Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Wiz Imp

(10,491 posts)
10. Trump owned the New Jersey Generals in the USFL
Mon Feb 10, 2025, 09:37 PM
Feb 2025

He was responsible for killing the league. The USFL played in the Spring but Trump insisted on going head to head with the NFL in the fall so after 3 seasons, the league decided to move to the fall. They ended up never playing a single game in the fall and the league folded.

The USFL sued the NFL in 1985 claiming the NFL was acting as a monopoly.

The trial received national attention, and Trump testified on June 23. At one point during his testimony, the legal team for the NFL stated that Trump had paid bussers and waiters to spy on NFL owners while they were staying at his hotels, which he denied.

During the trial, Trump stated that in March 1984, he had met with Rozelle at The Pierre hotel and, during the meeting, Rozelle tried to talk Trump out of moving the USFL to the fall, offering him an NFL franchise if he cooperated. However, Rozelle denied making this offer. Rozelle stated that Trump had been the one who set up the meeting and rented the space at The Pierre and from meeting notes showed that Trump had requested an NFL expansion team in New York City, with plans to sell off the Generals. Leslie Schupak, a person who was present at the meeting, later told Pearlman that Rozelle had told Trump, "As long as I or my heirs are involved in the NFL, you will never be a franchise owner in the league".


The Jury ruled against the NFL, in favor of the USFL but awarded the USFL damages of just one dollar. That was later tripled to three dollars. ESPN did an excellent documentary on the USFL and it's demise called "Small Potatoes: Who Killed the USFL?". The film makers left no doubt on who was to blame for the league's failure: Trump.

I can't imagine the NFL would ever agree to allowing Trump to own a franchise..

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

I am ashamed to admit, I had to look up ETTD RandomNumbers Feb 2025 #1
Thanks - I didn't know what that meant claudette Feb 2025 #4
Don't feel ashamed. Intractable Feb 2025 #11
Shame??? LOL n/t EndlessWire Feb 2025 #14
People often try to deflect their shame by laughing it off. Intractable Feb 2025 #18
Well, rather I gave you a chance EndlessWire Feb 2025 #19
My mistake? Your mistake was in not defining an obscur term before repeatedly using it. Intractable Feb 2025 #20
Sigh ... Lighten up, Francis RandomNumbers Feb 2025 #23
If you had seen the looks on their faces, you would know they were heartbroken to lose. Irish_Dem Feb 2025 #2
ETTD.......nt DoBW Feb 2025 #22
The Chief's lost because the Eagles outplayed them. Some games ya win, some games ya don't. Deuxcents Feb 2025 #3
Sad to say, yes. I rooted for KC, but seeing the Eagles win their conference game, their play gave me pause... hlthe2b Feb 2025 #5
The Eagles won because of their defense... anciano Feb 2025 #6
That hasn't really been the case for a while, but it was this year. nt Shermann Feb 2025 #8
Put a ring on it... milestogo Feb 2025 #13
Love it! anciano Feb 2025 #16
No one loses like that on purpose mr715 Feb 2025 #7
It was a shitshow of a Superbowl with or without Trump. Shermann Feb 2025 #9
Trump owned the New Jersey Generals in the USFL Wiz Imp Feb 2025 #10
TY! n/t EndlessWire Feb 2025 #17
He expects loyalty but he is incapable of loyalty. milestogo Feb 2025 #12
This message was self-deleted by its author Intractable Feb 2025 #15
I enjoyed this DoBW Feb 2025 #21
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»It's almost like the Chie...»Reply #10