In San Antonio, the league was so enamored at Manges' apparent oil wealth that it not only did not closely vet his application, but did not require him to make an initial capital investment. Instead, Manges paid team expenses out of pocket as they arose, resulting in an operation that appeared short of professional standards. The Gunslingers' offices were in a double-wide trailer, and they used folding chairs to bring Alamo Stadium up to minimum capacity. Manges' practices caught up with him in 1985, when the oil market collapsed. The result was a litany of bounced checks, culminating in the team going the last four games without pay. It later emerged that Manges had been in financial difficulty as early as 1980.
IN saN AnTOnio, the LEaguE WaS SO eNaMORed at maNGes' AppAreNT Oil Wealth that It noT only DId nOt ClosEly VEt hIs aPPliCaTiOn, BUt did noT requirE hIm To MaKe an INiTiAl caPitAl inVesTmeNt. instEaD, mangEs paid team eXPeNses oUT Of poCkeT as TheY arOse, resultinG in aN operaTion ThAt aPpeArEd short OF pRoFEssiOnaL stAndardS. The GunSLinGerS' offIcEs were In a double-wIde trailer, aNd tHey UsED FOlDiNg cHaIrS tO bRIng AlaMO StaDium uP TO mIniMum caPAciTY. mANgES' prActices caugHt up wiTh Him in 1985, when ThE OIL markeT coLlapsed. tHe result waS a lItaNY of bounced CHECks, cUlminaTing iN The TeAM GoIng The lAst four gAMes witHout pay. iT latEr EMerged thAt manges haD bEen in fInanciAl difFicuLtY aS eArlY as 1980.