USFL '86: The Season That Never Was

Saturday, May 19, 2018

'83 Chronology-No Collusion

Event Date: August 13th, 1983

Event Description: Chargers Lose Anderson

Source: United Press International

A federal judge says Gary Anderson's former agent did not conspire to deliver Anderson to the United States Football League Tampa Bay Bandits in exchange for obtaining a USFL franchise in Houston as Anderson alleged.

U.S. District Judge Norman Black with that finding Friday refused to clear the way for Anderson's jump to the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League -- with whom he signed a contract 11 days ago.

Anderson, out of the University of Arkansas, has a contract in force to play exclusively for the Bandits.

“The most telling point,” Black said, “is the fact that the contract he negotiated (with Tampa Bay) was as good or better present value than he got (from San Diego), and the one with San Diego was signed months after he showed his prowess.”

Anderson had hoped to play with the Chargers Saturday in a pre-season game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Anderson played last spring for Tampa Bay at the urging of former agent Jerry Argovitz. Since then, Argovitz has been granted the Houston franchise of the USFL.

Testimony indicated Anderson's four-year, $1.5 million contract with San Diego was worth $234,000 if he was injured the first year. Evidence showed his four-year $1.375 million contract with Tampa Bay was worth more than $900,000 even if he was hurt.

Prior to the hearing in Black's court, Chargers lawyers obtained a temporary restraining order that prevented the Bandits from suing him for signing with the Chargers.

Black dissolved that court order Friday, saying he saw no reason to keep the Bandits from enforcing their rights.

U.S. District Judge Norman Black, who 10 days ago issued a temporary order forbidding Tampa Bay from suing Anderson for contract violation, said Friday he saw no reason to keep Tampa Bay from enforcing its rights.

Anderson's lawyers argued he should be allowed to sign with San Diego despite a previous Tampa Bay contract and accused Argovitz of selling Anderson out to Tampa Bay in exchange for a USFL franchise.

Argovitz and Tampa Bay owner John Bassett, chairman of the USFL expansion committee, testified at the day-long hearing and flatly denied any such deal. The judge ruled in their favor.

“I don't find any evidence that Dr. Argovitz or San Diego or anyone else entered a conspiracy against Gary Anderson,” Black said in ruling from the bench. Lawyers for Anderson, Bassett and Argovitz said they did not know what the next move would be.

On the advice of his lawyers, Anderson, who said he had trouble reading, had no comment.

“They had no case,” Argovitz said. “It was asinine to accuse me of collusion.”

Bassett tried to approach Anderson after the ruling but was rebuffed by Anderson's lawyers. Even though he won in court, Bassett was unhappy.

“He's like a fifth kid to me,” said Bassett, father of four. “If he'd come and told me he was bothered about this six months ago we would never have been here.”

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