Fact check: Did Donald Trump own an NFL team? Controversial former president’s tax returns bring age-old rumor to the spotlight

Donald Trump has been connected to football in both positive and negative ways in the past. He's well known to have been associated with Tom Brady in the past, despite obvious lifestyle and career differences. However, he's also been well-known to have negative interactions with the game.

While Colin Kaepernick's kneeling movement was gaining steam, the president was quick to stand against the action. However, has he had any financial entanglements with the game?

With Donald Trump's tax returns now available after a years-long fight, the curtain on many subjects is finally coming to light.

Taking to Twitter, one self-reported enthusiast and writer who has worked for POLITICO in the past has claimed that the former president spent thousands on a football team.

According to Alex Wprin, in 2015, the president reported $12,000 in expenses in regard to a USFL team called the New Jersey Generals.

If the team doesn't ring a bell, it is likely because the team closed its doors in 1985. However, if the team closed up shop in 1985, what was the future president paying for in 2015?

Who were the New Jersey Generals and how could Donald Trump have been involved?

Donald Trump at Evander Holyfield v Vitor Belfort

From 1983-1985, the Generals were part of the USFL. Their biggest player was none other than Herschel Walker, according to USFLsite. Doug Flutie was part of the team as well. The future president became a part-owner of the franchise in 1984 and helped deliver two dominant seasons. The team went 14-4 and 11-7 in 1984 and 1985.

In 2015, the Generals joined the A-11 football league, according to American Football Database. The move likely triggered the $12,000 expense by the future president. The A-11 football league ultimately never came to fruition, but the team is gearing up for a comeback with the USFL.

The first game of their return came in April 2022. The team played 11 games this year, going 9-2. FOX Sports appears to own the team now, according to the network's website.