TSL News Thread

Discussion on TSL: The Spring League
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4th&long
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Re: TSL PRESS RELEASE - 30 Days till 2021 season!

Post by 4th&long »

GDAWG wrote: Thu Apr 08, 2021 12:46 am
4th&long wrote: Wed Apr 07, 2021 8:31 pm
GDAWG wrote: Wed Apr 07, 2021 6:32 pm

Linemen and Sea Lions as two new teams. Why not keep all of the teams from last year?
They are:

Aviators, Conquerors, Blues, Alphas, Jousters and Aviators

Adding Lineman and Seal Lions

2 divisions 4 a piece
So expansion. The press release was confusing.
Gdawg - yeah it was a bit confusing. Also keep in mind this is a real Dev league - more like an Academy type structure than a minor league FB league like AAF was aiming (or like alt league XFL).

To describe the Academy structure it's usually one place (2021 its 2) where players get to be coached, practice, stay in FB shape, and most importantly get film - all for the chance to get into the CFL or NFL.... and maybe XFL.

From the TSL's business side, the need to package it in a way to may $$$. The branding of "teams" is relatively new and progressing. The partnership with FS1 is a draw for players and a potential money maker for the league. I noted the clear use of different colors by team to make it easy to differentiate teams, that arent city based. It also makes viewing 'easier'.
So branding is there for TV eyeballs only, sure there's merch but that would really come down the road later, if ever, in quantity that has a large impact.

FS1 is looking for inexpensive programming - TSL is looking for some revenue (funding). B Woods has a hit and miss history, but he's evolved, progressed and grown over the last 10 years. His goal is a NFL dev league. I think he'll settle for a defacto version of that and CFL too.

UPDATE:
https://xflnewshub.com/the-spring-leagu ... s-details/

>> A full broadcast schedule will be released soon, but Woods did say that unlike last fall, every game will be aired on either FS1 or Fox.<<

ALSO:

>> “We aim to be the premier professional developmental football league in the United States and abroad, so this is a step in the right direction for us growing the league, growing teams giving more opportunities to players and coaches.”
CEO Brian Woods <<
4th&long
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TSL News Thread - Markcast- Brian Woods

Post by 4th&long »

Check out at 1:39:45

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVGEpvy2VVg

Per Brian Woods - CEO of TSL, FOX reached out to the TSL and said your product is just as good, let's see what we can do.

AND THAT NAILS IT FOR ME. I stated that Fox likely got rebufffed from DG-RBC-Rk mean Fox didn't offer enough or XFL just told Fox nada to 2021, and the day after XFL no go 2021 was annouced on 10/1/20 - TSL and Fox announce partnership.

I called it, knew it, and XFL missed a golden opportunity. Listen at the 1:56-7 mark.
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TSL 2021 Venues

Post by 4th&long »

https://twitter.com/TheSpringLeague/sta ... 0832044034

>> The Spring League American football @TheSpringLeague
Lucas Oil Stadium Rice Stadium
#TSL2021 Venues
6:58 PM · Apr 10, 2021 <<

Also:

https://xflnewsroom.com/news/rice-stadi ... uston-hub/

>> Although we’re still unsure of what the schedule will look like in Houston, Ticketmaster is showing The Spring League at Lucas Oil Stadium for the following dates and times:

May 6th – 7pm
May 15th – 3pm
May 20th – 7pm
May 27th – 7pm
May 28th – 10:30pm
June 3rd – 7pm
June 4th – 8pm

With the XFL on the sidelines for 2021 and maybe even 2022, The Spring League has a lot of new eyes on the product. We’re excited for the upcoming season, and looking forward to bringing you all the latest TSL updates as they come through. <<
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XFLNewsHub's Mike M: TSL Positioned To Capitalize On The XFL’s Uncertain Future

Post by 4th&long »

The Spring League Positioned To Capitalize On The XFL’s Uncertain Future

https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/the-spr ... in-future/

>> With an XFL return in 2022 looking very unlikely. The Spring League is in a prime position to fill the void left behind.

The XFL and TSL have very little in common, but one similarity, in particular, stands out the most. As things currently stand, neither entity is a fully formed pro football league. One was a year ago, and the other has never been one.

But the times they are changing. The current landscape and delay in the XFL’s return has created an opening for TSL to get to the marketplace before the XFL does again. Much the same way that the Alliance of American Football did back in 2019. Except in The Spring League’s case, they are taking a much more modest approach.

By the time the XFL returns to the field, The Spring League might be waiting there for them as a viable challenger. It’s an assumption and a projection, and perhaps, I am putting the cart before the horse, but right now, the only horse at the starting gate is TSL. <<

Great Article by Mike Mitchell, check it out.
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TSL News: Coaches hired for Sea Lions

Post by 4th&long »

Coaches hired for Sea Lions

https://xflnewsroom.com/news/the-spring ... -ol-coach/

>> The Sea Lions will play out of TSL’s southern division which will be played at Rice Stadium in Houston, TX. Today we’re learning that the franchise has hired its first set of coaches. According to FootballScoop that the Sea Lions are tabbing Larry Kirksey as head coach and Blake Brockermeyer as offensive line coach.

Many XFL fans may remember Larry Kirksey from his time as Seattle Dragons wide receiver coach, but he has storied career beyond that. Kirksey is a former long-time NFL assistant coach, serving for five different franchises – Denver, Detroit, Houston, Jacksonville and San Francisco. Kirksey also served on various Power 5 college staffs, including both Alabama and Texas A&M. He also served as head coach at Kentucky State for one season in the 1980s before he joined the staff of the Florida Gators, where he helped coach Emmitt Smith.

Blake Brockemeyer’s name is a former longtime NFL standout who spent a total of nine seasons with the Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos. <<
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Eric Dungey to play QB in TSL

Post by 4th&long »

https://xflnewsroom.com/news/former-dal ... gue-blues/

>> Former Dallas Renegades and Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey will be joining the Blues in Houston. Dungey will work under former Houston Roughnecks defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell. Cotrell also spent time with the Birmingham Iron of the AAF and spent time on various NFL teams including the Cardinals, Chargers, Bills, Lions and Vikings.

Eric Dungey is Syracuse’s all-time leader in career passing yards, second in completions and third in touchdown passes. He is one of the most productive quarterbacks in Orange history. Forced into action as a true freshman when veteran Terell Hunt got hurt, Dungey played with grit, toughness and determination. <<


https://www.syracuse.com/orangefootball ... uston.html

>>The former Syracuse University quarterback will participate in The Spring League, a developmental, unpaid league comprising eight teams and a six-week regular season.

The season kicks off May 6 with games televised throughout the season on Fox and Fox Sports 1.

Dungey will play for the Blues, coached by Ted Cottrell, the former defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings and San Diego Chargers. The Blues will be headquartered in Houston this season. <<
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TSL - Kevin Gilbride to HC Jousters - QB Luis Perez

Post by 4th&long »

https://twitter.com/ByMikeMitchell/stat ... 0228694020

>> Mike Mitchell @By MikeMitchell
An #XFL reunion will be taking place in @TheSpringLeague as Jousters Head Coach Kevin Gilbride will be reuniting with his former @XFLGuardians QB Luis Perez.

TSL play begins on 5/6. The Jousters open their season on FOX, Saturday May 8th against The Generals.
9:01 PM · Apr 16, 2021 <<

More XFL to TSL hires....
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TSL News -

Post by 4th&long »

Former NFL Europe HC and XFL alum... Peter Vaas to coach TSL Alphas...

https://twitter.com/TheSpringLeague/sta ... 4817562637

>> The Head Coach of the #TSLAlphas is...PETER VAAS!

Coach Vaas' 45+ year coaching career spans the college and developmental football levels. His 2 most recent head coaching jobs were in NFL Europe where he won back to back World Bowls with the Berlin Thunder!

@jjhernandez_11
6:35 PM · Apr 17, 2021 <<

These are the type of coaches a short season / no offseason league can attract. Has HC experience in a sub-NFL environment along with college. Looking for a good semi-retirement gig.
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TSL hires former Hal Mumme as HC - former OC in XFL

Post by 4th&long »

Hal Mumme Air Raid offense founder and former XFL Renegade OC

https://twitter.com/TheSpringLeague/sta ... 9318315010

>> The Spring League American football @TheSpringLeague
The Head Coach of the #TSLLinemen is...HAL MUMME!

Coach Mumme has an extensive college head coaching career, including stops at Valdosta State and Kentucky, where he's credited for being the founding father of the air raid offense!

: @jjhernandez_11
10:43 PM · Apr 17, 2021 <<

Any XFL fan has to remember Hal getting hit on sidelines and breaking leg, yet finished coaching the game!
GDAWG
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Re: TSL News Thread

Post by GDAWG »

So are the two division winners going to meet for a championship game?
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