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Trump Pushes USFL to Directly Compete...

March 26, 1985—Original USFL New Jersey Generals owner Donald Trump led a push by other league owners...
March 25 Current Day: March 26❌ March 27

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer
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Football History

"Trump Pushes USFL to Directly Compete With NFL"

Last updated 📅 2025-03-26

March 26, 1985—Original USFL New Jersey Generals owner Donald Trump led a push by other league owners to switch from playing in the spring to playing ball in the fall and directly compete with the NFL in 1986.

The United States Football League (USFL) decision, significantly influenced by Donald Trump, to shift its schedule from spring to fall and directly compete with the NFL proved to be a fatal miscalculation. Conceived initially as a spring league, the USFL enjoyed some early success, capitalizing on the NFL's off-season.  

However, Trump, owner of the New Jersey Generals, advocated for a move to the fall, believing it would force a merger with the NFL or significantly increase the league's leverage. This strategy involved an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL, alleging monopolistic practices.  

The resulting legal battle, while technically yielding a victory for the USFL, resulted in a mere $3 in damages. This pyrrhic victory and the immense challenge of competing directly with the established NFL led to the USFL's rapid financial decline and eventual collapse. The move to the fall, driven by Trump's aggressive approach, ultimately hastened the league's demise.

  • HASHTAGS: #March26 #USFL #DonaldTrump
  • EVENTDAY: March 26
  • FOOTBALL LEAGUE: USFL
  • OTHER: Donald Trump

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Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer
We invite you to take a ride through 1920's sports history in the audio drama that takes the listener through the sounds and legendary events of the era through the eyes of a young newspaper journalist. You will feel like you were there! Brought to you by Number 80 Productions and Pigskin Dispatch _________________________

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If you like remembering players of the NFL by their numbers then you may also enjoy going uniform number by number in othre team sports as well. We have it for you on our other website in baseball, basketball, hockey and more on the Sports Jersey Dispatch. _________________________

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