- 1983
- 1985
- 2022
-
Bandits Team Formation
The Tampa Bay Bandits’ majority owners were Canadian businessman John F. Bassett (who was still in litigation against the NFL over his previous Memphis Southmen franchise from the World Football League in the mid-1970s) and Miami attorney Steve Arky. Minority owners included Hollywood mainstay Burt Reynolds, a former college football player who at that time one of the most popular ... -
The End of the Bandits
Bandits’ majority owner John Bassett was a strong proponent of the “Dixon Plan”, which was a plan formulated by the USFL’s founding owners that sought to build a sustainable league with budgetary restraint and a commitment to spring football. However, to gain a competitive advantage and draw attention to their teams, some owners attempted to sign more high-profile players to ... -
The Re-Formation of the Bandits
The Tampa Bay Bandits 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 6, 2022, it was announced on The Herd with Colin Cowherd that former Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley was named the head coach and general manager for the Bandits.
History of the Bandits
The Tampa Bay Bandits are a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. The Bandits compete in the United States Football League (USFL) as a member club of the league's South division. They currently play their 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
Tampa Bay
League History
1983 – 1986, 2022 - Present / United States Football League
Team History
1983 – 1985, 2022 - Present / Tampa Bay Bandits
Nickname
Bandits – A robber or outlaw belonging to a gang and typically operating in an isolated or lawless area. The team is incorrectly presumed to be named the Bandits due to Burt Reynolds' appearance in the hit Smokey and the Bandit movies; it was named after the owner's daughter's German Shepherd dog.
Original USFL Team
Yes
Championship
USFL Championship 0
Stadium
2022 - Present / Protective Stadium/Legion Field (Birmingham, Alabama)
1983 – 1986 / Tampa Stadium
Owner
2022 -Present / National Spring Football League Enterprises Co, LLC, (Fox Sports)
1983 – 1986 / John F. Bassett
Coaches
2022 - Present / Todd Haley
1983 – 1986 / Steve Spurrier (35 wins and 19 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 / 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