USFL Teams Count: History, Expansion, and Contraction

The USFL, or United States Football League, was a professional American football league that operated from 1983 to 1985. Despite only lasting three seasons, the USFL made a significant impact on the sport and attracted some of the biggest names in football at the time. One important aspect of the USFL was the number of teams that participated in the league during its existence. This blog post will explore the history of the USFL and answer the question: how many teams were in the USFL? We will delve into the league’s founding, expansion and contraction over the years, and ultimately, the final team count for the USFL.

What is the USFL?

The USFL or the United States Football League was a professional football league that operated from 1983 to 1985. The league was founded by David Dixon in hopes of creating a successful spring football league that would rival the established National Football League (NFL).

At its inception, the USFL had twelve teams from major cities across the United States, such as New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. The league played its games during the spring season to avoid competing with the NFL, which plays during the fall. This was seen as an opportunity for fans to enjoy football year-round.

Despite having notable players such as Herschel Walker, Jim Kelly, and Steve Young, the league struggled financially due to poor management decisions and expanding too quickly. The USFL filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL in an attempt to force a merger, but it was ultimately unsuccessful.

Following the 1985 season, the USFL folded, marking the end of the league’s existence. However, the league left a lasting impact on the sport of football by introducing new rules and innovations such as the two-point conversion and the use of the instant replay system.

Although the USFL’s lifespan was short-lived, it remains a part of football history and a reminder of the challenges that come with starting a new professional sports league.

History of the USFL

Founding of the USFL

The United States Football League (USFL) was founded in 1982 by a group of individuals who believed there was potential to create a successful professional football league in the spring, rather than the traditional fall season. The founders envisioned the USFL as a complement to the National Football League (NFL), with games played during the NFL’s offseason.

One of the most prominent founders of the USFL was David Dixon, a New Orleans businessman and football enthusiast. Dixon had previously been involved in efforts to bring an NFL team to New Orleans and saw the USFL as a way to fill the void left by the city’s lack of an NFL franchise.

Other key figures involved in the founding of the USFL included lawyer Harvey Myerson, former NFL players Jim Mora and J.W. Brodnax, and media executive Eddie Einhorn. The group had diverse backgrounds and skills, which helped to ensure a well-rounded approach to launching the new league.

One of the USFL’s primary selling points was its commitment to playing in the spring, when there were fewer competing sports and entertainment options. This would allow the league to capture a unique market and attract fans who might not have otherwise been interested in football.

In addition to its timing, the USFL also set itself apart from other football leagues with innovative rules and formats. For example, the league initially allowed for two-point conversions after touchdowns and introduced a salary cap, which was uncommon in professional sports at the time.

Overall, the founding of the USFL was driven by a desire to fill a niche in the football market and provide fans with an exciting new league to follow. While the league ultimately faced financial challenges and folded after just three seasons, its founders’ vision and innovation helped to pave the way for future alternative football leagues.

Success and Decline

The USFL had a promising start with a talented pool of players who thrilled fans all over the country. Many of these players went on to have successful careers in the NFL, including Steve Young, Jim Kelly, and Herschel Walker. These popular players helped bring attention to the league and made it a viable alternative to the NFL.

However, financial struggles plagued the league from the beginning. The owners quickly realized that they couldn’t compete with the deep pockets of the NFL, leading to an arms race for top talent that drove up player salaries and team expenses. The league’s decision to switch from a spring to fall schedule also hurt its bottom line, as it meant competing head-to-head with the NFL for viewership and sponsorship dollars.

As a result of these financial struggles, many teams were forced to fold or relocate after just one or two seasons. By the time the USFL’s third and final season rolled around, only eight teams remained – a far cry from the 12 that had started the inaugural season.

Despite these challenges, the USFL left a lasting legacy on the sport of football. It introduced new rules and innovations that would later be adopted by the NFL, such as the two-point conversion and the use of instant replay. And while the league may not have achieved the financial success its founders had hoped for, it remains a beloved footnote in the history of American sports.

Number of Teams in USFL

Inaugural Season Team Count

The USFL was founded in 1982 and the inaugural season kicked off in 1983 with 12 teams. The league was unique in that it played its games in the spring, which was a departure from the traditional fall season of the NFL.

Some of the most notable teams from the USFL’s first season included the Michigan Panthers, Philadelphia Stars, and Denver Gold. These teams featured some of the biggest stars in football at the time, including quarterback Bobby Hebert and running back Kelvin Bryant.

While the league faced challenges in getting off the ground, the first season was a success in terms of attendance, with an average of over 25,000 fans per game. It also helped to establish the USFL as a credible professional football league that could compete with the NFL.

The 12 teams were split into two conferences – the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference – with each conference having six teams. The top four teams from each conference advanced to the playoffs, culminating in the championship game, which was won by the Michigan Panthers.

Overall, the inaugural season of the USFL was a promising start for the league, but it also set the stage for what would become a tumultuous few years. Despite the initial success, financial struggles and internal disputes would eventually lead to the downfall of the league.

Nonetheless, the 1983 season of the USFL remains an important moment in professional football history, and its impact can still be felt today.

Expansion and Contraction

One of the defining characteristics of the USFL was the league’s rapid expansion and contraction over its three-year existence. The USFL began with 12 teams in its inaugural season, but by the time the league folded, it had just eight teams remaining. This contraction can be attributed to a variety of factors, including financial instability.

Many of the USFL’s early owners were wealthy businessmen who saw the league as an opportunity to invest in professional sports. However, as the league expanded, it became increasingly difficult for these owners to turn a profit. In some cases, team owners spent more money than they could afford on expensive player contracts and stadium leases. As a result, several teams were forced to fold or merge with other franchises.

In addition to financial instability, the USFL also faced challenges from established professional football leagues like the NFL. At times, the USFL attempted to compete directly with the NFL by signing high-profile players and scheduling games against NFL teams. While this strategy generated some interest from fans, it ultimately proved unsustainable.

Despite the challenges facing the league, the USFL did manage to make some significant contributions to professional football. For example, the league introduced a number of innovations that are still used in the game today, such as the two-point conversion and instant replay.

Overall, the expansion and contraction of the USFL reflected the struggles that many startup sports leagues face. While the league may not have lasted long, its impact on professional football can still be felt today.

Final Season Team Count

The 1985 season proved to be the final year of the USFL’s existence, and it was a much different landscape than the league experienced during its inaugural season just a few years prior. Financial instability had resulted in several teams folding or merging with others, leaving just eight teams to compete in the final season.

These teams included the Baltimore Stars, Birmingham Stallions, Jacksonville Bulls, Memphis Showboats, New Jersey Generals, Oakland Invaders, Tampa Bay Bandits, and finally, the Arizona Wranglers who were renamed the Phoenix Wranglers for their final season.

Despite the reduced number of teams, the level of competition remained high. The Baltimore Stars, led by quarterback Chuck Fusina and running back Kelvin Bryant, proved to be the strongest team in the league and won the championship game against the Oakland Invaders.

However, the victory was bittersweet as it was clear that the league’s future was uncertain. Many players and coaches had already started to look for opportunities in the NFL or other leagues, and the USFL’s management was struggling to find ways to keep the league financially viable.

In the end, the financial struggles proved insurmountable, and the USFL folded shortly after the 1985 season concluded. Despite its brief existence, the USFL left a lasting impact on professional football in the United States, paving the way for new leagues and innovations in the sport.
The USFL may have been short-lived, but its impact on professional football in the United States is still felt today. From its founding in 1983 to its final season in 1985, the league saw a total of 18 teams come and go, leaving behind a legacy that endures. Despite the financial struggles and instability that plagued the league, the USFL paved the way for other spring football leagues and helped shape the landscape of professional sports in America. As we look back on the history of the USFL and the number of teams that participated in it, we are reminded of the resilience of those who dared to challenge the status quo and pursue their dreams. The USFL may be gone, but its spirit lives on.