The Spring League kicked off live games on Fox Sports’ family of networks last week with a loaded broadcast crew. Analysts for the league include Joel Klatt, Brock Huard, Mark Helfrich, Petros Papadakis, and Jordan Palmer. Kevin Kugler, Brandon Gaudin, Alex Faust, and Noah Eagle round out the play-by-play voices.
The Spring League features eight teams competing in a six-week regular season from two hub markets. The league is meant for development and doesn’t bill itself as a direct competitor to the NFL.
Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis hosts the North Division, consisting of the Conquerors, Aviators, Alphas, and Linemen. The South Division in Houston houses the returning league champion Generals, Jousters, Blues, and Sea Lions. Each division plays all its games at these respective venues.
Outside of their season in the spring, the league also hosts summer showcases to help players get evaluated throughout the year. According to their website, The Spring League has had 104 of its players sign with NFL teams since 2017.
FOX is putting some of their heavy-hitting voices behind this venture. Kugler is a play-by-play announcer for the NFL on FOX in addition to college football and basketball duties with FOX Sports, Big Ten Network, and Westwood One radio. While Gaudin has roles across NFL, college football, and basketball properties for FOX Sports, Big Ten Network, and Westwood One. He also serves as the voice of EA Sports’ “Madden NFL” franchise.
Klatt and Huard are both former quarterbacks and prominent voices on FOX’s football coverage. While Palmer is returning for his second season analyzing The Spring League after the partnerships first season last fall.
The 2021 TSL season began with Faust and Palmer on the call for a doubleheader last Thursday, May 6, on FS1. The other 18 regular-season games air in prime time Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays on FS1 and FS2.