National Lacrosse League Expansion: Past, Present, and Future

How has the National Lacrosse League expanded under new leadership. What are the prerequisites for new franchises. Which cities are being considered for future NLL expansion.

The Vision of Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz

When Nick Sakiewicz took over as the National Lacrosse League (NLL) commissioner, he brought with him a bold vision for expansion. Drawing from his experience in growing Major League Soccer, Sakiewicz aimed to apply similar strategies to the NLL. However, this wasn’t the league’s first attempt at growth.

In the past, the NLL had seen its share of challenges with expansion. Questionable ownership groups and unstable franchises led to teams folding or relocating, creating a sense of instability. At its peak, the “old” NLL boasted thirteen teams but had settled into a more comfortable nine-team structure in recent years.

Learning and Strategizing

Upon taking the helm, Sakiewicz didn’t rush into immediate changes. Instead, he spent time learning about the league, its teams, and its fanbase. This period of observation allowed him to fine-tune his expansion blueprint to fit the unique needs of the NLL.

Prerequisites for NLL Expansion

What were the key factors Sakiewicz considered for league expansion? The commissioner prioritized stability above all else. To achieve this, he set strict criteria for potential new franchises:

• NHL/NBA ownership groups
• Individuals or entities with substantial financial resources
• Commitment to long-term growth and stability

This approach aimed to avoid the pitfalls of previous expansion efforts and ensure that new teams would have the support and resources needed to thrive.

Expansion Success Stories

How has the NLL’s expansion strategy played out in practice? Several notable successes have already emerged:

San Diego Seals

The league’s expansion to San Diego marked a significant milestone. Joseph Tsai, owner of the Alibaba empire and worth approximately $17 billion, was granted a team in San Diego. This move not only brought a billionaire owner into the league but also opened up the southern west coast to NLL action for the first time in years.

Philadelphia Wings

Simultaneously, the NLL brought a franchise back to Philadelphia, one of the original cities dating back to 1974. This time, however, the ownership group was Comcast, which also owned the NHL’s Flyers and had the Wells Fargo Center ready for play. This move ensured a strong foundation for the team’s success.

Rochester Knighthawks

When Rochester’s owner Curt Styres looked to move his franchise to Halifax, Nova Scotia, it created a potential void in the storied NLL city. The league found an innovative solution by striking a deal with Terry Pegula of Pegula Sports and Entertainment, owner of the Buffalo Bandits and Buffalo Sabres. This arrangement led to an expansion team in Rochester, maintaining the city’s presence in the league.

New York Riptide

GF Sports, with proven experience managing live sports and entertainment properties, was awarded a franchise on Long Island to play at the Nassau Coliseum. This addition further strengthened the league’s presence in the New York metropolitan area.

Recent Expansion and Relocation

How has the NLL continued to grow in recent years? Two significant developments have occurred:

Panther City Lacrosse Club

The Fort Worth expansion brought the Panther City Lacrosse Club into the league. Led by Bill Cameron, part-owner of the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, this franchise is set to play at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, expanding the NLL’s footprint in the southern United States.

Albany FireWolves

The relocation of the New England Black Wolves to Albany, New York, resulted in the creation of the Albany FireWolves. This move brought in Oliver Marti, a former pro lacrosse player and major investor in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), as well as the owner of Epoch lacrosse equipment. Marti’s diverse background in lacrosse and finance adds valuable expertise to the league’s ownership group.

Future Expansion Prospects

Where might the NLL expand next? The league has its sights set on several promising locations:

Canadian Expansion

In Canada, four cities are under consideration:

• Edmonton
• Winnipeg
• Montreal
• Quebec City

These locations could help strengthen the league’s presence in Canada and tap into new markets with strong lacrosse traditions.

U.S. Expansion

In the United States, the NLL is looking to increase its exposure on the west coast. Potential destinations include:

• San Francisco
• Seattle
• Las Vegas

Additionally, the departure of the New England team to Albany has created an opportunity on the east coast. Rumors have surfaced about the Boston Bruins (NHL) potentially resurrecting the Boston Blazers, which would bring the NLL back to a major sports market.

Balancing Growth and Stability

How does the NLL plan to manage its expansion while maintaining league stability? The league’s approach is carefully measured:

• Adding franchises gradually, spacing out expansions over time
• Conducting thorough due diligence on potential ownership groups
• Limiting the impact of expansion drafts on existing teams

This strategy aims to preserve the chemistry of present teams while steadily working towards the goal of having 20 to 30 teams in the league. The ultimate objective is to transition the NLL from a part-time to a full-time professional league.

The Road Ahead for NLL Expansion

What does the future hold for the National Lacrosse League? As long as Commissioner Sakiewicz and his team adhere to their carefully crafted blueprint, the prospects for stable franchises across North America look promising. The expansion process is viewed as a marathon rather than a sprint, with teams being added a few at a time, several years apart.

This measured approach allows the league to:

• Maintain competitive balance
• Ensure financial stability of new and existing franchises
• Grow the sport’s fanbase in new markets
• Attract high-quality ownership groups

By staying true to this vision, the NLL is positioning itself for long-term success and growth. The future of the league appears bright and exciting, with the potential to bring professional lacrosse to new heights across the continent.

Challenges and Opportunities

While the expansion outlook is positive, the NLL must navigate several challenges:

• Competing with other professional sports leagues for fan attention and market share
• Developing grassroots lacrosse programs in new markets to build a sustainable fanbase
• Balancing traditional lacrosse hotbeds with emerging markets
• Securing favorable arena deals and media contracts to support team operations

However, these challenges also present opportunities for innovation and growth. The league’s focus on stable ownership and strategic market selection positions it well to overcome these hurdles.

Impact of Expansion on NLL’s Global Presence

How might the NLL’s expansion efforts affect its global standing in the world of lacrosse? As the league grows, it has the potential to:

• Attract international talent, further elevating the level of play
• Increase media coverage and exposure for the sport
• Serve as a model for professional lacrosse leagues in other countries
• Foster international partnerships and potentially pave the way for global expansion in the long term

The NLL’s expansion strategy could play a crucial role in growing the sport of lacrosse not just in North America, but around the world. By establishing a strong, stable professional league, the NLL is laying the groundwork for lacrosse to reach new heights of popularity and competition.

Technological Advancements and Fan Engagement

As the league expands, how might it leverage technology to enhance the fan experience and reach new audiences? The NLL could explore:

• Virtual and augmented reality experiences for remote fans
• Advanced analytics and statistics to deepen fan understanding of the game
• Interactive mobile apps for in-game engagement and second-screen experiences
• Social media integration to build community among fans across different markets

By embracing cutting-edge technology, the NLL can create innovative ways to connect with fans and showcase the excitement of professional lacrosse.

Economic Impact of NLL Expansion

What potential economic benefits could NLL expansion bring to host cities? The addition of a professional lacrosse team can have several positive impacts:

• Job creation, both directly within the organization and indirectly through increased economic activity
• Boost to local businesses, particularly those in the hospitality and entertainment sectors
• Increased tourism from visiting fans and teams
• Potential for community development projects associated with team facilities

These economic benefits can help justify public support for new franchises and strengthen the relationship between teams and their host communities.

Youth Development and Grassroots Growth

How might NLL expansion influence youth lacrosse participation in new markets? The presence of a professional team can have a significant impact:

• Inspiring young athletes to take up the sport
• Providing role models and mentorship opportunities
• Encouraging the development of youth leagues and school programs
• Creating pathways for aspiring players to reach the professional level

By fostering grassroots growth, the NLL can build a sustainable fanbase and talent pipeline for the future of the sport.

Competitive Balance and League Parity

As the NLL expands, how will it maintain competitive balance across the league? Several strategies could be employed:

• Carefully structured expansion drafts to ensure new teams can be competitive from the start
• Salary cap management to prevent large market teams from dominating
• Revenue sharing mechanisms to support smaller market franchises
• Scheduling adjustments to account for travel and time zone differences

Maintaining parity is crucial for fan engagement and the long-term success of all franchises, both new and established.

Player Development and Talent Pipeline

With league expansion, how will the NLL ensure a steady supply of high-quality players? The league could focus on:

• Partnerships with college lacrosse programs to create clear pathways to the pros
• Investment in player development academies and camps
• Scouting and recruitment of international talent
• Collaboration with other professional lacrosse leagues for player exchange and development

By nurturing talent at all levels, the NLL can maintain and improve the quality of play as it grows.

Media Rights and Broadcast Expansion

How might NLL expansion affect the league’s media presence and broadcast deals? As the league grows, it has the opportunity to:

• Negotiate more lucrative national and regional broadcast contracts
• Expand streaming options for fans to access games
• Create original content and programming to showcase the sport and its athletes
• Explore partnerships with major sports networks to increase visibility

Enhanced media coverage can drive fan engagement, attract sponsors, and increase the overall value of the league.

Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships

With expansion into new markets, how can the NLL leverage its growth to attract major corporate partners? The league could focus on:

• Creating league-wide sponsorship packages that offer broad exposure across multiple markets
• Developing innovative in-game advertising and promotion opportunities
• Partnering with brands that align with the fast-paced, dynamic nature of lacrosse
• Offering data-driven insights to demonstrate the value of NLL partnerships

Strong corporate partnerships can provide financial stability and help elevate the league’s profile in the sports landscape.

Long-Term Vision for NLL Growth

What is the ultimate goal for NLL expansion, and how might it reshape the sports landscape? The league’s vision includes:

• Establishing lacrosse as a major professional sport alongside the “Big Four” (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL)
• Creating a full-time professional league with 20-30 teams across North America
• Developing a robust minor league system to support player development
• Potentially expanding internationally to create a truly global professional lacrosse presence

While ambitious, this long-term vision provides a clear direction for the league’s growth and development strategies.

Adapting to Changing Demographics and Fan Preferences

As the NLL expands, how will it adapt to evolving fan demographics and preferences? The league may need to:

• Embrace digital-first strategies to engage younger fans
• Develop more interactive and immersive game-day experiences
• Create content that resonates with diverse audiences
• Stay agile in adapting to new technologies and platforms for fan engagement

By remaining responsive to fan needs and preferences, the NLL can build a loyal and growing fanbase as it expands into new markets.

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.

NLL NLLPA Lacrosse NLL.com InsideLacrosse.com Gary Groob NLL Talk Spanglish World Network Spanglish Sports World

en redes sociales

Brett Frood Combines Passion and Product as NLL’s New Commissioner

Brett Frood Combines Passion and Product as NLL’s New Commissioner | USA Lacrosse Magazine

Skip to main content

Brett Frood Combines Passion and Product as NLL’s New Commissioner

Wed Aug 3 2022 | Jack Goods | Pro
NLL

PHOTO COURTESY OF NLL

Brett Frood’s passion for lacrosse is evident. He reminisced about the old wooden stick his dad gifted him, his first days playing as an infant and his time as a captain at Brown University with media members Tuesday afternoon.

But when his collegiate career came to an end, it became clear his time as a competitive lacrosse player had reached its conclusion as well. A cup of coffee in the National Lacrosse League was not in the cards. He’d have to be content with trips to play in annual tournaments in Vail, Colorado, and Lake Placid, New York.

“I wasn’t good enough,” Frood said with a laugh. “Certainly my teammates were and my brother was and a lot of my friends that have played in the league. One of my first texts this morning was from Greg Cattrano, who in my opinion is the greatest goalie ever in the sport of lacrosse, played for the New York Saints, and he told me he’s ready to suit up again.”

Two decades later, Frood has finally made it to the NLL, too. The former president of the Stewart-Haas Racing NASCAR team was named the league’s fifth commissioner since its relaunch in 1997 on Tuesday morning. His first official day on the job is Sept. 1.

“It’s rare in this business where you get to marry professional and personal passions and grow enterprise value,” Frood said. “The National Lacrosse League certainly provides me with that opportunity like nothing else I really could have imagined. ”

Frood succeeds Nick Sakiewicz, who steered the NLL from January 1, 2016, until June 30 of this year when he took a position with the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes. Deputy Commissioner Jessica Berman was named interim commissioner following his departure, but left soon after to become commissioner of the National Women’s Soccer League.

Frood brings extensive corporate experience, having joined NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart following his graduation from Harvard Business School 18 years ago. At Stewart-Haas Racing, Frood led all business initiatives for a team that won two NASCAR Cup Series championships and an Xfinity Series title.

“No day was monotonous,” Frood said. “Every day you had to wear different hats. There was commercial mining, there was fan building, there was fiduciary oversight, operational things and event promotion, leveraging our digital exploits. It was never ending, so I’m hopeful the vast experience is impactful.”

As a lacrosse player, Frood was a multi-year starter, Final Four member and two-time Ivy League champion. A former attackman and midfielder, he led Brown in scoring as a senior.

“Brett is everything we were looking for,” Toronto Rock owner Jamie Dawick said in a statement. “He brings an amazing track record of business success [and] a passion and deep understanding of lacrosse. He will be the perfect leader for the NLL.”

While Frood is still getting adjusted to his new role, he touched on several topics related to the future of the league.

Expansion was a major priority for Sakiewicz, who grew the NLL from nine teams to 15 in his five and a half years as commissioner. The Las Vegas Desert Dogs are primed to join the fold next season following the additions of Philadelphia, San Diego, Rochester, New York and Panther City. Sakiewicz openly discussed getting the NLL to 22 teams by the end of the decade and 30 by 2035.

In his first public appearance, Frood expressed a more conservative view on the league’s growth.

“I understand the great enthusiasm there’s been around the expansion, and it’s been awesome to see all the different respective locations in North America that have been interested,” Frood said. “I know that enthusiasm and commitment is still there, but I’d say it is a little early for me to say where we go next relative to expansion. While there’s no shortage of interest, I certainly want to focus on servicing the existing teams right now, those markets and those fans. That’s really my first priority. That being said, I certainly see expansion being a strategy at some point in our future.”

From a corporate standpoint, Frood negotiated over $600 million in partnerships while with Stewart-Haas Racing. He’ll look to channel that experience to take the NLL to the next level.

“Our business model really revolves around corporate partnerships and that commercial ecosystem,” Frood said of NASCAR. “It is how we exist. It is how we’re able to sustain in perpetuity from a motorsports standpoint. It’s really figuring out those partners that are meaningful, long-lasting and where you can produce value-laden programs for. As I look for opportunity here, I’m really excited about attacking that commercial side. ”

Frood keyed in on the importance of the distribution of the sport, whether that be via television, a streaming service, social media or another outlet. He said the league is working from a positive position thanks to its strong on-field product.

“There’s nothing better in professional sports,” Frood said. “Those games, the competitive level, the athletes out there, the physicality, skill and then ultimately the entertainment value. You saw what was going on in Colorado and Buffalo from a fan experience, and really it is our job to tell that story throughout the year.”

Leading the NLL is not without its challenges. At the forefront currently is the negotiation of a new collective bargaining agreement between the league and the NLL Players’ Association, which forced free agency to be delayed to Aug. 6.

“I’m obviously just getting started and just getting up to speed on those conversations but have no reason to believe there won’t be a resolution soon with the CBA,” Frood said. “I’ve spoken to the committee that’s working on it. I know they’re in the midst of productive dialogue with the players. Obviously, there’s some pretty astute guys on the players’ side in Reid [Reinholdt] and Zach [Currier] that’s leading that.”

At a more macro level, the NLL faces a competitive entertainment market, exacerbated by its season overlapping with the NHL, NBA and NFL.

“How do we make this league a league and sport and an outlet that everybody wants to consume? Because there’s so much going on and everyone is trying to get those eyeballs,” Frood said. “As I look at the next year, it’s a lot of, ‘How do we grow?’”

But Frood is not discouraged. As he put it, it will be really easy jumping out of bed each morning and very difficult to finish working at the end of the night. That’s where the passion helps.

“This league has all the elements one could want in professional sport,” Frood said. “History of amazing competition, champion owners, talented and competitive athletes, media partners in ESPN and TSN that are committed to the growth of the sport, a game that thrives with millennials and diehards, maximum entertainment value, connectivity with the fans and certainly a staff and board and teams that are putting in the time and work to amplify all those pieces. ”

Twitter Posts

Tweets by USLacrosse

Copyright © USA Lacrosse Magazine

Weekly Newsletter

Get the best and latest from USLaxMagazine.com delivered weekly straight to your inbox.

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.

Shesterkin assessed Sorokin’s prospects for winning the Vezina Trophy

Minakov assessed Pavlovich’s chances to win the UFC heavyweight belt Mixed martial arts fighter Vitaly Minakov assessed Sergey Pavlovich’s chances to win the UFC heavyweight belt now held by American John J…

Selivanenko praised Kasatkina’s prospects at Wimbledon after her defeat in the final of the tournament in Eastbourne Vice-President of the Russian Tennis Federation (RTF) Alexei Selivanenko spoke about the defeat of the Russian tennis player Daria Kasatkina in the final of the WTA tournament . ..

Minakov assessed Pavlovich’s chances to win the UFC heavyweight championship belt MMA fighter Vitaly Minakov answered whether the Russian Sergey Pavlovich could win the UFC heavyweight belt, which the American currently owns … Rokina New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamorello commented on the signing of a new contract with Russian goaltender Ilya Sorokin. …

Flies are more valuable: the head of British intelligence assessed the prospects for AI in covert operations The chief British intelligence officer said last Wednesday that His Majesty’s spies will play an “increasing role in the era of artificial intelligence …

CSKA goalkeeping coach Naumov is moving to the Islanders.” This is Sorokin’s condition before contract renewal. Sorokin signed …

Yakupov made a symbolic team of his partners. Datsyuk, Shesterkin, Gusev, Gavrikov, Sharipzyanov entered it – Let’s make up the symbolic team of Nail Yakupov, with whom you played together on the ice. So, you are on the flank. Who else? – I must say right away that the coach …

Granat assessed the prospects of Rubin in the RPL Ex-player of Rubin Vladimir Granat shared his expectations for the performance of the Kazan team in the upcoming draw of the Russian Premier League …

New Chelsea head coach Pochettino assessed the prospects of Mykhailo Mudrik in the team Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed his opinion about the team’s Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk. . » Napoli Magazine Editor-in-Chief Antonio Petrazzuolo has spoken about his thoughts on Napoli midfielder Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or. …

Kazbek Sagyn assessed Almabaev’s prospects in the UFC: “His level is the top 5 UFC” NAIZA champion Kazbek Sagyn assessed the prospects of his teammate Asu Almabaev in the best UFC world league: “Asu’s level is at least the top 5 UFC. I know how…

Analyst Belyaev estimated the outlook for the Russian currency in June freepik. com | Freepik Company S.L The Russian ruble is unlikely to show a fall before the end of June, says Ph.D. in Economics, financial analyst …

The agent assessed the prospects of Samoshnikov in Lokomotiv The well-known agent Alexei Safonov spoke about the impending transfer of defender Ilya Samoshnikov to the capital LokomotivRead more …

Chesnokov assessed the prospects of Medvedev, Rublev and Khachanov at Wimbledon 9000 4 Former ninth racket of the world Andrey Chesnokov suggested how the Wimbledon tournament will develop for Russian tennis players. …

Balitsky assessed the prospects for the counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Acting Governor of the Zaporozhye Region Yevgeny Balitsky commented on the prospects for the offensive of the Ukrainian army …

The expert assessed the prospects for creating a competitor to the Mir system Mostovoy’s prospects as a coach Well-known Russian coach, former coach of “Torpedo” Alexander Borodyuk spoke about the prospects of Alexander Mostovoy. Earlier it became known that e …

Shishkin assessed Lokomotiv’s prospects Former Lokomotiv football player Roman Shishkin assessed the team’s prospects next seasonRead more → … Salavat Yulaev” and the prospects of the Ufa team for the next season. …

Agent Selyuk assessed Kokorin’s prospects in Fatih Karagumryuk Agent Dmitry Selyuk commented on the information that the Turkish Fatih Karagumryuk is interested in Russian striker Alexander Kokorin. His …

Aldonin assessed the prospects of Russian football to return to the international level The ex-player of the Russian national team positively accepted the statements of FIFA and UEFA representatives at the RFU conference. Former CSKA midfielder Evgeniy Aldonin … 23 Hockey expert and agent Alexei Dementiev believes that forward Daniil But and defenseman Dmitry Simashev can be selected in the first rounds of the draft …

Dementyev: “The best goaltender in the NHL is Shesterkin. No one stands next to him. …

Bulykin assessed Azmun’s prospects at Bayer Former striker of the Russian national team and Leverkusen Bayer Dmitry Bulykin shared his opinion on whether striker Serdar Azmun should remain in the bus …

Gladilin assessed the prospects of Rubin and B Altiki” in RPL Former coach of “Spartak” Valery Gladilin shared his opinion about the prospects of “Rubin” and “Baltika” in the upcoming season of the championship of RussiaRead more → … This opinion was expressed by MEP Ivan Sincic.Read more…

Connor Helliback: Vezina is not on my list of tasks – I already have this prize. My main goal is the Stanley Cup0004 It is known that the goalkeeper wants to move from Winnipeg to another club that claims the Stanley Cup. “I want to be honest. I really so far …

Nepomnya appreciated the prospects of the face in the Moscow Dynamo The well -known Russian specialist Valery Nepomnya appreciated the prospects of Martzel’s personalities at the head of the Moscow Dynamo. Read further → …

Shzherkin that Panarin wandered bald: “It looks brutally. It will be necessary to give him a suede cloth to wipe his bald head before putting on a helmet.0004 – Artemy Panarin shaved to zero, driving away evil spirits. But he was included in the second symbolic team of the season, and he did not have such a bad year …

Shesterkin explained why Sorokin lost to Ullmark in voting for the prize for the best goalkeeper in the NHL In another nomination, the Russian goalkeeper was higher. s” p …

Shesterkin on the Champions League final: “Ederson played a masterpiece match, but I liked Lukaku more. He also showed himself in a certain role! Manchester City won the trophy by beating Inter in the decisive match (1:0). – Do you support Spartak Moscow in football? – I’m not so much…

The Russian Permanent Representative assessed the prospects for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine Gatilov recalled that Russia from the very beginning advocated a peaceful solution to the conflict, but neither Kiev nor the West were going to comply with the Minsk agreements . ..

Radiy Khabirov assessed the prospects for spreading the Islamic banking format in Bashkiria Radiy Faritovich noted that Bashkiria has become one of the four pilot regions for the introduction of Islamic principles in banking services. The head of the rep …

Gadzhiev assessed Kuzyaev’s career prospects President of the Makhachkala “Dynamo” Gadzhi Gadzhiev shared his opinion on whether Russian midfielder Daler Kuzyaev should leave for Turkey. …

Rodic assessed Kerzhakov’s prospects in Serbia Serbian Crvena Zvezda defender Milan Rodic assessed Alexander Kerzhakov’s prospects in the Serbian ChampionshipRead more → …

Silva commented on Pulisic’s prospects at AC Milan Chelsea defender and captain Tiago Silva commented on the possible transfer of ex-teammate Christian Pulisic to AC Milan. …

Bulykin assessed the prospects of Zakharyan in Feyenoord Former Russian national team player Dmitry Bulykin spoke about the possible transfer of Arsen Zakharyan to Feyenoord. 0004 Former Rostov head coach Sergei Balakhnin is sure that the young pupils of Zenit have a chance to play in the first team. …

Vladimir Granat assessed Rubin’s prospects in the upcoming RPL season Former Rubin football player Vladimir Granat shared his expectations for the performance of the Kazan club in the upcoming season of the Russian Premier League (RPL). …

Korneev assessed the prospects of Ivic in the new season of the RPL at the head of Krasnodar Ex-football player of Barcelona Igor Korneev assessed the prospects of Vladimir Ivic at the head of Krasnodar in the new season of the Premier League.Read more → …

Bystrov assessed the prospects of Kuzyaev in France Ex-player of the Russian national team, and now a football analyst Vladimir Bystrov shared his opinion on the prospects of the former Zenit midfielder Dal … which may be nurtured, including by Warsaw, are unacceptable, says the Belarusian . ..

Stoltenberg assessed the prospects for Ukraine’s membership in NATO after the alliance summit0004 Discussions of Ukraine’s membership in NATO are now meaningless, since this requires Kyiv’s victory in the conflict. Such a statement was made by …

UFC fighter assessed the prospects of Usman in a possible fight with Chimaev American UFC fighter Adam Fugitt shared his opinion on a potential fight between the Swede of Chechen origin Khamzat Chimaev and Nigerian Kam …

Matytsin assessed the prospects of Russian sports without foreign starts Russian athletes participate in many foreign competitions, which are organized, among other things, by international federations. About this in the framework of the St. Petersburg …

Jump and jump: Kaspersky appreciated the prospects of artificial intelligence True cyberintelligence will not appear soon, businessman Evgeny Kaspersky is sure. Genuine artificial intelligence will not emerge in the 21st century . ..

The ex-coach of Zenit assessed the prospects of the mentor of Spartak Abascal in Europe The former head coach of the St.0005

Aleksey Rakhmanov assessed the prospects for the development of carriers for unmanned systems The design bureaus of the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) are able to develop projects for ships that carry unmanned aerial …

Russian physicist assesses the prospects for a new Chinese thorium reactor will happen no earlier than the end of the 21st century and will require significant investments, physicist Yevgeny Kulikov is sure. Use …

Terekhin assessed the prospects of Dynamo in the next season Former forward of the capital Dynamo Oleg Terekhin spoke about the prospects of the club in the upcoming season. Manchester United football player Andrei Kanchelskis expressed the opinion that Russian defender Fedor Kudryashov, who left Antalyaspor, could come in handy . ..0004 Hockey agent Dan Milstein, representing the interests of New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin, spoke about negotiations with the team regarding new …

The Russian Foreign Ministry assessed the prospects for extending the grain deal There are no grounds for Russia to extend the grain deal, which expires on July 17, no. This is stated in the statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry, published on …

There will be no dollar for 100. Professor Ordov assessed the prospects of the ruble The dollar exchange rate will rise to 92 rubles, after which the Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance will jointly fix it at this level, the head of the department …

Ignatiev assessed Kuzyaev’s career prospects Former head coach of the Russian national team Boris Ignatiev assessed the career prospects of Daler Kuzyaev. …

Biden assessed the prospects for Ukraine’s entry into NATO before the end of the conflict US President Joe Biden said that the admission of Ukraine into NATO before the end of the conflict threatens a direct clash between the North Atlantic Alliance and Russia . ..

Kissinger assessed Ukraine’s prospects for the return of Crimea The United States does not believe that Ukraine will be able to establish control over Crimea during the current counteroffensive, the ex-state …

Daily Faceoff: one day Sorokin’s contract will turn from the best goalkeeper to the worst worries about the contract of the Russian goaltender “New York Islanders” Ilya Sorokin. …

Lovchev appreciated the prospects of Medina in Spartak Expert Evgeny Lovchev, who used to play for the USSR national team and Spartak Moscow, shared his opinion about the newcomer « One of the options is to suspend participation in the agreement …

Balakhnin assessed the prospects of young Zenit players to get into the main team Former Rostov head coach Sergei Balakhnin, in an interview with Gazeta.Ru, said that young pupils of St. Petersburg Zenit have a chance to play …

Movsisyan assessed Spertsyan’s prospects Former Spartak striker Yuri Movsisyan assessed Eduard Spertsyan’s chances of moving to a European clubRead more → . ..

Dyakov assessed Cherchesov’s future prospects » Vitaly Dyakov reacted to the resignation of Stanislav Cherchesov from the post of head coach of the Hungarian &laq …

Bill Simmons assessed the prospects of San Antonio in the near future A well-known American journalist, expert Bill Simmons expressed the opinion that the San Antonio Spurs will soon become a team of the playoff level of Natio …

Nutritionist Sorokina warned about foods that suck health pxhere.com There are certain foods that do not benefit the body, but only suck health and vitality out of it. About this story …

Lokomotiv’s ex-coach Semin assessed Krasnodar’s prospects According to the expert, the club’s policy will definitely have an effect in the near future. Former Lokomotiv coach Yuri Semin believes that Krasnodar will …

UFC champion assessed the prospects of a native of Kazakhstan: “He is good, but not top” UFC champion in the lightweight category Islam Makhachev assessed the prospects of a native of Kazakhstan Rafael Fiziev: “Fiziyev is good, but he is not a top level. …

Former CSKA coach assessed Chalov’s prospects in the strongest clubs in Europe Former goalkeeping coach of Moscow CSKA Vyacheslav Chanov said that the red-blue striker Fedor Chalov is ready to successfully play in the strongest European clubs …

Korneev assessed Kovalenko’s prospects at Zenit Igor Korneev commented on the potential transfer of Sochi midfielder Alexander Kovalenko to Zenit St. Petersburg. 005

Davydov assessed Sorokin’s chances of winning the prize for the best goaltender in the NHL Former goaltending coach of the Russian national team, goaltending coach of Lokomotiv Rashit Davydov spoke about the fact that the Russian Islanders Ilya Sorokin can …

Ullmark: “Sorokin and Hellebike also had an amazing season. I was very lucky.” Boston goaltender Linus Ullmark shared his impressions of being recognized as the best goaltender of the NHL regular season. …

Agent of Russian New York Islanders goaltender Sorokin spoke about the new contract of the player0002 Former player of the RPL clubs Dyakov assessed the prospects for the wholesale departure of legionnaires from Russia Former defender of Rostov, Spartak Moscow and other clubs of the Russian Premier League (RPL) Vitaly Dyakov said that he did not believe in a wholesale departure . ..

Shesterkin about his desire to get to the Olympics-2 026: “There is such a dream. I went to Korea in 2018 as a passenger. My goal is to be the main goalkeeper.” – Do you have a dream to get to the Olympics in Milan in 2026? Yes, there is such a dream. I think every hockey player dreams of playing at the Olympics since childhood. …

McDavid is the 2nd player in history since Ovechkin to win the Art Ross Trophy, Maurice Richard Trophy, Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award in the same year. He tied the NHL record with 4 trophies in a season. 90,004 The Edmonton captain became the seventh player in league history to win 4 trophies in a season. Previously, Bobby Orr (season 1969/70), Guy Lefleur ( …

Shesterkin about Fox: “Many people don’t notice, but Adam is a very smart defender. He sees every draw several moves ahead” – Rangers defenseman Adam Fox made All-Star Team and previously won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defensive player. Why is he cool? – M …

Shesterkin about Sorokin: “He would have received Vezina long ago if I had made up my mind. He’ll come back even stronger next season and win.” The Rangers goaltender won the NHL Goaltender of the Year Award last year. – Ilya Sorokin overtook Linus Ullmark in the voting for “Hart”0004 Ex-goalkeeper of the Moscow “Locomotive” Ilya Abaev said that the club’s winger Sergei Pinyaev could become one of the leaders of the team in the coming years, passing …

Semin assessed the prospects of Anton Miranchuk to continue his career in Europe Former coach of Lokomotiv Yuriy Semin shared …

Colonel Khodarenok assessed the prospects for the counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine It is premature to say that the Armed Forces of Ukraine have exhausted their offensive potential. They still retain combat and operational capabilities …

CSKA goalkeeping coach Naumov moves to the Islanders. This is Sorokin’s condition before the extension of the contract (“SE”) The signing of Naumov was one of the conditions of the Islanders goalkeeper Ilya Sorokin before the extension of the contract, Sport-Express reports. Sorokin signed …

Mor assessed the prospects of Ancelotti as head coach of the Brazilian national team Earlier it was reported that the Italian specialist will lead Selesao next year. Former Spartak defender Eduard Mor shared his expectations from the future …

The expert assessed the prospects of a methane engine for space rockets Since methane is a natural gas, using it as a rocket fuel gives great savings, the head of the Institute … until the promises given to her under the agreement are fulfilled …

Gazzaev assessed the prospects of Marcel Lichka in Dynamo The specialist headed the capital club before the start of the season. Former CSKA head coach Valery Gazzaev assessed the prospects of Marcel Lichka as ambassador of the main .