1983 – 1986 / United States Football League, Team History Lee Scarfone, the last owner of the Bandits in late 1985 and 1986, passed away on May 28, 2005 at the age of 73. The Bandits leading receiver was Larry Brodsky who had 69 catches for 1,071 yards with seven touchdowns. amzn_assoc_default_search_phrase = "Tampa Bay Bandits"; However, by mid-1985, the Bandits’ ownership group was in disarray. The team had a high-wattage ownership group that included America’s #1 box office star of the early 80’s – Burt Reynolds – and veteran sports investor John Bassett.
The Bandits was a charter member of the USFL and was the only franchise to have the same principal owner (John F. Bassett), head football coach (Steve Spurrier), and home field (Tampa Stadium) during the league’s three seasons of play. Page created on February 6, 2017. For the second straight season, Tampa Bay started strong, winning their first three games. Required fields are marked *.
Banditball was a true reflection of coach Steve Spurrier and maverick owner John Bassett.
Bandits part-owner Stephen Arky took his own life on July 24, 1985 after being implicated in the $300M collapse of Ft. Lauderdale bond trading firm E.S.M. Only USFL franchise to have the same coach, owner, and home city throughout the league’s three-year existence. Bassett who threatened to punch out Trump even began looking into bring the Bandits into a new spring football league.
Averaged 39,896 in 1983, 46,158 in 1984 and 45,220 in 1985 (74,315 seat stadium) 1985 USFL Playoffs: Facing the Oakland Invaders on the road, the Tampa Bay Bandits put their late season struggles behind them and gave the Invaders, who were one of the best teams in the regular season all they could handle. Also building interest was the hiring of former Florida Gator and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Steve Spurrier to be the team coach.
Because of the game coming at the end of a grueling season and playoffs each team played the game with mostly backups as the Stars edged the Bandits 24-21. carries amazing and genuinely fine material for readers.
The former University of Florida star and NFL 1st round draft pick was 67 years old. Coaches Team’s Final Outlook At the time the USFL started Bassett was still tied up in a lawsuit against the NFL.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Tampa Bay Bandits’ majority owners were Canadian businessman John F. Bassett (who was still in litigation against the NFL over his previous Memphis Southmen franchise from the World Football League in the mid-1970s) and Miami attorney Steve Arky. The team is incorrectly presumed to be named the Bandits due to Burt Reynolds’ appearance in the hit Smokey and the Bandit movies; it was named after the owner’s daughter’s German Shepherd dog. 1985 / Division Championship Game (vs Oakland Invaders 27 – 30) The Tampa Bay Bandits of the United States Football League (USFL) played three seasons in Tampa Stadium from 1983 to 1985. With the try now 35 yards Zenon Andrusyshyn missed from 35 yards, keeping the game tied 27-27 after John Reaves 15-yard TD pass to Willie Gillespie. 1983 – 1986 / United States Football League, 1983 – 1986 / Steve Spurrier (35 wins and 19 losses), 1985 / Division Championship Game (vs Oakland Invaders 27 – 30), 1984 / Division Championship Game (vs Birmingham Stallions 17 – 36), Averaged 39,896 in 1983, 46,158 in 1984 and 45,220 in 1985 (74,315 seat stadium). Unusual and sad coincidence that a part-owner and two players committed suicide. All logos used on this page were from Chris Creamer’s Sports Logos Page. March 26, 1984, Bandits vs. Oakland Invaders. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.
Steve Spurrier coached the team. Stats researched by Frank Fleming, all information, and team names are property of the United States Football League. The Tampa Bay Bandits were a popular entry in the United States Football League during the mid-1980’s. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. November 29, 2015
February 9, 1985, Bandits vs. Orlando Renegades. 1984 USFL Postseason: The Tampa Bay Bandits would face their division rivals in the playoffs, taking on the Birmingham Stallions at Legion Field. 1983 – 1985 / Tampa Bay Bandits. Click here for Chriscreamer.com's Tampa Bay Bandits Page. Last Game: June 30, 1985 (L 30-27 @ Oakland Invaders).
However, injuries down the stretch hurt the Bandits, as they lost four of their last six games and finished with a record of 11-7. At 37 Spurrier was the youngest coach in the USFL, who came up with a fresh approach in offensive schemes. John Reaves had a big game, throwing three touchdown passes and running in another in a back and forth battle. The Tampa Bay Bandits of the United States Football League ended the 1983 season with a record of 11 wins and 7 losses, finishing third in the USFL's Central Division. At 37, he was the youngest head coach in professional football at the time. during the rain downfall of a game, the 1984 Trans Am to be used by the Bandits as a promotional vehicle driven on field by Burt Reynolds & Jerry Reed was stolen and ended up in Shelby N.C. However, over the last six weeks, Tampa would struggle, winning just one of their final six games. The Canadian born business man owned the Memphis Southmen in the World Football League, a previous upstart league that tried to go head-to-head with the NFL in the 70’s. They finished 2nd each year, behind the Denver Gold (1983) and the Jacksonville Bulls (1984 & 1985). Folded: August 4, 1986, First Game: March 6, 1983 (W 21-17 vs. Boston Breakers) February 26, 1984, Bandits vs. Jacksonville Bulls. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Bassett was diagnosed with brain cancer, and by mid-1985, staffers suspected that his illness was impairing his judgment.
United States Football League Stephen Arky, one of the other major shareholders in the Bandits, committed suicide. AC However, as the season began John Bassett was diagnosed with cancer. The Bandits also had a pair of runners go over 1,000 yards.
John Reaves again was the Bandits leading passer with 4,193 yards, with 25 touchdowns and 29 interceptions. Bassett at the same time began a feud with New Jersey Generals Owner Donald Trump, who was seen as leading the efforts to take the USFL into the fall.
Hi to every body, it’s my first visit of this webpage; this blog Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 1984: The Tampa Bay Bandits were even better in their second season, as John Reeves emerged as their starting quarterback, passing for 4,092 with 28 touchdowns and just 16 interceptions. Partner of USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties, Commissioners of the National Football League.
Bassett’s proposal came at a time when the CFL’s Montreal Concordes had been saved from bankruptcy in 1981, two years prior to the USFL’s launch (the Concordes would collapse again in 1987). Those numbers were nearly matched Marvin Harvey who had 70 catches for 938 yards, while also collecting nine touchdowns.
The Bandits run and gun approach worked early in the season, as they won their first four games. Your email address will not be published. Last updated on February 6, 2017 at 11:20 pm ET.
As Bassett succumbed to the dreaded disease his warnings about battling the NFL came to be, as the USFL never made it to the fall, as a $1 award in its lawsuit against the NFL left the league with no choice, but to cease operations.
Kenn Tomasch – WRUF Sportscaster 1985-1987.
The team traded away their major investment from the 1984 college draft, former Florida star, Bandits vs. Boston Breakers. The Bandits did not overspend on player contracts, keeping the franchise stable but making it difficult to compete with the USFL’s higher spending teams.
2, United States Football League (1983-1985), Born: May 11, 1982 – USFL founding franchise April 7, 1984, 1985 Tampa Bay Bandits Preseason Media Guide, Bandits vs. New Jersey Generals.
1983: The USFL’s franchise in Tampa was one of the strongest in the league. 1983 Tampa Bay Bandits Roster 1983 Tampa Bay Bandits Results. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Bassett would eventually lose his battle to cancer.
Owner John Bassett was diagnosed with a pair of brain tumors. March 10, 1984, Bandits vs. Birmingham Stallions.
amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; In August 1985, minority owner Lee Scarfone, a local architect, agreed to purchase Bassett’s and Arky’s stakes and field a team in the USFL for the fall 1986 season, with Tony Cunningham coming on as an additional partner. Minority owners included Hollywood mainstay Burt Reynolds, a former college football player who at that time one of the most popular motion picture actors in the world. He died from cancer in May 1986. Canadian government officials were dead-set against any other league challenging the CFL’s monopoly on professional football in Canada, even if they played in different seasons, and Senator Keith Davey, a former CFL commissioner, threatened to re-introduce the Canadian Football Act, a 1974 unpassed bill (proposed in the wake of Bassett’s previous proposal to put the Southmen in Toronto) that would have had the government endorse the CFL’s monopoly and prohibited any other league from playing in Canada.
The team folded along with the USFL after the league suspended play prior to the 1986 season.
Tampa would hire former Heisman Winner Steve Spurrier as their head coach. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "search";
1983 – 1986 / United States Football League, Team History Lee Scarfone, the last owner of the Bandits in late 1985 and 1986, passed away on May 28, 2005 at the age of 73. The Bandits leading receiver was Larry Brodsky who had 69 catches for 1,071 yards with seven touchdowns. amzn_assoc_default_search_phrase = "Tampa Bay Bandits"; However, by mid-1985, the Bandits’ ownership group was in disarray. The team had a high-wattage ownership group that included America’s #1 box office star of the early 80’s – Burt Reynolds – and veteran sports investor John Bassett.
The Bandits was a charter member of the USFL and was the only franchise to have the same principal owner (John F. Bassett), head football coach (Steve Spurrier), and home field (Tampa Stadium) during the league’s three seasons of play. Page created on February 6, 2017. For the second straight season, Tampa Bay started strong, winning their first three games. Required fields are marked *.
Banditball was a true reflection of coach Steve Spurrier and maverick owner John Bassett.
Bandits part-owner Stephen Arky took his own life on July 24, 1985 after being implicated in the $300M collapse of Ft. Lauderdale bond trading firm E.S.M. Only USFL franchise to have the same coach, owner, and home city throughout the league’s three-year existence. Bassett who threatened to punch out Trump even began looking into bring the Bandits into a new spring football league.
Averaged 39,896 in 1983, 46,158 in 1984 and 45,220 in 1985 (74,315 seat stadium) 1985 USFL Playoffs: Facing the Oakland Invaders on the road, the Tampa Bay Bandits put their late season struggles behind them and gave the Invaders, who were one of the best teams in the regular season all they could handle. Also building interest was the hiring of former Florida Gator and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Steve Spurrier to be the team coach.
Because of the game coming at the end of a grueling season and playoffs each team played the game with mostly backups as the Stars edged the Bandits 24-21. carries amazing and genuinely fine material for readers.
The former University of Florida star and NFL 1st round draft pick was 67 years old. Coaches Team’s Final Outlook At the time the USFL started Bassett was still tied up in a lawsuit against the NFL.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Tampa Bay Bandits’ majority owners were Canadian businessman John F. Bassett (who was still in litigation against the NFL over his previous Memphis Southmen franchise from the World Football League in the mid-1970s) and Miami attorney Steve Arky. The team is incorrectly presumed to be named the Bandits due to Burt Reynolds’ appearance in the hit Smokey and the Bandit movies; it was named after the owner’s daughter’s German Shepherd dog. 1985 / Division Championship Game (vs Oakland Invaders 27 – 30) The Tampa Bay Bandits of the United States Football League (USFL) played three seasons in Tampa Stadium from 1983 to 1985. With the try now 35 yards Zenon Andrusyshyn missed from 35 yards, keeping the game tied 27-27 after John Reaves 15-yard TD pass to Willie Gillespie. 1983 – 1986 / United States Football League, 1983 – 1986 / Steve Spurrier (35 wins and 19 losses), 1985 / Division Championship Game (vs Oakland Invaders 27 – 30), 1984 / Division Championship Game (vs Birmingham Stallions 17 – 36), Averaged 39,896 in 1983, 46,158 in 1984 and 45,220 in 1985 (74,315 seat stadium). Unusual and sad coincidence that a part-owner and two players committed suicide. All logos used on this page were from Chris Creamer’s Sports Logos Page. March 26, 1984, Bandits vs. Oakland Invaders. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.
Steve Spurrier coached the team. Stats researched by Frank Fleming, all information, and team names are property of the United States Football League. The Tampa Bay Bandits were a popular entry in the United States Football League during the mid-1980’s. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. November 29, 2015
February 9, 1985, Bandits vs. Orlando Renegades. 1984 USFL Postseason: The Tampa Bay Bandits would face their division rivals in the playoffs, taking on the Birmingham Stallions at Legion Field. 1983 – 1985 / Tampa Bay Bandits. Click here for Chriscreamer.com's Tampa Bay Bandits Page. Last Game: June 30, 1985 (L 30-27 @ Oakland Invaders).
However, injuries down the stretch hurt the Bandits, as they lost four of their last six games and finished with a record of 11-7. At 37 Spurrier was the youngest coach in the USFL, who came up with a fresh approach in offensive schemes. John Reaves had a big game, throwing three touchdown passes and running in another in a back and forth battle. The Tampa Bay Bandits of the United States Football League ended the 1983 season with a record of 11 wins and 7 losses, finishing third in the USFL's Central Division. At 37, he was the youngest head coach in professional football at the time. during the rain downfall of a game, the 1984 Trans Am to be used by the Bandits as a promotional vehicle driven on field by Burt Reynolds & Jerry Reed was stolen and ended up in Shelby N.C. However, over the last six weeks, Tampa would struggle, winning just one of their final six games. The Canadian born business man owned the Memphis Southmen in the World Football League, a previous upstart league that tried to go head-to-head with the NFL in the 70’s. They finished 2nd each year, behind the Denver Gold (1983) and the Jacksonville Bulls (1984 & 1985). Folded: August 4, 1986, First Game: March 6, 1983 (W 21-17 vs. Boston Breakers) February 26, 1984, Bandits vs. Jacksonville Bulls. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Bassett was diagnosed with brain cancer, and by mid-1985, staffers suspected that his illness was impairing his judgment.
United States Football League Stephen Arky, one of the other major shareholders in the Bandits, committed suicide. AC However, as the season began John Bassett was diagnosed with cancer. The Bandits also had a pair of runners go over 1,000 yards.
John Reaves again was the Bandits leading passer with 4,193 yards, with 25 touchdowns and 29 interceptions. Bassett at the same time began a feud with New Jersey Generals Owner Donald Trump, who was seen as leading the efforts to take the USFL into the fall.
Hi to every body, it’s my first visit of this webpage; this blog Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 1984: The Tampa Bay Bandits were even better in their second season, as John Reeves emerged as their starting quarterback, passing for 4,092 with 28 touchdowns and just 16 interceptions. Partner of USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties, Commissioners of the National Football League.
Bassett’s proposal came at a time when the CFL’s Montreal Concordes had been saved from bankruptcy in 1981, two years prior to the USFL’s launch (the Concordes would collapse again in 1987). Those numbers were nearly matched Marvin Harvey who had 70 catches for 938 yards, while also collecting nine touchdowns.
The Bandits run and gun approach worked early in the season, as they won their first four games. Your email address will not be published. Last updated on February 6, 2017 at 11:20 pm ET.
As Bassett succumbed to the dreaded disease his warnings about battling the NFL came to be, as the USFL never made it to the fall, as a $1 award in its lawsuit against the NFL left the league with no choice, but to cease operations.
Kenn Tomasch – WRUF Sportscaster 1985-1987.
The team traded away their major investment from the 1984 college draft, former Florida star, Bandits vs. Boston Breakers. The Bandits did not overspend on player contracts, keeping the franchise stable but making it difficult to compete with the USFL’s higher spending teams.
2, United States Football League (1983-1985), Born: May 11, 1982 – USFL founding franchise April 7, 1984, 1985 Tampa Bay Bandits Preseason Media Guide, Bandits vs. New Jersey Generals.
1983: The USFL’s franchise in Tampa was one of the strongest in the league. 1983 Tampa Bay Bandits Roster 1983 Tampa Bay Bandits Results. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Bassett would eventually lose his battle to cancer.
Owner John Bassett was diagnosed with a pair of brain tumors. March 10, 1984, Bandits vs. Birmingham Stallions.
amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; In August 1985, minority owner Lee Scarfone, a local architect, agreed to purchase Bassett’s and Arky’s stakes and field a team in the USFL for the fall 1986 season, with Tony Cunningham coming on as an additional partner. Minority owners included Hollywood mainstay Burt Reynolds, a former college football player who at that time one of the most popular motion picture actors in the world. He died from cancer in May 1986. Canadian government officials were dead-set against any other league challenging the CFL’s monopoly on professional football in Canada, even if they played in different seasons, and Senator Keith Davey, a former CFL commissioner, threatened to re-introduce the Canadian Football Act, a 1974 unpassed bill (proposed in the wake of Bassett’s previous proposal to put the Southmen in Toronto) that would have had the government endorse the CFL’s monopoly and prohibited any other league from playing in Canada.
The team folded along with the USFL after the league suspended play prior to the 1986 season.
Tampa would hire former Heisman Winner Steve Spurrier as their head coach. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "search";
Posted in Uncategorized by on October 20, 2020 @ 11:53 am
amzn_assoc_region = "US";
1983 – 1986 / United States Football League, Team History Lee Scarfone, the last owner of the Bandits in late 1985 and 1986, passed away on May 28, 2005 at the age of 73. The Bandits leading receiver was Larry Brodsky who had 69 catches for 1,071 yards with seven touchdowns. amzn_assoc_default_search_phrase = "Tampa Bay Bandits"; However, by mid-1985, the Bandits’ ownership group was in disarray. The team had a high-wattage ownership group that included America’s #1 box office star of the early 80’s – Burt Reynolds – and veteran sports investor John Bassett.
The Bandits was a charter member of the USFL and was the only franchise to have the same principal owner (John F. Bassett), head football coach (Steve Spurrier), and home field (Tampa Stadium) during the league’s three seasons of play. Page created on February 6, 2017. For the second straight season, Tampa Bay started strong, winning their first three games. Required fields are marked *.
Banditball was a true reflection of coach Steve Spurrier and maverick owner John Bassett.
Bandits part-owner Stephen Arky took his own life on July 24, 1985 after being implicated in the $300M collapse of Ft. Lauderdale bond trading firm E.S.M. Only USFL franchise to have the same coach, owner, and home city throughout the league’s three-year existence. Bassett who threatened to punch out Trump even began looking into bring the Bandits into a new spring football league.
Averaged 39,896 in 1983, 46,158 in 1984 and 45,220 in 1985 (74,315 seat stadium) 1985 USFL Playoffs: Facing the Oakland Invaders on the road, the Tampa Bay Bandits put their late season struggles behind them and gave the Invaders, who were one of the best teams in the regular season all they could handle. Also building interest was the hiring of former Florida Gator and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Steve Spurrier to be the team coach.
Because of the game coming at the end of a grueling season and playoffs each team played the game with mostly backups as the Stars edged the Bandits 24-21. carries amazing and genuinely fine material for readers.
The former University of Florida star and NFL 1st round draft pick was 67 years old. Coaches Team’s Final Outlook At the time the USFL started Bassett was still tied up in a lawsuit against the NFL.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Tampa Bay Bandits’ majority owners were Canadian businessman John F. Bassett (who was still in litigation against the NFL over his previous Memphis Southmen franchise from the World Football League in the mid-1970s) and Miami attorney Steve Arky. The team is incorrectly presumed to be named the Bandits due to Burt Reynolds’ appearance in the hit Smokey and the Bandit movies; it was named after the owner’s daughter’s German Shepherd dog. 1985 / Division Championship Game (vs Oakland Invaders 27 – 30) The Tampa Bay Bandits of the United States Football League (USFL) played three seasons in Tampa Stadium from 1983 to 1985. With the try now 35 yards Zenon Andrusyshyn missed from 35 yards, keeping the game tied 27-27 after John Reaves 15-yard TD pass to Willie Gillespie. 1983 – 1986 / United States Football League, 1983 – 1986 / Steve Spurrier (35 wins and 19 losses), 1985 / Division Championship Game (vs Oakland Invaders 27 – 30), 1984 / Division Championship Game (vs Birmingham Stallions 17 – 36), Averaged 39,896 in 1983, 46,158 in 1984 and 45,220 in 1985 (74,315 seat stadium). Unusual and sad coincidence that a part-owner and two players committed suicide. All logos used on this page were from Chris Creamer’s Sports Logos Page. March 26, 1984, Bandits vs. Oakland Invaders. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.
Steve Spurrier coached the team. Stats researched by Frank Fleming, all information, and team names are property of the United States Football League. The Tampa Bay Bandits were a popular entry in the United States Football League during the mid-1980’s. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. November 29, 2015
February 9, 1985, Bandits vs. Orlando Renegades. 1984 USFL Postseason: The Tampa Bay Bandits would face their division rivals in the playoffs, taking on the Birmingham Stallions at Legion Field. 1983 – 1985 / Tampa Bay Bandits. Click here for Chriscreamer.com's Tampa Bay Bandits Page. Last Game: June 30, 1985 (L 30-27 @ Oakland Invaders).
However, injuries down the stretch hurt the Bandits, as they lost four of their last six games and finished with a record of 11-7. At 37 Spurrier was the youngest coach in the USFL, who came up with a fresh approach in offensive schemes. John Reaves had a big game, throwing three touchdown passes and running in another in a back and forth battle. The Tampa Bay Bandits of the United States Football League ended the 1983 season with a record of 11 wins and 7 losses, finishing third in the USFL's Central Division. At 37, he was the youngest head coach in professional football at the time. during the rain downfall of a game, the 1984 Trans Am to be used by the Bandits as a promotional vehicle driven on field by Burt Reynolds & Jerry Reed was stolen and ended up in Shelby N.C. However, over the last six weeks, Tampa would struggle, winning just one of their final six games. The Canadian born business man owned the Memphis Southmen in the World Football League, a previous upstart league that tried to go head-to-head with the NFL in the 70’s. They finished 2nd each year, behind the Denver Gold (1983) and the Jacksonville Bulls (1984 & 1985). Folded: August 4, 1986, First Game: March 6, 1983 (W 21-17 vs. Boston Breakers) February 26, 1984, Bandits vs. Jacksonville Bulls. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Bassett was diagnosed with brain cancer, and by mid-1985, staffers suspected that his illness was impairing his judgment.
United States Football League Stephen Arky, one of the other major shareholders in the Bandits, committed suicide. AC However, as the season began John Bassett was diagnosed with cancer. The Bandits also had a pair of runners go over 1,000 yards.
John Reaves again was the Bandits leading passer with 4,193 yards, with 25 touchdowns and 29 interceptions. Bassett at the same time began a feud with New Jersey Generals Owner Donald Trump, who was seen as leading the efforts to take the USFL into the fall.
Hi to every body, it’s my first visit of this webpage; this blog Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 1984: The Tampa Bay Bandits were even better in their second season, as John Reeves emerged as their starting quarterback, passing for 4,092 with 28 touchdowns and just 16 interceptions. Partner of USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties, Commissioners of the National Football League.
Bassett’s proposal came at a time when the CFL’s Montreal Concordes had been saved from bankruptcy in 1981, two years prior to the USFL’s launch (the Concordes would collapse again in 1987). Those numbers were nearly matched Marvin Harvey who had 70 catches for 938 yards, while also collecting nine touchdowns.
The Bandits run and gun approach worked early in the season, as they won their first four games. Your email address will not be published. Last updated on February 6, 2017 at 11:20 pm ET.
As Bassett succumbed to the dreaded disease his warnings about battling the NFL came to be, as the USFL never made it to the fall, as a $1 award in its lawsuit against the NFL left the league with no choice, but to cease operations.
Kenn Tomasch – WRUF Sportscaster 1985-1987.
The team traded away their major investment from the 1984 college draft, former Florida star, Bandits vs. Boston Breakers. The Bandits did not overspend on player contracts, keeping the franchise stable but making it difficult to compete with the USFL’s higher spending teams.
2, United States Football League (1983-1985), Born: May 11, 1982 – USFL founding franchise April 7, 1984, 1985 Tampa Bay Bandits Preseason Media Guide, Bandits vs. New Jersey Generals.
1983: The USFL’s franchise in Tampa was one of the strongest in the league. 1983 Tampa Bay Bandits Roster 1983 Tampa Bay Bandits Results. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Bassett would eventually lose his battle to cancer.
Owner John Bassett was diagnosed with a pair of brain tumors. March 10, 1984, Bandits vs. Birmingham Stallions.
amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; In August 1985, minority owner Lee Scarfone, a local architect, agreed to purchase Bassett’s and Arky’s stakes and field a team in the USFL for the fall 1986 season, with Tony Cunningham coming on as an additional partner. Minority owners included Hollywood mainstay Burt Reynolds, a former college football player who at that time one of the most popular motion picture actors in the world. He died from cancer in May 1986. Canadian government officials were dead-set against any other league challenging the CFL’s monopoly on professional football in Canada, even if they played in different seasons, and Senator Keith Davey, a former CFL commissioner, threatened to re-introduce the Canadian Football Act, a 1974 unpassed bill (proposed in the wake of Bassett’s previous proposal to put the Southmen in Toronto) that would have had the government endorse the CFL’s monopoly and prohibited any other league from playing in Canada.
The team folded along with the USFL after the league suspended play prior to the 1986 season.
Tampa would hire former Heisman Winner Steve Spurrier as their head coach. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "search";
