USFL '86: The Season That Never Was

Monday, May 11, 2020

'85 Chronology-Amused to Death

Event Date: December 11th, 1985

Event Description: Usher Amused

Source: UPI

U.S. Football League commissioner Harry Usher Wednesday said he was “amused” by the NFL's resolution passed earlier in the day not to merge with any of the rival league's teams.

“We won't comment on the motivation and timing for this resolution passed by the NFL owners,” Usher said in a statement.

“Actually, I am somewhat amused by it. Remember, these are the same owners who agreed unanimously to litigate against Al Davis and lost millions of dollars for antitrust violations. They have also lost several other antitrust cases.”

“Frankly, the resolution really has no significance to the USFL. We are eager to try our (antitrust) lawsuit and we believe that a substantial verdict will be awarded by the court in favor of the USFL, and against the NFL and its member clubs.”

The USFL's suit contends the NFL has colluded with city officials in Oakland and Philadelphia to harm the USFL teams there and that they have openly tried to injure the USFL via their supplemental drafts. The suit is scheduled to be heard in the summer and fall of next year.

“As far as a reported meeting meeting of counsel for the respective leagues having occurred,” Usher's statement continued, “I can confirm that a meeting took place between Harvey Meyerson of the USFL's firm of Finley, Cumble, Wagner and Heine, and Paul Tagliabue and John Vanderstar of Covington and Burlington, attorneys for the NFL. The meeting ocurred at the invitation of Mr. Tagliabue.”

“However, little meaning was attached by us to these discussions, since the USFL's intent is to try the case, and thereby reverse the effect of the injuries inflicted on the USFL by the NFL.”

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