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Post by TheGoodMan19 on Feb 17, 2020 7:48:11 GMT
Nearly forgotten but shouldn't be. What a disaster. Founded by Gary Davidson, who started the American Basketball Association and the World Hockey Association. Both of which, while unsuccessful, have teams in the NBA and NHL. Not so for the WFL and for good reason. The league was started to capitalize on the popularity on pro football and the fact that NFL players were horribly underpaid in the 70's. Instead of building with some established players and mostly college seniors, like the AFL, they threw money at NFL stars. Problem was, the owners had no money. Some fun facts I found out...
Philadelphia Bell (get used to singular team nicknames) owner Harry Jay Katz had more pending lawsuits than money. The team was taken from him Detroit Wheels near owner Bob Huchul had 30 arrests and 27 lawsuits over shady business deals Philadelphia claimed 120,253 in attendance for their first two games (played at JFK Stadium). They gave away 100,900 of those tickets Charlotte Hornets had their uniforms impounded because they couldn't pay the laundry bill Florida Blazers team had to eat with McDonald's meal vouchers Detroit nearly had to forfeit a game because they had no medical tape John Matuzak had an injunction which forced him to stop playing for the Houston Texans midway through a game. The "Tooz" waved the injunction to the fans The league had to make sure the $10,000 awarded to the MVP of the World Bowl (title game) was in cash and in the stadium for fear a check would bounce The league placed the Philadelphia Bell into the playoffs instead of the Charlotte Hornets, who had a better record because the Hornets didn't sell enough advance tickets The IRS nearly stopped the World Bowl from being played because the Birmingham Americans owed $275,000 in back taxes. The Feds took a part of the gate instead After the season, it was discovered that the Florida Blazers owner financed the team by selling cocaine (seriously) In 1975, the league wanted to have players wear pants color coordinated by position. OL wear purple pants, RB green, WR yellow.
The league made it part way through 1975 and then folded. The only notable thing it accomplished was breaking up the Miami Dolphins dynasty by signing Larry Csonka, Jim Kiick and Paul Warfield. Some othe big name players bolted. Darryl Lamonica, Calvin Hill, John Matuzak (for a few plays). Some, LC Greenwood, Ken Stabler. Bill Bergey, had the sense to sign future contracts. But the league had no future. They only developed one real player from scratch, Danny White
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Post by weststigersbob on Feb 17, 2020 10:42:52 GMT
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Post by fjenkins on Feb 17, 2020 16:07:15 GMT
Nearly forgotten but shouldn't be. What a disaster. Founded by Gary Davidson, who started the American Basketball Association and the World Hockey Association. Both of which, while unsuccessful, have teams in the NBA and NHL. Not so for the WFL and for good reason. The league was started to capitalize on the popularity on pro football and the fact that NFL players were horribly underpaid in the 70's. Instead of building with some established players and mostly college seniors, like the AFL, they threw money at NFL stars. Problem was, the owners had no money. Some fun facts I found out...
Philadelphia Bell (get used to singular team nicknames) owner Harry Jay Katz had more pending lawsuits than money. The team was taken from him Detroit Wheels near owner Bob Huchul had 30 arrests and 27 lawsuits over shady business deals Philadelphia claimed 120,253 in attendance for their first two games (played at JFK Stadium). They gave away 100,900 of those tickets Charlotte Hornets had their uniforms impounded because they couldn't pay the laundry bill Florida Blazers team had to eat with McDonald's meal vouchers Detroit nearly had to forfeit a game because they had no medical tape John Matuzak had an injunction which forced him to stop playing for the Houston Texans midway through a game. The "Tooz" waved the injunction to the fans The league had to make sure the $10,000 awarded to the MVP of the World Bowl (title game) was in cash and in the stadium for fear a check would bounce The league placed the Philadelphia Bell into the playoffs instead of the Charlotte Hornets, who had a better record because the Hornets didn't sell enough advance tickets The IRS nearly stopped the World Bowl from being played because the Birmingham Americans owed $275,000 in back taxes. The Feds took a part of the gate instead After the season, it was discovered that the Florida Blazers owner financed the team by selling cocaine (seriously) In 1975, the league wanted to have players wear pants color coordinated by position. OL wear purple pants, RB green, WR yellow.
The league made it part way through 1975 and then folded. The only notable thing it accomplished was breaking up the Miami Dolphins dynasty by signing Larry Csonka, Jim Kiick and Paul Warfield. Some othe big name players bolted. Darryl Lamonica, Calvin Hill, John Matuzak (for a few plays). Some, LC Greenwood, Ken Stabler. Bill Bergey, had the sense to sign future contracts. But the league had no future. They only developed one real player from scratch, Danny White
The movie Invincible portrays Vince Papale as a bartender who tries out for the Eagles and makes the team when in reality, he played 2 seasons for the Philadelphia Bell which led to him getting in the door with the Eagles.
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Post by NJtoTX on Feb 17, 2020 16:36:10 GMT
Nearly forgotten but shouldn't be. What a disaster. Founded by Gary Davidson, who started the American Basketball Association and the World Hockey Association. Both of which, while unsuccessful, have teams in the NBA and NHL. Not so for the WFL and for good reason. The league was started to capitalize on the popularity on pro football and the fact that NFL players were horribly underpaid in the 70's. Instead of building with some established players and mostly college seniors, like the AFL, they threw money at NFL stars. Problem was, the owners had no money. Some fun facts I found out...
Philadelphia Bell (get used to singular team nicknames) owner Harry Jay Katz had more pending lawsuits than money. The team was taken from him Detroit Wheels near owner Bob Huchul had 30 arrests and 27 lawsuits over shady business deals Philadelphia claimed 120,253 in attendance for their first two games (played at JFK Stadium). They gave away 100,900 of those tickets Charlotte Hornets had their uniforms impounded because they couldn't pay the laundry bill Florida Blazers team had to eat with McDonald's meal vouchers Detroit nearly had to forfeit a game because they had no medical tape John Matuzak had an injunction which forced him to stop playing for the Houston Texans midway through a game. The "Tooz" waved the injunction to the fans The league had to make sure the $10,000 awarded to the MVP of the World Bowl (title game) was in cash and in the stadium for fear a check would bounce The league placed the Philadelphia Bell into the playoffs instead of the Charlotte Hornets, who had a better record because the Hornets didn't sell enough advance tickets The IRS nearly stopped the World Bowl from being played because the Birmingham Americans owed $275,000 in back taxes. The Feds took a part of the gate instead After the season, it was discovered that the Florida Blazers owner financed the team by selling cocaine (seriously) In 1975, the league wanted to have players wear pants color coordinated by position. OL wear purple pants, RB green, WR yellow.
The league made it part way through 1975 and then folded. The only notable thing it accomplished was breaking up the Miami Dolphins dynasty by signing Larry Csonka, Jim Kiick and Paul Warfield. Some othe big name players bolted. Darryl Lamonica, Calvin Hill, John Matuzak (for a few plays). Some, LC Greenwood, Ken Stabler. Bill Bergey, had the sense to sign future contracts. But the league had no future. They only developed one real player from scratch, Danny White
Looks like I lit a fire under you. Yep, the game I saw was a Wednesday night, August 21, 1974, Houston Texans 10 at New York Stars 43, at Downing Stadium on Randall's Island next to the Triborough Bridge. Babe Parilli coached the Stars, Gary Danielson was a QB on that team, but I think Tom Sherman played. Don Highsmith was the RB. Was already 7-0 when we got there.
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Post by TheGoodMan19 on Feb 17, 2020 17:46:14 GMT
Nearly forgotten but shouldn't be. What a disaster. Founded by Gary Davidson, who started the American Basketball Association and the World Hockey Association. Both of which, while unsuccessful, have teams in the NBA and NHL. Not so for the WFL and for good reason. The league was started to capitalize on the popularity on pro football and the fact that NFL players were horribly underpaid in the 70's. Instead of building with some established players and mostly college seniors, like the AFL, they threw money at NFL stars. Problem was, the owners had no money. Some fun facts I found out...
Philadelphia Bell (get used to singular team nicknames) owner Harry Jay Katz had more pending lawsuits than money. The team was taken from him Detroit Wheels near owner Bob Huchul had 30 arrests and 27 lawsuits over shady business deals Philadelphia claimed 120,253 in attendance for their first two games (played at JFK Stadium). They gave away 100,900 of those tickets Charlotte Hornets had their uniforms impounded because they couldn't pay the laundry bill Florida Blazers team had to eat with McDonald's meal vouchers Detroit nearly had to forfeit a game because they had no medical tape John Matuzak had an injunction which forced him to stop playing for the Houston Texans midway through a game. The "Tooz" waved the injunction to the fans The league had to make sure the $10,000 awarded to the MVP of the World Bowl (title game) was in cash and in the stadium for fear a check would bounce The league placed the Philadelphia Bell into the playoffs instead of the Charlotte Hornets, who had a better record because the Hornets didn't sell enough advance tickets The IRS nearly stopped the World Bowl from being played because the Birmingham Americans owed $275,000 in back taxes. The Feds took a part of the gate instead After the season, it was discovered that the Florida Blazers owner financed the team by selling cocaine (seriously) In 1975, the league wanted to have players wear pants color coordinated by position. OL wear purple pants, RB green, WR yellow.
The league made it part way through 1975 and then folded. The only notable thing it accomplished was breaking up the Miami Dolphins dynasty by signing Larry Csonka, Jim Kiick and Paul Warfield. Some othe big name players bolted. Darryl Lamonica, Calvin Hill, John Matuzak (for a few plays). Some, LC Greenwood, Ken Stabler. Bill Bergey, had the sense to sign future contracts. But the league had no future. They only developed one real player from scratch, Danny White
Looks like I lit a fire under you. Yep, the game I saw was a Wednesday night, August 21, 1974, Houston Texans 10 at New York Stars 43, at Downing Stadium on Randall's Island next to the Triborough Bridge. Babe Parilli coached the Stars, Gary Danielson was a QB on that team, but I think Tom Sherman played. Don Highsmith was the RB. Was already 7-0 when we got there. Actually, it was a work discussion about the XFL and whether a rival league in any of the four sports could make a go. Some leagues have put teams in the senior leagues, the ABA, WHA, AAFC. Mostly because they had strong franchises in good markets. The AAFC Cleveland Browns being the best example. Big issue was whether a spring football league could work. And someone thought the WFL was a spring league.
I remember the league. Mostly from them gutting the Dolphins (helped the Bills). I think I seen a couple games on TV, the Southern California Sun seems to look familiar. No one here gave a crap because the closest team was in NYC'
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Post by NJtoTX on Feb 17, 2020 17:51:25 GMT
Actually, it was a work discussion about the XFL and whether a rival league in any of the four sports could make a go. Some leagues have put teams in the senior leagues, the ABA, WHA, AAFC. Mostly because they had strong franchises in good markets. The AAFC Cleveland Browns being the best example. Big issue was whether a spring football league could work. And someone thought the WFL was a spring league.
I remember the league. Mostly from them gutting the Dolphins (helped the Bills). I think I seen a couple games on TV, the Southern California Sun seems to look familiar. No one here gave a crap because the closest team was in NYC'
I just meant extending beyond your USFL/XFL discussion. imdb2.freeforums.net/post/3677799/thread
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Post by TheGoodMan19 on Feb 17, 2020 17:57:44 GMT
Actually, it was a work discussion about the XFL and whether a rival league in any of the four sports could make a go. Some leagues have put teams in the senior leagues, the ABA, WHA, AAFC. Mostly because they had strong franchises in good markets. The AAFC Cleveland Browns being the best example. Big issue was whether a spring football league could work. And someone thought the WFL was a spring league.
I remember the league. Mostly from them gutting the Dolphins (helped the Bills). I think I seen a couple games on TV, the Southern California Sun seems to look familiar. No one here gave a crap because the closest team was in NYC'
I just meant extending beyond your USFL/XFL discussion. IMDB2.freeforums.net/post/3677799/thread Ahh. At least the WFL had names. More than He hate Me.
Can a rival league in any sport make it ever? Like the AFL or the American League. Or even like the ABA? Spring football is a possibility (no sane person would butt heads with the NFL in the fall).
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Post by tristramshandy on Feb 17, 2020 18:30:03 GMT
FOUR teams changed their name in the two years they were in action!
Portland: Storm (1974), Thunder (1975)
Jacksonville: Sharks (1974), Express (1975)
Charlotte: Stars (1974), Hornets (1975)
Birmingham: Americans (1974), Vulcans (1975)
Name changes were what they thought could change the league's fortunes?!?
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Post by millar70 on Feb 17, 2020 18:49:30 GMT
FOUR teams changed their name in the two years they were in action! Portland: Storm (1974), Thunder (1975) Jacksonville: Sharks (1974), Express (1975) Charlotte: Stars (1974), Hornets (1975) Birmingham: Americans (1974), Vulcans (1975) Name changes were what they thought could change the league's fortunes?!? The Vulcans!?! Damn, bring that name back! |
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Post by Rey Kahuka on Feb 17, 2020 18:56:39 GMT
FOUR teams changed their name in the two years they were in action! Portland: Storm (1974), Thunder (1975) Jacksonville: Sharks (1974), Express (1975) Charlotte: Stars (1974), Hornets (1975) Birmingham: Americans (1974), Vulcans (1975) Name changes were what they thought could change the league's fortunes?!? The Vulcans!?! Damn, bring that name back! I want pointed ears protruding from the helmets, Vulcan nerve pinches to tackle players and the Vulcan salute during high fives. Team motto: "Our opponents won't live long and prosper." The coaches can't show emotion and always follow advanced metrics for game decisions-- you know, always make the logical call.
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Post by tristramshandy on Feb 17, 2020 18:58:56 GMT
FOUR teams changed their name in the two years they were in action! Portland: Storm (1974), Thunder (1975) Jacksonville: Sharks (1974), Express (1975) Charlotte: Stars (1974), Hornets (1975) Birmingham: Americans (1974), Vulcans (1975) Name changes were what they thought could change the league's fortunes?!? The Vulcans!?! Damn, bring that name back! And why would you trade Sharks for Express? Hell, the Jaguars should be named the Sharks.
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Post by millar70 on Feb 17, 2020 19:03:42 GMT
The Vulcans!?! Damn, bring that name back! I want pointed ears protruding from the helmets, Vulcan nerve pinches to tackle players and the Vulcan salute during high fives. Team motto: "Our opponents won't live long and prosper." The coaches can't show emotion and always follow advanced metrics for game decisions-- you know, always make the logical call. They would win championships at the same rate that Vulcans get laid, what is it like every 7 years or so..... |
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Post by millar70 on Feb 17, 2020 19:06:14 GMT
The Vulcans!?! Damn, bring that name back! And why would you trade Sharks for Express? Hell, the Jaguars should be named the Sharks. Plus, they changed from Sharks to Express in 1975, the year Jaws was released. Talk about bad timing. |
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Post by TheGoodMan19 on Feb 17, 2020 19:17:38 GMT
FOUR teams changed their name in the two years they were in action! Portland: Storm (1974), Thunder (1975) Jacksonville: Sharks (1974), Express (1975) Charlotte: Stars (1974), Hornets (1975) Birmingham: Americans (1974), Vulcans (1975) Name changes were what they thought could change the league's fortunes?!? The Memphis team started as the Toronto Northmen. When Canada threatened legislation to prevent any US team from playing in Canada, the owner, John Bassett who owned the Tampa Bay bandits of the USFL, move them to Memphis and called them the "Southmen". Stinko. Due to the bear in the logo, the team was informally known as the Grizzlies. What logo would befit the Southman, a white robed man and a flaming cross?
Elvis used to go to the Southmen/Grizzlies games
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Post by tristramshandy on Feb 17, 2020 19:26:30 GMT
FOUR teams changed their name in the two years they were in action! Portland: Storm (1974), Thunder (1975) Jacksonville: Sharks (1974), Express (1975) Charlotte: Stars (1974), Hornets (1975) Birmingham: Americans (1974), Vulcans (1975) Name changes were what they thought could change the league's fortunes?!? The Memphis team started as the Toronto Northmen. When Canada threatened legislation to prevent any US team from playing in Canada, the owner, John Bassett who owned the Tampa Bay bandits of the USFL, move them to Memphis and called them the "Southmen". Stinko. Due to the bear in the logo, the team was informally known as the Grizzlies. What logo would befit the Southman, a white robed man and a flaming cross?
Elvis used to go to the Southmen/Grizzlies games The Southman logo was going to be my other original comment. At first I didn't know what it was and thought it was a rendition of some really hairy southern hillbilly.
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Post by TheGoodMan19 on Feb 17, 2020 19:34:06 GMT
The Memphis team started as the Toronto Northmen. When Canada threatened legislation to prevent any US team from playing in Canada, the owner, John Bassett who owned the Tampa Bay bandits of the USFL, move them to Memphis and called them the "Southmen". Stinko. Due to the bear in the logo, the team was informally known as the Grizzlies. What logo would befit the Southman, a white robed man and a flaming cross?
Elvis used to go to the Southmen/Grizzlies games The Southman logo was going to be my other original comment. At first I didn't know what it was and thought it was a rendition of some really hairy southern hillbilly. 2nd one is the Southman.
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Post by fjenkins on Feb 17, 2020 20:35:29 GMT
FOUR teams changed their name in the two years they were in action! Portland: Storm (1974), Thunder (1975) Jacksonville: Sharks (1974), Express (1975) Charlotte: Stars (1974), Hornets (1975) Birmingham: Americans (1974), Vulcans (1975) Name changes were what they thought could change the league's fortunes?!? Why would a team change their name from Sharks (great) to Express (awful)? And what about "Vulcans?" Was that to get all those Star Trek footbball fans?
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Post by NJtoTX on Feb 17, 2020 20:43:13 GMT
Can a rival league in any sport make it ever? Like the AFL or the American League. Or even like the ABA? Spring football is a possibility (no sane person would butt heads with the NFL in the fall).
Doubt it at this point, except for international hockey. Found a lot more about the 43-10 game I was at. wfl.charlottehornetswfl.com/season_book_1974/09.php
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Post by tristramshandy on Feb 18, 2020 1:12:56 GMT
FOUR teams changed their name in the two years they were in action! Portland: Storm (1974), Thunder (1975) Jacksonville: Sharks (1974), Express (1975) Charlotte: Stars (1974), Hornets (1975) Birmingham: Americans (1974), Vulcans (1975) Name changes were what they thought could change the league's fortunes?!? Why would a team change their name from Sharks (great) to Express (awful)? And what about "Vulcans?" Was that to get all those Star Trek footbball fans? I believe Birmingham was the steel making capital of the south. They have the largest cast iron statue in the world and it is of Vulcan, the Roman god of the fire and forge. I can't remember the guy's name, but there was a dude on the original sports IMDb board who was an Auburn fan but also a big Steelers fan. I believe he was from Birmingham - - I always wondered if that's why he liked the Steelers.
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