Spring Football League
Encyclopedia
The Spring Football League (SFL) was a professional American football
that existed for only part of one mini-season in 2000. Founded by several ex-NFL players such as Eric Dickerson
, Drew Pearson
, Bo Jackson
, and Tony Dorsett
, the SFL planned to use the four game mini-season (dubbed "Festival 2000") to test cities, fans, stadiums, the media, entertainment, and springtime American football
as a product. The year before, the Regional Football League
staggered through a spring season, then announced it would not return for 2000.
The SFL announced its formation on March 1, 2000 and planned to play games less than two months later; league director Bill Futterer said the league would play four games on Saturdays from April 29, followed by a championship game in Miami on May 27.
The teams were:
SFL teams consisted of 38 players, each of whom would receive $1,200 per game with a $200 winners bonus.
The league's games included pre-game and at half-time shows featuring national musical acts (such as The O'Jays
, Mark Wills, and Poncho Sanchez), a pronounced effort to attract both African-Americans and Latino fans, and innovative use of wireless communication.
SFL coaches of note:
With funding for the league having been provided by tech-stock entrepreneurs, any chance that the SFL would return was scotched by the tech-market crash of 2000 and the subsequent announcement of the XFL
by the WWF
.
The last professional football game to be played at the Miami Orange Bowl
was an SFL game: a few thousand fans watched on April 29, 2000 as the Houston Marshals
defeated the Miami Tropics
, 40-10.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
that existed for only part of one mini-season in 2000. Founded by several ex-NFL players such as Eric Dickerson
Eric Dickerson
Eric Demetric Dickerson is a former professional running back in the National Football League who in his career played for the Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons.-College career:...
, Drew Pearson
Drew Pearson (American football)
Drew Pearson is a sportscaster and former American football wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League.-Early years:...
, Bo Jackson
Bo Jackson
Vincent Edward "Bo" Jackson is a former American baseball and football player. He was the first athlete to be named an All-Star in two major American sports, and also won the Heisman Trophy in 1985....
, and Tony Dorsett
Tony Dorsett
Anthony "Tony" Drew Dorsett is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos.-Early years:...
, the SFL planned to use the four game mini-season (dubbed "Festival 2000") to test cities, fans, stadiums, the media, entertainment, and springtime American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
as a product. The year before, the Regional Football League
Regional Football League
The Regional Football League was an American football league formed to be the self-styled "major league of spring football." The RFL season was designed for spring-summer play with the weekend prior to the Fourth of July designated as the annual date for its championship game.The inaugural season...
staggered through a spring season, then announced it would not return for 2000.
The SFL announced its formation on March 1, 2000 and planned to play games less than two months later; league director Bill Futterer said the league would play four games on Saturdays from April 29, followed by a championship game in Miami on May 27.
The teams were:
- Los Angeles DragonsLos Angeles DragonsThe Los Angeles Dragons were a professional football team based in Los Angeles, California that played in the Spring Football League in 2000. They would be coached by former Dallas Cowboys Doug Cosbie. The Dragons would play their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum....
- Miami TropicsMiami Tropics (football)The Miami Tropics were a professional football team based in Miami, Florida that played in the Spring Football League in 2000. The Tropics Head Coach was Jim Jensen, who played for the Miami Dolphins. The Tropics were the only team in the SFL that played in an NFL market at the time.The Tropics...
- Houston MarshalsHouston MarshalsThe Houston Marshals were a professional football team based in Houston, Texas that played in the Spring Football League in 2000. The Marshals would be coached by former Denver Broncos Ray Woodard. They would play their home games at Robertson Stadium on the University of Houston campus.The...
- San Antonio MatadorsSan Antonio MatadorsThe San Antonio Matadors were a professional football team that played in the Spring Football League in 2000. The Matadors were undefeated before the league decided to cease operations. The Matadors were named co-SFL Champions along with the Houston Marshals. The Head Coach for the Matadors was...
SFL teams consisted of 38 players, each of whom would receive $1,200 per game with a $200 winners bonus.
The league's games included pre-game and at half-time shows featuring national musical acts (such as The O'Jays
The O'Jays
The O'Jays are an American R&B group from Canton, Ohio, formed in 1963 and originally consisting of Eddie Levert , Walter Williams , William Powell , Bobby Massey and Bill Isles. The O'Jays were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004, and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005...
, Mark Wills, and Poncho Sanchez), a pronounced effort to attract both African-Americans and Latino fans, and innovative use of wireless communication.
SFL coaches of note:
- Lew CarpenterLew CarpenterLewis Glen "Lew" Carpenter was an American football player and coach. He played college football at the University of Arkansas and professionally for ten seasons in the NFL as a halfback and fullback with the Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, and Green Bay Packers...
- Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... - Guy McIntyreGuy McIntyreGuy Maurice McIntyre is a former professional American football offensive lineman in the National Football League...
- San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and... - Doug CosbieDoug CosbieDouglas Durant Cosbie is a former professional American football player in the National Football League who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 1979 NFL Draft. A 6'6", 236-lb. tight end from Santa Clara University, Cosbie played his entire NFL career for the Cowboys from...
- Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas... - Keith MillardKeith MillardKeith Millard is a former American football defensive tackle who played nine seasons for the Minnesota Vikings, the Green Bay Packers, the Seattle Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles from 1985 to 1993 in the National Football League....
- Minnesota VikingsMinnesota VikingsThe Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960... - Jim Jenson - Miami DolphinsMiami DolphinsThe Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
- Hugh Green - Miami DolphinsMiami DolphinsThe Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
- Larry LittleLarry LittleLawrence Chatmon Little is a former offensive guard in college and professional American football in the National Football League. He has been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993...
- Miami DolphinsMiami DolphinsThe Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Neal ColzieNeal ColzieCornelius Connie Colzie, better known as Neal Colzie, was an American football defensive back for the Oakland Raiders , Miami Dolphins , and Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
- Oakland RaidersOakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Donald HollasDonald HollasDonald Wayne Hollas is a former professional American football quarterback in the NFL. He was selected in the 4th round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He played 20 games between 1991-1994 for the Bengals. He was out of the league between 1995-1997, until the Oakland Raiders...
- Oakland RaidersOakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Mini-season cut short
Due to a lack of media coverage -- the SFL had no TV or radio contracts, and newspaper coverage was spotty at best -- it quickly became obvious that the league was a sinking ship. Attendance was disastrously low, despite very competitive contests. The SFL wasn't even able to finish out its modest, one month season -- league officials ended the test program after only two weeks (and four games, none of which drew more than a few thousand people). Houston and San Antonio, both with 2-0 records, were declared league co-champions.With funding for the league having been provided by tech-stock entrepreneurs, any chance that the SFL would return was scotched by the tech-market crash of 2000 and the subsequent announcement of the XFL
XFL
The XFL was a professional American football league that played for one season in 2001. The league was founded by Vince McMahon, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of WWE...
by the WWF
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
.
The last professional football game to be played at the Miami Orange Bowl
Miami Orange Bowl
The Orange Bowl, formerly Burdine Stadium, was an outdoor athletic stadium in Miami, Florida, west of downtown in Little Havana. Considered a landmark, it was the home stadium for the Miami Hurricanes college football team...
was an SFL game: a few thousand fans watched on April 29, 2000 as the Houston Marshals
Houston Marshals
The Houston Marshals were a professional football team based in Houston, Texas that played in the Spring Football League in 2000. The Marshals would be coached by former Denver Broncos Ray Woodard. They would play their home games at Robertson Stadium on the University of Houston campus.The...
defeated the Miami Tropics
Miami Tropics (football)
The Miami Tropics were a professional football team based in Miami, Florida that played in the Spring Football League in 2000. The Tropics Head Coach was Jim Jensen, who played for the Miami Dolphins. The Tropics were the only team in the SFL that played in an NFL market at the time.The Tropics...
, 40-10.