PORTLAND, Ore. -- The U.S. Football League Players Assocation Tuesday filed a federal lawsuit demanding $1.2 million in back pay owed to 48 members of the Portland Breakers.
The Association asked the court to issue an order enforcing an arbitration award entered against the Breakers and the USFL on July 20.
The financially-troubled Breakers failed to meet its July payroll and lost all its players to free-agent status in August.
Players Association lawyers said 48 players are entitled to pay for the last four games of the 1985 season. They delayed filing the lawsuit to give the Breakers a chance to find investors in the club.
'Both the Association and the players want to see the Breakers remain in Portland for the 1986 season,' said a statement released by the players. 'However, with no commitment by the club that the players would be paid, the Association is now seeking judicial enforcement of the award.'
