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Why Donald Trump was once told heād ānever be allowed to buy an NFL franchiseā
TL;DR
Donald Trump's ambition to own an NFL franchise faced significant obstacles in the 1980s, particularly during a crucial meeting that revealed the challenges he would encounter in the ownership circle.
Key points
- Donald Trump aimed to own an NFL franchise.
- A meeting in the 1980s posed significant challenges.
- Trump's ambitions faced personal roadblocks.
Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Getty Images
Donald Trumpās long-standing ambition to own an NFL franchise once ran into a firm and very personal roadblock.
Long before his involvement in politics, Trump was actively trying to position himself within professional footballās most exclusive ownership circle.
But one key meeting in the 1980s made it clear that the path would not be as straightforward as he expected.
Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
Donald Trump was bluntly told he would āneverā own an NFL team
As detailed via Yahoo Finance, Trumpās pursuit of an NFL franchise intensified after he bought the New Jersey Generals of the USFL in 1984.
At the time, he arranged a private meeting with then-NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle, making it clear that his real goal was not the USFL, but entry into the NFL itself. That meeting, however, reportedly ended with a decisive message.
Rozelle told Trump that as long as he or his successors were involved with the league, he would never be allowed to own an NFL franchise.
The statement reflected more than just a disagreement. It highlighted the resistance Trump faced from the leagueās leadership during that era.
USFL fallout and NFL tensions shaped Donald Trumpās failed ownership path
That tension only escalated in the years that followed, particularly as Trump became a central figure in the USFLās aggressive push to compete directly with the NFL.
After purchasing the Generals for roughly $9 million, he helped lead a shift from a spring schedule to the fall, a move widely viewed as an attempt to force a merger with the NFL.
The strategy ultimately backfired. The USFL filed a $1.69 billion antitrust lawsuit against the NFL in 1986, arguing the league held a monopoly over professional football.
While the court technically ruled in favor of the USFL, the damages awarded were just $1, later tripled to $3 under antitrust law, a result that effectively ended the league.
That episode created lasting friction between Trump and NFL ownership circles, making future attempts to join the league significantly more difficult.
Over the years, he pursued multiple opportunities, including potential bids for the Baltimore Colts, New England Patriots, and Buffalo Bills, but each effort fell short due to a mix of financial scrutiny, ownership resistance, and lingering distrust.
In hindsight, the combination of that early warning from Rozelle and the fallout from the USFL era explains why Trumpās decades-long pursuit of an NFL franchise never materialized.
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Q&A
What happened in the 1980s that affected Donald Trump's NFL ownership ambitions?
In the 1980s, a key meeting highlighted the challenges Trump would face in acquiring an NFL franchise.
Why was Donald Trump told heād never be allowed to buy an NFL franchise?
Trump was informed he would face significant barriers to NFL ownership, stemming from both personal and professional factors.
How did Donald Trump's political career impact his NFL ownership aspirations?
While Trump's political career is separate, his earlier attempts to join the NFL ownership circle were complicated by resistance from existing owners.
