'87 Chronology-Gizmo!

Event Date: November 30th, 1987

Event Description: Esks Win Cup

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Eye on Expansion II

Event Date: November 25th, 1987

Event Description: Arena League Expansion

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Eye on Expansion

Event Date: November 20th, 1987

Event Description: NFL Eyes Expansion

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Portland Politics

Event Date: November 19th, 1987

Event Description: Panning Gold

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Preliminary Proposals

Event Date: November 18th, 1987

Event Description: Bidwell Eyes Baltimore

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Liftoff!

Event Date: November 16th, 1987

Event Description: Walker Lifts Cowboys

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Prison Term

Event Date: November 15th, 1987

Event Description: Shoate Sentenced

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Stadium Game

Event Date: November 14th, 1987

Event Description: Bidwell Eyes Baltimore

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Bidding Adieu

Event Date: November 1st, 1987

Event Description: Cardinals May Leave

Source: Beaver County Times

'87 Chronology-Juiced

Event Date: October 31st, 1987

Event Description: NFL Expansion

Source: Beaver County Times

'87 Chronology-Highest Bidder

Event Date: October 30th, 1987

Event Description: Bidwell Rejects Proposal

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Merger Movement?

Event Date: October 29th, 1987

Event Description:  Football Merger Talks

Source: UPI

The president of the Arizona Outlaws said Tuesday there is some movement concerning a merger between the National Football League and U.S. Football League.

“Some things are going on,” Outlaws president Bill Tatham Jr. said. Tatham would not elaborate but insisted a merger would ease many of the issues facing the NFL.

“The merger solves a lot of the NFL's problems,” he said. “It solves their problems concerning the cities of Oakland and Baltimore.”

“It solves their Congressional problems concerning movement of franchises, it solves the salary escalation problem, it solves their problem with (the USFL's) antitrust suit and with network television. It solves a lot of problems for everybody.”

CBS football analyst Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder said Sunday officials of the NFL and the USFL had met to discuss merger.

The NFL is embroiled in litigation with the cities of Oakland and Baltimore, whose NFL teams have moved in recent years.

“Two leagues cannot compete indefinitely,” Tatham said. “In any sport, once a new league becomes established for a couple of years, merger has always happened.”

Tatham said that if the NFL and the USFL were to consolidate, he felt the Arizona USFL franchise would be at the top of the list to enter the NFL.

“I think we're in the top non-NFL market in the country,” he said. “(NFL Commissioner) Pete Rozelle has said that he is looking to bring franchises to four cities -- Oakland, Baltimore, Phoenix and Memphis. Even if only one team is allowed in, our bet would be that it would be Phoenix. We think we're one of those teams (that would be allowed in) not matter how many teams would be let in.”

Story-(UPI Modified)

'87 Chronology- Strike Ball

Event Date: October 28th, 1987

Event Description: Rozelle Strikes Out

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Jilted

Event Date: October 27th, 1987

Event Description: Oilers Staying Put

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Creeping Malaise

Event Date: October 25th, 1987

Event Description:  Portland Fan Poll

Source: UPI

More than half of the people surveyed in a newspaper poll said they don't care about the possible move of the Denver Gold football team to Portland.

The survey was conducted by Columbia Research Center Inc. for The Oregonian.

The answer, “I really don't care,” was approved by 53.6 percent of those surveyed. “I think it is a great idea” received 25.9 percent. Another 12.7 percent said it was a “terrible idea” and 7.7 percent were undecided.

The same number, 2.5 percent, said they bought season tickets to the Breakers and would buy them for the Gold.

The poll had a margin for error of plus or minus 5 percent.

The Gold, coached by former Portland State University Coach Mouse Davis, is considering a move of its United States Football League franchise from Denver to Portland.

Portland had an entry in the USFL last season when the New Orleans Breakers moved in. The Breakers averaged 19,919 in attendance during their 3-13 season. The franchise now is inactive because of financial problems.

Source: (UPI Modified)

'87 Chronology-Unpaid Bills

Event Date: October 24th, 1987

Event Description: Television Rebates

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-White Eyes White

Event Date: October 22nd, 1987

Event Description: White Motivated

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Portland Preparations

Event Date: October 21st, 1987

Event Description:  Portland Gold Rush

Source: UPI

Darrell “Mouse” Davis, coach of the Denver Gold, plans a visit in a few days to sound out local sentiment about moving the United States Football League team to Portland.

Denver owner Doug Spedding announced a project to move the franchise to Portland after the recent demise of the Portland Breakers.

Davis told The Oregonian he hoped to visit Portland either Friday or the first of next week. He said Spedding would not visit the city until “I make a preliminary trip.”

Davis is the former coach at Portland State where his run-and-shoot offense helped propel Neil Lomax into the starting quarterback for the St. Louis Cardinals of the NFL.

“We want to find out what the climate's like in relation to the fans and the stadium lease,” he said. “I don't think we'd have too many problems getting a lease.”

There was some negative reaction when reports of a Gold move to Portland was announced.

But Jack McGowan, press aide to Mayor Bud Clark, said the mayor would “welcome a meeting with the Gold. We're looking forward to it.”

He added, “Portland proved itself to be a football town, and I think we have a viable stadium. We feel the Denver Gold is a strong and healthy operation.”

Story-(UPI Modified)

'87 Chronology-Office Space

Event Date: October 20th, 1987

Event Description: Regulars Return

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Athletic Supporters

Event Date: October 19th, 1987

Event Description: Herzeg Cites Fans

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Sun City

Event Date: October 19th, 1987

Event Description: Bidwell Gets Offer

Source: Wire Service Reports

'87 Chronology-High Voltage

'87 Chronology-Holding Pattern

Event Date: October 19th, 1987

Event Description: Reaves Rests

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Gold Rush?

Event Date: October 18th

Event Description: Spedding Eyes Move

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Evans Emerges

 

'87 Chronology-Nifty Neuheisel

 

'87 Chronology-Capitulation

Event Date: October 16th, 1987

Event Description: NFL Strike Ends

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Cease Fire

Event Date: October 16th, 1987

Event Description: Cease Fire

Source: Beaver County Times

'87 Chronology-Delay Tactics

Event Date: October 16th, 1987

Event Description: Adams Leaves

Source: Lakeland Ledger