On February 13, 1920, Andrew “Rube” Foster and a group of team owners established the Negro National League in Kansas City, Missouri, creating a professional platform for Black athletes. A month later, Prof. William M. Brooks and Monroe D. Young represented Knoxville at a meeting to help form the Negro Southern League (NSL). Knoxville secured its spot among eight founding teams, with Brooks, a respected educator and community leader, becoming the NSL’s first secretary and the Knoxville Giants' first manager. The Knoxville Giants were Knoxville’s first professional Black baseball team when it joined the Negro Southern League as an inaugural member in 1920. The Giants quickly assembled a roster and prepared for their debut season, drawing excitement and strong support from Knoxville’s Black community. For many years, the Giants were Knoxville’s only professional baseball team.

After departing from the Negro Southern League (NSL) following the 1922 season, the Knoxville Giants continued to play independently, driven by an unwavering passion for baseball. Unlike their earlier NSL rosters, which featured players from across the region, the independent Giants were composed predominantly of local talent, many of whom had grown up watching the 1920 team. This local composition fostered a deep camaraderie that extended beyond the field. The Giants often assisted visiting teams facing financial hardships, exemplifying their sportsmanship and community spirit.