NEW YORK -- The Tampa Bay Bandits, whose owner John Bassett vehemently opposed the U.S. Football League's switch to a fall season, will remain with the league when it makes that move in 1986, team and league sources say.
Bassett, who balked at the USFL's planned move from the spring, announced at an April 29 league meeting that he would start his own spring league rather than try to compete with rival NFL pro teams and college football in the fall.
However, his plans have been affected by his deteriorating health. Bassett has been in his hometown, Toronto, for over a month undergoing treatment for two brain tumors, one which is inoperable.
Bandits director of business operations Ralph Campbell is running the team in the owner's absence.
'We are part of the league,' Campbell said Thursday. 'Our options are to merge, to sell for moving to another city or to sell and remain in Tampa.'
Campbell emphasized John Bassett Enterprises will not own and operate a team in the USFL playing in the fall.
'We've had feelers from those willing to move and to merge,' he said. 'I have a list of 15 options to investigate, and that doesn't count the last option, which is to fold the team. We will sacrifice all we can to avoid folding the team.'
USFL commissioner Harry Usher Thursday announced both Tampa Bay and the Denver Gold will remain in the league next season.
Denver owner Doug Spedding joined Bassett in opposing the move to the fall at the April 29 meeting. At the time, Spedding said he was unsure of his plans for the future.
'I am pleased to announce that the Bandits and Gold have decided to remain with the league,' Usher said.
'There had been consideration by both teams to leave the USFL at the conclusion of the 1985 season, but after a detailed review of the league's business plan each decided to reaffirm its commitment to the USFL.'
Denver leads the USFL Western Conference with an 11-5 record and has clinched a playoff spot. Tampa Bay, 9-7 in the Eastern Conference, can clinch a playoff spot with either a victory in its final two games against Birmingham and Baltimore or a loss by Jacksonville.
