Event Date: May 14th, 1983
Event Description: Dixon Seeks New Football Venture
Source: United Press International
The founder of the U.S. Football League has sold his rights to a team franchise in Houston, promising to start a push this summer for a New Orleans team by 1985.
Dave Dixon said the new owners of the Houston franchise would be revealed next week, perhaps as early as Tuesday. In March he said he had planned to sell his Houston rights. The selling price was between $4 million and $6 million, Dixon said.
On Thursday he revealed he would set aside a portion of the funds in hopes of finding partners for the New Orleans venture. No one currently holds rights to such a team, since Dixon had to choose the Houston franchise in order to sell it. The sports entrepreneur was awarded his choice from the two cities in return for starting the league. He said anyone had the right to beat him to the punch in New Orleans.
“It doesn't bother me,” Dixon said. “I never have had any single motivating desire to be just a football operator. I want New Orleans to have a team that is homeowned, and I think eventually we'll accomplish that.” Asked what he would do with proceeds from the sale, Dixon said, “First of all, I'm going to pay my taxes.”
Dixon said he then would set aside some money for his family and for his share in a New Orleans franchise. He also said he and his wife would give $850,000 to Loyola University. The Loyola gift, which Dixon called 'unique in the history of sports in this country, “grew out of a difficult period two years ago when the USFL seemed doomed before it got off the ground.”
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