'85 USFL: Bay Area Blues

Event Date: August 22nd, 1985

Event Description: Invaders Disbanding

Source: Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Oakland Invaders, which reached the USFL championship game last month, are expected to be disbanded, according to a published report. 

The San Francisco Chronicle said in Saturday editions that sources in both the USFL and the National Football League said the club's majority owner, Alfred Taubman, planned to fold the team. 

Anthony Carter, the biggest name and highest paid among only 10 players still under contrct to Oakland, will be released from his contract in the next few days and most of the front-office personnel were fired last month, the paper said. 

The coaches, whose contracts expire at the end of the year, have been told to look for other jobs, the paper said. 

The paper, quoting a source, said that Taubman “doesn't want to be stuck with a lot of player contracts” when he disbands the team. 

By getting rid of the players first, the source was quoted as saying, Taubman wouldn't owe any money if he shuts down the franchise. 

The paper said neither Taubman nor Ted Taube, his minority partner in the team, could be reached for comment. 

more to come.....