UNITED STATES FOOTBALL LEAGUE

(1983-1985)

United States Football League (USFL) was a professional American football league that played for three seasons, 1983 through 1985. The league played a spring/summer schedule in each of its active seasons. The 1986 season was scheduled to be played in the autumn/winter, directly competing against the long-established National Football League (NFL). However, the USFL ceased operations before that season was scheduled to begin.

Teams competed to play in the USFL Championship Game.

1983 SEASON

The league was split into 12 teams playing in 3 divisions (Atlantic, Central and Pacific) of 4 teams each.

Teams played 18 games with no bye weeks or preseason games.

During the 1983 season, the USFL announced expansion cities for the 1984 season:

1. Pittsburgh (April 28)
2. San Diego (May 16 but moved to Tulsa July 7)
3. Houston (May 19)
4. Jacksonville (June 14)
5. San Antonio (July 11)
6. Memphis (July 17)

1984 SEASON

The league expanded to 19 teams into 2 conferences:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1. Atlantic Division (4 teams)
2. Southern Division (5 teams)

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1. Central Division (5 teams)
2. Pacific Division (4 teams)

Boston Breakers relocated to New Orleans, Louisiana as the New Orleans Breakers.

Six expansion teams: Houston Gamblers, Jacksonville Bulls, Memphis Showboats, Oklahoma Outlaws, Pittsburgh Maulers and San Antonio Gunslingers.

Philadelphia and Tampa Bay played in a post season exhibition game billed as "The Jetsave Challenge Cup" in Wembley Stadium on July 21. Philadelphia won 24-21.

1985 SEASON

The league contracted from 19 teams to 14 teams split into two conferences (Eastern and Western) made up of 7 teams each.

1. Pittsburgh Maulers fold.
2. Chicago Blitz suspend operations.
3. Michigan Panthers merge with the Oakland Invaders.
4. Arizona Wranglers and the Oklahoma Outlaws merge and create the Arizona Outlaws.
5. New Orleans Breakers relocate to Portland, Oregon as the Portland Breakers.
6. Philadelphia Stars move games to College Park, Maryland, with plans to move to Baltimore in 1986, team is renamed the Baltimore Stars.
7. Washington Federals are sold and relocate to Orlando, Florida, as the Orlando Renegades.