After attempting to acquire an NFL franchise, a 37-year-old Trump bought the New Jersey Generals in September 1983. He didn't want the USFL to remain a spring league; he wanted to go directly against the NFL in autumn-winter. That was not the USFL's original plan but, in August 1984, Trump convinced team owners to vote on switching to an autumn-winter schedule from 1986. Then, two months, later the USFL filed an anti-trust lawsuit against the NFL - led by Trump. Trump hoped it would force a league merger and earn him an NFL franchise.