The league was founded in 2015 in Rapid City, South Dakota, by Steve Wagner, who also served as president.

[2] The Rapid City Jackalopes, originally announced for the 2020 season,[3] were described in early 2020 as being "at least one more year away" due to the lack of a suitable stadium.

[8][9] The Canyon County Spuds and the Mining City Tommyknockers joined the league for the 2021 season in Caldwell, Idaho and Butte, Montana, respectively.

[10][11] In February 2021, the league announced plans for a new team in Grand Forks, North Dakota, later named the Red River Pilots,[12] to debut in 2022.

[13] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic closing the US-Canada border, the Wheat City Whiskey Jacks played their 2021 home games at Kraft Field in Grand Forks, North Dakota.