Trump’s Legendary USFL Jacket Auction Ignites Bidding War: Own a Slice of Presidential Sports History
Published October 25, 2025 12:50 AM PDT
Imagine slipping into the very jacket Donald Trump wore while shaking up American football in the 1980s—a white satin stunner that’s now drawing fierce bids from collectors nationwide. This isn’t just apparel; it’s a tangible link to a bold era when a real estate mogul dared to challenge the NFL.
In the heart of the Donald Trump jacket frenzy, this USFL auction gem from the New Jersey Generals has collectors buzzing over Trump memorabilia and football history auction pieces. Sourced straight from the team’s legal counsel, the 1985 owner sideline jacket hit Grey Flannel Auctions with a starting bid of $2,500, and experts predict it could soar into five figures as bidding ramps up.
The jacket itself screams vintage cool. Crafted from gleaming white satin with striking red, white, and blue trim, it boasts an embroidered New Jersey Generals logo patch on the left breast. Trump’s name is stitched boldly in red script on the right, a personal touch that screams ownership swagger. Inside the neckline, an original O’Shea New Jersey label clings alongside a wash tag, while the buttons bear faint rust marks—subtle signs of real-world wear from high-stakes sidelines.
Grey Flannel Auctions, a powerhouse in sports memorabilia since 1997, lists this as Lot #251 in their Premier Lots catalog. Bidding kicked off this week and runs through November 16, giving U.S. fans across the East Coast to the West a shot at history. The Scottsdale, Arizona-based house specializes in authenticated relics, and this piece comes with ironclad provenance tied to NJ National, the Generals’ legal team during Trump’s tenure.
Flash back to 1983: Donald J. Trump, then a brash New York developer, shelled out $2 million to snag majority ownership of the fledgling New Jersey Generals in the upstart United States Football League. The USFL promised springtime gridiron glory, drawing top talent with fat contracts and flashy marketing. Trump didn’t just own a team; he envisioned a rival empire to the mighty NFL, signing stars like Herschel Walker—now a U.S. Ambassador and Trump ally—as the Generals’ powerhouse running back.
The 1985 season peaked for the Generals, who roared to a 14-4 record and knocked off the Philadelphia Stars twice in heated matchups. Trump even lured Heisman winner Doug Flutie with a jaw-dropping 43-year, $48 million deal—the richest in pro football history at the time. But ambition turned to antitrust fireworks. Trump spearheaded the USFL’s 1984 lawsuit against the NFL, accusing the established league of monopolizing TV deals and stifling competition.
The 1986 trial in New York made headlines, with Trump testifying under the alias “John Barron” to reporters. Jurors sided with the USFL on one count, awarding a token $1 verdict—trebled under antitrust laws to $3, plus a smidge of interest for $3.76 total. Critics called it a pyrrhic win; the case drained the league’s coffers and spotlighted its financial woes. By 1986, the USFL folded after burning through over $163 million, folding amid failed merger dreams.
Sports historians like Michael MacCambridge, author of “The Franchise: The Battle for the NFL,” view the jacket as more than fabric. “This relic captures Trump’s disruptive energy in sports,” MacCambridge told outlets this week. “It’s a reminder of how one man’s vision nearly reshaped pro football, for better or worse.” Online reactions pour in on platforms like Reddit and X, where fans debate its value: “From boardrooms to ballots, Trump’s gear always packs a punch,” one collector posted.
For everyday Americans, this auction taps into a cultural vein. Sports memorabilia sales hit $5.4 billion last year, per Statista, fueling a booming economy for auction houses and nostalgia-driven investments. In a polarized political climate, owning Trump’s Generals jacket offers neutral ground—a nod to football’s raw passion and the underdog spirit that resonates from tailgates in Texas to sports bars in Ohio. It bridges eras, letting Gen Z discover the USFL’s wild ride while boomers relive the glory.
As bids climb, the jacket symbolizes resilience: Trump’s early gambit in the game he loves, echoing his White House playbook. Grey Flannel urges quick action, with online and phone options open to bidders 18 and up. Whether you’re a die-hard Dolphins fan or a history buff eyeing Trump memorabilia, this USFL auction could land football history auction in your closet.
In the swirling world of Donald Trump jacket hunts, the New Jersey Generals standout keeps Trump memorabilia and football history auction in the spotlight, promising a collector’s dream for savvy U.S. buyers chasing that elusive edge.
By Sam Michael
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