USFL '86: The Season That Never Was

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

'83 Chronology-Point Break

Event Date: August 31st, 1983

Event Description: Breakers to Portland?

Source: United Press International

Attorneys for a prospective investor who would move the Boston Breakers franchise in the United States Football League to Portland could close a deal by next week, a newspaper reported Wednesday.

The attorneys were to meet with USFL officials to discuss the USFL's background, first season and plans for the future, The Oregonian reported.

If the purchaser likes the numbers, a deal could be closed by next week, sources told the newspaper.

Bob Watson of the Oregon Cascades Football Club, who is working with the prospective investor, said 'this could get down to a footrace.'

Portland, Honolulu and New Orleans are the leading candidates to get the franchise, should it be sold.

The sale price is $7.5 million, but the actual cash changing hands would be $4.5 million, The Oregonian reported. The remaining $3 million would come from an expansion team fee.

Watson said the Honolulu concern has 'a financial base equal to or more powerful' than the investor who would bring the franchise to Portland.

Watson's group originally tried to get an expansion team in the USFL, which would have cost $6.25 million. That effort fell through, but the group found an interested investor early in August and began talking to the Breakers.

If the franchise were to locate in Portland, Watson said, it would generate $54 million for the local economy.

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