| 1986 USFL season | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Duration | September 13, 1986 – January 11, 1987 |
| Date | February 1, 1987 |
| Finals venue | Gator Bowl, Jacksonville, Florida |
The 1986 USFL season would have been the fourth season of the United States Football League. Plans and a schedule had been set for a 1986 season, which (unlike the previous three seasons, which were played in spring) would have played in the autumn and winter months, but the failure to secure a large judgment or concessions through a landmark antitrust lawsuit against the National Football League, combined with the seizure of one of the team's assets, days before the season was to begin led the league to postpone, then ultimately cancel the season and cease operations. The federal court judgement found the NFL guilty of violating antitrust guidelines on July 29, 1986, but the USFL was only awarded $1 (eventually raised to $3.76 through automatic trebling and compound interest, though the league never claimed the money) in damages plus court costs, as the jury found that the actions of the USFL owners had done as much in detriment to themselves as did the actions of the NFL. On August 4, the 1986 season was canceled.[1] On August 7, all players were released from their contracts.[2]
- ^ Eskenazi, Gerald (August 5, 1986). "U.S.F.L. Calls Off 1986 Fall Season". The New York Times.
- ^ Dunham, Will (August 9, 1986). "USFL: 'We will not give up';NEWLN:Pro football: Despite Setbacks, USFL Plans Return in 1987". UPI.