United States Football League

The United States Football League ( USFL ) was an American professional football league in American football.

History of the USFL

In 1982, some wealthy entrepreneurs, among them Donald Trump, the United States Football League, with which they wanted to make the established National Football League ( NFL) competition. He managed the team owners with the TV station ABC which was left empty-handed when assigning the NFL rights to sign a contract. In spring 1983, the League took their game mode with 12 teams. The League enjoyed a large audience quickly popular. This is mainly because the USFL against the football tradition in the spring rather than played in the fall and as the time until the start of the season the NFL ( and colleges ) bridged.

1984 expanded the league to 18 teams and succeeded, some talented college players and other stakeholders to convince them to give the more established NFL a rejection. These included numerous players and coaches, which later in the NFL had success quarterbacks Steve Young, Jim Kelly, Doug Flutie, running backs Kelvin Bryant and Herschel Walker, defensive end Reggie White and the head coach Jack Pardee, Jim Mora and Marv Levy.

The sporting success inspired the team owner, in particular the ambitious Donald Trump. Since the spring appointment appeared as second-class resort, the owners decided to also settle their championship in the fall of 1984, still with a slim majority to challenge the NFL directly from 1986.

However, the discussions led to conflict with the TV broadcasters, who cooperated closely with the NFL. In addition, some teams the venues were then not available, as in many places NFL teams or colleges had the privilege for fall and winter. Therefore, the USFL sued the NFL for violation of the antitrust laws and the formation of a monopoly. The process was indeed won in principle, but you could only get a symbolic compensation of first only 1 dollar awarded, but not free access to the stadiums still as lucrative TV contracts like the NFL. The USFL took therefore neither in the spring of 1986 in the fall of the match operation for a fourth season. Some of the staff moved to the NFL, where many players were able to successfully enforce.

The USFL was the last serious attempt of the NFL face a similar competitive league, especially since this was now learning from their mistakes and prevented her could be accused with some TV companies a monopoly formation. Even more caused by the USFL suggestions were adopted by the previous conservative NFL.

The idea of ​​playing football in the spring, the NFL took their own offshoot World League of American Football on from 1991 itself. In this common also in some ex- USFL locations such as New Jersey, Birmingham ( Alabama), Orlando ( Florida) and San Antonio ( Texas) WLAF teams set up. With the Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals later some of the USFL markets were henceforth supplied directly by NFL teams.

The owner of the NFL team Oakland Raiders - Al Davis, who had moved his team in the 1980s to Los Angeles, testified even in the USFL trial against his own league as these his " Wanderlust " did not agree.

Teams in the USFL

  • Arizona Wranglers
  • Birmingham Stallions
  • Boston Breakers / Breakers New Orleans / Portland Breakers
  • Chicago lightning
  • Denver Gold
  • Houston Gamblers
  • Jacksonville Bulls
  • Los Angeles Express
  • Memphis Showboats
  • Michigan Panthers
  • New Jersey Generals
  • Oakland Invaders
  • Oklahoma Outlaws / Arizona Outlaws
  • Orlando Renegades
  • Philadelphia Stars / Baltimore Stars
  • Pittsburgh Maulers
  • San Antonio Gunslingers
  • Tampa Bay Bandits
  • Washington Federals

Finals of the USFL

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