Established
1983
City
Boston – New Orleans – Portland
League History
1983 – 1986, 2022 - Present / United States Football League
Team History
1985 / Portland Breakers
1984, 2022 - Present / New Orleans Breakers
1983 / Boston Breakers
Nickname
Breakers – The Portland Breakers were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League (USFL) from 1983 to 1985. The team was based in Portland, Oregon, and had one of the most unique nicknames of any USFL franchise. But where did this nickname come from? Let’s take a look at how the Portland Breakers got their name.
The origin story starts with owner Bill Daniels, who purchased an expansion franchise for 4 million dollars in 1982 and named it after his hometown: “Portland.” To complete the branding process, he needed to find a catchy nickname for his new venture, something memorable that could be used on merchandise and draw attention to what would become one of only four USFL teams located west of Texas (the other three being Los Angeles Express, Denver Gold & Oakland Invaders). After much deliberation, he landed on “Breakers,” – which perfectly encapsulated Daniel's love for surfing and symbolized breaking away from traditional norms associated with professional football leagues at that time!
In addition to its connection with Daniels' interests, "Breakers" also represented power - just like waves crashing onto shorelines or walls crumbling during demolition projects - which made it perfect not only for marketing purposes but also giving fans something tangible they could identify themselves within through their passion towards supporting this upstart league! With all these factors combined, there is no doubt why 'Breaker' eventually became synonymous with everything related to sports and culture throughout the Pacific Northwest region during those years...
Championship
USFL Championship 0
Stadium
1985 / Civic Stadium
*New Orleans*
2022 - Present / Protective Stadium/Legion Field (Birmingham, Alabama)
1984 / Louisiana Superdome
*Boston*
1983 / Nickerson Field
Owner
2022 - Present / National Spring Football League Enterprises Co
1985 / Joseph Canizaro
1984 / Joseph Canizaro and Randy Vataha
1983 / George Matthews and Randy Vataha
- 1985
- 1986
-
Move to Portland
Searching for a home, Canizaro considered moving to Sacramento and Columbus and even weighed merging with the Birmingham Stallions. However, he was particularly intrigued when he visited Portland. It was a fairly large market with a reasonably adequate facility by USFL standards in 32,000 seat Civic Stadium (the stadium capacity has since been reduced). The move to Portland was announced ... -
USFL Shutdown
The Breakers were one of nine teams slated to play in the USFL’s first fall season and were slated to be one of only two teams west of the Mississippi River. However, they had only drawn 19,919 per game, nowhere near enough to break even. After talks to merge with other teams failed, Canizaro folded the franchise while the USFL’s ...
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* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
History of the Breakers
The Portland Breakers were an American football team that played in the United States Football League (USFL) from 1983 to 1985. The team was based in Portland, Oregon, and played their home games at Civic Stadium. Founded by owner Robert Harris, the Breakers had a successful first season as they made it to the USFL Championship game before losing to Baltimore Stars 24-22.
In 1984, the USFL decided to move its schedule from spring/summer into fall/winter, which caused many teams financial difficulties, including those of Harris, who sold his franchise rights back for 3 million dollars after just one season with them. After this sale, ownership of the team went through several hands until finally ending up with real estate mogul Donald Trump who moved them out east and renamed them New Jersey Generals for their final two seasons of existence (1985-1986).
Though brief lived and often overlooked due mainly in part due its short life span, The Portland Breakers are still remembered fondly by sports fans around Oregon as being one of only three professional football teams ever based there during the modern era, along with NFL's Seattle Seahawks & CFL's BC Lions; making it quite a unique piece within state’s rich sporting history!
Sports Fan Products
Accomplishments
Averaged 19,919 fans (32,500 seat stadium)
*Blue is this team’s history