AHC: USFL teams surviving to today

The USFL burned hot in 1983 and 1984, including with NFL stars such as Jim Kelly, Steve Young and Herschel Walker. Then they switched to the fall in 1985 and it all fell apart.

Did the USFL have a shot? Is it possible that, even if the league is gone today, some teams still hang on? Possibly an NFL merger but not the only option. And if the answer is “stuck to the spring,” how does that work and can it stick around?
 
The USFL could have survived if they had remained in the spring. Taking on the NFL would never have worked.

This is a topic that I talked about with some other people on another board:

What if the USFL got 1.32 Billion in that 1986 lawsuit?

They could have brought the NFL to it's knees. That's not a whole lot of money today, but it was a lot more back then (it represented more than half the value of the entire league at the prices franchises were going for at that time according to another person on that board).
 
This is a topic that I talked about with some other people on another board:

What if the USFL got 1.32 Billion in that 1986 lawsuit?

They could have brought the NFL to it's knees. That's not a whole lot of money today, but it was a lot more back then (it represented more than half the value of the entire league at the prices franchises were going for at that time according to another person on that board).

I doubt that even with the money the NFL is still going to be fielding the best teams in the sport and will have 28 teams as opposed to the USFL's 8. So to be fair I'll assess the strength of each of these teams to see if I can get some knowledge on it.

Arizona Outlaws- Phoenix is a large enough market and in 1986 the Cardinals were still in Saint Louis, so the Outlaws should be able to have the run of the city, but I would suspect the NFL may entertain either relocation or expansion to steal this market from the USFL.

Jacksonville Bulls- Jacksonville is a great football town, even if the attendance doesn't always show that at the professional level. But with the Bulls, the team was wildly popular and had great attendance for the league. Given the boost of acquiring the Denver Gold I could see this city shining in the fall season.

Orlando Renegades- Another market that could support a franchise, Orlando like Phoenix and Jacksonville doesn't have a NFL team, but is a smaller market and may not be what the television people are looking for in a market. That said I think the ownership is good and would be a great success if they can field a good team.

Tampa Bay Bandits- Even with Bassets death the Bandits and Bandit Ball were one of the leagues major successes and honestly I see the Bandits, if they were able to last under good ownership, forcing the down on their luck Buccaneers right out of Tampa Bay. However if the Bandits don't do well this will have to be a relocation in a couple of years, I don't think the market could support two teams, especially two bad ones.

Baltimore Stars- In 1985 the Stars were forced to play in College Park Maryland, which is closer to Washington than Baltimore, and as a result had poor attendance. With the contract to play in Memorial Stadium, this is alleviated. Their is also the point that the Stars were one of the leagues best for its whole existence. I don't see that changing.

Birmingham Stallions- Another market where the USFL is the only game in town, from what I've heard the product in B'ham was unexciting and sort of bland. May be wrong in that regard, but it should work out well for the league.

Memphis Showboats- Memphis is a great football town and the Showboats had great attendance. Expect that to increase with the fall season.

New Jersey Generals- Lets be honest if he Generals had gone into the 1986 season, with not only their players, but also those of the highly talented Houston Gamblers, this team will be like the New England Patriots are currently. However this is now a three team market. The Devils have been successful in hockey so who knows if they could rally New Jersey to their side. Imagine the Giants and the Jets both backing the west Side Stadium, to leave Trump and New Jersey behind and relocate together to a shared stadium in NYC.

If they can keep these teams in business they may be able to eventually expand, but the NFL will be forced to entertain expansion, most certainly with the goal of not only recouping losses via expansion fee and at the expense of USFL.
 
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