Tag Archives: 1986-87 Offseason

Expansion

Announcing Carolina T-Birds

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Dateline: Thursday, May 14, 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 third expansion team for 1987, the Carolina T-Birds. The Carolinas represent an exciting new market for football and the league wanted to take advantage of that growth opportunity. The T-Birds will play in the south with Birmingham, Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, Memphis, and expansion team from two years ago New Orleans. They have been in talks with North Carolina Tar Heels football coach Dick Crum as their head coach. Crum would come into the league having led UNC to 7 out of 10 seasons above .500 with 4 bowl wins against only two losses.

Expansion

Announcing Minnesota Norsemen

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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.

Expansion

Announcing Toronto Titans

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Dateline: Thursday, April 3, 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.

As a result of this good will, the league decided to announce 4 expansion teams for next year. The first will look odd for the USFL, as it calls Toronto, Canada home. Starting in 1987, Canada will have spring football, too. The Toronto Titans will play their football in Exhibition stadium and will play in the Atlantic division with Philadelphia, Washington, Boston, New Jersey, and Pittsburgh. The team is rumored to be in talks with Ted Marchibroda, former NFL player and assistant, as their head coach. Stay tuned for more news as the 1987 season nears!