Established on July 12, 1930, the 1930 season was the inaugural season of the Portsmouth Spartans. The club was sponsored by the Green Bay Packers. In the team's first season, the Spartans finished eighth in the league. The Spartans played their first game on September 14 beating the Newark Tornados 13-6. One notable game was on September 24 when the Spartans defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers at University Stadium. It was the first NFL night game played in front of portable lights University Stadium.