The USFL's road to placing a team in Los Angeles took may twists and turns. Initially the franchise in LA was to be run by Alex Spanos, a billionaire real estate developer.

While the league was in its planning stages, Spanos pulled out to purchase the NFL's San Diego Chargers. Needing a team in the second largest media market, the USFL turned to Jim Joseph to run the Los Angeles franchise.

However, a team that was set to play in San Diego ran into problems when the Chargers helped block them from getting a lease from Jack Murphy Stadium. One of the USFL's founders Bill Daniels, a pioneer in developing cable television had been behind the proposed San Diego ownership.

Knowing that cable would be a key to the USFL's success Daniels franchise became the Los Angeles Express, as Jim Joseph was forced into other options and went on to own the Arizona Wranglers. The Los Angeles Express played in the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and were coached by Hugh Campbell, who had won five straight Grey Cups with the CFL's Edmonton Eskimos.

The Express made a major push to bring big name talent into the USFL, drafting Pittsburgh Quarterback Dan Marino with the number one overall pick. Marino made some public appearances for the Express, before ultimately deciding to play in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins.

The Express also attempted to sign SMU star Running Back Eric Dickerson, matching the contract offered by the Los Angeles Rams. However, Dickerson was skeptical of the USFL and chose to play in the NFL.

The Express opened the season at home against the New Jersey Generals, winning 20-15 before a crowd of 32,008. Attendance would quickly decline as the upstart spring football league was a tough sell for Southern California, which had many other entertainment choices, including the Showtime Los Angeles Lakers in their prime.

The Express would fight all season for first place in the Western Conference, but injuries to the secondary late in the season led to a costly three game losing streak as they finished in second place with a record of 8-10. The LA passing duties were split by Tom Ramsey who passed for 1,975 yards with 14 touchdowns, and Mike Rae who had 1,964 yards with ten touchdowns, with Ricky Ellis finishing third in the league with 69 catches for 716 yards.

On defense the Express was led by Eric Scoggins and Greg Fields, who finished with 12. 5 and 10 sacks respectively.