- 1983
- 1983
- 1985
-
Michigan Panthers Team Formation
The Michigan Panthers were named as a charter member of the United States Football League (USFL) on May 11, 1982. A. Alfred Taubman, one of the nation’s leading real estate developers, headed the ownership group that included Judge Peter B. Spivak and Max M. Fisher. The Panthers named former CFL executive, Jim Spavital as their General Manager on August 26, ... -
First USFL Champs 1983
In the playoffs, the Panthers hosted the Western Division champion Oakland Invaders before a USFL-record crowd of 60,237. The Panthers’ decisive 37–21 victory vaulted them to the inaugural USFL Championship Game in Denver, Colorado. On July 17, 1983, the Panthers captured the USFL’s first championship with a 24–22 win over the Atlantic Division champion Philadelphia Stars. QB Bobby Hebert hit ... -
Taubman Sells to the Invaders
It turned out to be the Panthers’ last game. After the 1984 season was over USFL owners, largely under the influence of New Jersey Generals owner Donald Trump and Chicago franchise owner Eddie Einhorn began talking seriously about moving to a fall schedule in 1986. While the Panthers had developed a loyal following, Taubman was a strong believer in the ...
The Michigan Panthers were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League (USFL) from 1983 through 1984.
Established
1983
City
Pontiac – Oakland
League History
1983 – 1985 / United States Football League
Team History
1983 – 1985 / Oakland Invaders
1983 – 1984 / Michigan Panthers
Nickname
Panthers – A black panther is typically a melanistic color variant of any Panthera species.
Original USFL Team
Yes
Final USFL Team
No
Team’s Final Outlook
After the merger between the Oakland Invaders and the Oklahoma Outlaws collapsed, Taubman quietly approached Invaders owner Tad Taube about a possible merger with his Panthers.
Championship
USFL Championship 1
1983
Stadium
1983 – 1985 / Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
*Michigan*
1983 – 1984 / Pontiac Silverdome
Owner
1985 / A. Alfred Taubman and Tad Taube
1983 – 1984 / Tad Taube
*Michigan*
1983 – 1984 / A. Alfred Taubman
Coaches
1985 / Charlie Sumner(15 wins – 5 losses – 1 tie)
1984 / Chuck Hutchison (7 wins – 8 losses)
1983 – 1984 / John Ralston (9 wins – 12 losses)
*Michigan*
1983 – 1984 / Jim Stanley (24 wins – 15 losses)
Accomplishments
1985 / USFL Championship Game (vs Baltimore Stars 24 – 28)
1983 / USFL Champions (vs Philadelphia Stars 24 – 22)
1985 / Conference Champions (vs Memphis Showboats 28 – 19)
1985 / Division Champions (vs Tampa Bay Bandits 30 – 27)
1984 / Division Championship Game (vs Los Angeles Express 21 – 27 OT)
1983 / Division Champions (vs Oakland Invaders 37 – 21)
Averaged 31,211 in 1983, 23,644 in 1984 and 17,509 in 1985 (56,057 seat stadium)
*Blue is this team’s history