List of National Basketball League (United States) champions


The National Basketball League Championship was the final series for the NBL and the conclusion of its postseason. The championship series were played in varying best-of-three or best-of-five formats. From 1937–38 to 1939–40, and again from 1944–45 to 1948–49, the championship series pitted the winners from the Eastern Division against the winners from the Western Division. However, due to fewer teams in the league caused by World War II, the NBL was not separated into divisions between 1940–41 and 1943–44, therefore the playoffs included the top four teams in the single-division league. Home court advantage was determined by better overall record heading into the championship series.
Three teams are tied with the most NBL championships at two each – the Akron Firestone Non-Skids, Oshkosh All-Stars, and Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons. The Oshkosh All-Stars have the most championship appearances of any team with six, followed by the Sheboygan Red Skins' five appearances.

Champions

BoldWinning team of the NBL Championship
ItalicsTeam with home-court advantage

1938 to 1940

1941 to 1944

1945 to 1949