Hamilton Tiger-Cats Football Club | 7,769 followers on LinkedIn. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a member of the Canadian Football League (CFL) with a rich 146-year history, which includes 15 Grey Cup Championships. The Tiger-Cats are a product of a 1950 merger of two clubs - the Tigers and the Wildcats - and the origins of the franchise can be traced all the way back to 1869 when the Hamilton Tigers were established as the first professional football team in North America. Historically known for their ferocious defence and Steeltown toughness, today's Tiger-Cat franchise mirrors the excitement and evolution of their home city.