A fusion of street football, social media and mainstream sport is brought to life by ‘Baller League’. A community of players, influencers and fans gather together at the Copper Box Arena, all with the aim to see the game grow in different ways. Kevin Spinelli, a standout player for MVPs United, managed by football player Alisha Lehmann and presenter Maya Jama, offers an insider’s view on what the Ballers League is really like.

From trials to the team

Spinelli’s path into the process began unexpectedly. “There was a trial event in Manchester, but I missed it because I didn’t know at first, but I bumped into the recruiters after a night out, and they told me to go down to London for a trial there.”

“The draft day was serious. I was sitting on the benches with 140 people, I could feel the pressure; it was intense. You just don’t want to go home empty-handed”.

Spinelli had his eye on specific teams, including John Terry’s or Tobi Brown’s, a YouTuber who’s mainly known for being a Sidemen member. “Tobi even told me I was his next pick if I hadn’t already been picked by Maya and Alisha,” he says.

Being drafted was important to Spinelli; it was a validation of his skills and dedication to football, and it gave him the opportunity to showcase himself to a wider audience.

Match days

Every Monday, Spinelli and his team, the MVPs, battle it out in front of a packed 7500-seat arena. “Maya and Alicia do a lot behind the scenes. They organise team meals, pay for our hotel in London and motivate us before the games. Their dedication really shows they care about this”.

Match days are intense, with an added impact of the games being covered on Sky Sports. “Having that platform means a lot, it’s a chance for me to showcase my ability, and I’ve already had some teams contact me from the exposure”.

The growing fan base loves the 6-aside game with multiple different challenges that happen between the 30-minute games. With social media clips going more viral each week, it looks rare that the anticipation of the event will stop there.

Reaching the top four would put Spinelli’s team into the playoffs, giving them the chance to win the competition. “Winning Baller League in its inaugural year here in the UK would be huge for us,” Spinelli says.

He’s aware of the platform the Baller League can give him. “A few teams have already reached out, which is a good start. I’m trying my best to take every opportunity.”

Sport and content creation

The league’s combination with social media and content creators is what makes Baller League so appealing. It features huge names such as KSI, Chunkz and Angry Ginge, with all three having a collective of just under 50 million subscribers each on YouTube alone.

Spinelli addresses the benefits and challenges. “Content brings eyes to the game, but if you look at recent events such as the incident with Angry Ginge, the league’s founder publicly said he doesn’t want. I think it’s a balancing act. For the growth of the league, it’s a bit of entertainment, it helps, as long as it doesn’t overshadow the football itself.”

The event he’s referring to is about a game where Angry Ginge, a content creator, built up an entertaining storyline of a rivalry with another team. However, it was taken too far and led to a big fight between the two sides on the pitch. The founder of Baller League, Felix Starck, shared he wasn’t fond of what happened, and it does not represent what the brand of the league is about.

“When all that commotion happened, I was looking around, and all the kids were shocked. I’m picturing it from a parent’s point of view. If I’m a dad and I bring my kid to the football and I see people fighting on the pitch, would I bring him again? Probably not,” Spinelli says.

The future

Spinelli thinks the future for the Baller League in the UK is bright. “Germany’s third season shows it can last, and England’s growth is already faster. Bringing in more big names and maintaining the quality will be key.”

“They’re planning multiple seasons, possibly two in one year, to be able to keep the momentum going.”

He highlights how the concept is refreshing for fans. “It’s a place where people get to see ex-pros, influences and up-and-coming players all in one place. I’ve met legends like John Terry, and you can tell how much he cares about it; he’s constantly training with his team, and he really takes it seriously.”

The Baller League is more than just a game; it’s a movement blending sport and social media into a brand-new form of entertainment. For players like Spinelli, it offers a positive platform to build their profile and potentially elevate their career in football. For fans, it has plenty on offer with the fast-paced game alongside celebrity appearances. The combination of sport and content creation is affecting the game we all know and love.