What is Major League Lacrosse. How did MLL evolve over the years. Which teams competed in MLL. What are the unique rules of Major League Lacrosse. How has the league adapted to challenges and changes.
The Origins and Evolution of Major League Lacrosse
Major League Lacrosse (MLL) emerged as a professional outdoor lacrosse league in North America, founded in 1999 by Jake Steinfeld, Dave Morrow, and Tim Robertson. The league’s inception was inspired by the growing popularity of lacrosse across the continent. Regular season play commenced in June 2001 with six teams competing in a 14-game schedule.
The league experienced significant growth and expansion over the years:
- 2001-2005: Six teams competed
- 2006-2008: Expanded to ten teams, including West Coast franchises
- 2009: Contracted to six teams due to financial challenges
How did the league’s television presence evolve? MLL games were initially broadcast on Fox Sports Network in 2001 and 2002. From 2003 onwards, ESPN2 became the primary broadcaster, with a contract extending through the 2016 season.
MLL Teams: Past and Present
Throughout its history, MLL has featured a variety of teams across different regions. Some of the notable franchises include:
- Boston Cannons
- Long Island Lizards
- Baltimore Bayhawks (later Washington Bayhawks)
- Denver Outlaws
- Chicago Machine
- Philadelphia Barrage
- New Jersey Pride
- Rochester Rattlers
- San Francisco Dragons
- Los Angeles Riptide
In 2009, the league welcomed the Toronto Nationals as an expansion franchise, acquiring the rights, staff, and players of the former Rochester Rattlers.
Team Contraction and Relocation
Financial challenges led to significant changes in the league structure. After the 2008 season, several teams ceased operations, including:
- Los Angeles Riptide
- Philadelphia Barrage
- New Jersey Pride
- Rochester Rattlers
- San Francisco Dragons
This contraction reshaped the league landscape, eliminating the Eastern and Western conference structure that had been in place.
Unique Rules and Gameplay in Major League Lacrosse
MLL introduced several innovative rules to enhance the speed and excitement of the game:
- 60-second shot clock: This rule keeps the game fast-paced and entertaining. If the shot clock expires, possession changes hands.
- Two-point arc: Goals scored from behind this arc are worth two points instead of one, adding an extra layer of strategy to offensive play.
- No restraining box: The absence of this traditional element is balanced by the shot clock rule.
- Roster size: Teams are allowed to dress 19 players for games, increased from 18 in previous seasons.
How do these rules impact the game? They create a more dynamic and high-scoring version of lacrosse, appealing to both dedicated fans and newcomers to the sport.
Memorable Moments and Milestones in MLL History
The league has witnessed numerous significant achievements and records over the years:
- Casey Powell became the all-time leading scorer in MLL history on June 10, 2008, surpassing Mark Millon.
- Jesse Hubbard set the MLL record for all-time leading goal scorer, also surpassing Mark Millon.
- The 2008 Steinfeld Cup saw Rochester defeat Denver 16-6, with Joe Walters named playoff MVP.
- John Grant Jr. of Rochester claimed both the MVP and Offensive Player of the Year awards in 2008.
- Los Angeles goalie Mickey Jarboe earned the Goaltender of the Year title in 2008.
These accomplishments highlight the skill and competitiveness that have defined MLL throughout its history.
The 2009 Season: A Turning Point for Major League Lacrosse
The 2009 season marked a significant transition for MLL, featuring both structural changes and notable absences:
- Rule modifications: Teams were allowed to field four long-stick defensemen, aligning with high school and college lacrosse regulations.
- Roster expansion: The number of players teams could dress for games increased from 18 to 19.
- Player absences: Casey, Ryan, and Mikey Powell, three of the sport’s most prominent players, sat out the 2009 season.
The league continued its partnership with ESPN2, which broadcast 11 MLL games, including live coverage of the All-Star Game, the first semi-final, and the championship game.
Key Events of the 2009 Season
Several important events shaped the 2009 MLL season:
- All-Star Game: Held at INVESCO Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on July 16.
- Championship Weekend: The season culminated with the NewBalance MLL Championship Weekend at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland, on August 22-23.
How did these changes and events impact the league’s future? They set the stage for MLL’s continued evolution and adaptation in the face of challenges and opportunities.
The Impact of Major League Lacrosse on the Sport’s Growth
MLL played a crucial role in elevating lacrosse’s profile in North America:
- Professional platform: Provided a high-level competitive environment for top lacrosse talent.
- Media exposure: ESPN2 broadcasts increased the sport’s visibility to a wider audience.
- Rule innovations: Introduced elements that enhanced the game’s appeal to spectators.
- Geographical expansion: Brought professional lacrosse to new markets across the United States and Canada.
How did MLL contribute to lacrosse’s growing popularity? By showcasing the sport at its highest level and introducing it to new audiences, MLL helped fuel the expansion of lacrosse participation and fandom across North America.
Challenges and Future Prospects for Major League Lacrosse
Despite its successes, MLL faced several challenges that would shape its future:
- Financial stability: The contraction of teams in 2009 highlighted the economic pressures facing the league.
- Player retention: The absence of star players like the Powell brothers in 2009 raised questions about the league’s ability to retain top talent.
- Market competition: The emergence of other professional lacrosse leagues created a more competitive landscape for players, fans, and sponsors.
How might these challenges influence the league’s long-term viability? They would ultimately lead to significant changes in the professional lacrosse landscape, including the eventual merger of MLL with the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) in 2020.
Potential for Growth and Innovation
Despite these challenges, MLL demonstrated potential for continued growth and innovation:
- Expansion opportunities: The success of the Toronto Nationals showed the potential for further international growth.
- Rule refinements: Ongoing adjustments to gameplay rules could enhance the sport’s appeal to both players and spectators.
- Media partnerships: The continued relationship with ESPN2 provided a foundation for increased media exposure.
These factors would continue to shape the evolution of professional lacrosse in North America, leading to new opportunities and structures for the sport.
The Legacy of Major League Lacrosse in the Sport’s Landscape
Major League Lacrosse’s impact on the sport extends beyond its operational years:
- Player development: MLL provided a platform for numerous players to elevate their skills and profiles.
- Tactical innovations: The league’s unique rules influenced strategic approaches to the game at various levels.
- Fan engagement: MLL helped cultivate a dedicated fanbase for professional lacrosse.
- Youth inspiration: The league’s stars served as role models for young players, fueling grassroots growth of the sport.
How does MLL’s legacy continue to influence lacrosse today? Many of the players, coaches, and innovations that emerged from MLL continue to shape the sport at both professional and amateur levels.
Lessons for Future Professional Lacrosse Ventures
The MLL experience offers valuable insights for the ongoing development of professional lacrosse:
- Market selection: Careful consideration of team locations and market viability is crucial for sustainable growth.
- Player compensation: Competitive salaries and benefits are essential for attracting and retaining top talent.
- Media strategy: Strong broadcast partnerships and digital presence are key to building and engaging a fanbase.
- Community integration: Successful teams often develop strong ties to their local lacrosse communities.
These lessons continue to inform the strategies of current and future professional lacrosse organizations as they seek to grow the sport and create sustainable business models.
Welcome to Major League Lacrosse | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
The 2009 Major League Lacrosse season is set to start on Friday, May 15.
Major League Lacrosse? What?
Yes, and in fact, the league founded by Jake Steinfeld, Dave Morrow, and Tim Robertson will be playing in its ninth season this year.
This league has intrigued me to the point where I plan on covering it here on Bleacher Report.
But first, let’s learn some history behind the fast-growing league.
History
MLL was founded in 1999, when “Body by Jake” founder Jake Steinfeld was reading about the rising popularity of lacrosse in North America. Steinfeld, Warrior Lacrosse president Dave Morrow, and business partner Tim Robertson and founded Major League Lacrosse.
Regular season play began in June of 2001, with six teams playing 14 games. The league played with six teams until 2006, when four more teams entered the league.
The league enjoyed much success and expanded to the West.
Beginning in 2006, teams were located in Philadelphia (Barrage), Boston (Cannons), New Jersey (Pride), Long Island (Lizards), Rochester (Rattlers), Baltimore (Bayhawks), Denver (Outlaws), San Francisco (Dragons), Los Angeles (Riptide), and Chicago (Machine).
Major League Lacrosse continued to play with 10 teams throughout the 2008 season, but financial problems caused Los Angeles, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Rochester, and San Francisco to fold.
Toronto entered the league at the beginning of 2009, purchasing the rights of the Rochester Rattlers. They thus gained the staff and players of the Rochester squad, but the team name, colors, and history were left behind in New York for a possible team in the future.
Fox Sports Network televised games in 2001 and 2002, and ESPN2 has televised games since the 2003 season. In 2007, MLL and ESPN2 agreed to a contract that will keep Major League Lacrosse on ESPN2 until the 2016 season.
David Gross has been league commissioner since 2004.
Rules
Some of the MLL rules are different that high school and college rules.
Major League Lacrosse uses a 60-second shot clock, installed to keep the game fast and entertaining. Like basketball, if the shot clock expires the other team gains possession.
There is no restraining box in MLL due to the shot clock.
Another unique rule in Major League Lacrosse is the two-point arc. If both of the player’s feet are behind the line when the ball is scored, it is worth two points instead of one.
MLL teams are allowed to dress 19 players for games.
2008 Season
The eighth MLL season was the last in which teams played in separate conferences. The Eastern and Western conferences were eliminated at the end of the season due to the Riptide, Barrage, Pride, Rattlers, and Dragons folding.
In the offseason, there were a number of trades and player announcements. The LA Riptide traded captain Matt Ogelsby to San Francisco.
Former Ivy League player of the year Joe Boulukos announced his retirement.
San Francisco traded former MVP Ryan Powell away to Denver in exchange for a first and second round pick in the MLL Collegiate Draft.
On May 28 the Boston Cannons selected Paul Rabil with the first overall pick in the draft. Casey Powell became the all-time leading scorer in MLL history on June 10, passing Mark Millon. Jesse Hubbard also set a MLL record, becoming the all-time leading goal scorer in league history also passing Millon.
The season ended on August 24 when Rochester defeated Denver 16-6 to win the Steinfeld Cup. Joe Walters was named playoff MVP.
John Grant Jr. (Rochester) took home the MVP and Offensive Player of the Year award, and Los Angeles goalie Mickey Jarboe won Goaltender of the Year.
2009 Season
The 2009 season of Major League Lacrosse will welcome a couple of rule changes. Four long-stick defenseman will now be allowed, just like in high school and college lacrosse.
Also, teams will be able to dress 19 players for games instead of 18.
The teams competing for the Steinfeld Cup this year are the Cannons, Machine, Outlaws, Lizards, Washington Bayhawks and expansion franchise Toronto Nationals.
Casey, Ryan, and Mikey Powell, three of the game’s best and most popular players, will all sit out the 2009 season. The brothers did not report to their respective teams as of the April 1 deadline.
ESPN2 will air 11 MLL games, including live broadcasts of the All-Star Game, the first semi-final game, and the championship game.
The 2009 All-Star Game will take place in Denver, Colorado at INVESCO Field at Mile High on July 16.
The season will come to a close on the weekend of August 22 and 23 with the NewBalance MLL Championship Weekend at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (home of the Bayhawks) in Annapolis, Maryland.
Expect team previews next week for all six teams as the Major League Lacrosse season draws closer!
Top 3 MLL Teams to Restore in the PLL
Before everyone gets extremely worked up, let’s clear the air.
This is not a list of our favorite MLL teams. Nor, is it a list of the best MLL teams.
This is simply a list of which teams make the most sense to be selected as the next expansion team in the PLL from a branding standpoint.
Sorry to let down any die hard MLL fans. As we now know, there weren’t enough of you to keep the league afloat.
Never going to happen: Ohio Machine
Never say never but considering the Atlas already lay claim to being the league’s baby blue team. Perhaps, the colorway returns if the league pushes beyond 12 teams.
The Chicago Machine colorway however…
First out: Outlaws
The black and orange color scheme screams Chaos black and red. However, the history surrounding the Outlaws is too rich for the PLL to ignore and they will eventually be added to the PLL. If expansion coincides with the league shifting to a city based league, the Outlaws will be front and center. But, if the league is only going to add one team in expansion during the touring model, there are two better choices.
Riptide
This is the color scheme the Whipsnakes should have used. The Miami Dolphins, we mean, Los Angeles Riptide, generated some buzz on Lax Twitter recently thanks to Cascade sending a replica to Diggs Tape. No idea why they didn’t include the visor decal but still the best retro gear project any company has executed.
Thank you for all you do in the lacrosse community @diggstape.
In honor of #TBT we hope you enjoy your limited edition Riptide XRS. Put together with our friends at @FourgAthletics ‼️ pic.twitter.com/PkKHixt0rv
— Cascade Lacrosse (@CascadeLacrosse) March 17, 2022
Bayhawks
Sign us up for the return of navy, silver, and lime green.
Then, start retiring Bayhawk player jerseys after year one.
Our Top Choice: Launch
How the league created seven brands out of thin air and managed to avoid a blue and yellow squad is impressive.
However, if the PLL gets nervous about bringing back an MLL with positive history then one can imagine the Launch, despite having an incredibly unique color scheme relative to the existing PLL teams, won’t make the cut.
Fire anyone who let the Launch have white helmets.
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