New USFL Book

[preeths]

My book on the history of the United States Football League is now available for pre-order through McFarland and Amazon! It is slated to be released in March.

http://www.mcfarlandbooks.com/book-2.ph ... 766-6744-7

https://www.amazon.com/United-States-Fo ... 476667446/

From the publisher:
"One of the most ambitious (and short-lived) endeavors in professional sports history, the United States Football League was founded in 1982. Premiering with a spring schedule and an abundance of talent that included top rookies and National Football League veterans, the USFL gained national attention with broadcast and cable television contracts, controversial player signings, ownership battles and an unsuccessful billion-dollar lawsuit against the NFL. The USFL folded after four years yet represented the last major challenge to America's big four sports leagues--the NFL, National Basketball Association, National Hockey League and Major League Baseball. Based upon extensive research and interviews with owners, coaches, players and administrators, this book chronicles the league's formation, its three seasons of play and its long-term effects on pro sports."

[Ken Crippen]

Nice job, Paul!!

[preeths]

Thank you! The book represents literally thousands of hours of research, interviews, edits and writing. I was fortunate enough to speak with several people before they passed away including the league's first commissioner Chet Simmons, founder Dave Dixon, and team owners A. Alfred Taubman and Myles Tanenbaum. Steve Ehrhart and his successor with the league, Bill McSherry, were invaluable with their inside knowledge of the USFL's workings, and Gary Cohen, who produced ESPN's 30 for 30 special Small Potatoes: Who Killed the USFL? was a big help. The players and coaches were also of great assistance. I hope everyone who orders the book enjoys it!

[JWL]

I have been looking forward to this book although I may not get around to reading it before 2020 due to a number of other ones already in the queue.

[JohnBowen]

I am going to get this one, for sure! Just wish we had a spring league again in any form.......loved the USFL.

[falconfan58]

I've said for the longest time,if they would have stayed in the spring,the USFL would still exist.

[preeths]

One of my hopes is that the book addresses the business side of the league in an unbiased manner, showing why the fall was tempting for some owners and why they eventually eschewed the spring. I know as a young fan that decision always perplexed me, but after talking to administrators and owners, I understood the debate and underlying economic realities better.

[preeths]

Just a quick update that The United States Football League, 1982-1986 is now available for immediate shipping through McFarland:
http://www.mcfarlandbooks.com/book-2.ph ... 766-6744-7

[JohnBowen]

Just ordered my copy....cannot WAIT! Loved everything about the USFL. Still think a spring league is viable if run from Feb through April.......

[BD Sullivan]

John Bassett (TB) and Tannenbaum (Philly/Baltimore) had the best-run teams, with Bassett putting some energy into the marketing of the league. Denver had a chance to cash in, but their ownership was too cheap (or ignorant) to take advantage of the fan support.