Edward
John DeBartolo, Sr. wasn't considered a likely candidate
for a USFL franchise for two key reasons: first
because it seemed as though owning a USFL team was too
small a venture for the billionaire mall developer, and
second because his son, Edward Jr., was already the
majority owner of a pro football team - the NFL's San
Francisco 49'ers.
Nevertheless DeBartolo applied to place a USFL franchise
in Pittsburgh, and his was the first expansion
application considered and approved by the owners.
DeBartolo's USFL expansion application was unique in one
sense, in that it personally committed him to fulfill
its terms. Other applicants each had formed
corporations or partnerships, shielding themselves from
personal liability for the $ 6 million franchise fee.
Sadly,
the 1984 season would be the only one DeBartolo would
have as owner of the Maulers. Though the team had
lost a reported $ 10 million in 1984, it wasn't the
financial loss that killed the team. On October
18, 1984 the USFL announced it would play in the fall
beginning in 1986. Just seven days later,
DeBartolo decided he wouldn't compete with the Steelers
and simply folded the team.
DeBartolo
would continue for the next decade in his various
business interests, dying at the age of 85 on December
19, 1994.
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EDWARD J. DeBARTOLO
Owner
Pittsburgh Maulers |
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