
Leather official USFL game football by Wilson, circa 1983
History
The United States Football League (USFL) was a professional American football league that played from 1983 to 1985, competing directly with the NFL by playing games in the spring and summer. Official game footballs were manufactured by Wilson and featured the signature of USFL Commissioner Chet Simmons, along with team logos for game use. These footballs represent a fascinating chapter in American sports history when an upstart league challenged the NFL's dominance with innovative rules, star players, and ambitious expansion plans. USFL memorabilia has become highly collectible among football enthusiasts and sports historians who appreciate the league's brief but impactful legacy. Items like game-used footballs are particularly valued by collectors of vintage sports equipment and those interested in alternative football league history, as they represent tangible connections to this bold experiment in professional sports.
Origin
United States
Maker
Wilson Sporting Goods
Time period
circa 1983–1985