- 1983
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Federals Team Formation
The United States Football League founder Donald Dixon was a strong proponent of a USFL franchise in Washington, D.C., and insisted on one despite the dominance of the National Football League′s Washington Redskins in the Washington market. Real estate magnate Marvin Warner originally was slated to own the Federals, but when the USFL announced it was fielding a team in ...
History of the Federals
The Washington Federals were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid-1980s.
The franchise was the worst in the USFL in terms of both gameplay – a combined record of 7-22-0 – and attendance during its two seasons in Washington, prompting the move to Orlando.
In March 1984, with the Federals failing on the field and at the gate for a second straight season, Bernhard decided to sell the franchise. Florida real estate developer Sherwood "Woody" Weiser agreed in principle to buy the Federals for $5.5 million and made plans to relocate the team to Miami as The Spirit of Miami for the 1985 season. In anticipation of the deal, the USFL executed a lease agreement for the Spirit to play at the Miami Orange Bowl. At a meeting on May 9, 1984, the USFL's team owners unanimously approved the sale of the Federals to Weiser.
Shortly thereafter, hospital magnate Donald Dizney, who had been a minority owner of the Tampa Bay Bandits before briefly joining Weiser's group, stepped in to end Bernhard's suffering. Dizney quickly reached a deal on the same terms that Bernhard had reached with Weiser. In a deal agreed to on August 28, 1984, and announced on September 1, 1984, Dizney bought the Federals, moved them to Orlando, Florida, and renamed them the Orlando Renegades.
Established
1983
City
Washington D.C. – Orlando
League History
1983 – 1986 / United States Football League
Team History
1985 – 1986 / Orlando Renegades
1983 – 1984 / Washington Federals
Nickname
Federals – Being located in Washington D.C. where the Federal Government resides, the natural nickname for the team is the "Federals."
Original USFL Team
Yes
Final USFL Team
No
Team’s Final Outlook
Bernhard was in a desperate situation, as he knew that he stood no chance going head-to-head with the Redskins. A few days later, Tampa Bay Bandits part-owner Donald Dizney stepped up and ended Bernhard’s suffering. Dizney bought the Federals, moving them to Orlando and renaming them the Renegades.
Championship
USFL Championship 0
Stadium
1985 / Citrus Bowl Stadium
*Washington D.C.*
1983 – 1984 / RFK Stadium
Owner
1985 / Donald Dizney
1983 – 1984 / Berl Bernhard
Coaches
1985 / Lee Corso (5 wins – 13 losses)
1984 / Dick Bielski (3 wins – 14 losses)
1983 – 1984 / Ray Jauch (4 wins – 15 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 13,850 in 1983 and 7,694 in 1984 (54,794 seat stadium)
*Blue is this team’s history