'85 Chronology-Stay the Course

Event Date: May 1st, 1985

Event Description: USFL Owners Meeting

Source: UPI-The Ledger

The owners of USFL teams agreed Monday to stick with their decision to remain in the spring for 1986 season, but New Jersey Generals owner Donald Trump said he will look into selling his franchise as a result of the decision.

In a meeting that lasted nearly eight hours, the owners voted 11-5 to proceed with John Bassetts plan to remain a spring time entity. New Jersey, Memphis, Arizona, New Orleans and Eddie Einhorn, who has the rights to a new Chicago franchise, cast dissenting votes. The Los Angeles franchise did not cast a vote.

“It was a businesslike and productive meeting,” USFL commissioner Chet Simmons said. “The first issue that was decided was the spring-fall question that has been ballyhooed around in the print and electronic media. All but two owners reaffirmed the leagues’ plan to remain in the spring for the 1986 season. The meeting was extremely cordial and productive.”

“I'm not surprised by anything these guys do,” Trump said of his fellow owners, especially Tampa owner John Bassett. “John Bassett was in the World Football League and that wasn't very successful. I've never been asssociated with anything that is not 100 percent successful.” Trump said he plans to sell his team as he is opposed to continue playing spring football.

“I have a little different version of what cordial means,” Eddie Einhorn said. “I'm going to take a long look at what the future holds for a franchise in Chicago. Maybe the owners think they can have a league with teams in the three largest television markets.”

Bassett said he is going to do what he's done for three years -- run a spring football team.

“I'm not going to sit back and be told what to do by Donald Trump, Eddie Einhorn or anyone else,” said Bassett, who pushed the owners to stick to their original spring plan and to buck the move to the fall. “The reason I got into this thing was for spring football. I guess a few owners spent too much money and couldn't cover their expenses with spring revenues. If that is the case then those owners should sell and move on.”

The owners also reaffirmed their commitment to fund the ownerless Los Angeles franchise from the league's coffers, and agreed to allow financially-troubled Birmingham and San Antonio to defer payments until 1986. 

Each team has been assessed $520,000 to support the Express this year.  Express president Don Klosterman was happy with the league's decision concerning the Los Angeles club.

Chet Simmons did a very, very positive job about his belief in the Los Angeles Express franchise and the value it represents to any future televeison deals,” said Klosterman, who before the meeting speculating the club might by folded Monday. “Chet asked that I do everything to watch the expenditures and I assured him I would. There was no ultimatium to get rid of this player and that player. I think that today's meeting will clear a lot of obstacles to potential buyers to the L.A. Express.”

Also included in the talks were plans for the 1986 season and beyond. The owners also decided to continue to examine anti-trust litigation against the National Football League, with regard to television rights, and potential actions by the NFL to harm the Oakland and Philadelphia franchises. The owners also examined plans for consolidation, franchise relocation, and future player movement.

Story-(UPI Modified)