ComedySportz was started in 1984 in Milwaukee, WI, by Dick Chudnow, who based it on the competitive Theatresports improvisational techniques of Keith Johnstone from Calgary, Alberta. Expansion began with the addition of Madison, WI, in 1985. The continued growth of ComedySportz culminated in the birth of The World Comedy League, which licenses the ComedySportz show and promotes the business and artistic side of CSz. The WCL now has grown to over 20 teams, including teams in Manchester, U.K and Berlin, Germany.