Football for a buck

Jeff Pearlman's 'Football for a Buck' recounts the history of the United States Football League (USFL), focusing on the colorful owners, ambitious teams, and chaotic decisions that led to the league's collapse.

Through extensive reporting and interviews, Pearlman profiles key figures—owners, coaches, and players—and examines how internal conflicts and strategic missteps doomed the enterprise.

The book highlights Donald Trump's role with the New Jersey Generals and the controversial decision to challenge the NFL, culminating in an antitrust suit that effectively ended the USFL.

Pearlman's narrative blends insider anecdotes, legal drama, and sports business analysis to explain the league's swift rise and fall.

It has been praised for its lively storytelling and depth of research into a pivotal episode in pro football history.