Does anyone remember the USFL? I am just curious because i had pretty strong ties with the league(my father owned the showboats)...Obviously i'm biased, but if it weren't for the NFL destroying it, they might still be around. All the other tries to have football in the us have failed: xfl,cfl, ect... The players were as talented as the NFl: Reggie White, Jim Kelly, Hershel Walker, Flutie, Anthony Carter, Bobby Hebert, Clarence Verdan, DJ Dozier, Marcus Dupree, and many others. The coaches were just as good. I was just wondering if any of you have any memories or thoughts?
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- Thread starter wareagle
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War Eagle:
Interesting that you have a personal connection to football history. I'm sure you (and your father) have some interesting stories and are disappointed the USFL did not succeed.
I'm sure you won't agree, but I hated the USFL. I thought every player that jumped ship should have been banned from the NFL for life. The most ridiculous signing was Steve Young signing for $40 million over 10 years with the Los Angeles Express. That was a helluva lot of money back then -- far more than NFL salaries. What made me angry was that most of these players were signing for the money, in a second-rate league, avoiding the challenge of playing in the major leagues. I'm sure Walker, Kelly and others now regret signing contracts in the now defunt league because thier NFL lifetime stats are not quite where they would have been had they played their entire careers in the NFL.
The World Football League has a far more interesting story in terms of business failure. That league was doomed from the start. ESPN did a documentary of the WFL which was very compelling to watch. The USFL, by contrast, did have a chance to succeed bu simply were not bankrolled well enough and could not withstand the years of growing pains. New sports leagues, and their failure, shows how important HISTORY is in attracting a viewing audience. Now matter how interesting the football is, fans want to be able to connect to earlier times and have a sense of hisotry with the teams and players. No history, equals no excitement in my view.
I also remember the USFL had a $500 beting limit in Las Vegas. It was $200 at some downtown casinos. I bet a few of the games (pure gambling -- I had no idea what I was doing). Watching those games I remember thinking they looked so much like pre-season NFL games..with quarterbacks and head coached you've never heard of.
I also remember that the USFL won it's anti-trust suit against the NFL in court, and the damages were for ONE DOLLAR. I thought that said a lot about how everyone viewed the concept of a new football league.
I admire your father spirit for investing in a sports franchise and would be eager to educate myself more by hearing more of your side of the story.
-- Nolan Dalla
Interesting that you have a personal connection to football history. I'm sure you (and your father) have some interesting stories and are disappointed the USFL did not succeed.
I'm sure you won't agree, but I hated the USFL. I thought every player that jumped ship should have been banned from the NFL for life. The most ridiculous signing was Steve Young signing for $40 million over 10 years with the Los Angeles Express. That was a helluva lot of money back then -- far more than NFL salaries. What made me angry was that most of these players were signing for the money, in a second-rate league, avoiding the challenge of playing in the major leagues. I'm sure Walker, Kelly and others now regret signing contracts in the now defunt league because thier NFL lifetime stats are not quite where they would have been had they played their entire careers in the NFL.
The World Football League has a far more interesting story in terms of business failure. That league was doomed from the start. ESPN did a documentary of the WFL which was very compelling to watch. The USFL, by contrast, did have a chance to succeed bu simply were not bankrolled well enough and could not withstand the years of growing pains. New sports leagues, and their failure, shows how important HISTORY is in attracting a viewing audience. Now matter how interesting the football is, fans want to be able to connect to earlier times and have a sense of hisotry with the teams and players. No history, equals no excitement in my view.
I also remember the USFL had a $500 beting limit in Las Vegas. It was $200 at some downtown casinos. I bet a few of the games (pure gambling -- I had no idea what I was doing). Watching those games I remember thinking they looked so much like pre-season NFL games..with quarterbacks and head coached you've never heard of.
I also remember that the USFL won it's anti-trust suit against the NFL in court, and the damages were for ONE DOLLAR. I thought that said a lot about how everyone viewed the concept of a new football league.
I admire your father spirit for investing in a sports franchise and would be eager to educate myself more by hearing more of your side of the story.
-- Nolan Dalla
An interesting parallel to the USFL story was the WHA. Bobby Hull was the WHA's Steve Young, signing with the Winnipeg Jets in 1972 for a million dollars, sky high money back then. Team Canada then unbelievably banned him fom the 1972 Summit Series for this. This is the reason why today his son Brett plays for the States and not Canada.
The WHA had a happier ending than the USFL (but I guess that's not really saying much!) The 4 strongest franchises were merged into the NHL. 3 of them have since moved but the other, Edmonton, went on to become one of the most storied dynasties in the history of the league.
Trivia Question: Which franchise won the most WHA championships and what was the trophy called? And who was the WHA's all-time leading scorer?
The WHA had a happier ending than the USFL (but I guess that's not really saying much!) The 4 strongest franchises were merged into the NHL. 3 of them have since moved but the other, Edmonton, went on to become one of the most storied dynasties in the history of the league.
Trivia Question: Which franchise won the most WHA championships and what was the trophy called? And who was the WHA's all-time leading scorer?
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Nolan,
I'm sure Young never got close to the full $40 million for his contract. Any idea how much he ended up getting and how the issued would have been settled in the end?
I'm sure Young never got close to the full $40 million for his contract. Any idea how much he ended up getting and how the issued would have been settled in the end?
Interesting thoughts Nolan, as usual. I had also heard of a 500$ limit back then. I agree with most all of what you said. I have no idea how i forgot about steve young and his contract. At the time that contract was comparable to A-rods contract, no kidding. The league was 2nd rate to the AFL, NFL fans. But to the smaller towns, one must remember this was first rate! Cities like Memphis, Tampa, Birmingham, Portland, Jax, and Baltimore loved and supported these teams just as NFL fans did.
The teams: Memphis Showboats, Houston Gamblers, Portland Breakers, LA Xpress, Washington Generals, Baltimore Stars, Tampa Bay Bandits, pittsburg Maulers, Michigan Panthers, Birmingham Stallions, Jax Bulls, Arizona Outlaws, Denver Gold, Chicago Blitz, Oakland Invaders, Orlano Renagades, San antonio Gunslingers, and the hapless washington Federals!
Cmon Nolan I know you have heard of some of these coaches: George Allen, Pepper Rodgers, Steve Spurrier, Jim Mora, Jerry glanville, Lindy Infante, Marv levy, Mouse Davis, Jack Pardee,Woody Wodenhofer, and lastly Lee Corso!!!
In 1983, the first pick to La was Dan Marino and the 6th pick eric Dickerson and the rest is history.
I remember asking dad, "Why doesn't the NFL like us? Son, the NFL is feeling heat from us and they don't like it. They will destroy the league within three years." Sure enough despite having 65,000 fans in the liberty bowl and in the semi-final game for the showboats in 1985, the NFL couldn't take it and killed the league.
The teams: Memphis Showboats, Houston Gamblers, Portland Breakers, LA Xpress, Washington Generals, Baltimore Stars, Tampa Bay Bandits, pittsburg Maulers, Michigan Panthers, Birmingham Stallions, Jax Bulls, Arizona Outlaws, Denver Gold, Chicago Blitz, Oakland Invaders, Orlano Renagades, San antonio Gunslingers, and the hapless washington Federals!
Cmon Nolan I know you have heard of some of these coaches: George Allen, Pepper Rodgers, Steve Spurrier, Jim Mora, Jerry glanville, Lindy Infante, Marv levy, Mouse Davis, Jack Pardee,Woody Wodenhofer, and lastly Lee Corso!!!
In 1983, the first pick to La was Dan Marino and the 6th pick eric Dickerson and the rest is history.
I remember asking dad, "Why doesn't the NFL like us? Son, the NFL is feeling heat from us and they don't like it. They will destroy the league within three years." Sure enough despite having 65,000 fans in the liberty bowl and in the semi-final game for the showboats in 1985, the NFL couldn't take it and killed the league.
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another fact. The man who was the other half-owner of the memphis showboats was none other than Logan Young. Bama9625, dunclock and others could tell you how much they love this man. A university of Alabammer Booster who put the Tide on probation for three years, for buying memphis players and sending them to Tuscalooser.
I was fairly young at the time, but what I remember most about the USFL is
-The Michigan Panther helmets (coolest I've ever seen)
-The Chicago Blitz team that I started to follow was moved to Arizona after the first season and the Arizona team came here.
-The Stars and the Panthers first Championship game(it was a good game)
Any football is better than no football, but the talent level wasn't on par with the NFL. The superstars were so much better than the run of the mill players, it was unfair. (Look at Kelly's numbers) I agree with Nolan's comment about the history. I would rather watch a Chicago - Cincinnati dink and dunk game than St. Louis-Oakland shootout because it's a Bears game and it is a ritual that I will endure the rest of my years.
And lastly, the anti-trust suit was for three dollars; a dollar for all three of the major networks. Can you imagine how happy Pete Rozelle must have been to write that check?
-The Michigan Panther helmets (coolest I've ever seen)
-The Chicago Blitz team that I started to follow was moved to Arizona after the first season and the Arizona team came here.
-The Stars and the Panthers first Championship game(it was a good game)
Any football is better than no football, but the talent level wasn't on par with the NFL. The superstars were so much better than the run of the mill players, it was unfair. (Look at Kelly's numbers) I agree with Nolan's comment about the history. I would rather watch a Chicago - Cincinnati dink and dunk game than St. Louis-Oakland shootout because it's a Bears game and it is a ritual that I will endure the rest of my years.
And lastly, the anti-trust suit was for three dollars; a dollar for all three of the major networks. Can you imagine how happy Pete Rozelle must have been to write that check?
Interesting thoughts and observations from all......
Regarding Steve Young and his contract. It was reported at the time it was "guaranteed." I believe that Young signed with the Express for monatary reasons alone, which was backed by a insurance policy by the ownership that if the leage folded, Young would still be entitled to his contract. However, after the league folded (Young jumped ship earlier and signed with Tampa Bay), he got out of the contract. He saw the writing on the wall, I suppose and also realized that the contract might have been pro-rated over the length of his playing time (which was only two seasons I believe). That means Young would "only" have received 25 percent of the amount (at most) which is $10 million. After Leigh Steinberg (pimp agent) and the IRS took their share, Young received $651.34
-- Nolan Dalla
Regarding Steve Young and his contract. It was reported at the time it was "guaranteed." I believe that Young signed with the Express for monatary reasons alone, which was backed by a insurance policy by the ownership that if the leage folded, Young would still be entitled to his contract. However, after the league folded (Young jumped ship earlier and signed with Tampa Bay), he got out of the contract. He saw the writing on the wall, I suppose and also realized that the contract might have been pro-rated over the length of his playing time (which was only two seasons I believe). That means Young would "only" have received 25 percent of the amount (at most) which is $10 million. After Leigh Steinberg (pimp agent) and the IRS took their share, Young received $651.34
-- Nolan Dalla
Wareagle, I always enjoyed watching the USFL and the caliber of play was not bad. Just look at all of the future Hall of Famers that came out of the league. Yes, they went there for the money but what is being a pro about? Its about getting paid. As for that SOB Logan Young, I guess since he could not get his professinal team in Memphis, he would go for a paid team in Tuscaloosa. Its hard to blame these 18 year old kids when someone is waving big money around when the have and come from no money. I wish that mofo would have never got involved in football. But we will always still be the Crimson Tide and
ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!
ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe we could put him and Louder in a Ship and float em out to sea together and see how they can screw each other over!
Yo Freak, we still got to get that golf game up. My game has gone to s**t! I have always thought that should pay these athletes an allowance or per diem. That would take away some of these leeches, gold diggers, program ruiners like our schools have seen. If you look at how much money that these athletes produce for the school. they should get a little living expense in return. It should be the same for everyone. I know that they are geting the "college education" for expense, but that is not the real reason they are there or the reason the college asked them to come. I know the bad element will still linger around but I think it will help to eliminate some of it. Just my .02
Only valuable thing that came out of the USFL were the trading cards. They are VERY valuable b/c most consider some of the "greats" mentioned above as their TRUE rookie cards.
BTW....that Bobby Hebert statement about being the "cream of the crop" was pretty funny....
BTW....that Bobby Hebert statement about being the "cream of the crop" was pretty funny....
A couple of questions...I would assume that your father would be William Dunnavent.And didnt the league only last for 2 seasons?And how much do you remember about the league considering you were 6 yrs old?I cant remember anything I did when I was 6.Just asking?
Funny you should ask JHPGA, My father is who you and i say he is, but we spell it Dunavant. I appreciate your concern about my age and how much i would remember. Well your right, he owned the team for two years and the league was around for three seasons 82-83, 83-84, 84-85. As for my memory, i remember him going to every game all over the usa. I myself attended many games by his side. Yeah i was six, and might not have understood everything that was happening, but from those memories i have from then i can relish and enjoy(such as old videos, interviews, or game films). I remember going down on the field towards the end of the 4th quarter and having reggie white hoist me up on his shoulders and carry me off the field in to the locker room after a victory. I have actually surprised myself at how much i can remember about the usfl. Jhpga, if there are any other questions or problems you have with my father or myself, feel free to ask.
ESPN classic runs a USFL game about once a week...
ESPN classic runs a USFL game about once a week...
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