In 1984, Donald Trump purchased the New Jersey Generals of the fledgling United States Football League (USFL) with his eyes set on challenging the National Football League (NFL) and force a merger between the two.

The USFL played its games in the spring and had a television contract with ABC and ESPN.

Trump was intent on making a big splash with the Generals. He sought out legendary Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula (the NFL's all-time leader in victories) to lead his team. But, according to rumor, Shula wanted a condominium in Trump Tower as a part of his contract and Trump balked at the idea. However, he did go out and sign veteran NFL talent to lofty contracts to boost his team's visibility. In 1985, he signed Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Doug Flutie straight out of college. This gave the Generals a backfield that featured Flutie and 1982 Heisman winner Herschel Walker, which made them one of the more feared offenses in the USFL.

In 1986, Trump convinced the other owners to move the USFL schedule to the fall in an attempt to go head-to-head with the established NFL. Trump convinced the other owners their financial investment returns would double. The 1986 season was never played and the USFL folded.

Later that year, the league filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL, which it won. A judge awarded the USFL owners three dollars in damages. No merger ever happened and the league became just another footnote in American sports history.

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