How will the merger of PLL and MLL impact the future of professional lacrosse. What changes can fans expect in the 2021 season. How does this merger benefit players, sponsors, and the sport as a whole.
The Historic Merger: PLL and MLL Join Forces
On December 16, 2020, the lacrosse world witnessed a groundbreaking announcement: the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) and Major League Lacrosse (MLL) decided to merge. This monumental decision marks a significant milestone in the sport’s history, promising to reshape the landscape of professional lacrosse in North America.
The merger brings together two of the most prominent lacrosse leagues, combining their strengths to create a unified platform for the sport’s elite players. Under this new arrangement, all subsequent season operations and activities will fall under the Premier Lacrosse League banner, signaling a new chapter in professional lacrosse.
Key Points of the Merger
- PLL will expand to include the Boston Cannons as its eighth team
- The Boston Cannons will be rebranded as Cannons Lacrosse Club
- PLL retains rights to all former MLL teams for future expansion
- An internal team will oversee the transition process
Expansion and Roster Changes: What to Expect
With the addition of the Cannons Lacrosse Club, the PLL now boasts eight teams in its roster. This expansion brings exciting changes for players and fans alike. How will the league accommodate this new team?
The Cannons Lacrosse Club’s roster will be entirely selected through an Expansion Draft in 2021. This process ensures a fair distribution of talent and gives former MLL players an opportunity to showcase their skills in the PLL. Additionally, transitioning MLL players will have the chance to enter the PLL Player Pool, further enriching the league’s talent base.
Impact on Players and Teams
- Increased opportunities for players to compete at the highest level
- Potential for more competitive matches with a broader talent pool
- Expansion of the league’s geographical footprint
- Possibility of future team additions from former MLL markets
The 2021 Season: A New Look for Professional Lacrosse
As the merger takes effect, fans are eagerly anticipating the changes in store for the 2021 season. The PLL has announced an exciting schedule that spans 11 cities, bringing top-tier lacrosse action to various markets across the United States.
The 2021 season kicks off on June 4 and culminates with the PLL Championships on September 19. This extended season format provides ample opportunities for fans to experience the thrill of professional lacrosse in person.
2021 PLL Season Highlights
- 11 game weekends in different cities
- All-Star weekend event
- Three-weekend playoff structure
- Season opener at Gillette Stadium, Boston, MA
- Games in former MLL team markets
The Vision Behind the Merger: Accelerating Lacrosse’s Growth
Why did the PLL and MLL decide to join forces? The merger represents a strategic move to propel lacrosse into the mainstream of competitive team sports. By combining resources, expertise, and fan bases, the unified league aims to create a more robust and exciting product for lacrosse enthusiasts.
Sandy Brown, the MLL Commissioner, emphasized that this merger “only benefits the future of the game” by combining the history of professional lacrosse with an innovative approach. This fusion of tradition and innovation is expected to accelerate the sport’s growth and open up new commercial opportunities in major markets.
Benefits of the Merger
- Streamlined operations and resources
- Increased media exposure through NBC Sports
- Enhanced sponsorship opportunities
- Unified platform for showcasing top talent
- Potential for rapid growth in viewership and participation
Player Perspectives: A Nostalgic yet Exciting Future
For many players, particularly those who have competed in both leagues, the merger evokes a sense of nostalgia while promising an exciting future. Paul Rabil, PLL co-founder and CMO, expressed his sentiments about the merger, highlighting its significance for players who began their careers in the MLL.
The unification of the two leagues removes some of the challenges that athletes, sponsors, and fans faced in the past. This streamlined approach is expected to create a more cohesive and enjoyable experience for all stakeholders in the sport.
Player Benefits
- Access to a larger, more competitive league
- Increased exposure and potential for career growth
- Opportunity to play in diverse markets across the country
- Potential for improved salaries and benefits
The Future of Youth Lacrosse Development
Beyond professional play, the merger also has implications for youth lacrosse development. The PLL and MLL have committed to creating a long-term plan to nurture young lacrosse players in historical MLL communities. This initiative ensures that the merger’s benefits extend beyond the professional ranks, fostering grassroots growth of the sport.
How will this focus on youth development impact the future of lacrosse? By investing in young players and communities with a rich lacrosse history, the league aims to create a sustainable pipeline of talent and expand the sport’s popularity across diverse regions.
Youth Development Initiatives
- Programs in former MLL team markets
- Clinics and camps led by professional players
- Increased access to high-quality coaching and training
- Potential for youth tournaments and showcases
Media Coverage and Fan Engagement: A New Era
One of the most significant aspects of the merger is the consolidated media rights agreement with NBC Sports. This partnership promises to deliver the best lacrosse in the world across every medium, providing fans with unprecedented access to professional lacrosse content.
How will this enhanced media coverage benefit the sport? By offering a single destination for top-tier lacrosse content, the league can attract a wider audience, potentially drawing in new fans and increasing overall engagement with the sport.
Media and Fan Experience Improvements
- Consistent broadcast schedule on NBC Sports platforms
- Enhanced digital content across social media channels
- Potential for innovative viewing experiences and interactive features
- Increased visibility for players and teams
The merger between the Premier Lacrosse League and Major League Lacrosse marks a pivotal moment in the sport’s history. By combining their strengths, resources, and visions, the unified league is poised to elevate professional lacrosse to new heights. From expanding team rosters and geographical reach to enhancing media coverage and youth development initiatives, this merger promises to create a more exciting, accessible, and sustainable future for lacrosse in North America.
As the 2021 season approaches, fans, players, and stakeholders alike eagerly anticipate the fruits of this historic union. With a commitment to innovation, tradition, and growth, the newly merged league is set to write the next chapter in the story of professional lacrosse, potentially transforming it into a major player in the competitive sports landscape.
THE PREMIER LACROSSE LEAGUE AND MAJOR LEAGUE LACROSSE ANNOUNCE MERGER
LOS ANGELES (December 16, 2020) – The Premier Lacrosse League (“PLL”) and Major League Lacrosse (“MLL”) have merged with subsequent season operations and activities to formally exist under the Premier Lacrosse League.
As part of the merger, the PLL will immediately expand to include the Boston Cannons as the PLL’s eighth team, under the rebranded name Cannons Lacrosse Club. The Cannons Lacrosse Club roster will be entirely selected through an Expansion Draft in 2021. Additionally, the PLL will retain the rights to all of the former MLL teams for future expansion considerations.
The PLL and MLL have created an internal team that will oversee the success of the transition, including: front office, team and player orientation; the 2021 season schedule, which will include former MLL team markets; and a long-term plan to develop youth lacrosse players in historical MLL communities.
In the coming months, details will be announced regarding the 2021 Expansion Draft, as well as more information on how transitioning MLL players may enter the PLL Player Pool.
MLL Commissioner, Sandy Brown, explained, “this merger only benefits the future of the game, for it combines the history of professional lacrosse with an innovative approach that has already accelerated the game’s growth. Further, the major market commercial opportunities are at their infancy. The runway for a combined effort is robust.”
PLL co-founder and CEO, Mike Rabil, responded saying, “the unification of PLL and MLL puts the game first by providing our athletes and fans a single destination for the best lacrosse in the world, across every medium, coming this Summer 2021 on NBC Sports. I can’t think of anything better and more exciting for the sport.”
PLL co-founder and CMO, Paul Rabil, stated, “the PLL and MLL partnership is a massive step forward for professional lacrosse. Merging the two organizations and removing some of the challenges that athletes, sponsors and fans faced will undoubtedly advance the game forward. This one’s particularly nostalgic for me and a number of PLL players given that we began our careers and played in championship games with MLL prior to the PLL’s launch. Today and forever we share in that history and continue to build the future of pro lacrosse together.”
About PLL
The Premier Lacrosse League is a men’s professional lacrosse league in North America, composed of 7 teams rostered with the best players in the world. Co-founded by lacrosse superstar and investor, Paul Rabil, and his brother, serial entrepreneur and investor, Mike Rabil, the Premier Lacrosse League is backed by an investment group composed of Joe Tsai Sports, Brett Jefferson Holdings, The Raine Group, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), and other top investors in sports and media. The PLL was named Sports Breakthrough of the Year in 2020 by the Sports Business Journal and is distributed through an exclusive media-rights agreement with NBC Sports Group.
For more information, visit PremierLacrosseLeague. com, and follow on social media:
Instagram: @PLL
Tik Tok: @PLL
Twitter: @PremierLacrosse
Facebook: @PremierLacrosseLeague
YouTube: YouTube.com/PLL
About Major League Lacrosse
Major League Lacrosse (MLL), based in Boston, has led lacrosse’s growth into the mainstream of competitive team sports since 2001. In the spring of 2018, MLL entered into new leadership for the first time in 17 years when it selected Alexander Brown as the Commissioner. Since that time, MLL has been on an aggressive path towards sustainably developing and growing the league. In the last year, MLL has welcomed ten (10) new partners to the league and introduced a creative and sophisticated digital team (generating 194% growth in social traffic, 122% growth in social engagement and 393% growth in web traffic). 2020 was Major League Lacrosse’s twentieth-anniversary season. Learn more about MLL’s twenty (20) years of professional lacrosse on majorleaguelacrosse.com.
Additional League Info
Website: majorleaguelacrosse. com
Instagram: instagram.com/majorleaguelax
Twitter: twitter.com/MLL_Lacrosse
Premier Lacrosse League to Play in 11 Cities in 2021 – SportsTravel
The Premier Lacrosse League will return to in-market events after conducting a bubble season in 2020 in Herriman, Utah. The 2021 season will begin June 4 with the PLL Championships set for September 19. In total, the professional league will host game weekends in 11 cities, including an All-Star weekend and a three-weekend playoff structure.
2021 PLL Season
June 4 – 6 • Boston, MA (Gillette Stadium)
June 11 – 13 • Atlanta, GA (Fifth Third Bank Stadium at Kennesaw State University)
June 25 – June 27 • Baltimore, MD (Homewood Field)
July 2 – July 4 • Long Island, NY (Shuart Stadium)
July 9 – 11 • Minneapolis, MN (TCO Stadium)
July 18 • San Jose, CA (PayPal Park)
July 30 – August 1 • Colorado Springs, CO (Weidner Field)
August 13 – 15 • Albany, NY (Tom & Mary Casey Stadium)
August 20 – 21 • Salt Lake City, UT (Rio Tinto Stadium) (Quarterfinals)
September 10 • Philadelphia, PA (Subaru Park) (Semifinals)
September 19 • Washington, D. C. (Audi Field) (Championship)
“We could not be more excited to welcome fans back to PLL games this summer,” said CEO and Co-Founder Mike Rabil. “We have been working diligently with our venue partners and the PLL’s committee of medical professionals to ensure a safe return for fans, players and staff. After executing a successful bubble season in 2020, with zero positive cases on site, we are confident we can proceed with a tour-based season while maintaining proper COVID protocol.”
Games during the 2021 season will be staged in Boston, Atlanta, Baltimore, Long Island, San Jose, Colorado Springs, Albany, Salt Lake City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Some of those markets were home to teams in Major League Lacrosse, which announced a merger with PLL during the offseason. The league also has a title partnership with Ticketmaster.
“The front office, coaches and players are fired up and ready to play,” said PLL Co-Founder and Cannons Lacrosse Club midfielder Paul Rabil. “Our inaugural season in 2019 introduced a new version of professional lacrosse to the world, and we only grew interest during our 2020 Championship Series on NBC. Heading into 2021, competing at both new and familiar venues, coupled by an offseason merger with Major League Lacrosse, we’re anticipating greater momentum and aggregate attention to the fastest game on two feet.”
The PLL intends to work with its venue partners to maintain compliance with local and state governance regarding health and safety best practices. Those measures are expected to include seating pods, social distancing, enhanced venue cleaning, mobile ticketing, hand sanitation stations and staff and attendee mask requirements.
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Dave Apruzzese
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ÃÆ’ƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒ†’ƒ†’ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒ†’ƒ†’ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒƒƒ¯»¿ÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒ†’ƒ†’ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒ†’ƒ†’ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒƒ¯»¿Avon Grove HS
Cape Henlopen
Ceasar Rodney
Cape Henlopen
Archmere
Unionville
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ÃÆ’ƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒ†’ƒ†’ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒ†’ƒ†’ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒƒƒ¯»¿ÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒ†’ƒ†’ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒÃƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒ†’ƒ†’ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ†’ƒƒƒƒ¯»¿JUCO Delaware Tech
JUCO Howard
JUCO Delaware Tech
JUCO Howard
NCLL Loyola
MCLA Chapman
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Dom Di Biaggio | Unionville | MCLA Texas A&M |
My hypothetical locations for a 20 team pro lacrosse league : lacrosse
I chose 20 because any fewer and I feel like it wouldn’t satisfactorily cover the massive geographic spread of the US and Canada and any more you just wouldn’t have enough money and talented players. I had to make some very tough choices here since there are probably 36 or so deserving markets in my opinion but sadly they can’t all be satisfied. I decided to exclude my home state of Missouri for this to remove any emotional bias (so no Kansas City or St. Louis). I broke it down into 4 divisions of 5. I’m also going to put expansion targets for each division if my hypothetical league grows. Let me know what you think or what your hypothetical league is!
Northeast
Boston – pretty obvious
Long Island – obvious choice. I went with LI since it would be easier to find a space for a stadium here than New York City proper. Ask MLS how hard that is.
Philadelphia – very obvious
Baltimore – very obvious
Washington DC – very obvious
Expansion targets – New Jersey, Connecticut, Montreal, second Washington DC team (maybe one in Virginia or Maryland suburb, opposite of the first team)
Great Lakes
Syracuse – I think this could be the PLL’s version of the Green Bay Packers. Small market, lacrosse heartland.
Toronto – Huge Canadian city. and lacrosse is the summer sport of Canada.
Detroit – I think Detroit would be a great market. It’s 15th I think in metro population in the US.
Columbus – has shown to be a lacrosse hotbead.
Chicago – just a massive market. A necessary one in my opinion.
Expansion Targets – Minnesota, second team in Toronto area, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh
South
Charlotte – I think North Carolina is a necessity. Charlotte is a bigger market than Raleigh.
Atlanta – Their attendance will be trash but it’s a huge market plus important culturally for the south. Necessity (I like that word okay)
Orlando – having a Florida presence would be a good idea. I went Orlando over Tampa and Miami for no real reason as I don’t know much about it.
Dallas – a market with some lacrosse recent lacrosse history. A tad bit larger than Houston I think when throwing in Forth Worth.
Nashville – This one is due to decreased sports competition. No NBA to compete with.
Expansion targets – Miami, Houston, Austin, Virginia Beach
West
Los Angeles – PLL is headquarted here. Also, ya know, it’s Los Angeles.
San Francisco – Another iconic market on the west coast.
San Diego – Small sports competition here. Plus Joseph Tsai could bankroll it.
Denver – Lacrosse oasis in the desert called west of the Appalachians.
Salt Lake City – another strong lacrosse area, though mainly for college. I debated this one A LOT between places like Phoenix, Vegas, Portland, Seattle but I figured the PNW should come in as one (having Seattle and Vancouver together) and Phoenix and Vegas are too fucking hot.
Expansion targets – Seattle/Vancouver, Portland, Vegas, Phoenix
Billionaire businessman, current owner of NBA Brooklyn Nets to own new Las Vegas pro Lacrosse team
LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Las Vegas is getting a professional lacrosse team.
The National Lacrosse League, or NLL, sent out a tweet on Wednesday confirming the announcement.
pic.twitter.com/pGovgVPz76
— NLL (@NLL) May 26, 2021
The league also said more information will be released in the coming months.
The new owner, Joe Tsai, is a Taiwanese billionaire with significant sports experience.
Tsai is the current owner of the NBA Brooklyn Nets as well as ownership stakes in the W-NBA New York Liberty, NBA G-league and the National Lacrosse League’s San Diego Seals.
The NLL is comprised of 14 teams in the United States and Canada.
The new, currently unnamed team, will become the 15th expansion organization in Las Vegas.
The current Lacrosse landscape is small in Nevada but there is major potential for growth.
“It is not big and it’s a very niche market,” said Max Schmidt, who founded Lacrosse Force in 2014.
“It’s very small currently, that’s why we’re so excited about the NLL coming into Vegas because we know that high tides raise all boats, we’re going to get more kids playing the sport because there is a professional sport for them to see,” said Schmidt.
Schmidt says the organization focuses on developing players beginning around 5th grade.
The sport is not sanctioned in Nevada, which means most schools do not recognize teams but rather club organizations.
Bishop Gorman and Faith Lutheran both have organized teams, however.
“Currently, the sport, I would say, needs some type of push forward and this is just what could do it,” explained Schmidt.
Schmidt adds the recent success of the Vegas Golden Knights and the team’s impact on interest and involvement with the community could mean a professional lacrosse team could catapult local interest.
“We are very excited, as you know, with the success of the Golden Knights had in year one, that’s not normal, but what was great, we saw was just the influx of hockey fans in general when the Knights came to Vegas and we hope that has a similar effect with the NLL coming to Vegas,” added Schmidt.
There are several unanswered questions still lingering, including where the team may play.
“The game is played on a similar arena like a basketball or a hockey arena, there is kind of endless options to where this could be held,” explained Schmidt.
Schmidt says the professionals play indoors in five-on-five with goalies.
A shot clock, similar to basketball, keeps the pace extremely fast.
“It’s a very high-scoring game, contact driven, there’s contact allowed on the ball and off the ball, within reason, much like hockey, fighting is allowed, I think that draws a lot of fans,” said Schmidt.
Schmidt says a typical NLL game will have more goals than a traditional hockey game.
“We’re on the doorstep of something really big,” said Nate Peterson, a Lacrosse organizer at Pinecrest Academy in Henderson.
“I’ve lived in Las Vegas for almost 20 years and I’ve watched [the city] grow, the grass we’re standing on right now was dirt two years ago and now we’re out here playing lacrosse,” added Peterson.
Peterson’s son Ryland, 11, is a goalie.
“What we’re learning is, when the kids get on the field and they get a stick in their hand and they give it a try they don’t wanna put it down it’s almost like they’re instantly hooked,” said Peterson.
Peterson says the interest in lacrosse has grown tremendously and hopes it continues.
“Last year, we had the San Diego Seals here in town, there was a lot of people that got exposed to the sport at the Orleans and we had kids that went out and checked out the sport and the next thing you know, the phone is ringing and we’re getting kids in the door that have been exposed to the game finally for the first time,” said Peterson.
The new Las Vegas team is expected to be ready to play in the 2022 season.
Wayne Gretzky, Steve Nash, Dustin Johnson among owners of new Las Vegas pro lacrosse team
The National Lacrosse League has announced that the league’s 15th franchise will be coming to Las Vegas, beginning in the fall of 2022.
Among the team’s investors will be Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky, 2020 Masters champion Dustin Johnson, as well as Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash and Nets owner Joe Tsai, who also owns the NLL’s San Diego Seals. Tsai requested special approval from the league to own multiple teams, which was granted. The Pegula family also fall under this category, currently owning the Buffalo and Rochester franchises.
Nets executive Mark Fine will serve as the Las Vegas team’s chief executive officer.
The team will play at MGM Resorts International’s Michelob Ultra Arena, which is also the home of the Las Vegas Aces.
“It is an honor and privilege to work together to bring the game of box lacrosse to the Las Vegas community,” the team owners said in a joint statement. “The people of Las Vegas have proven how passionate and supportive they are of professional sports franchises they can call their own. We look forward to making a difference here on the floor and in the community — and becoming a franchise that fans in Las Vegas will be truly proud to cheer for.”
While the franchise does not yet have a name, the team plans to hold an official kickoff Monday at 4 p.m. ET.
“We are very proud to welcome Las Vegas NLL as our 15th franchise, led by an elite group of businesspeople and accomplished current and former athletes,” NLL commissioner Nick Sakiewicz said. “It all started two years ago with a meeting and an idea, and here we are today. When our industry looks back years from now on the growth of box lacrosse as a sport and Las Vegas as a home of a first-class franchise, we believe this will be one of the seminal days in NLL history. The people in this community are going to be in for a treat both on the floor and in the community.”
The investors involved in the franchise are no strangers to investing in sports franchises: Nash is also a co-owner of the Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS and RCD Mallorca in La Liga. Gretzky has been involved with ownership of the Arizona Coyotes and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. Tsai also has ownership interest in the New York Liberty and has investment in the Premier Lacrosse League, a field lacrosse league formed in 2019.
Las Vegas joins nine teams in the United States and five teams in Canada that currently compete in the league, which was launched in 1987.
Joe Tsai buys pro lacrosse expansion team in Las Vegas at reported price of $10 million
Joe Tsai may own the Brooklyn and Long Island Nets and the New York Liberty but his first love has always been lacrosse which he played at Lawrenceville School in New Jersey and at Yale. He has owned the San Diego Seals in the National Lacrosse League, the indoor league, since 2017 and has an investment as well in the Premier Lacrosse League, the outdoor league. His daughter, Alex, plays for the Hong Kong national team and Stanford.
Now, Sportico reports that Tsai is buying a second franchise in the NLL, an expansion club in Las Vegas. The NLL permits dual ownership of its teams. Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams of Sportico reported Tuesday.
The club, which doesn’t yet have a name or a home venue, will be the NLL’s 15th franchise when it debuts in the 2022-23 season. Though financial terms weren’t released, Tsai said that the all-in cost, including the expansion fee and operational runway, will be in line with the recent price for the Saskatchewan Rush. That club, according to people familiar with the matter, sold for more than $10 million.
The NLL, a so-called “box league” ranks third in average attendance for pro indoor sports worldwide, behind only the NHL and NBA. The league will have 15 franchise once Las Vegas fields a team. Tsai told Sportico that the NLL is hoping for a national media deal as well as other collective revenue opportunities.
“There’s a galvanized group of owners who feel very good about the league’s next five to 10 years,” he said. “The league is looking for a major media deal. We can take the league to the next level in terms of national sponsorship. Crypto, sports betting—there are a lot of commercial opportunities the league can expand into.”
In the past, NLL franchises have been seen as local businesses, but Tsai now seems ready to push a model more in tune with his basketball teams. In addition to his basketball and lacrosse investments, Tsai also owns a small piece of the L.A.F.C. of the MLS.
Putting a team in Las Vegas used to be risky, but sports betting and other drivers has made it a popular sports destination. As Sportico reports, it added an NHL team in 2017, and the NFL’s Raiders moved to town last year. Las Vegas is also a potential venue for NBA and MLS expansion as well as a possible landing spot for baseball’s Oakland Athletics.
90,000 Sports in Colorado – Wikipedia
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Sports in Colorado includes professional teams, college sports, and individual sports from the Denver Metropolitan Area and other cities.
Professional sports teams
Colorado is the least populous state with a franchise in each of the major professional sports leagues. The state is able to support teams because it has a large city area with a higher population than any other city within 550 miles (885 km).Therefore, many residents of nearby states support teams in Denver, as evidenced by the coverage of the Broncos radio network. [1]