The Staten Island Stapletons were formed as a neighborhood team in the New York Borough of Staten Island in 1915. The team was organized by Dan Blaine, who also served as the team's halfback, and later became rich by franchising restaurants.

The team played in the Stapleton neighborhood in Staten Island, giving the team its name. The team won several local semi-pro titles before and after World War I.

The Stapletons would get their own stadium in 1921, when Thompson's Lumber Company built them an 8,000 seat stadium. In 1924, the Stapes as they were commonly called won the Metropolitan Championship in New York, but they would soon be overshadowed when the New York Giants were formed in 1925.

The Stapletons would face the Giants on Thanksgiving and put up a good showing before losing 7-0. The Stapletons remained in the shadows in 1926, losing 33-0 to the Newark Bears of the AFL.

As the AFL folded after one season, the Stapletons would benefit signing several players off the Bears roster including Doug Wycoff. In 1928 the Stapes had their finest season at 10-1-1, including 7-0 upset of the Giants at the Polo Grounds, as they won three of four matchup with teams in the NFL.

When the New York Yankees folded following the 1928 season, Dan Blaine sought permission from Giants Owner Tim Mara for the franchise rights and joined the NFL.