The History of the USFL 1982-86
The USFL (United States Football League) existed from 1982 to 1985 for three
full seasons. Founded by David Dixon, from New Orleans, Louisiana, the USFL
announced its formation on May 11, 1982, at the 21 Club in New York City. Judge
Peter Spivak, part owner of one of twelve teams, was announced as the president
of the league, until full-time commissioner could be found.
During 1982-1985, the USFL fought a bitter war with the established National
Football League (the NFL) for players, fans, and media attention. In July of
1986, with a month before the league was to begin its first fall campaign, the
USFL won its suit against the NFL, but was awarded just one dollar in damages.
Before possible merger could of been made with the NFL due to NFL not wanting
competition in it's NFL cites, with hundreds of million dollars in debt, the
league had no choice but to fold before beginning its first fall campaign.
The USFL (United States Football League) existed from 1982 to 1985 for three
full seasons. Founded by David Dixon, from New Orleans, Louisiana, the USFL
announced its formation on May 11, 1982, at the 21 Club in New York City. Judge
Peter Spivak, part owner of one of twelve teams, was announced as the president
of the league, until full-time commissioner could be found. During 1982-1985,
the USFL fought a bitter war with the established National Football League (the
NFL) for players, fans, and media attention. In July of 1986, with a month before
the league was to begin its first fall campaign, the USFL won its suit against
the NFL, but was awarded just one dollar in damages. Before possible merger
could of been made with the NFL due to NFL not wanting competition in it's NFL
cites, with hundreds of million dollars in debt, the league had no choice but
to fold before beginning its first fall campaign.
The USFL hooked up with ESPN and ABC Sports to broadcast games national once
a week. Philadelphia Stars owned ratings with highest ratings among teams televised
in 1983. The league had to make some kind of splash. The New Jersey Generals
went out bought some talent, ignoring the salary cap. Heisman Trophy winner
Hershel Walker left college year earlier to sign huge money contract. The Generals
had a lot holes and couldn't make the playoffs. Denver Gold led the league in
attendance while Boston was at bottom. The league averaged 25,031 fans a game
for total of 2.073 million fans league wide. The Stars had leagues best record
with 15-3 and Panthers were next best with 12-6 record, tied with Chicago. Despite
11-6 record better than whole Pacific Division the Tampa Bay Bandits failed
to make playoffs due to highly competitive Central Division. With only division
winners making the playoffs and one wild card team the Chicago Blitz. It was
only natural that the leagues two best teams would make the Championship game.
The Panthers squeezed past Stars by two, 24-22 in front of 50,906 fans in Denver,
CO.
The 1984, the leagues' second would be all about expansion, player signings,
and more debt. The league tried to expand on its first season with success it
had. The league expanded with Houston Gamblers, Jacksonville Bulls, Memphis
Showboats, Oklahoma Outlaws, Pittsburgh Maulers, and San Antonio Gunslingers.
League needed capital and easiest way for league to get it was expansion. Boston
Breakers made their first move and it was to New Orleans. Teams signed players
like Reggie White, Steve Young, Mike Rozier, and Jim Kelly from hands of NFL
teams. Expansion Jacksonville Bulls lead the league in attendance with 46,730
and league had new king at bottom of attendance with Chicago Blitz. The major
problem in Chicago was that in 1983, the owners of Arizona and Chicago traded
places and franchises. Players from Arizona Wrangles and Chicago Blitz switched
franchises. The fans in Chicago were getting used to players before teams switched
places. Chicago lost its good team and got below .500 team in 1984. The fans
in Chicago already had Bears who were one of best in NFL; it made no real point
for fans to see terrible team when they could just wait until fall to watch
the Bears. Arizona got one of leagues best franchises the Blitz. Once again,
the Stars owned USFL record of 16 wins and 2 loses. New Jersey, Houston, Birmingham,
and Tampa Bay all wins in range of 12-14. Pittsburgh and Washington shared the
leagues worst record 3-15. With even more teams making the playoffs, besides
the division winners, the league had 4 wild card teams make the playoffs too.
Total of eight teams would make the playoffs. USFL fans would witness the longest
and greatest game in professional football history with LA Express beating Michigan
Panthers 27-21 in three overtimes. The Philadelphia Stars captured the crown
again with thrashing of Arizona Wranglers 23-3, in front of huge crowd in Tampa,
FL. After the season was completed the USFL named Harry Usher the new commissioner
of league.
The 1985 season brought some outrageous news. The USFL announced next season
it would begin play in normal football season the fall. The season switched
was not the only big news; the USFL filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL.
The news of switching to fall changed the league once again. Many cities like
Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Washington, and New Orleans already
had someone playing in its stadiums in fall season. All those teams would have
to face direct NFL competition for fans and media attention. The Stars left
Philadelphia for the recently vacated Baltimore since Colts moved west to Indianapolis.
Washington moved to Orlando to become Orlando Renegades. Originally Washington
was to move to Miami. Two mergers accord Michigan Panthers merged with the Oakland
Invaders and Arizona Wranglers and Oklahoma Outlaws merged to become the Arizona
Outlaws. Pittsburgh and Chicago wouldn't continue to play anymore, waving the
white flag. Donald Trump signed Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie, and traded
Brian Sipe to Jacksonville, to ensure Flutie would start. Tampa Bay was king
of attendance with 45,220 fans crossing the gate. The league also had new king
at bottom attendance with LA Express just averaging 8,415. The Merger paid off
for Oakland Invaders who now owned the league's best record with 13-4-1 records.
The league's first tie accord when Oakland and Baltimore tied. The Stars defeated
Invaders in front of decent sized crowd in Meadowlands, New Jersey, 28-24. Fans
didn't know at the time that was last USFL game ever played. Stars were the
leagues only two-time champion.
Its loyal fans are still remembering the USFL. The USFL was the "outlaw" league.
The USFL broke it's own salary cap structure to lured top college players like
Doug Flutie, Steve Young, Jim Kelly, and Herschel Walker. Four Heisman Trophy
winners played in USFL. It was the league that brought professional football
to future NFL cities like Jacksonville, Memphis, and Oakland.
The USFL had future NFL and CFL players begin their career in this "outlaw"
league. Doug Flutie, Herschel Walker, and Mike Rozier were former Heisman Trophy
winners. Future Super Bowl winners like Steve Young and Reggie White started
their professional careers in USFL. The USFL was also breeding ground for future
coaches like Marv Levy and Steve Spurrier. USFL had their loyal fan bases in
Jacksonville, Birmingham, Memphis, and Denver. USFL did have major attendance
problems in Los Angeles where they finished there 1985 season at high school
stadium, and in San Antonio, Chicago, and Washington.
Remember the USFL
