The Gaylord Spartans have made their Public Relations Consultant, Ivana Seltikets, available to the league press today.

Ivana Seltikets: I am super happy to see all of you here today! My last “presser” went so well I told Coach Blazer that I woukld do it again, so let's get started. First question?

Chip Wood Terryfying Hamster Times, Ivana , How was your first year on the job? And were you involved with the team name change to Spartans?

Ivana Seltikets: To be honest Chip, it has not been easy. I knew I was in trouble last season when my own son asked me 2 days before Christmas what a Zaleaping was. I sang him the 12 days of Christmas with emphasis on the Ten Lords a Leaping and that we have moved to GayLORD, Michigan and he just looks at me and says. “That's stupid” then turns and walks away.
(Wiping away a tear) I was devastated. But look, a change had to happen. When all the Weasels in the organization left RZA for new jobs as mascots at the Cortina Olympic Games we were desperate for a new identity. Zaleaping my not turn out to be my best work but we sold just as much merchandise in the team store as in past seasons so, no harm, no foul. Looking forward, I think reaching back into our RZA past for the Spartans name is a step in the right direction. The original Cincinnati Spartans team made it to the Elite league way back in Dragons. And I also think the crisp Green and White uniforms are going to be a hit. Where is that little fashionista Clavdivs? What do you think?

Clavdivs Iportvs, Rome Centvrion Tribune, Ivana! My Darling! We love the new Green and White colors. Simple and strong and a great improvement over last year. This new look owns the runway and we agree that the faster we can put the Zaleaping episode behind us the better. And don't listen to the haters who say this uniform is just a copy of Wrexhams. Those Exile uniforms are trash and everone knows it.

Ivana: Ok, thanks Clavdivs. Next question!

Yex Ivana! Thanks for taking my question. G. Reaper , Seattle Reaper Reader. Is there any chance the Spartans will join the leagues hotest new trend and become the Gaylord Sea Spartans?

Ivana: No Next question!

J. Wellington Wimpy Hamburger Herald, Ivana! Is current management doing anything to keep up with the ballooning team salaries we see around the league this season?

Ivana Seltikets: I'm glad you brought this up. This management team understands that the job is to put the best players on the field for Coach Blazer. But the concept of spending $11 million on salary is not a long term option for us. I haven't seen this seasons salary report yet but I think we are just north of $5M in team salary and I know we can do that forever. Don't get me wrong, we are paying our players. Nobody leaves this organization because of money. Not one player. Next question!

Jolly Roger, Northern Lake Superior Pirate Log, Can you talk about your QB situation?

Ivana Seltikets: Um. I really don't know how to answer that one Jolly. I loved ThunderBolt but he just retired. There is no bringing him back. I don't know much about Mr. Vladimirov. He looks like he can do the job but his team chemistry is stubbornly low. I blame his bodyguard/ translator. I mean, I get how Mr. Vladimirov doesn't speak english but this guy is way too protective. Next question!

Yes Ivana! Joe Crann from the Sheffield Star. Ivana, As you know the Sheffield Wednesday team has gone by that moniker since 1867. But we've binned all that and now with our new, hip, Sea Owl branding, I would like to ask just one more time if the Gaylord Spartans would consider being the Gaylord Sea Spartans?

Ivana Seltikets: Next question!

John Doe, Minnesota Twins TV. Ivana, Your franchise has had a habit of involving the Silver Foxes with fan promotions. First is was Chad Thurman Bobblehead/Sex toy night, then it was the SOS Save Our Silvers Fundraiser and last seasons Silverfox seatcover giveaway. Can you speak to anything you have planned for the year?
My second question is this, How about them Minotaurs!

Ivana Seltikets: I know! Just 1 point away! Everyone today was watching the Minotaur game on the Jumbotron. I think the fans watched more of that game than our own! I think our team knew what was going on but I think the Sea-Reapers were kinda freaked out by all the seemingly random crowd noise today whenever the Minotaurs got another pick. So close. Anyway..
We have nothing currently planned with the Foxes this season.

Mike Hogan TSN radio and Silverbacks beat reporter, Ivana, Can you go into how the Spartan Invitational came into being and why aren'tmost teams are not invited?

Ivana: Great question Mike. The Spartan Invitational Challenge was founded on the concept that it takes a long time to build a succesful team. We as an organization believe that new owners have to have fun as they go through this long team building process. Fun means being competitive so we are hoping to match teams as evenly as possible in addition to handicapping the games. If the handicapping goes well maybe we will invite stronger teams to take part. You all know that the Yorkshire Sea-Owls have been participating in the SIC with their friendly tour and I think those games have been great. We are currently in negotiation with another team to join the Spartan Invitational Challenge as a visiting Challenger. I hope to make that announcement soon. Thank you all, this has been fun!

Ivana leaves the press room.

West is coming... sometime today.

Yeah, the whole NC was missed last season

Sometimes i just run out of time. Yesterday i left my house at 7am, and returned this morning at 1am.

Today i am golfing 12 onwards. Write up onky tskes a few minutes so hopefully be up this evening

NC WEST

Gaylord Spartans – SDSC Rank – 7
Michipicoten Corsairs – SDSC Rank – 16
Minnesota Minotaurs – SDSC Rank – 18
Minnesota Silver Foxes – SDSC Rank – 20

I ranking of 16 for the Candian Air Force (Corsairs) is absolutely criminal and highlights a huge flaw in the SDSC Ranking System. As it uses Offence and Defence rankings from last season - The Corsairs Number 32 ranked running offence likely causes issues. Still!

The never forgotten West (sorry!) has 4 Playoff ready teams playing for just just 1 spot most seasons. All four sides in this division have been here a few seasons. The Spartans and Corsairs have swapped Division titles since Season 52, with the Corsairs knocking off 5 during that time, and the Spartans also 5. There was a cheeky cameo from The Mystics back in Season 57.

Neither The Minotaurs or the Silver Foxes have been able to break the hold the top two have on the division, but the gap is closing!!

The last two seasons have been Corsair shaped, but The Spartans and The Minotaurs have higher rated squads and bigger wage bills. Will The Corsairs find their road to glory blocked, or will they stack up a 3rd straight title?

Only time will tell. And what of the Foxes - a franchise that isnt far from the headlines, they have potentially fallen behind the three other teams - but with Chad leading the defence and a rebuild well on the way, it would be a surprise should the Foxes rise up the rankings also.

Prediction

Spartans – 10-6
Stabler returns to the top of the west - maybe!

Corsairs – 10-6
Its tight at the top - games against Division Rivals will be key

Minnesota Minotaurs – 7-9
A talented roster that could easily finish top - is the playbook strong enough?

Minnesota Silver Foxes – 6–10
Chad Thurman stormed out when the panel decided this - prove us wrong Chad!

Even if it is cowardly to run... how would one improve a running defense?

SDSC News Ticker .... A wild Bungal was seen running from The Jingle Stadium with what can only be described as a Terrified Hamster in its jaws...

Source: https://i.imgur.com/n45twtH.png