The National Pro Grid League (NPGL) was a professional athletics organization consisting of mixed-gender teams that operated from 2014 through 2016. No NPGL events have occurred since the final matches in 2016. The teams compete in timed events in the competition space referred to as "the grid". The NPGL refers to the sport itself as GRID and describes it as "strategic team athletics racing". History The sport was founded and developed by Tony Budding, a former employee of CrossFit Inc., who had had significant involvement in the CrossFit Games as media director. The NPGL was originally to be named the National Pro Fitness League. However, the acronym NPFL was deemed to be too similar to more popular National Football League (NFL), and the name was changed to the National Pro GRID League. Because of its similarities to CrossFit, Budding was able to secure early investors, a television contract with the NBC Sports Group, and an opening night in Madison Square Garden. However, the NPGL halted operations midway through its inaugural season due to potential investors' backing out. This led to cancellations of matches and caused the season to finish its finals in a format different from what was originally planned. Towards the end of the season, Budding was quietly let go as the CEO of the NPGL and replaced by Jim Kean, and Budding is no longer involved with the NPGL. For the NPGL's second season, in 2015, matches were held at only certain locations where they would often host multiple matches in a single day. The opening weekend took place on June 13–14 during the FitExpo at the San Jose Convention Center in San Jose, California, and all eight teams competed. The second matches were held regionally; all four Eastern Conference teams played in Landover, Maryland, one match at Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California, and one match at BankUnited Center in Miami, Florida. The final matches of the season were held on August 22–23 during the FitExpo at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, where all eight teams once again competed. The entire postseason took place from September 16 to September 20, also at the Anaheim Convention Center. Despite the league's initial strong ties to competitive CrossFit Games athletes, the DC Brawlers would win the NPGL Championship in the first two seasons using lesser known CrossFit competitors in their matches compared to other teams. In 2016, the