Tampa Bay Bandits Team History
The Tampa Bay Bandits was a professional American football team in the United States Football League (USFL) which was based in Tampa, Florida. The Bandits was a charter member of the USFL and was the only franchise to have the same principal owner (John F. Bassett), head football coach (Steve Spurrier), and home field (Tampa Stadium) during the league’s three seasons of play. The team folded along with the USFL after the league suspended play prior to the 1986 season.
Established
1983
City
Tampa Bay
League History
1983 – 1986 United States Football League
Nickname
Bandits – A robber or outlaw belonging to a gang and typically operating in an isolated or lawless area. Also reference to the movie “Smoky and the Bandit.”
Team History
1983 – 1986 Tampa Bay Bandits
Original USFL Team
Yes
Final USFL Team
Yes
Team’s Final Outlook
John F. Bassett Bassett, who had registered one of the two “nay” votes, immediately declared his intention to pull the Bandits out of the USFL and organize a new spring football league.
Championship
USFL Championship 0
Stadium
1983 – 1986 Tampa Stadium
Owner
1983 – 1986 John F. Bassett
Coaches
1983 – 1986 Steve Spurrier (35 wins and 19 losses)
Accomplishments
1985 Division Championship Game (vs Oakland Invaders 27 – 30)
1984 Division Championship Game (vs Birmingham Stallions 17 – 36)
Averaged 39,896 in 1983, 46,158 in 1984 and 45,220 in 1985 (74,315 seat stadium)
Only USFL franchise to have the same coach, owner, and home city throughout the league’s three-year existence.
*Blue is this team’s history