Which is why, naturally, in an August 1984 league meeting, Mr. Trump assured his fellow owners that a “huge” network deal awaited if they switched seasons. This was a blatant lie, though one that many of his fellow owners chose to believe.

Before the U.S.F.L.’s third and final season, in 1985, Trump signed Doug Flutie, Boston College’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, to a six-year, $8.3 million deal. It was, the owner believed, the type of bold step an N.F.L. franchise would take.

Perhaps he was correct. But when Generals executives noted that the price tag seemed steep, Mr. Trump assured them most of the contract would be paid by the U.S.F.L.’s other franchises. In a letter to the new commissioner, Harry Usher, dated March 11, 1985, Mr. Trump wrote, “I would appreciate your putting on the next agenda the allocation of Doug Flutie’s costs to each team.”

Doug Flutie was the wall before the wall. The U.S.F.L.’s other owners were Mexico. They paid nary a dime.

Throughout Trump’s U.S.F.L. tenure, the thorn in his side was John Bassett, the owner of the Tampa Bay Bandits. Mr. Bassett believed in the original spring mission, and pleaded with his peers not to follow the promises of a “con man.” On Aug. 16, 1984, he wrote Mr. Trump a blistering letter that included the sentence, “You are bigger, younger, and stronger than I, which means I’ll have no regrets whatsoever punching you right in the mouth the next time an instance occurs where you personally scorn me, or anyone else, who does not happen to salute and dance to your tune.”

Only Mr. Bassett was willing to stand up to Mr. Trump, and their fiery exchanges at league meetings are the stuff of legend. But in February 1985, Mr. Bassett was diagnosed with brain cancer. Mr. Trump expressed sympathy — then proceeded to stomp all over him, ignoring the owner or dismissing his views (“We need to stay in spring! We have to stay in spring!”) as the blatherings of a sick man.

Like John McCain’s family, Mr. Bassett’s family has not forgiven Mr. Trump for the callous way he treated their loved one as he fought a losing battle against brain cancer.