'86 Chronology-Merger Mayhem

Event Date: October 23rd, 1986

Event Description: Michigan Merger

Source: Football News

The Michigan Panthers announced at a meeting of league owners this week that they were in the process of merging with the Oakland Invaders.

Under the terms of the merger, Oakland owner Tad Taube, would sell his majority interest in the Invaders to Michigan Panthers owner A. Alfred Taubman. Taube will remain with the team as a minority owner and the team will be based in Oakland.

The deal would involve the acquisition of a number of the Panthers' players by the Invaders and Michigan head coach Jim Stanley would take the helm in Oakland.

“We don't know exactly how things are to be worked out, because the papers haven't been processed through the league office yet,” said USFL spokesman Peter Hadhazy. 

“But I do know that Oakland would have a much improved team if it was to get all of the Michigan players.”

The USFL owners approved in principle the merger of the two franchises. The merger, which is to be completed on or about Nov. 15th, will see the league reduced to 12 teams.

In another announcement, it was revealed that the voluntary termination notice provided to the league by the Los Angeles Express became effective Sunday. 

A dispersal draft of players from the Los Angeles club is scheduled to take place in Memphis on December 8th.

The format for the 1987 season was unveiled as well. 

There will be two conferences -- the Liberty and Independence-- with the Liberty conference consisting of New Jersey, Baltimore, Memphis, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville and Orlando.

The Independence conference will include Birmingham, Houston, Arizona, Denver, Oakland and the Breakers.

more to come......