- 1983
- 1983
- 1985
- 2022
-
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 Re-Formation of the Panthers
The Michigan Panthers were one of eight teams that were officially announced as a USFL franchise on The Herd with Colin Cowherd on November 22, 2021. On January 27, 2022, it was announced on The Herd with Colin Cowherd that former NFL Head coach Jeff Fisher was named the head coach and general manager of the Panthers.
History of the Panthers
The Michigan Panthers are a professional American football team. The Panthers compete in the United States Football League (USFL) as a member of the North Division. The team plays its home games at Protective Stadium and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, which also hosts the University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers.
The USFL league announced the 2022 season will be played by the following eight teams Birmingham Stallions, Houston Gamblers, Michigan Panthers, New Jersey Generals, New Orleans Breakers, Philadelphia Stars, Pittsburgh Maulers, and Tampa Bay Bandits. All of these teams were a part of the original league play in the 80s'.
Established
1983
City
Pontiac – Oakland
League History
1983 – 1985, 2022 - Present / United States Football League
Team History
1983 – 1985 / Oakland Invaders
1983 – 1984, 2022 - Present / Michigan Panthers
Nickname
Panthers – A black panther is typically a melanistic color variant of any Panthera species.
Original USFL Team
Yes
Championship
USFL Championship 1
1983
Stadium
1983 – 1985 / Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
*Michigan*
2022 - Present / Protective Stadium/Legion Field (Birmingham, Alabama)
1983 – 1984 / Pontiac Silverdome
Owner
1985 / A. Alfred Taubman and Tad Taube
1983 – 1984 / Tad Taube
*Michigan*
2022 - Present / National Spring Football League Enterprises Co, LLC, (Fox Sports)
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*
2022 - Present / Jeff Fisher
1983 – 1984 / Jim Stanley (24 wins – 15 losses)
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
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