Established
1983
City
Tempe – Oklahoma City – Tempe
League History
1983 – 1986 / United States Football League
Team History
1985 / Arizona Outlaws
1983 – 1984 / Arizona Wranglers
1984 / Oklahoma Outlaws
Nickname
Outlaws – The Arizona Outlaws of the USFL are a storied franchise with a unique nickname. The name derives from an old Western term that refers to someone outside the law and beyond its reach. This perfectly encapsulates the spirit of football in America, representing those who go against convention and strive for greatness despite any obstacles they may face.
The team’s logo also reflects this sentiment, featuring two crossed pistols symbolizing strength and power while conveying defiance towards authority or status quo thinking. The colors chosen were black and gold, further emphasizing their rebellious attitude by representing wealth without being ostentatious or flashy, like some other teams in professional sports tend to be.
Aside from just looking cool, there is a lot of history behind why this moniker was chosen for Arizona's USFL team in 1983 when they first joined the league. It all began with owner William Tatham Jr., who wanted something that would capture his vision for what he hoped his organization could become: one that went against conventional wisdom but still achieved success on its terms regardless of how much opposition it faced along the way – just like an outlaw!
This idea resonated strongly with both players and fans alike, which helped make them one of the most popular teams during their three-year run before eventually folding after the 1986 season due to financial difficulties caused by a lack of support from other owners throughout the league at the time (as well as general instability caused by various issues related USFL). Despite not lasting very long, the legacy lives on through stories shared between generations about “the wild bunch” known collectively as “Arizona Outlaws,” - proving once again why sometimes going your way can have great rewards even if the path isn't always easy!
Original USFL Team
No
Final USFL Team
Yes
Team’s Final Outlook
The Outlaws were one of eight teams slated to play in 1986. After the Portland Breakers folded while the antitrust trial was still underway, the Outlaws were the only team west of the Mississippi River left in the league.
Championship
USFL Championship 0
Stadium
1983 – 1985 / Sun Devil Stadium
*Oklahoma*
1984 / Skelly Stadium
Owner
1984 – 1986 / William R. Tatham Sr., William R. Tatham Jr.
1984 / Dr. Ted Diethrich
1983 / Jim Joseph
Coaches
1985 / Frank Kush (8 wins – 10 losses)
1984 / Woody Widenhofer (6 wins – 12 losses)
1984 / George Allen (12 wins – 9 losses)
1983 / Doug Shivley (4 wins – 14 losses)
- 1985
-
Teaming Up with the Outlaws
Ultimately, Diethrich agreed to merge the Wranglers with the Outlaws. The merged team was to be known as the Arizona Outlaws and would take the Wranglers’ place at Arizona State University’s Sun Devil Stadium. Initially, the Tatham’s owned 75 percent of the merged team, with Diethrich retaining 25 percent. However, Diethrich quickly decided to get out altogether. Since the Tatham’s ...
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.
History of the Outlaws
The Arizona Outlaws were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League (USFL) from 1983 to 1985. The team was based in Phoenix, Arizona, and was owned by entrepreneur William Tatham Jr. During their three-year existence; the Outlaws compiled an impressive record of 24 wins and 16 losses under head coach Frank Kush.
The 1984 season was one of the most successful seasons for any USFL franchise. They posted a 12-6 record and advanced to the championship game against George Allen's Baltimore Stars before losing 28–24 on June 30th at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Despite this loss, it remains one of only two teams ever coached by Frank Kush that reached a championship game during his career; he also led Arizona State University’s Sun Devils there twice during his tenure with them from 1958–1979 (the other being when he coached ASU’s first Rose Bowl appearance).
Despite their success on the field, however off, field issues plagued ownership leading up until its eventual demise following the 1985 season due mainly to financial difficulties stemming from poor attendance at home games combined with high player salaries, which had been set too high the prior year when league wanted to compete directly NFL instead merging into a single entity like CFL or Arena Football Leagues have done since then. Ultimately, after failing to secure new investors or buyers to keep it afloat, the franchise folded along with the rest of USFL, leaving legacy great players such as QB Doug Williams, who went on to play Super Bowl XXII MVP. Washington Redskins same year league disbanded.
Sports Fan Products
Accomplishments
Averaged 17,881 fans (40,235 seat stadium)
*Blue is this team’s history