by txlovesjff

The Spring League

SL 2018

What is The Spring League?  

The Spring League (TSL) is a three-week professional football league, which serves as a showcase for professional football talent for the CFL and NFL scouting communities. The four-team league will feature gifted former NFL draft picks, Pro Bowl players, and elite young players.  None of the players receive compensation, but they do receive room, board and an chance to demonstrate their skills outside of a combine experience.

➡️ Follow the Spring League on Facebook  ⬅️

Location, Location, Location

UPDATE:  The Spring League has now announced that games will be played at Kelly-Reeves Stadium instead of COTA.  We will be pushing out some updated information on this before much longer. 

The league runs from March through mid-April and is in Austin this year. In an interview with ESPN San Antonio 94.5 FM, Brian Woods (TSL CEO) shared that last year the league hosted their 2017 inaugural season at the Greenbriar in West Virginia. But this year TSL shifted the start date by about a week and moved to Texas which will provide a more central and accessible location with better weather and a convenient airport. TSL plans to continue operations there for “many years” according to Woods.  Austin was able to land TSL by beating out four other cities, one of which was Canton, OH – home to the Pro Football Hall of Fame).

Listen to the ESPN San Antonio interview below:

 

Potential Players

Woods shared that he has been in close contact with Manziel’s agent, Erik Burkhardt, who is a fan of TSL. Both agree that TSL experience is ideal for putting Johnny Manziel and a lot of the other players in front of NFL scouts.  Most of the players are fairly young with an average age of around 24 to 25, although there are also a handful of veterans on hand as well, which brings additional experience as well as greater opportunities for  mentorship. Several veterans participated in the 2017 season, including: Ahmad Bradshaw, Anthony Dixon, Fred Jackson, Greg Hardy, and Ben Tate.

NFL prospects in this years’ 2018 draft class are not encouraged to participate due to potential NFL conflicts.  Although Woods has said that he expects to have a lot of interaction with former Big 12 players thanks to the Texas location.

In addition to Manziel, TSL has announced that several other players have already committed to the 2018 season: 

“What a great opportunity #TheSpringLeague is. I was given a chance to compete against people who played at higher levels. Thus, ending the doubt if my game will translate to the pros. I’ve received calls days after.” – Takari Johnson, former LB Calgary Stampeders (CFL) / Concordia University Ann Arbor Cardinals Football (via TSL)

Woods said that although they did recruit Manziel to some extent, TSL has not had to actively recruit players. TSL has been able to get the word out through networking with those in the professional football industry.  TSL has received interest and support from several CFL teams, 22 NFL teams, as well as the NFL and NFLPA (who sent out memos to agents to help get the word out to potential participants, many of whom have spent time on NFL rosters).  About one in five players in TSL last year were able to pick up an NFL contract.  The last “feeder league” for the NFL was NFL Europe, which ended in 2007.

TSL is excited to work with Manziel, and Johnny has also expressed his enthusiasm to participate (through his agent).  As we have mentioned previously, Manziel’s participation will not impact his ability to sign with a CFL after TSL is over. Any CFL offer that might come about during Johnny’s time with TSL will have to wait until Johnny is through with his TSL obligations. Hamilton Ti-Cats own the rights for Manziel for the duration of the 2018 season and are free to make him an offer up until the training camp starts in May.

“There is a fine line between making a 53-man roster and being one of the last cuts. The players at The Spring League realize this and demonstrated a true belief in themselves. A lot of them have signed or will sign contracts based on their performance at #TheSpringLeague.” – Steve Fairchild, Spring League and former NFL/NCAA coach (via TSL)

Approximately 140-150 professional caliber football hopefuls will arrive in Austin at the end of March, receive an assignment on one of the four teams, practice daily, and play games on weekends. Currently the practices are not open to the public. All games and practices will take place at COTA Kelly-Reeves Stadium.

Woods expressed that technology, training and innovation will be a significant focus of TSL in an effort to provide additional resources for football professionals.  Internships, referee training and other groundbreaking initiatives are in the works.

“I would like to thank The Spring League organization for allowing me to showcase my skills. I enjoyed everything about the league and I surely recommend that the League continue to bless other players with the opportunity to get a shot at the NFL and CFL.” – TE Christopher Bazile, formerly Grambling State University, New Orleans Saints, Washington Redskins (via TSL)

Tickets

Tickets are available NOW at TSL’s website. The cost for the double headers is only $39.99 which entitles the ticket holder to watch both games.  According to TSL Website, the Spring League is a fan-centered, family-oriented brand of professional football. All ages, both young and old, are welcome to attend.

Seating IS limited, because there is not an existing facility. Woods conveyed that there are plans to expand COTA sports operations, create a sports facility, construct fields and goal posts, etc.  Parking and security systems (for the safety of attendees and high-profile players like Manziel) are already in existence.

Woods relayed that ticket sales have been brisk, but this is not surprising since this is such a great opportunity to catch professional level football at an affordable price in Central Texas.

“My experience with The Spring League was great. From the moment we checked in, the players and coaches kept a great attitude – gives you one less thing to worry about. What Brian Woods is doing is what the game of football needs.” – Justin Tukes, former UCF Football and Philadelphia Eagles TE (via TSL)

How To Watch?

If fans are unable to attend the games, TSL has also partnered with Turner Sports (TS) in a two-year agreement for their direct-to-consumer platform on which the Spring League games will be broadcast.

Turner Sports, a wholly owned subsidiary, creates sports-oriented content for Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) and their networks. TBS boasted a 2016 revenue of over 11.3 billion, and hosts nearly over 175 stations, (including TNT, TBS, CNN and Cartoon Network) which together reach more than 200 countries worldwide. TBS is owned by Time Warner Cable, who also owns HBO and Warner Brothers Entertainment, Inc.

“We’re pleased to get a multi-year deal with a nationally known brand like Turner Sports … Turner Sports will be our exclusive provider.” – Spring League CEO, Brian Woods   

Turner Sports is also associated with Bleacher Report, ELEAGUE, MLB on TBS, NBA Digital, NBA on TNT, NCAA Digital, NCAA March Madness, and PGA.  TS has already struck a three-year deal (as of August 2017) to broadcast content from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League and UEFA Europa League.

Many other large broadcasters are integrating live-streaming devices (including CBS, and Disney [who is working on an ESPN live-streaming channel]) in an effort to capture the attention of Millennials.  Live-streaming is also a way to provide access to sports with smaller followings, which might not be ordinarily broadcast on regular televised channels.

TS also offers two other streaming platforms:  Filmstruck (for movie fans) and Boomerang (for cartoon enthusiasts).

As more information on the Turner Sports live-streaming platform becomes available, #TxLovesJFF will work to provide updates and details. For all the latest, subscribe to TXLovesJFF here.

➡️ Follow TurnerSportsPR on Twitter ⬅️

 “I thoroughly enjoyed my experience. After more than a year removed from football, I was able to recapture the attention of NFL teams and scouts during my time at The Spring League.” – Weslye Saunders, former Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers, 2011-2015 (via TSL)

 

COTA Venue  COTA is OUT / Kelly-Reeves Stadium is in.

We have researched COTA a bit to find pertinent information that may be useful to our JManFans who are planning to attending the TTSL Games.

TSL Games will be held at Circuit of the Americas (COTA), in North Austin on April 7th and April 14th from 1:30 – 730 pm each day.

Spring League Tix
The tickets will look something like this.  We have altered this ticket to obscure sensitive information. 

 

“Truly a blessing to participate and further my football career. Couldn’t have come at a more perfect time!” – Zach Bauman, former RB NAU Football, NFL Arizona Cardinals, and CFLEdmonton Eskimo Football Club (via TSL)

 

Where is COTA?

Circuit of the Americas Boulevard, Austin, TX 78617 Here’s an interactive map.

 

 

Parking

The Spring League website mentions that parking is available on-site at COTA. We haven’t seen any information on the cost, but will be sure to update our fans as soon as any information becomes available.

We also aren’t entirely sure on what part of COTA TSL will hold the games.  As more information is available, we’ll pass that on.

➡️ For currently available information on Maps and Parking, click here  ⬅️

COTAmap

 

From the COTA FAQ’s:

The following items WILL NOT be permitted inside the gates of the Circuit. In addition
to items specifically listed here, other items that may be deemed a potential hindrance
or threat may also be prohibited.

  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Animals (exception for certified service animals)
  • Bags or parcels larger than 12 x 12 x 20 inches
  • Bicycles, scooters, skateboards, skates, Segways, golf carts or other unauthorized means of transportation
  • Coolers, thermoses or ice chests
  • Unauthorized promotional or commercial material
  • Outside Food and Beverage (Note: sealed, individual, plastic bottles of water are allowed)
  • Fireworks, explosives or other incendiary devices
  • Glass or metal containers of any kind
  • Illegal substances
  • Items that may be deemed a safety hazard or annoyance to participants or guests (balls, Frisbees, balloons, projectiles, horns, radios, bells, whistles, musical instruments, laser pointers, etc.)
  • Large, golf-type umbrellas
  • Non-collapsible chairs
  • Tents or canopies
  • Video cameras, audio recording devices and tripods; no video recording will be allowed
  • Weapons of any kind, including guns, knives, pepper spray, handcuffs, nightsticks or other items

 

Permitted Items

The following items WILL be permitted inside the Circuit gates:

  • Blankets/Towels
  • Umbrellas (small, hand-held style)
  • Baby strollers
  • Portable, collapsible chairs
  • Personal camera equipment (e.g. digital cameras, point-and-click digital or film
  • cameras). *There will be no lens restrictions.
  • Binoculars

NOTE: All bags, purses, backpacks and persons are subject to screening by security personnel. Fans entering Circuit of The Americas should prepare accordingly. Ticketholders should be aware that there are no provisions for returning banned items to them when such items are left at facility entrances. Patrons are encouraged to leave all banned items at home or in their vehicles before entering. Individuals who deliberately attempt to bring banned items through security checkpoints are subject to removal from the facility. All security measures are subject to change without notice.

 

Signs

Can we bring signs?

For Manziel fans interested in doing a sign or signs, obviously it is great to show our support, but let’s make sure to respect him, his brand, his fiancé and family, as well as The Spring League and COTA.

Here are the rules from the COTA venue:  

Can I Bring In Signs/Banners/Posters/Pamphlets?
Unless otherwise specified by the event management, Circuit of The Americas welcomes SMALL signs, banners, and posters. Please review the following guidelines related to these items:

  • Item must be related to event
  • Item may not be attached to a stick/pole
  • Item may not be larger than 11″ x 17″ when open
  • Item may not obstruct any sponsor/advertiser signage
  • Item may not be hung, attached, or displayed on any part of Circuit of The Americas
  • Item may not contain or display obscene/offensive language and/or pictures, as determined by Circuit of The Americas management
  • Item may not be constructed or displayed in a manner that may obstruct the view of other guests or in any way create a safety hazard for others as determined by Circuit of The Americas management
  • Guests may not distribute pamphlets, advertisements, brochures or other promotional materials while inside the venue without prior approval from Circuit of The Americas management.

If fans are interested in getting together to coordinate a series of signs, please feel free to join us in the planning process our group devoted to Johnny … The group is restricted to reporters, gossip columnists and the like. Visit our TX Loves JFF FB page for more info.

➡️ You can read more about COTA Frequently Asked Questions here  ⬅️

 

 

Helpful Hints

There is some great info by Elizabeth Werth about COTA at this site  (keep in mind the info at this site is geared mainly pertaining to the F1 races, so take it with a grain of salt, as not everything will apply).  Werth has a lot of helpful tips and hints for making the most of a visit to COTA.

 

“Football has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. Sometimes you take for granted how much you value something until it’s gone. My goal is to make it back to the NFL, and I realize I have to earn that privilege. The Spring League has provided me with a great opportunity to play ball again, and ultimately, that is all I want to do. I miss the competition. I’d like to thank Brian Woods and The Spring League staff for this opportunity to play the game I love. I’ve made my share of mistakes, but I’m 25 years old, and I know my best football is ahead of me.”  – Johnny Manziel

 

Get In On The Action!

Pre-Game Party, Y’all!

➡️ We are making plans for pre-TSL parties!  🎉

If you have already bought your tickets, be sure to fill out our super quick five-question survey so that we will know how many to expect!

Be Included! TxLovesJFF Pre-Party Survey

As we get more information on The Spring League games and party plans, we will be updating this site. In the meanwhile, if you are interested in connecting with other Johnny Manziel Fans, please consider finding us on Facebook or Twitter.

🏈 www.fb.com/TXlovesJFF
🏈 www.twitter.com/TXlovesJFF
🏈 www.TexasLovesjff.com

Remember to follow this website and our blog (below) to stay on top of all the very latest JFF news!

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