What is the USFL?

The United States Football League (USFL) was an American football league that was in existence from 1983 to 1985. The league was founded by Los Angeles-based businessman David Dixon and intended to compete with the National Football League (NFL). Rather than operating as a true NFL rival, the USFL was intended to serve as a sort of low-cost alternative. While the league wasn’t around for very long, it did provide a unique opportunity for players, coaches, and team owners.

The People Behind the USFL

The USFL boasted an impressive list of owners, coaches, and players, which included many big names in the football world. Former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Chuck Noll, who had guided the team to four Super Bowl titles, was selected as the league’s first commissioner. The original USFL owners included some of the most powerful figures in the business world, including Donald Trump, William Oldenberg, and J. Walter Duncan. Notable players such as Herschel Walker, Jim Kelly, and Doug Flutie also expressed interest in playing in the league.

USFL: The League That Could’ve Been

The USFL was designed to be a successful spring alternative to the NFL. Plans for the league included creating 8 divisions, each consisting of 8 teams, for a total of 64 teams. Those teams were set to play in smaller cities and towns that didn’t have an NFL team, allowing for a unique opportunity to provide football to those areas.

The USFL also attempted to set itself apart from the NFL by introducing some strides to help the game become more entertaining. This included the introduction of instant replay, the two-point conversion, and the elimination of extra points after touchdowns.

The USFL experienced early success, but eventually it couldn’t hold its own against the established behemoth of the NFL. The league announced it was suspending operations in August of 1986 after a lengthy legal battle with the NFL. The USFL has since served as a cautionary tale in the world of professional sports, as it is a reminder of the challenges of competing with a leader of an industry.

Conclusion

The United States Football League (USFL) was a bold and ambitious attempt to provide an alternative to the National Football League that ultimately fell short. The USFL was populated with impressive ownership, coaches, and players, but in the end, couldn’t quite compete with the NFL’s established and deep pockets. The USFL ultimately serves as a reminder of the difficulties of competing with a leader in an industry and of the importance of sustainability in the business world.