beaumont Drillers (2003–2008)
• Fort Worth Sixers (2007)
• Houston Wild Riders (2007)
• Lubbock Gunslingers (2004–2005)
• San Antonio Steers (2007)
• Waco Marshals (2004)
• Wichita Falls Thunder (2004)

Professional Indoor Football League

• Texas Bullets (1998)

Women's Professional Football League

• Austin Rage (2003)
• Tulsa Black Widows (2006)

Hockey

Ice hockey

American Hockey League

• Houston Aeros (1994–2013)^[5]
• San Antonio Rampage 2002-2020 - Team moved to Las Vegas for the 2020-2021 season

American Hockey Association (1926–1942)

• Dallas Texans (1941–1945)
• Fort Worth Rangers (1941–1945)

Central Hockey League

Includes teams that began in the WPHL before the merger in 2001.

• Amarillo Gorillas/Rattlers (1996–2010)
• Austin Ice Bats (1996–2008)
• Border City Bandits (Texarkana, Texas, 2000–2001)
• Corpus Christi IceRays (1998–2010)
• Dallas Freeze (1992–1995)
• El Paso Buzzards (1996–2003)
• Fort Worth Brahmas (1997–2013)
• Fort Worth Fire (1992–1999)
• Laredo Bucks (2002–2012)
• Lubbock Cotton Kings (1999–2007)
• Odessa Jackalopes (1997–2011)
• Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (2003–2012)
• San Angelo Saints/Outlaws (1997–2005)
• San Antonio Iguanas (1994–1997, 1998–2002)

Central Hockey League (1963–1984)

• Amarillo Wranglers (1968–1969, 1970–1971)
• Dallas Black Hawks (1967–1981)
• Fort Worth Texans (1974–1982)
• Fort Worth Wings (1967–1974)
• Houston Apollos (1965–1969)

Southwest Hockey League (1975–1977)

• Amarillo Wranglers (1975–1977)

United States Hockey League

• Dallas Texans (1945–46, 1948–49)
• Fort Worth Rangers (1945–49)^[6]
• Houston Huskies (1947–1949)
• Houston Skippers (1946–47)

Western Professional Hockey League

Teams that did not join the CHL in 2001:

• Central Texas Stampede (1996–2001)
• Lake Charles Ice Pirates (1997–2001)
• Waco Wizards (1996–2000)

World Hockey Association

• Houston Aeros (1972–1978)

Roller hockey

Roller Hockey International

• Austin Chiles (1999)
• Dallas Stallions (1999)

Soccer

Men's

Continental Indoor Soccer League

• Dallas Sidekicks (1983–2004)
• Houston Hotshots (1993–2000)

Lone Star Soccer Alliance

• Austin Thunder (1987–92)
• Dallas Inter (1987–92), as Dallas Express in 1987, as Dallas Mean Green in 1988, as F.C. Dallas in 1989–91
• Houston Alianza (1988–91)
• Houston Dynamos - Houston International (1987–1991)
• Houston Summit (1978–1980)
• San Antonio Alamo (1987–90, as San Antonio International in 1987–89)
• San Antonio XLR8 (1992)
• Wichita Falls Fever (1989–92)

North American Soccer League

• Dallas Tornado (1967–1981)
• Houston Hurricane (1978–1980)
• Houston Stars (1968)

United Soccer Leagues

• Amarillo Challengers
• Austin Lightning (2002–2007)
• Austin Lone Stars (1987–2000)
• Dallas Americans (1984–85)
  • Dallas Lightning (1993–1996); originally Tyler Lightning, then Texas Lightning Dallas Rockets (1991–1992)
• El Paso/Juarez Gamecocks (1985)
• Houston Dynamos (1984)
• Houston Express (1988–1990)
• Houston Force (1995)
• San Antonio Scorpions (2011–2015)

Women's

Women's Premier Soccer League

• Houston Stars

Team tennis

World TeamTennis

• Austin Aces (2014–2015; relocated to become the Orange County Breakers)
• Houston E-Z Riders (1974)
• Houston Astro-Knots (1982–1983)
• Houston Wranglers (2005–2007)
• Texas Wild (2013–2014; relocated to become the California Dream and then folded after the 2015 season)
• Dallas Stars (1982–1983)^[7]
• San Antonio Racquets (1985-1994)

Lacrosse

Major League Lacrosse

• Dallas Rattlers (2017-2020) ^[8]

See also

• List of defunct Florida sports teams
• List of defunct Georgia sports teams
• List of defunct Idaho sports teams
• List of defunct Mississippi sports teams
• List of defunct Ohio sports teams
• List of defunct Pennsylvania sports teams
• Sports in San Antonio

Sources

• "Texas Almanac 2008–2009", The Dallas Morning News, c.2008

Notes and References

1. Web site: Negro League Baseball Blog . 2009-06-23 . 2006-10-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20061010100630/http://blog.negroleaguebaseball.com/negro_league_blog/2006/08/negro_league_or.html . dead .
2. Web site: News . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110928154054/http://www.sanangelocolts.com/news/?id=6121 . 2011-09-28 . 2011-10-18 . sanangelocolts.com.
3. Web site: Negro League Baseball Message Board . 2009-06-23 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20070817222210/http://www.nlbpa.com/message_view.asp?imsg=2297 . 2007-08-17 .
4. https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/league.cgi?code=TEXA&class=C Texas Association history at Baseball Reference
5. [Houston Aeros (1994–2013)]
6. Web site: Fort Worth Rangers Statistics and History [USHL] ]. hockeydb.com.
7. Web site: 1982-1983 Dallas Stars . 24 March 2014 .
8. News: November 16, 2017 . Rattlers to Relocate to Frisco, TX for 2018 Season . https://web.archive.org/web/20190219102755/http://www.majorleaguelacrosse.com/articles/rattlers-to-relocate-to-frisco-tx-for-2018-season . February 19, 2019 . . Boston.