USFL '86: The Season That Never Was

Monday, February 24, 2020

'85 Chronology-Under the Gun

Event Date: August 5th, 1985

Event Description: U.S.F.L.P.A. Files Suit

Source: UPI

Attorneys for the U.S. Football League Players Association filed suit Monday against the owners of the San Antonio Gunslingers for the more than $550,000 owed the team's former players for the last four games of this season.

The 46 players were waived July 30th, when South Texas Sports Inc. failed to meet an arbitrator's deadline for making good on the missed payrolls.

The players were waived just hours before they would have automatically become free agents under the grievance procedure.

“He still legally owes them that money. He still has to pay them,” lawyer Art Vega of San Antonio said about Clinton Manges, a South Texas businessman and majority owner of South Texas Sports.

Manges could not be reached for comment Monday, but said shortly after his players were waived that he intended to pay his former players by fall. He claimed he issued promissory notes to that effect.

The lawsuit filed in state district court in San Antonio is seeking enforcement of the arbitration award, as well as interest payments on the owed salaries and attorney's fees and court costs, Vega said.

Vega said the San Antonio franchise had 20 days to respond to the lawsuit. Then a trial date will be sought.

Manges, whose team has continually suffered money woes, has said the Gunslingers would play against next year. 

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