The Oakland Invaders were founding members of the USFL in 1983. They were originally going to be called the Bay Area Invaders in attempt to appeal to the entire region but settled on Oakland Invaders in order to take advantage of the departure of the NFL Raiders.
The New Jersey Generals were one of the original USFL franchises. Originally owned by J. Walter Duncan, the Oklahoma oilman sold the team in 1983 after one season. The Generals new owner, real estate developer Donald Trump, built the team into a winner, while simultaneously sowing the seeds of the league’s destruction.
The Los Angeles Express were charter members of the USFL in 1982. They played in all three of the league’s seasons before going out of business just before the USFL shut its doors. From the $41 Million Man to the final home game at a local community college, we have their story.
They were part of one of the craziest transactions in sports history. Whatever happened to Arizona’s first pro football team?
The Memphis Showboats were a popular entry that drew strong crowds to the Liberty Bowl in the springtime United States Football League in 1984 and 1985. The Showboats are best remembered today for persuading University of Tennessee star defensive end Reggie White to sign with the USFL rather than enter the 1984 NFL draft. After two seasons with Memphis, White joined the NFL in 1985. He is one of four Pro Football Hall-of-Famer players to begin his career in the USFL, alongside Jim Kelly, Steve Young and Gary Zimmerman.
*Like our new look? Next up: site speed. You can help with a tip for our Speed Fund today. Thank you!
