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
Invaders – Are you a sports fan who loves the Oakland Invaders? If so, you may be interested in learning more about the origins of their nickname. The Oakland Invaders were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League (USFL) from 1983 to 1985.
The name “Invaders” was chosen by owner and founder Chet Soda as an homage to his hometown of Oakland, California. In particular, it was meant to evoke memories of World War II-era military aircraft that flew over San Francisco Bay during training maneuvers before they headed off into battle overseas. As such, when Soda chose this moniker for his team, he wanted fans and players alike to know he had their backs no matter what happened on or off the field—just like those brave pilots did all those years ago!
In addition to being inspired by WWII planes flying over San Francisco Bay, there is another possible origin story behind why Soda chose “Invaders” as his USFL franchise's nickname: It could also be related to him wanting people associated with Raiders Nation (Oakland's NFL Team at the time) feel welcome despite them playing in different leagues now - hence invading other teams' territory! No matter which version is actual, one thing remains constant; this unique name has become synonymous with determination and perseverance - two traits every successful athlete needs to make a big time!
Championship
USFL Championship 0
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
1983 – 1984 / A. Alfred Taubman
- 1983
- 1985
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Invaders Team Formation
Oakland had been without a football team after the Oakland Raiders relocated to Los Angeles before the 1982 NFL season. The Invaders stepped in to fill the void; the similar name was no accident. The team was originally owned by Bay Area real estate magnates Jim Joseph and Tad Taube. However, after the original owner of the USFL’s Los Angeles ... -
Adding Michigan Panthers
Taube then approached the Michigan Panthers, who had been one of the league’s strongest teams during its first two years and had by reckoned by some observers as an NFL-quality team. However, Panthers owner A. Alfred Taubman was a strong supporter of spring football and was not willing to go head-to-head with the Detroit Lions. Taubman and Taube quickly reached ...
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History of the Invaders
The Oakland Invaders were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League (USFL) during its 1983 and 1984 seasons. The team was initially based in Oakland, California, and played its home games at the Oakland Coliseum. The Invaders were owned by Al Davis, who had previously been an owner of the AFL’s Raiders before they moved to Los Angeles.
The USFL was formed as an alternative to NFL teams due to their lack of parity between big market clubs such as the Dallas Cowboys or Washington Redskins versus smaller markets like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Seattle Seahawks. During its first season, under head coach John Ralston, the Invaders finished with a 7-11 record but failed to make it into post-season play after losing out on tiebreakers for playoff spots. They improved upon this performance during their second year under new head coach Charlie Sumner when they posted a 10–8 record which earned them one of six wild card berths into post-season play, where they lost against eventual champions Baltimore Stars 20–17 in an overtime thriller at Memorial Stadium on July 14th, 1984; what would be last game ever for the franchise as USFL folded shortly afterward due financial difficulties brought about by antitrust lawsuit filed against NFL over television rights issues which led league's demise following 1985 season never being completed.
Despite the short life span within the USFL framework, Oakland Invader provided an entertaining brand of football with great players like QB Bobby Hebert, who went on to have a successful career at the college level at Louisiana State University and then later in National Football League playing New Orleans Saints & Atlanta Falcons. The team also featured future Pro Bowlers Gary Anderson & Mike Haynes and many other talented individuals whose careers flourished elsewhere once the league disbanded. Today, Invaders are remembered fondly amongst sports fans from Bay Area, especially those old enough to remember good times watching them compete each week inside the confines Coliseum back mid 80's even though they ultimately didn't reach the ultimate goal, the championship title remained a piece rich history surrounding sports area continues to thrive today through success current Raider franchises has experienced since returning city 1995.
Sports Fan Products
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