United States Football League
Sport	American football
Founded	1982
No. of teams	23 (all)
Country(ies)	United States
Ceased	1985
Last champion(s)	Baltimore Stars

The United States Football League was a short-lived professional American football league that played three seasons between 1983 and 1985. Although it lasted only three years, it was by far the National Football League's strongest competitor since the 1960s version of the American Football League. United States Football League logo, claiming fair use This work is copyrighted. ... United States simply as football, is a competitive team sport that is both fast-paced and strategic. ... See also: 1981 in sports, other events of 1982, 1983 in sports and the list of years in sports. // Auto Racing Stock car racing: NASCAR Championship - Darrell Waltrip Bobby Allison won the Daytona 500 CART Racing - Rick Mears won the season championship Indianapolis 500 - Gordon Johncock Formula One Champion - Keke... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... See also: 1984 in sports, other events of 1985, 1986 in sports and the list of years in sports. // Auto Racing Stock car racing: Bill Elliott won the Daytona 500 NASCAR Championship - Darrell Waltrip Ken Schrader enters NASCAR CART Racing - Al Unser Sr won the season championship Indianapolis 500 - Danny... The Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars were a professional American football team which played in the United States Football League in the mid-1980s. ... United States simply as football, is a competitive team sport that is both fast-paced and strategic. ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... This article is about the year. ... NFL redirects here. ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from 1960 to 1969, inclusive. ... The American Football League (AFL) was a professional football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when all of its teams were absorbed into the National Football League (NFL). ...

Organization

The USFL was the brainchild of David Dixon, a New Orleans antique dealer who had been instrumental in bringing the New Orleans Saints to town. In 1965, he envisioned football as a possible spring and summer sport. David Dixon (b. ... New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana, United States of America. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Year 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. ... United States simply as football, is a competitive team sport that is both fast-paced and strategic. ...

Over the next 15 years, he studied the last two challengers to the NFL's dominance of pro football--the AFL and the World Football League. In 1980, he commissioned a study by Frank Magid Associates that found promising results for a spring and summer football league. He'd also formed a blueprint for the prospective league's operations, which included early television exposure, heavy promotion in home markets, and owners willing to absorb years of losses--which he felt would be inevitable until the league found its feet. He also assembled a list of prospective franchises located in markets attractive to a potential television partner. WFL logo The World Football League was an American football league that played in 1974 and part of 1975. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ...

With respected college and NFL coach John Ralston as the first employee, Dixon signed up 12 cities--nine where there was already an NFL team and three where there wasn't one. They quickly reached an over-the-air television deal with ABC Sports and a cable deal with then-fledgling ESPN. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... [1] ABC Sports is a division of ABC, responsible for the televising of many sports events on the network. ... ESPN/ESPN-DT, formerly an acronym for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, is an [[United States|Amer<nowiki>Insert non-formatted text here--68. ...

After almost two years of preparation, Dixon formally announced the USFL's formation at the 21 Club in New York City on May 11, 1982; to begin play in 1983. ESPN president Chet Simmons was named the league's first commissioner. The 21 Club is a restaurant and former prohibition-era speakeasy, located at 21 West 52nd Street in New York City. ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ... is the 131st day of the year (132nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ...

Franchise instability

While no teams folded during any season of the USFL, it was a close call in many cases, and some franchises folded before or after a season's play. Even before the league played a down, there was considerable flux surrounding the Los Angeles franchise. The problem started when the original owner of the Los Angeles franchise, Alex Spanos, pulled out and instead became a minority owner of the NFL's San Diego Chargers. Jim Joseph, part-owner of the Oakland Invaders, snapped up the rights to the area. Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ... Alexander Gus Spanos (born September 28, 1923 in Stockton, California) is an American real estate developer and self-made billionaire who owns the San Diego Chargers. ... “Chargers” redirects here. ... Oakland Invaders were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League (USFL) from 1983 through 1985. ...

However, the owners of the USFL's San Diego franchise, cable television moguls Bill Daniels and Alan Harmon, were denied a lease for Jack Murphy Stadium--in part due to pressure from the Chargers. Los Angeles was seen as critical to the league's success, and Dixon and Simmons felt that two cable moguls would be better suited to head up the league's efforts there. Joseph was forced to move his operation to Phoenix, Arizona; where it became the Arizona Wranglers. Daniels and Harmon's team became the Los Angeles Express. Flag Seal Nickname: Americas Finest City Location Location of San Diego within San Diego County Coordinates , Government County San Diego Mayor City Attorney         City Council District One District Two District Three District Four District Five District Six District Seven District Eight Jerry Sanders (R) Michael Aguirre Scott Peters Kevin... Qualcomm Stadium, formerly known as San Diego Stadium and Jack Murphy Stadium, is a multiple-use stadium in San Diego, California. ... Nickname: Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: , Country State Counties Maricopa Incorporated February 25, 1881 Government  - Type Council-Manager  - Mayor Phil Gordon (D) Area  - City  515. ... Arizona Wranglers were a professional American Football team in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. ... The Los Angeles Express was a team in the United States Football League, an attempt to form a second major professional football league in the United States to compete with the established National Football League. ...

Once play actually started, the league experienced a great deal of franchise instability, relocation, and closure.

• During the 1983-1984 off-season:
  • The Boston Breakers were forced to move to New Orleans after only one season. They played in tiny Nickerson Field on the campus of Boston University, and lost money even when they sold out due to its small capacity. Unable to find a more suitable venue, the Breakers were forced to move.
  • The owners of the Arizona Wranglers and Chicago Blitz franchises basically traded teams, with virtually all 1983 Arizona players playing in Chicago for 1984 and vice-versa. The effect of this was that Chicago traded one of the strongest teams in the league for a team that finished last in its division. However, the Blitz' new owner pulled out before the 1984 season started, and the Blitz were taken over by the league.
  • Needing fresh capital, the league expanded from 12 to 18 teams, adding the Pittsburgh Maulers, Houston Gamblers, San Antonio Gunslingers, Memphis Showboats, Oklahoma Outlaws and Jacksonville Bulls. The Outlaws were originally slated to play in San Diego, but as was the case with what became the Express, could not get a lease for Jack Murphy Stadium.

• During the 1984-1985 off-season:
  • After the league announced plans to move to the fall in 1986 (see below), the Breakers moved a second time, this time to Portland, Oregon. The defending champion Philadelphia Stars moved to Baltimore. The Michigan Panthers merged with the Oakland Invaders, while the Pittsburgh Maulers folded.
  • The owner of the Los Angeles Express, J. William Oldenburg, went bankrupt, abandoning his franchise and putting the league's contract with ABC in jeopardy.
  • The Washington Federals were relocated to Orlando, Florida, where they would become the Orlando Renegades. They were originally slated to move to Miami, but the league's move to the fall altered those plans.
  • The Arizona Wranglers (see Chicago Blitz of 1983) would merge with the Oklahoma Outlaws, forming the Arizona Outlaws. The Outlaws had originally intended to merge with the Oakland Invaders, but an agreement between their owners couldn't be reached.
  • The Chicago Blitz (see Arizona Wranglers of 1983) also folded. Eddie Einhorn was granted a new franchise for Chicago, but it was repeatedly announced that the team Einhorn had purchased was not the Blitz.

• After the 1985 season:
  • The San Antonio Gunslingers had their franchise revoked after owner Clinton Manges stopped paying the team's bills. The Breakers also disbanded.
  • Los Angeles and Oakland announced that they would suspend operations, and Einhorn announced that his Chicago team would also not take the field in 1986.
  • Denver merged with Jacksonville, while Houston merged with New Jersey.

Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... This article is about the year. ... The Portland Breakers were a professional American Football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. ... Nickerson Field is a stadium on the site of Braves Field, in Boston, Massachusetts the former home of the National League Boston Braves baseball team, now located in Atlanta, Georgia. ... For similarly-named academic institutions, see Boston (disambiguation). ... Arizona Wranglers were a professional American Football team in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. ... Categories: Defunct American football teams | Chicago sports | American football stubs ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... The Pittsburgh Maulers were a team which competed in the 1983 season of the United States Football League, ceasing operation after the season. ... The Houston Gamblers were an American football team that competed in the United States Football League in 1984 and 1985. ... San Antonio Gunslingers were a professional American football team that played in the USFL in the mid 80s. ... The Memphis Showboats was a franchise in the United States Football League. ... The Arizona Outlaws were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. ... The Jacksonville Bulls were a team which competed in the final two seasons of the United States Football League, 1984 and 1985. ... This article is about the year. ... This article is about the year. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... The Portland Breakers were a professional American Football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. ... Nickname: Location of Portland in Multnomah County and the state of Oregon Coordinates: , Country State County Multnomah County Incorporated February 8, 1851 Government  - Mayor Tom Potter[1]  - Commissioners Sam Adams Randy Leonard Dan Saltzman Erik Sten  - Auditor Gary Blackmer Area  - City 376. ... Philadelphia Stars can refer to different things: The Philadelphia Stars were a baseball team in the Negro National League from 1934 to 1948. ... Flag Seal Nickname: Monument City, Charm City, Mob Town, B-more Motto: Get In On It (formerly The City That Reads and The Greatest City in America; BELIEVE is not the official motto but rather a specific campaign) Location Location of Baltimore in Maryland Coordinates , Government Country State County United... Michigan Panthers were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. ... Oakland Invaders were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League (USFL) from 1983 through 1985. ... The Pittsburgh Maulers were a team which competed in the 1983 season of the United States Football League, ceasing operation after the season. ... The Los Angeles Express was a team in the United States Football League, an attempt to form a second major professional football league in the United States to compete with the established National Football League. ... Orlando Renegades was a professional American Football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. ... Nickname: Location in Orange County and the state of Florida Coordinates: , Country State Counties Orange Government  - Mayor Buddy Dyer (D) Area  - City 101 sq mi (261. ... Orlando Renegades was a professional American Football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. ... Nickname: Location in Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida Coordinates: , Country State County Miami-Dade Incorporated July 28, 1896 Government  - Type Mayor-Commissioner Plan  - Mayor Manny Diaz (I)  - City Manager Pedro G. Hernandez  - City Attorney Jorge L. Fernandez  - City Clerk Priscilla Thompson Area  - City  55. ... Arizona Wranglers were a professional American Football team in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. ... Categories: Defunct American football teams | Chicago sports | American football stubs ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... The Arizona Outlaws were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. ... The Arizona Outlaws were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. ... Oakland Invaders were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League (USFL) from 1983 through 1985. ... Categories: Defunct American football teams | Chicago sports | American football stubs ... Arizona Wranglers were a professional American Football team in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... Eddie Einhorn was the owner of the Chicago White Sox. ... San Antonio Gunslingers were a professional American football team that played in the USFL in the mid 80s. ...

Competition vs. NFL

Competing by not competing

At first the USFL competed with the older, more established National Football League by trying not to compete directly with it, primarily by playing its games on a March-June schedule but also having slightly different rules, most notably: NFL redirects here. ...

• The two-point conversion (since adopted by the NFL, in 1994).
• For the 1985 season, a method of challenging officials' rulings on the field via instant replay (using a system that is almost identical to that used by the NFL today).
• A salary cap of $1.8 million to reduce inevitable losses and spread talent throughout the league. The NFL introduced a salary cap in 1994.
• A territorial draft, in hopes of stocking teams with local stars to help the gate.

Initially the league was viewed as innovative and a serious challenger to the establishment NFL thanks to its willingness to sign marquee talent such as Herschel Walker, Craig James, Marcus Dupree, Brian Sipe, Doug Flutie, Mike Rozier, Reggie White, Jim Kelly, Steve Young and other young stars of the day. In particular, the signing of the 1974-75, 1982 and 1983 Heisman Trophy winners--Archie Griffin, Walker and Rozier, respectively--gave the league much-needed credibility. The league also made a serious run at some other stars, such as Eric Dickerson. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... NFL 75th season anniversary logo The 1994 NFL season was the 75th regular season of the National Football League. ... “USD” redirects here. ... Herschel Walker (born March 3, 1962 in Wrightsville, Georgia) is a former professional American football player in the United States Football League and the National Football League. ... Jesse Craig James (born January 2, 1961 in Jacksonville, Texas) is an American sports commentator for college football games on the ABC television network. ... Marcus Dupree Marcus Dupree was born on May 22, 1964 in Philadelphia, Mississippi, USA. He was one of the most highly recruited high school football players ever. ... Brian Winfield Sipe (born 1949) is a former professional American Football quarterback who played in the NFL between 1974-83 and the USFL in 1984-85. ... Douglas Richard Doug Flutie (b. ... Mike Rozier (born March 1, 1961 in Camden, New Jersey) is a former American collegiate and professional football running back. ... Reginald Howard Reggie White (December 19, 1961 – December 26, 2004) was a professional American football player. ... James Edward Kelly (born February 14, 1960 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) was an American football quarterback for the Buffalo Bills. ... Jon Steven Young (born October 11, 1961 in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA), is a former quarterback for the National Football Leagues San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Los Angeles Express of the short-lived United States Football League. ... “Heisman” redirects here. ... Eric Dickerson (born September 2, 1960 in Sealy, Texas) was a professional running back in the National Football League (NFL) who in his career played for the Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons. ...

After the league's first season, some experts even suggested that Michigan, Philadelphia and Chicago--clearly the league's three strongest teams--could have fared well in the NFL.

Ironically, however, the league's biggest splash--the signing of Walker--has been considered in hindsight to have foreshadowed the league's demise. Like the NFL, the USFL barred underclassmen from signing. However, league officials were certain that this rule would never stand up in court, so they allowed Walker to sign with the New Jersey Generals. More importantly, Walker signed a three-year contract valued at $4.2 million with a $1 million signing bonus. Due to the USFL's salary cap rules, this was a personal-services contract with Generals owner J. Walter Duncan, and not a standard player contract. Nonetheless, the other owners didn't raise any objections, knowing how important Walker was to the league. The New Jersey Generals were a franchise of the United States Football League (USFL), established in 1982 to begin play in the spring and summer of 1983. ...

This eventually led to almost all of the teams jettisoning Dixon's plan, with many of them spending large amounts of money to put competitive teams on the field. For instance, the Michigan Panthers reportedly lost $6 million--three times what Dixon suggested a team could afford to lose in the first season--even as they became the league's first champions. The need for more capital in turn led to the league taking in six more teams in 1984 rather than the four initially envisioned by Dixon. The league was so desperate for capital that it accepted an application from San Antonio, despite a study that advised in no uncertain terms that San Antonio could not support a USFL team.

Spring vs. fall

In 1984, the league began discussing the possibility of competing head-to-head with the NFL by playing its games in the fall beginning in 1986. Despite the protests of many of the league's "old guard," who wanted to stay with the original plan of playing football in the spring months, the voices of Generals owner Donald Trump and others would eventually prevail. Some owners even hoped that the USFL would eventually merge with the NFL--in which case their initial investment would more than double. This article is about the year. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946 in Queens, New York, New York) is an American business executive, entrepreneur, television personality and author. ...

On October 18, 1984, the league's owners voted to begin playing a fall season in 1986. As mentioned above, this directly led to one team folding (the Maulers), another team to change plans for a move (the Federals), the relocation of two teams (the Stars and Breakers), and a merger between two others (the Invaders and Panthers). After the 1986 season, plans were announced to merge Houston with New Jersey and Denver with Jacksonville. However, the USFL would never play a fall game. is the 291st day of the year (292nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ...

USFL v. NFL

In another effort to keep themselves afloat while at the same time attacking the more established National Football League, the USFL filed an antitrust lawsuit against the older league, claiming it had established a monopoly with respect to television broadcasting rights, and in some cases, to access of stadium venues. NFL redirects here. ... This article is about anti-competitive business behavior. ... It has been suggested that civil trial be merged into this article or section. ... This article is about the economics of markets dominated by a single seller. ...

The USFL claimed that the NFL had bullied ABC, CBS and NBC into not televising USFL games in the fall. It also claimed that the NFL had a specific plan to eliminate the USFL, the "Porter Presentation." In particular, the USFL claimed the NFL conspired to ruin the Invaders and Generals. The USFL sought damages of $567 million, which would have been tripled to $1.7 billion under antitrust law. It hoped to void the NFL's contracts with the three major networks. The USFL proposed two remedies: either force the NFL to negotiate new television contracts with only two networks, or force the NFL to split into two competing 14-team leagues, each limited to a contract with one major network. This article is about the broadcast network. ... The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York Citys Rockefeller Center. ... In law, damages refers to the money paid or awarded to a claimant (as it is known in the UK) or plaintiff (in the US) following their successful claim in a civil action. ... Treble damages, in law, is a term that indicates that a statute permits a court to triple the amount of the actual damages to be awarded to a prevailing party, generally in order to punish the losing party for willful conduct. ... The Department of Justice building in Washington, D.C. is home to the United States antitrust enforcers United States antitrust law is the body of laws which prohibit anti-competitive behavior (monopoly) and unfair business practices. ...

Each NFL franchise was named as a co-defendant, with the exception of the then-Los Angeles Raiders; Raiders owner Al Davis was a major witness for the USFL. Howard Cosell was also a key witness for the USFL. City Oakland, California Other nicknames The Silver and Black Team colors Silver and Black Head Coach Lane Kiffin Owner Al Davis General manager Al Davis League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960–1969) Western Division (1960–1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference (1970–present) AFC West (1970... For other persons named Al Davis, see Al Davis (disambiguation). ... Howard William Cosell, born Howard William Cohen (March 25, 1918 – April 23, 1995) was an American sports journalist on American television. ...

The case went to trial in the spring of 1986 and lasted 42 days. On July 29, a six-person jury handed down a verdict that, while technically a victory for the USFL, in fact devastated the league. The jury declared the NFL a "duly adjudicated illegal monopoly," and found that the NFL had willfully acquired and maintained monopoly status through predatory tactics. is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For jury meaning makeshift, see jury rig. ... In law, a verdict indicates the judgment of a case before a court of law. ... This article is about the economics of markets dominated by a single seller. ...

However, it rejected the USFL's other claims. The jury found that the USFL had changed its strategy to a more risky goal of merger with the NFL. Furthermore, the switch to a fall schedule caused the loss of several major markets (Philadelphia, Denver, Detroit, Miami and the Bay Area). It has been established that Donald Trump, owner of the Generals, spefically wanted to force a merger knowing that the majority of teams would be eliminated. Motto: Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus (We Hope For Better Things; It Shall Rise From the Ashes - this motto was adopted after the disastrous 1805 fire that devastated the city) Nickname: The Motor City and Motown Location in Wayne County, Michigan Founded Incorporated July 24, 1701 1815  County Wayne County Mayor... USGS satellite photo of the San Francisco Bay Area. ...

Most importantly, the jury found that the NFL did not attempt to force the USFL off television. In essence, the jury felt that while the USFL was harmed by the NFL's de facto monopolization of pro football in the United States, most of its problems were due to its own mismanagement. It awarded the USFL only one dollar in nominal damages, which was tripled under antitrust law to three dollars. It later emerged that the jury incorrectly assumed that the judge could increase the award. Indeed, several jurors indicated that they wanted to award greater sums to the USFL (one juror suggested that $100 million, tripled to $300 million, was an appropriate award). De facto is a Latin expression that means in fact or in practice. It is commonly used as opposed to de jure (meaning by law) when referring to matters of law or governance or technique (such as standards), that are found in the common experience as created or developed without... The term monopolization refers to an offense under Section 2 of the American Sherman Antitrust Act, passed in 1890. ...

The verdict was a classic Pyrrhic victory. The USFL had essentially staked its future on the outcome of the suit, and considered the television-related claims to be the heart of its case. Almost immediately upon announcement of the verdict, it announced it was suspending operations for the 1986 season, with the intent of returning in 1987. Players signed to contracts were free to sign with NFL (or other professional teams) immediately. Indeed, the NFL had held a draft in 1984 for teams to acquire the rights to USFL players, in the event of the league (or teams in the league) folding. However, it is unlikely the USFL would have been able to put together a viable product in any case. Many of its players had signed contracts with NFL teams after the 1985 season, and the league was some $160 million in debt. With nearly all of its players under contract to the NFL and Canadian Football League, Usher announced the league would stay shuttered in 1987 as well. A Pyrrhic victory is a victory with devastating cost to the victor. ... Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ... “CFL” redirects here. ...

The USFL appealed the award, but it was rejected by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1988. This decision was the end of the USFL, which formally dissolved shortly afterward. However, due to a provision of antitrust law which allows an "injured" party in an antitrust action to recover its attorney fees and costs of litigation, the USFL was awarded over $5.5 million in attorney fees and over $62,000 in court costs. That award was appealed by the NFL; it was affirmed on appeal and ultimately allowed to stand by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1990, long after the USFL had ceased operations. The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts: District of Connecticut Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of New York District of Vermont The Second Circuit hears argument at the Thurgood Marshall U... Attorney fees (note that the use of the word attorney connotes lawyers broadly: solicitors and barristers) are the costs of legal representation that an attorneys client or a party to a lawsuit incurs. ... The Supreme Court Building, Washington, D.C. The Supreme Court Building, Washington, D.C., (large image) The Supreme Court of the United States, located in Washington, D.C., is the highest court (see supreme court) in the United States; that is, it has ultimate judicial authority within the United States...

The USFL finally received a check for $3.76 in damages in 1990, including interest. Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ...

Aftermath

Though the NFL would be loath to admit it during the remainder of the 1980s and 1990s, it is widely acknowledged that the USFL had a dramatic impact on the National Football League both on the field and off. Almost all of the USFL's on-field innovations were eventually adopted by the older league, and a multitude of star players would go on to very successful careers in the NFL. The 1980s refers to the years from 1980 to 1989. ... For the band, see 1990s (band). ... NFL redirects here. ...

The NFL would also eventually have franchises in some of the markets where the USFL proved fertile or renewed interest in the game, including Arizona (the St. Louis Cardinals moving there in 1988), Jacksonville (the Jaguars being awarded as an expansion franchise for the 1995 season), and Tennessee (the Houston Oilers, while waiting for their Nashville stadium to be completed, commuted to Memphis for home games). City Glendale, Arizona Other nicknames The Cards, The Birds, Big Red, The Buzzsaw Team colors Cardinal Red, Black, and White Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt Owner Bill Bidwill General manager Rod Graves Mascot Big Red League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1920–present) Western Division (1933-1949) American Conference (1950-1952... The 1988 NFL season was the 69th regular season of the National Football League. ... City Jacksonville, Florida Team colors Teal, Black, White, and Gold Head Coach Jack Del Rio Owner Wayne Weaver General manager James Harris Mascot Jaxson de Ville League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1995–present) American Football Conference (1995-present) AFC Central (1995-2001) AFC South (2002-present) Team history Jacksonville... The 1995 NFL season was the 76th regular season of the National Football League. ... Official language(s) English Capital Nashville Largest city Memphis Largest metro area Nashville Metropolitan Area Area  Ranked 36th  - Total 42,169 sq mi (109,247 km²)  - Width 120 miles (195 km)  - Length 440 miles (710 km)  - % water 2. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Nickname: Location in Davidson County and the state of Tennessee Coordinates: , Country United States State Tennessee Counties Davidson County Founded: 1779 Incorporated: 1806 Government  - Mayor Bill Purcell (D) Area  - City  526. ...

It was no coincidence that most of these markets were in the Sun Belt--a region where the USFL was particularly a hit. Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Birmingham and Memphis were among the league's leaders in attendance. Along with Michigan, Philadelphia/Baltimore and New Jersey, these teams at least had the potential to be viable ventures had the USFL been better run.

The last player of the USFL on an NFL roster was Sean Landeta, who was signed in late 2006 by the New York Giants. Three USFL alumni are now enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Reggie White, Jim Kelly and Steve Young. Sean Landeta(BornJanuary 6,1962) is a National Football League punter with the St. ... The 2006 season of the National Football League (NFL) was the 87th one played by the major professional American football league in the United States. ... This article is about the current National Football League team. ... The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of the National Football League (NFL). ... Reginald Howard Reggie White (December 19, 1961 – December 26, 2004) was a professional American football player. ... James Edward Kelly (born February 14, 1960 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) was an American football quarterback for the Buffalo Bills. ... Jon Steven Young (born October 11, 1961 in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA), is a former quarterback for the National Football Leagues San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Los Angeles Express of the short-lived United States Football League. ...

Teams

• Arizona Outlaws (1985; result of Arizona/Oklahoma merger)
• Arizona Wranglers (1983, 1984; Arizona and Chicago owners traded franchises)
• Baltimore Stars (1985; moved from Philadelphia)
• Birmingham Stallions (1983-1985)
• Boston Breakers (1983)
• Chicago Blitz (1983, 1984; Arizona and Chicago owners traded franchises)
• Denver Gold (1983-1985)
• Houston Gamblers (1984-1985)
• Jacksonville Bulls (1984-1985)
• Los Angeles Express (1983-1985)
• Memphis Showboats (1984-1985)
• Michigan Panthers (1983-1984)
• New Jersey Generals (1983-1985)
• New Orleans Breakers (1984; moved from Boston)
• Oakland Invaders (1983-1985; merged with Michigan for 1985 season)
• Oklahoma Outlaws (1984)
• Orlando Renegades (1985)
• Philadelphia Stars (1983-1984)
• Pittsburgh Maulers (1984)
• Portland Breakers (1985; moved from New Orleans)
• San Antonio Gunslingers (1984-1985)
• Tampa Bay Bandits (1983-1985)
• Washington Federals (1983-1984)

The Arizona Outlaws were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. ... Arizona Wranglers were a professional American Football team in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. ... Categories: Stub | Philadelphia sports | Defunct American football teams ... The Birmingham Stallions were a franchise in the United States Football League, an attempt to establish a second professional league of American football in the United States in competition with the National Football League. ... Categories: Stub | Defunct American football teams | Portland, Oregon sports ... Categories: Defunct American football teams | Chicago sports | American football stubs ... Categories: American football stubs | Denver sports | Defunct American football teams ... The Houston Gamblers were an American football team that competed in the United States Football League in 1984 and 1985. ... The Jacksonville Bulls were a team which competed in the final two seasons of the United States Football League, 1984 and 1985. ... The Los Angeles Express was a team in the United States Football League, an attempt to form a second major professional football league in the United States to compete with the established National Football League. ... The Memphis Showboats was a franchise in the United States Football League. ... Michigan Panthers were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. ... The New Jersey Generals were a franchise of the United States Football League (USFL), established in 1982 to begin play in the spring and summer of 1983. ... Categories: Stub | Defunct American football teams | Portland, Oregon sports ... Oakland Invaders were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League (USFL) from 1983 through 1985. ... The Arizona Outlaws were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. ... Orlando Renegades was a professional American Football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. ... Categories: Stub | Philadelphia sports | Defunct American football teams ... The Pittsburgh Maulers were a team which competed in the 1983 season of the United States Football League, ceasing operation after the season. ... The Portland Breakers were a professional American Football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. ... San Antonio Gunslingers were a professional American football team that played in the USFL in the mid 80s. ... The Tampa Bay Bandits was a franchise in the United States Football League and competed in all three of the seasons of that leagues existence: 1983, 1984, and 1985. ... Orlando Renegades was a professional American Football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. ...

In 1986

Prior to the jury award in USFL v. NFL, the league had planned to go forward with a 1986 season comprising eight teams, divided into an "Independence Division" and a "Liberty Division":^[1] Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ...

• Independence Division
  • Arizona Outlaws
  • Jacksonville Bulls (merged with Denver Gold)
  • Orlando Renegades
  • Tampa Bay Bandits

• Liberty Division
  • Baltimore Stars
  • Birmingham Stallions
  • Memphis Showboats
  • New Jersey Generals (merged with Houston Gamblers)

However, due to the legal aftermath pertaining to the USFL, this divisional format, and the whole 1986 season, would never come to fruition. The Arizona Outlaws were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. ... The Jacksonville Bulls were a team which competed in the final two seasons of the United States Football League, 1984 and 1985. ... Categories: American football stubs | Denver sports | Defunct American football teams ... Orlando Renegades was a professional American Football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. ... The Tampa Bay Bandits was a franchise in the United States Football League and competed in all three of the seasons of that leagues existence: 1983, 1984, and 1985. ... Categories: Stub | Philadelphia sports | Defunct American football teams ... The Birmingham Stallions were a franchise in the United States Football League, an attempt to establish a second professional league of American football in the United States in competition with the National Football League. ... The Memphis Showboats was a franchise in the United States Football League. ... The New Jersey Generals were a franchise of the United States Football League (USFL), established in 1982 to begin play in the spring and summer of 1983. ... The Houston Gamblers were an American football team that competed in the United States Football League in 1984 and 1985. ...

Season by season

W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PCT= Winning Percentage, PF= Points For, PA = Points Against

1983