Dateline: Thursday, April 10, 1986. After a season of turmoil that saw rumors of contraction and bad actors attempting to thwart the league’s ideals, the USFL worked to renew faith in the league by showing that they’re in this for the long haul. Then, this year, they reaffirmed that commitment by putting more thought into the league. They hired new assistants to help the commisioner keep track of league business. They put together a marketing team that worked to increase brand awareness and spread the gospel of the new USFL. Those moves paid huge dividends already in the season. Attendance is up. The league is in talks to expand their television coverage beyond ESPN and ABC into local affiliates.

It is in this spirit that the team announces the second expansion team for 1987, the Minnesota Norsemen. In keeping with the Scandanavian roots of the area, the Norsemen promise to bring the same work ethic and intensity as their brothers in the NFL. They will play in the Central with Houston, Michigan, Chicago, San Antonio, and Oklahoma. The team has been in talks with Monte Kiffin, a veteran coach with a defensive mindset, to try to compete with the high flying offenses in the Central. Stay tuned for more information as the 1987 season approaches.