The Bandits began play in 1983 in Tampa Stadium, and were immediately more successful than the area's NFL franchise, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with whom they shared a home field...though the Bucs played in the fall and early winter while the Bandits played in the spring and early summer.. The Bandits narrowly missed the playoffs in their first season and made the postseason the next two years. While their offense under Steve Spurrier was usually one of the best in the league, an average defense kept them from serious championship contention.
