- 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 ...
History of the Breakers
The Portland Breakers were an American football team that played in the original United States Football League (USFL) in the mid-1980s.
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, Civic Stadium (which seated 32,000 people at the time). The move to Portland was announced on November 13, 1984. It marked a return home of sorts for Coury, who had led the World Football League's Portland Storm in 1974. Initially, Portland seemed to welcome the Breakers with open arms. The Breakers sold 6,000 of its highest-priced tickets within twelve hours.
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, not enough to break even. This was partly because Civic Stadium was in an area downtown with little parking (a stop on the MAX Light Rail line would not open for another decade). With such meager attendance, meeting payroll became an adventure. At one point midway through the season, the players were only paid every other week. With four games to go, the checks stopped coming altogether. They were forced to waive their entire roster after missing their final payroll. Coury later recalled that he and his staff never got paid the full salaries stipulated in their contracts.
After talks to merge with other teams failed, Canizaro folded the franchise while the USFL's antitrust suit against the NFL was underway, citing over $17 million in losses over three years. It had been obvious even before Canizaro folded the franchise that the Breakers would never play another down.
Established
1983
City
Boston – New Orleans – Portland
League History
1983 – 1986 / United States Football League
Team History
1985 / Portland Breakers
1984 / New Orleans Breakers
1983 / Boston Breakers
Nickname
Breakers – The Breakers nickname is a carry over name that originated in Boston and then traveled to New Orleans which means a heavy sea wave that breaks into white foam on the shore.
Original USFL Team
No
Final USFL Team
Yes
Team’s Final Outlook
The Breakers were one of nine teams slated to play in the USFL’s first fall season. However, the USFL’s antitrust suit against the NFL was underway, Canizaro folded the franchise, citing over $17 million in losses over three years.
Championship
USFL Championship 0
Stadium
1985 / Civic Stadium
*New Orleans*
1984 / Louisiana Superdome
*Boston*
1983 / Nickerson Field
Owner
1985 / Joseph Canizaro
1984 / Joseph Canizaro and Randy Vataha
1983 / George Matthews and Randy Vataha
Coaches
1983 – 1985 / Dick Coury (25 wins – 29 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
Averaged 19,919 fans (32,500 seat stadium)
*Blue is this team’s history