USFL Files $7-Million Suit Against ABC

The United States Football League filed a $7-million breach-of-contract suit against ABC-TV in U.S. District Court Thursday and demanded that the network continue its payments to the league.

The same court is considering a $1.32-billion antitrust suit filed last October by the USFL against the National Football League.

Commissioner Harry Usher said he has been informed by ABC that the network does not intend to make scheduled rights payments of $2.8 million due on June 1 and July 1, and $1.4 million due before June 29. The first two payments are part of the $14-million contract ABC and the USFL made for the 1985 season. The last payment is for playoff and championship game telecasts.

Usher said ABC informed the league it would withhold the payments based on the USFL leaving certain cities designated in the contract, including Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia and Boston.

An ABC spokesperson said: “We have not had an opportunity to read the complaint and therefore have no comment.”