'87 Chronology-Union Busters

Event Date: October 15th, 1987

Event Description: Owners Reject Arbitration

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Red Carpet Treatment

Event Date: October 15th, 1987

Event Description: Adams Wines & Dines

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Manley Defects

Event Date: October 14th, 1987

Event Description: Manley Returns

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-MNF

Event Date: October 14th, 1987

Event Description: MNF TV Ratings

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Bandit Ball?

 

'87 Chronology-Downward Spiral

Event Date: October 13th, 1987

Event Description: TV Ratings Decline

Source: Beaver County Times

'87 Chronology-Decisions, Decisions

 Event Date: October 11th, 1987

Event Description: Adams Decision

Source: Beaver County Times

'87 Chronology-Walk the Line

Event Date: October 11th, 1987

Event Description: Picket Lines

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Settlement Impediment

Event Date: October 11th, 1987

Event Description: NFLPA Proposal

Source: Beaver County Times

'87 Chronology-Bottom Line

Event Date: October 11th, 1987

Event Description: Adams Likes Jacksonville

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Money Talks

Event Date: October 10th, 1987

Event Description: Adams Tour

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Growing Rift

Event Date: October 9th, 1987

Event Description: Oilers' Talks Continue

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Point, Counterpoint

Event Date: October 9th, 1987

Event Description: NFL Talks

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Below Expectations

 Event Date: October 8th, 1987

Event Description: Oilers TV Offer

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Iron Mike

'87 Chronology-Ratings Game

Event Date: October 6th, 1987

Event Description: TV Ratings Fall

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Patriot Day

Event Date: October 5th, 1987

Event Description: Mason Leads Browns

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Mobsters of the Midway?

Event Date: October 5th, 1987

Event Description: Bears Blast Eagles

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Crowd Control

 

'87 Chronology-Scabs & Scum

Event Date: October 5th, 1987

Event Description: NFL Attendance Down

Source: Beaver County Times

'87 Chronology-The Maverick

Event Date: October 4th, 1987

Event Description: NFL Notes

Source: Beaver County Times

'87 Chronology-The B-Team

Event Date: October 4th, 1987

Event Description: Television Sports

Source: Boston Globe

'87 Chronology-Bullish on Browns

Event Date: October 1st, 1987

Event Description: Kemp Returns

Source: Observer Reporter

'87 Chronology-Known Unknowns

 

'87 Chronology-Control Freaks

Event Date: September 30th, 1987

Event Description: Strike Intensifies

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Sub Bucs

Event Date: September 27th, 1987

Event Description: Reaves Ready

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Strike Out

Event Date: September 27th, 1987

Event Description: NFLPA Examines Options

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Comeback Kid?

Event Date: September 27th, 1987

Event Description: Bucs Contact Dupree

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Union Label

 

'87 Chronology-Replacement TV

Event Date: September 26th, 1987

Event Description: CBS on Air

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Breaking Point

Event Date: September 26th, 1987

Event Description: NFL Talks Break

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Problematic

Event Date: September 25th, 1987

Event Description: NFL Cancels Games

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-The Replacements

Event Date: September 24th, 1987

Event Description: Bucs Ready Replacements

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Strike Update

Event Date: September 24th, 1987

Event Description: Strike Update

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Last Hurrah

Event Date: September 22nd, 1987

Event Description: Reaves Ready

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Bucs Ball!

Event Date: September 22nd, 1987

Event Description: Bucs Sign Reaves

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-At War

Event Date: September 22nd, 1987

Event Description: Strike Begins

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-At Peace

Event Date: September 22nd, 1987

Event Description: Peace Staying Put

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Break Time

Event Date: September 21st, 1987

Event Description: Breakers Reach Deal

Source: UPI

New Orleans developer Joe Canizaro, owner of the Portland Breakers of the U.S. Football League, reached a settlement with former players Tuesday as their $6.7 million lawsuit was about to go to trial.

The dispute was settled during a two-hour meeting in the chambers of U.S. District Judge Owen Panner between attorneys for Canizaro and the USFL Players Association. Details were not immediately announced.

The USFLPA was seeking $1.7 million in wages and bonuses, plus $5 million in punitive damages for 48 former Breakers players. Canizaro and his company, Joseph C. Canizaro Interests, were to have been defendants in the jury trial.

Panner reduced the scope of the trial last week. He ruled the attempt by the players' group to end the team's corporate structure as a limited partnership was not placed properly before the court.

Panner said the USFLPA should have presented the issue to an arbitrator under the collective bargaining agreement between the players and the league.

The USFLPA claims Canizaro undercapitalized the franchise and fraudulently presented himself as the owner. It charged that Canizaro misrepresented to the players that they would be paid in full for the 1987 season, even though he knew they would not be paid or did not know if the funds would be available.

Gene Mechanic, a Portland attorney representing the USFLPA, said the group “recognized that Canizaro, as far as the paper trail, separated himself and the corporation.”

Mechanic said Canizaro “didn't deal honestly and openly with the players. He told the players he personally would take care of them. They played hard for him with the understanding that would help the Portland community and help him get investors.”

“When he saw he wasn't going to get the investors he needed, he just cut out and hasn't returned to Portland since.”

Kenneth Roberts, a Portland attorney for the defense, said in a pre-trial filing the “statements and conduct on which the players base the fraud allegation were simply words of emotional support and encouragement. Canizaro never intended to deceive.”

Story-(UPI Modified-Peter Gillins)

'87 Chronology-Chess Game

Event Date: September 19th, 1987

Event Description: Strike Ball Readies

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Firm Deadline

Event Date: September 19th, 1987

Event Description: NFLPA Rejects Extension

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Package Deal

Event Date: September 19th, 1987

Event Description: Jacksonville Presents Package

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Lease Deal

Event Date: September 17th, 1987

Event Description: Officials Visit Jacksonville

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Rules & Regulations

Event Date: September 12th, 1987

Event Description: Boz Sues NFL

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Business as Usual

Event Date: September 11th, 1987

Event Description: Tathams Pressing On

Source: Football News

Arizona Outlaws president Bill Tatham Jr. says its business as usual despite the U.S. Football League's damage award from its antitrust suit against the rival NFL.

Tatham told a news conference at the team's football headquarters that much of the USFL's future will be determined next week at a meeting of owners in New York.

“We're going to New York on Monday for our fall owners’ meetings,” he said. “We've invested in this community, and we're going to continue to do it. We're spending money today, we'll spend money tomorrow, and we'll spend into the fall.” 

A federal jury in New York found the NFL guilty of operating an illegal monopoly, and awarded damages of $100 million. 

The suit charged the NFL with conspiring to monopolize pro football and to undermine the Oakland Invaders and Philadelphia Stars franchises.

The NFL is set to appeal the decision regarding damages thus sending the two leagues into an indefinite period of litigation. 

“We certainly didn't expect to get the damages immediately,” he said. “But we needed the mental advantage of winning the lawsuit. We expected an appeal either way.”

Tatham said he believes each of the USFL's twelve teams is budgeted for another spring season, and that the league is keeping a close eye on the possibility of an NFL strike.

(Source: (UPI Modified)

'87 Chronology-Strike Deadline

 Event Date: September 9th, 1987

Event Description: Strike Deadline Set

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Garbage Time

Event Date: September 8th, 1987

Event Description: Upshaw Rejects Proposal

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Rank & File

Event Date: September 8th, 1987

Event Description: Falcons Staying Put

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Money Ball

Event Date: September 5th, 1987

Event Description: Jacksonville Prepares Package

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Prolonged Wrangling

Event Date: September 3rd, 1987

Event Description: Rozelle Speaks

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-The Turk

Event Date: September 3rd, 1987

Event Description: NFL Camp Cuts

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Fan Reaction

Event Date: September 3rd, 1987

Event Description: Free Agent League

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Bonus Cash

Event Date: September 3rd, 1987

Event Description: NFL Strike Preparations

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-House Cleaning

Event Date: September 2nd, 1987

Event Description: Steelers Trade Rights

Source: Beaver County Times

'87 Chronology-Creative Thinking

Event Date: September 2nd, 1987

Event Description: Oilers May Move

Source: Lakeland Ledger