The NNL and the NAL faced each other in the Negro World Series at the end of the season to determine an overall champion.
z: best record, c: conference winner, y: division winner, w: wildcard, x: clinched playoff spot
The 1942 Cleveland Buckeyes, managed by Walter Burch and Parnell Woods, missed the postseason after finishing the NAL regular season in 3rd place with a 39-21-1 record.