National Lacrosse League Expansion: Past, Present, and Future Trends

How has the National Lacrosse League expanded in recent years. What are the key factors driving NLL expansion. Which cities are potential candidates for future NLL franchises. How does the league balance growth with stability.

The Evolution of NLL Expansion Under Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz

The National Lacrosse League (NLL) has undergone significant expansion in recent years, with Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz at the helm of this growth strategy. Sakiewicz, who previously helped expand Major League Soccer, brought his expertise to the NLL with a clear mandate: grow the league while maintaining stability.

Unlike previous expansion attempts that sometimes led to franchise instability, Sakiewicz’s approach has been more measured and strategic. His prerequisites for expansion focus on securing ownership groups with deep pockets, often aligned with NHL or NBA franchises, to ensure long-term viability.

Key Expansion Moves Under Sakiewicz’s Leadership

• San Diego Seals: Owned by billionaire Joseph Tsai of Alibaba
• Philadelphia Wings: Backed by Comcast, owners of the NHL’s Flyers
• Rochester Knighthawks: New franchise owned by Terry Pegula of Pegula Sports and Entertainment
• New York Riptide: Managed by GF Sports on Long Island
• Panther City Lacrosse Club: Fort Worth-based team owned by Bill Cameron, part-owner of the NBA’s Oklahoma Thunder
• Albany FireWolves: Relocated from New England, with new owner Oliver Marti

Strategic Geographic Expansion of the NLL

The NLL’s expansion strategy under Sakiewicz has focused on broadening the league’s geographic footprint across North America. This approach aims to create a truly continental league, with franchises strategically placed to maximize exposure and fan engagement.

Key Geographic Expansion Goals

1. Opening up the Southern West Coast (San Diego Seals)
2. Strengthening presence in traditional lacrosse markets (Philadelphia, Rochester)
3. Expanding into new territories (Fort Worth)
4. Maintaining a presence in key northeastern markets (Albany FireWolves)

How does geographic expansion benefit the NLL? By strategically placing teams across North America, the league can tap into diverse markets, attract new fans, and create regional rivalries that drive interest and attendance.

Potential Future Expansion Cities for the NLL

As the NLL continues to grow, several cities have emerged as potential candidates for future franchises. These locations are chosen based on factors such as market size, existing sports infrastructure, and potential fan base.

Canadian Expansion Possibilities

• Edmonton
• Winnipeg
• Montreal
• Quebec City

U.S. Expansion Possibilities

• San Francisco
• Seattle
• Las Vegas
• Boston (potential revival of the Boston Blazers)

Why are these cities considered prime candidates for NLL expansion? Each offers a unique combination of factors that align with the league’s growth strategy, including potential ownership groups, suitable arenas, and markets with a demonstrated interest in lacrosse or similar sports.

Balancing Growth and Stability in NLL Expansion

One of the key challenges in any sports league expansion is maintaining a balance between growth and stability. The NLL under Sakiewicz has adopted a measured approach to expansion, prioritizing long-term sustainability over rapid growth.

Key Principles of NLL’s Balanced Expansion Approach

1. Thorough vetting of ownership groups
2. Gradual addition of franchises
3. Spacing out expansion to minimize disruption to existing teams
4. Focus on markets with strong potential for long-term success

How does this balanced approach benefit the league? By carefully managing expansion, the NLL can grow its footprint while minimizing the risk of franchise failures or relocations, which can damage the league’s reputation and fan trust.

The Impact of Expansion on Existing NLL Teams

While expansion brings new opportunities for the league, it also presents challenges for existing franchises. One of the most significant impacts is the expansion draft, where new teams select players from existing rosters.

How does the expansion draft affect existing teams? Each time a new franchise is added, current teams typically lose two players to the expansion draft. This can disrupt team chemistry and force franchises to adjust their rosters and strategies.

Strategies for Managing Expansion Impact

• Careful timing of expansion to allow teams to prepare
• Limits on the number of players that can be lost to expansion
• Compensation mechanisms for teams losing key players
• Gradual expansion to allow the talent pool to grow alongside the league

The Role of NHL and NBA Ownership in NLL Expansion

A key aspect of the NLL’s expansion strategy has been the involvement of ownership groups with ties to NHL or NBA franchises. This approach brings several benefits to the league and its new franchises.

Advantages of NHL/NBA Ownership in NLL

1. Financial stability and deep pockets
2. Experience in sports management and marketing
3. Access to established arenas and facilities
4. Cross-promotion opportunities with other sports
5. Credibility in local markets

Why is NHL/NBA ownership crucial for NLL expansion? These ownership groups bring not only financial resources but also valuable experience in running professional sports franchises, which can help ensure the long-term success of new NLL teams.

The Future Vision: From Part-Time to Full-Time Professional League

One of the long-term goals driving NLL expansion is the vision of transitioning from a part-time to a full-time professional league. This ambitious objective requires careful planning and strategic growth.

Key Steps Towards Full-Time Status

• Expanding to 20-30 teams across North America
• Increasing revenue through broader market presence
• Attracting more high-profile owners and sponsors
• Enhancing media coverage and broadcast deals
• Growing the overall fanbase of professional lacrosse

How would becoming a full-time league benefit the NLL and its players? A transition to full-time status would allow players to focus solely on lacrosse, potentially improving the quality of play. It would also elevate the league’s profile, attracting more fans, sponsors, and media attention.

Challenges and Opportunities in NLL Expansion

While the NLL’s expansion strategy has shown promising results, it’s not without its challenges. Understanding these obstacles and the opportunities they present is crucial for the league’s continued growth.

Key Challenges in NLL Expansion

1. Building awareness in new markets
2. Competing with established sports leagues for fan attention
3. Developing local talent pipelines in expansion cities
4. Maintaining competitive balance as the league grows
5. Securing suitable arenas and practice facilities

Opportunities Arising from Expansion

• Increased national and international exposure for the sport
• Growth of youth lacrosse programs in new markets
• Attraction of new sponsors and media partners
• Development of inter-league rivalries to drive fan engagement
• Potential for crossover appeal with fans of other sports

How can the NLL turn these challenges into opportunities? By viewing each obstacle as a chance to innovate and improve, the league can develop creative solutions that not only address immediate issues but also set the stage for long-term success.

The Economic Impact of NLL Expansion on Host Cities

As the NLL expands into new markets, it brings potential economic benefits to host cities. Understanding these impacts can help garner support from local governments and communities for new franchises.

Potential Economic Benefits of NLL Franchises

1. Increased tourism during home games
2. Job creation (both direct and indirect)
3. Boost to local businesses, especially in entertainment districts
4. Potential for arena development or improvements
5. Enhanced city profile for sports and entertainment

How significant can the economic impact of an NLL team be on a city? While not as large as major leagues like the NHL or NBA, NLL franchises can still contribute millions of dollars annually to local economies through direct spending, job creation, and increased tourism.

Case Studies: Economic Impact of Existing NLL Teams

• Buffalo Bandits: Consistent high attendance driving downtown business
• Saskatchewan Rush: Transformed Saskatoon into a lacrosse hotbed
• Calgary Roughnecks: Synergy with NHL’s Flames enhances overall economic impact

The Role of Media and Broadcasting in NLL Expansion

Expanding media coverage and improving broadcasting deals play a crucial role in the NLL’s growth strategy. As the league enters new markets, it must also expand its media footprint to reach a broader audience.

Key Aspects of NLL’s Media Strategy

1. Securing national broadcast partnerships
2. Expanding streaming options for fans
3. Leveraging social media for fan engagement
4. Developing localized content for expansion markets
5. Creating compelling storylines to attract casual fans

How does improved media coverage support NLL expansion? Enhanced visibility through various media channels helps build awareness in new markets, attract sponsors, and create a more engaging product for fans, all of which support the league’s growth objectives.

Innovative Broadcasting Approaches

• Virtual reality experiences for immersive game viewing
• Behind-the-scenes content to build player profiles
• Interactive elements during broadcasts to engage younger audiences
• Cross-promotion with other sports leagues to attract new viewers

Youth Development and Grassroots Growth in Expansion Markets

A critical component of successful NLL expansion is the development of youth lacrosse programs in new markets. These grassroots efforts help create a sustainable fan base and talent pipeline for the future.

Strategies for Youth Lacrosse Development

1. Partnerships with local schools and recreation departments
2. Clinics and camps run by NLL players and coaches
3. Equipment donation programs to reduce barriers to entry
4. Creation of youth leagues affiliated with NLL franchises
5. Integration of lacrosse into physical education curricula

Why is youth development crucial for NLL expansion success? By fostering a love for the game at a young age, the NLL can create lifelong fans and potentially develop future professional players, ensuring the long-term viability of expansion franchises.

Success Stories in Youth Development

• Georgia Swarm’s extensive youth programs in metro Atlanta
• Colorado Mammoth’s partnership with local Native American communities
• San Diego Seals’ school outreach programs introducing lacrosse to new audiences

The Global Perspective: International Expansion Possibilities for the NLL

While current expansion efforts focus on North America, the NLL’s long-term vision may include international growth. Exploring the potential for global expansion can open new markets and elevate the sport’s profile worldwide.

Potential International Markets for NLL Expansion

1. United Kingdom: Building on existing lacrosse infrastructure
2. Australia: Leveraging crossover appeal with other stick sports
3. Germany: Tapping into a growing interest in North American sports
4. Japan: Expanding the league’s presence in Asia
5. Israel: Building on the country’s recent success in international lacrosse

What challenges would international expansion present for the NLL? Global growth would require navigating different regulatory environments, addressing logistical challenges, and adapting marketing strategies to diverse cultural contexts.

Benefits of International NLL Expansion

• Increased global visibility for the sport
• Access to new talent pools
• Expanded merchandising and licensing opportunities
• Potential for international rivalries and tournaments
• Enhanced appeal to multinational sponsors

How might international expansion affect the NLL’s domestic growth? While presenting exciting opportunities, the league would need to balance international ambitions with continued development in North America to maintain a strong core market.

Technology and Innovation in NLL Expansion

As the NLL expands, leveraging technology and innovation can enhance the fan experience, improve team operations, and attract tech-savvy audiences. Embracing cutting-edge technologies can set the NLL apart in the competitive sports entertainment landscape.

Innovative Technologies in NLL Expansion

1. Advanced analytics for player performance and scouting
2. Augmented reality experiences in arenas and through mobile apps
3. Blockchain-based fan engagement and rewards programs
4. AI-powered chatbots for customer service and fan interaction
5. Wearable technology for enhanced player safety and training

How can technology drive fan engagement in new NLL markets? Innovative tech solutions can create immersive experiences that attract and retain fans, particularly younger demographics who expect high levels of interactivity and personalization.

Technology-Driven Fan Experiences

• Virtual meet-and-greets with players
• Real-time stat tracking and fantasy integration
• 360-degree video replays accessible via smartphone
• Customized content delivery based on fan preferences
• Interactive gaming experiences tied to live matches

By embracing these technological advancements, the NLL can position itself as a forward-thinking league, appealing to tech-savvy fans and sponsors alike. This approach can be particularly effective in attracting audiences in new expansion markets where the sport may be less established.

National Lacrosse League Expansion…Past, Present, and Future

15 de Mayo de 2021 a las 05:04

Photo courtesy of InsideLacrosse.com

Article by Gary Groob IG: @ggroob

Columnist and Host of Spanglish World Networks

TORONTO. –  With the recent Fort Worth expansion, and the move of New England to Albany, it is safe to say that Pandemic or not, the National Lacrosse League (NLL) won’t let anything come between themselves, and the goals they have set for league growth.

When Nick Sakeiwicz took over as the NLL commissioner his mandate was to expand the league the same way he helped to expand Major League Soccer (MLS). 

People who had been around the NLL had seen this movie before. 

Give out franchises to questionable ownership groups for the sake of expansion, led to teams folding, or moving cities creating instability in the league.  At their peak, the “old” NLL had thirteen teams, but in recent years had settled comfortably to a nine team league of stable franchises.

Enter Commissioner Nick Sakeiwicz…

Although the first couple of years he was more in the background, he wasn’t just sitting in his office.  Mr. Sakeiwicz was learning the league (the game, the teams, the fans), and was also fine tuning his blue print on expansion to fit the NLL.

What were the prerequisites?

Commissioner Sakeiwicz was looking for stability of the league first and foremost. To achieve this he would only look to expand with NHL/NBA ownerships or people with very, very deep pockets.

The first expansion added a billionaire to the league.  Joseph Tsai, Owner of the Ali Baba empire and worth approximately 17 Billion dollars, was granted a team in San Diego (Seals).  This also opened the southern west coast to the league for the first time in years.  At the same time, Sakeiwicz brought a franchise back to Philadelphia (one of the original cities of the NLL dating all the way back to ’74).  This time however, the ownership group was Comcast, who also owned the NHL Flyers, and had the Wells Fargo Center ready for them to play.

Opening the coasts was important to the league, making sure the entire Continent of North America was included in this league.

Rochester’s owner Curt Styres was looking to move his franchise to Halifax, Nova Scotia, but that would leave a hole in the storied NLL city of Rochester, what to do?  A deal was struck with Terry Pegula of Pegula Sports and Entertainment, and owner of the Buffalo Bandits and Buffalo Sabres.  His ownership group would now put an expansion team back in Rochester, NY, and though unorthodox, it worked.  At the same time GF Sports (with proven experience managing live sports and entertainment properties both in the New York area and worldwide) was awarded a Franchise on Long Island, to play at the Nassau Coliseum. 

Enter the Fort Worth expansion…

Bill Cameron (Part owner of the NBA’s Oklahoma Thunder) headed the ownership group set to lead the Panther City Lacrosse Club, ready to play in Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

The move of the New England Black Wolves to Albany (newly named the Firewolves), added Oliver Marti, a former pro lacrosse player himself, major invester in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), owner of Epoch lacrosse equipment, also forming the Connecticut-based healthcare hedge fund team CCI Healthcare at investment firm Columbus Circle Investors in 2001 and founded Akera Capital in 2018.

Where to next?

In Canada there are four spots the league is looking at…Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal, and Quebec City.

In the U.S. the league is looking to increase their exposure on the west coast with places like San Francisco, Seattle, and Las Vegas constantly as rumored destinations. 

The departing of the New England team to Albany, leaves a hole on the east coast, and rumors of the Boston Bruins (NHL) looking to resurrect the Boston Blazers have surfaced. 

The league will add more franchises but, as seen in the past with this management group, will do their due diligence first, and space it out to not destroy chemistry of the present teams (expansion drafts have teams losing two players each time).  The goal to have twenty to thirty teams, moving the league eventually from part time to full time is well underway, but this is a marathon not a sprint. 

Teams will be added a few at a time, a few years apart from each other, keeping balance while moving forward.   As long as Sakeiwicz and his team stay true to their blue print, they will have stable franchises all over North America.  The future looks to be bright, and exciting for this league.

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NLL Expansion Candidate Cities – Lacrosse All Stars

NLL commissioner Nick Sakiewicz has made it clear that the league intends to continue its growth and geographic footprint through expansion over the next few years. We’ve recently seen new franchises like Fort Worth and Las Vegas come online, preceded by San Diego, Halifax, and New York (Riptide).

But where could the NLL go?

When looking at new cities, there are several things to consider. Ironically, an established presence of box lacrosse is not one of them. When we consider the recent NLL additions to states like Texas, Nevada, and California, these are places with thriving field games where youth box is still relatively new.

The Criteria

The criteria I considered when looking at possible cities for the NLL expansion were:

• A medium-sized stadium in the range of 12,000-18,000 capacity
• A “sports” city with enough room in the market for another pro team
• A location that isn’t too close to a competing franchise
• A location that can easily pull fans from within a region
• An established ownership group with experience in sports operations

NLL Expansion Candidates

Toledo, Oh / Grand Rapids, Mi

So, this started out as a selfish choice so that I can have a team nearby, but I promise they both make sense as NLL expansion cities.

Each city is blessed with a strong lacrosse presence in both field and box. They are both also adjacent to major cities, host minor league sports franchises, and have suitable venues.

Toledo is one hour from Detroit, a little more than an hour from Windsor, and two hours from Cleveland. It’s home to the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL and the Toledo Mud Hens (an MLB affiliate for the Detroit Tigers). The Walleye and Mud Hens are both owned by the same group:

The team is currently owned and operated by Toledo Arena Sports, Inc. The current ownership group is a subsidiary of Toledo Mud Hens Baseball Club, Inc., another ownership that owns and operates the Toledo Mud Hens.

sanduskycountyairport

All Walleye are back in the Pond.

🚨 We’re 𝘽𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝘼𝙩 𝙁𝙪𝙡𝙡 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝, Toledo. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/c6WvCnBpNQ

— Toledo Walleye (@ToledoWalleye) July 28, 2021

This means that Toledo has an experienced ownership group in place that already operates a suitable facility; The Huntington Center is 12 years old and has a maximum capacity of about 8,000. While the facility is on the smaller side, it gives the franchise the opportunity to sell out every week. There are few things as intimidating in sports as a smaller, sold-out venue in a sports-crazed town.

What a move by Jonatan Berggren for his first point as a Griffin, setting up Turner Elson, who scored his 100th point as a Griffin on Friday night #GoGRG pic. twitter.com/wIQaluzxSO

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) October 18, 2021

Grand Rapids is two-and-a-half hours from Detroit and three hours from Chicago. It already hosts an AHL franchise in the Grand Rapids Griffins, which is owned by billionaire Dan DeVos, who also serves as chairman for the Orlando Magic. The Griffins play at VanAndel Arena, which can seat approximately 10,000 fans. In short, Grand Rapids has the stadium, the owner, and the right location to replicate a Halifax-type level of success.

Salt Lake City, Ut

I had my own list of NLL expansion cities, but as I was starting this post, I stumbled upon Charlie’s suggestion, and he was so spot on that I immediately added (all credit to Charlie).

After seeing Salt Lake City first-hand and just how electric a Jazz 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯 game was, I have no doubt the @NLL would thrive here

— Charlie Ragusa (@chucknchuck) October 19, 2021

SLC has seen tremendous growth in its lacrosse presence, but that isn’t what makes it a great candidate to me. The city has one major sport franchise, the Utah Jazz, and a state of the art arena (Vivint Arena), which can seat up to 20,000 for basketball. When outfitted with boards to host an NLL game, I imagine this puts the capacity right around 17,500, which is ambitious but ideal for NLL attendance.

Not only would SLC create another West Division team, it could also lure some impressive ownership groups west. According to a recent article about the sale of Real Salt Lake, the local MLS team, there is quite an extensive list of possible new owners. When spending more than $350 million on an MLS franchise, why not add a $10 million NLL team and really invest in Utah sports?

Honorable Mentions

• Portland, OR
• Nashville, TN
• Charlotte, NC
• Milwaukee, WI
• Boston, MA (but not actually in Boston)

States Expansion. How Americans Love Sports – Hockey News

How did David Beckham change soccer in America? How many millions of people watched the Super Bowl around the world? Why is the average NFL attendance the dream of every sports league on the planet? The answers are in the material of Vitaly Suvorov.

Super Bowl 2013, which ended with a resounding victory for the Baltimore Ravens, was watched by more than 150 million people around the world – never before had such an audience gathered at the screens of a football game.

_{Photo: Fotobank/Getty Images/Chris Graythen}

About 72,000 fans made their way inside the Superdome itself that day – but that’s not a record, not even close. The Steelers from Pittsburgh match against the Green Bay Packers, which thundered in Texas two years ago, gathered 103,219 spectators in the stands. The 1983 California Super Bowl, in which the Miami Dolphins butted heads against the Washington Redskins, was attended by another 400 people.

_{Photo: Fotobank/Getty Images/Sports Illustrated/George Tiedemann}

In the early 2000s, the average Super Bowl attendance was 70,000+. Such – with rare exceptions – it remains to this day. But this is due only to the fact that almost all the stadiums that have been hosting the United States Major Sports Performance for 13 years simply cannot accommodate more spectators.

No wonder the average NFL attendance is the number every sports league on the planet dreams of. In the 2009 season/10, a year after the world was rocked by the financial crisis, and ticket prices crept up, each game of the National Football League was attended by an average of more than 67,000 spectators; at the end of the season, it was estimated that during this time 17 million 282 thousand people visited the stands. Needless to say, the season ticket waiting list for, say, the Chicago Bears is over 15 years old?

***

David Beckham, the most famous and arguably the most influential football player of our time, tried on the jersey of MLS flagship LA Galaxy five years ago. Leaving the States last December, Becks must have been pleased. So what has really changed during this time?

_{Photo: Fotobank/Getty Images/Steve Dykes}

Well, first of all, there were 12 teams in the US Major League Soccer when David Beckham arrived; now, five years later, it’s 19. Professional football clubs have sprung up in Toronto, Seattle, Philadelphia, Portland, Vancouver, and Montreal. The hitherto unprecedented competition for fans forced the club bosses to update the infrastructure, entertain spectators both inside and outside the stadiums. TV revenues have multiplied, and the average football match attendance has increased by more than 300 percent to 19 in 2012.thousand fans.

_{Photo: Fotobank / Getty Images / Otto Greule Jr}

Of course, all this is not the merit of Beckham alone. For five years, Thierry Henry, Robbie Keane, Rafael Marquez and other European stars moved to the MLS. The American League not only got rid of the glory of Qatar – a place where older players secure their future without much effort – but also attracted the attention of English, German and even Russian fans.

It is difficult to judge how much it attracts the Americans themselves. However, it is known that, on average, only 10 percent of the seats are empty at each MLS game – less than in the NBA and NHL games, the two most popular American leagues outside the United States.

_{Photo: Fotobank/Getty Images/Kevork Djansezian , but especially strongly in America itself. The first three games, which restarted American hockey in January of this year, gathered a total of 53,500 spectators in the stands. #hockeyisback – and after watching the next two videos, you will understand why this is so important.}

***

The cardinal rule of the United States sports industry, just like the music or film industry, is that the world needs Legends. Nowhere else in the world is it possible to gain popularity so quickly. Nowhere, except in America, you can become such a star as you can become in the United States. Do your job, do it well – and you will not be left without attention. However, sport, in any case, is a different story.

The standing ovation received by Kobe Bryant on America’s best daytime show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, would be the envy of George Clooney himself – despite the fact that Ellen’s audience consists predominantly of women. So, as David Beckham was met on the same show a year earlier, they did not even meet Barack Obama.

LeBron James has about the same number of followers on Twitter as Jim Carrey and Jimmy Fallon, the host of one of the most popular Late Night Shows and the inspiration of Ivan Urgant. Kobe, who appeared on the social network just over a month ago, is already being followed by almost one and a half million people. There is a suspicion that by the end of this year, Justin Bieber will have a serious cause for concern.

Every Kobe throw, every tweet by Carmelo Anthony or Shaquille O’Neal brings the NBA thousands of new fans around the planet. YouTube is full of crazy things that basketball fans are doing in the stands. But personally, I like the other video much more – in which LeBron James strangles in the arms of a plump man, a fan of the Heat, who just earned 75 thousand dollars with one throw.

How many people who stumble across this video do you think would want to add a T-shirt from a good-looking black man who also happens to be a basketball superstar to their wardrobe? What do you think will be the first purchase of the lucky one?

***

According to many, baseball is a sport that is almost impossible to understand for a person born outside the United States. It has to be learned from childhood – swinging a bat in the backyard, throwing a ball, collecting the legendary cards that today are bought for thousands of dollars.

_{Hundreds of thousands of fans celebrate San Francisco’s World Series victory. Photo: Fotobank/Getty Images/Ezra Shaw}

In the States themselves, the game, celebrated in Hollywood films, is not just a sport, it is a cult, it is history. Joe DiMaggio, the best baseball player of all time, could easily be compared to Louis Armstrong or Frank Sinatra, all of whom influenced American culture in roughly equal measure, being the perfect epitome of the era they lived in. All of them were idols, for a meeting with which people were ready to give everything they have.

In addition, baseball is perhaps the only game on the planet that so reverently guards history. Its rules have not changed for almost 100 years; the shape of the players even now is not much different from what athletes took to the field in the 20s of the last century.

_{Three million fans at the New York Yankees’ World Series victory parade. Photo: Fotobank/Getty Images/Allsport}

However, the most amazing story happened only about 17 years ago when a bunch of activists from the state of Ohio organized the first reconstruction of a baseball game in the mid-19s.of the century, as others put on re-enactments of Civil War battles or the legendary Woodstock concert.

As the years went on, the number of participants increased, and at some point, those few people who started the historic match became the leaders of an entire league – a league that dressed up in equipment from 1857, spelled “Baseball” as “Baseball” (the name of the game changed in the 1880s) and used long-obsolete terminology. What is this if not love?

***

The US Student Competition is a place where almost all the stars of American sports light up like a garland on a Christmas tree. The National Collegiate Sports Association has more than a thousand organizations, and the association itself holds championships in football, basketball, hockey, baseball, golf, lacrosse, fencing and dozens of other sports.

To hell with words, just look at this. The University of Michigan Stadium, where Brodsky once taught, during match days of the local football team.

***

The short video just a couple of paragraphs below was filmed by the guys at EA Sports a few years ago as part of a campaign to promote a new series of the iconic soccer game. Its main character is a 62-year-old Chinese named King Keung Chu, who immigrated to New York from Hong Kong in the early 80s. Every Saturday, King puts on his boots and wanders towards the football field to play for an amateur club from Chinatown. King does not speak English, so none of his teammates know his exact age, or profession, or the secret of his amazing physical shape.

However, in this video you will find not only the touching story of a Chinese immigrant. In it you will find proof that even in New York City, a city full of fun, the less popular game captivates students and old people, artists and engineers, Americans and those who left their homeland a long time ago.

After all, real sport is crowded even in the largest stadiums on the planet.

Derek Keenan (Lacrosse Player) – Age, Birthday, Bio, Facts, Family, Net Worth, Height & More

Derek Keenan is a former volleyball player who is currently the head coach and general manager of the Saskatchewan Rush of the National Lacrosse League. Keenan has won the NLL GM of the Year award and the Les Bartley Coach of the Year award three times; He won both awards in 2006, 2010 and 2014, although he shares the 2010 Bartley Award with Chris Hall. After a long amateur career and playing for Team Canada at several World Championships, Keenan started playing professionally at 19.’92 with the Buffalo Bandits, where he received the Rookie of the Year award. 1992. The Bandits won the championship cup in Keenan’s two seasons with the team. After a five-year hiatus, he played six games against the Toronto Rock in 1999 before becoming an assistant coach to Les Bartleys.

Lacrosse player Derek Keenan was born on October 2, 1961 in Tsanada (he is 61 years old).

Lacrosse coach, general manager and former player who has won the NLL GM of the Year and Les Bartley Coach of the Year awards multiple times, both in 2006, 2010 and 2014. He was inducted into Canadian lacrosse. Hall of Fame 2012.

All info about Derek Keenan can be found here. This article will clarify all information about Derek Keenan: biography, age, facts, income, family, husband & breakup…

Derek Keenan was born in the Zodiac sign Libra (The Scales) , and 1961 is the year of the Chinese Zodiac Ox (牛) .

He was born in Oshawa, Ontario and played lacrosse at Ithaca College. He won the Rookie of the Year award during the first year of his professional career with the Buffalo Bandits.

Under his leadership, the Portland Lumberjax became the first expansion team in the history of the National Lacrosse League to finish first in their division.