 In 1979, the Bears became a founding member of the "American Football Bundesliga", renamed the German Football League in 1999, together with the Frankfurter Löwen, Düsseldorf Panther, Ansbach Grizzlies, Munich Cowboys und Bremerhaven Seahawks.The Bears came third in their first season in competitive football, but was unable to make the play-off in its first four seasons.To improve on-the-field performance, the team decided to join established club BSC Wilmersdorf in 1981, changing its club colors and name, becoming the Berlin Adler.