NLL Expands to NYC

[James Foote]

June 22, 2006
Inside Lacrosse Staff


Inside Lacrosse has learned that on Friday the NLL will officially announce plans to expand to New York City in 2007.

News about the New York expansion was first reported on Insidelacrosse.com in February, but the NLL has been quiet about the deal thus far. (Read the original story here)

Earlier this year, the NLL also announced plans to expand to Chicago in 2007. The Chicago franchise released their team name “Shamrox” in May.

Groups from other cities have shown interest in the NLL over the past year. Parties from St. Louis, Cleveland, Boston, Dallas and Florida have all reportedly contacted the league. With what the league sees as proper ownership groups now in place, the league can expand into two of the United States’ largest media markets.

In February, Michael French, co-owner of the Philadelphia Wings and chairman of the league's expansion committee, told Inside Lacrosse that the league would not expand to more than 14 teams for the 2007 season. The addition of Chicago and New York will put the league team total at 13. The NLL wrapped up its 20th season in May with 11 teams in Buffalo, Rochester, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Colorado, Arizona, San Jose and Portland.