Major Lacrosse League to make Texas Debut

[Brent Burns]

Major League Lacrosse to Make Texas Debut

Boston, Mass. (April 15, 2008) – Major League Lacrosse (MLL) announced that the defending MLL Champion Philadelphia Barrage will face the Long Island Lizards in a regular season game to be held at Texas Stadium in Dallas on Sunday, May 25th at 7:00 PM. The match-up, which takes place during the second week of the MLL season, is the first time that a Major League Lacrosse game has been played in the state of Texas.

"Major League Lacrosse is thrilled to be bringing professional lacrosse to Dallas. I wish to thank all of the individuals who have made this a reality, in particular Stephen and Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys, for all of the efforts that have been put forth in securing this great venue," said Commissioner Gross. "Youth lacrosse has been growing by leaps and bounds in Texas and we've kept our eye on the area as we considered future expansion. We would love to someday place a franchise in Dallas."

"Texas Stadium has a long history and tradition of hosting some of the top events in the world of sports beyond the realm of football and we are delighted to be able to host the best in Professional Lacrosse," added Stephen Jones, COO and Executive Vice President of the Dallas Cowboys. "What better place to host the MLL Champions Barrage, than Texas Stadium. In recent years I have become a big fan of lacrosse and our region stands as one of the fastest growing places for the sport in the country. I believe football fans and lacrosse fans alike will be thrilled to watch the exciting MLL action live."

The Philadelphia Barrage will play their entire 2008 regular season as a travel team and will play in five non-MLL cities over the course of the summer. The Barrage will open their season versus the Washington Bayhawks at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex in Virginia Beach on Sunday, May 18th a week prior to their Texas debut. The Barrage will also play a June 21st game versus the Rochester Rattlers at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina. Cities and venues for their June 14th game versus the Chicago Machine and their August 9th regular season finale versus the New Jersey Pride will be announced in the coming weeks.

"We are very excited to bring the Pro game to Dallas," continued Tom Fitzsimmons, President of the Northern Texas Chapter of US Lacrosse. "Lacrosse is booming down here and the only thing missing is a place for players and fans to go to watch lacrosse being played at the top levels. Dallas is a perfect fit for a future MLL franchise."

The Philadelphia Barrage have won the MLL Championship a total of three times, including back to back titles in 2006 and 2007. Long Island compiled a 5-7 record in 2007.

Tickets for the May 25th event are $15.00 will be available online at www.majorleaguelacrosse.com/buytickets/ through May 18th. Tickets may also be purchased day of game for $20.00 at the Texas Stadium Box Office. Group tickets are available for $12.00 and may be purchased by calling 866-MLL-TIXX.

The 2008 Major League Lacrosse regular season begins on Saturday, May 17th.

[JW]

This is awesome.

Jerry Jones has a grandson playing youth lacrosse right now.
Texas Stadium to Host MLL Game, LSA Playoffs, and MCLA National Championships.

Could the Dallas Cowboys organization be the one to provide some stability to the Philadelphia Barrage? Hmm?

[CharlotteLAX16]

For me, I would love to see the Barrage end up in NC. I do think, however, that bringing them to Texas is a smart thing to do.

Isn't that like 3 or 4 week(end)s in a row that lacrosse will be played in Texas Stadium?

[James Foote]

That's a helluva season lined up for the Barrage...

I haven't heard much about the NLL Outdoor League lately, but this is a strong move for the MLL regardless of future competition or not.

[onpoint]

That's a helluva season lined up for the Barrage...

I haven't heard much about the NLL Outdoor League lately, but this is a strong move for the MLL regardless of future competition or not.

NLL Outdoor is dead and has been for about 9 months now, at least from my sources.

[James Foote]

That's a helluva season lined up for the Barrage...

I haven't heard much about the NLL Outdoor League lately, but this is a strong move for the MLL regardless of future competition or not.

NLL Outdoor is dead and has been for about 9 months now, at least from my sources.

Cool, thanks Alex. I was assuming so with the lack of talk.

[JW]

For me, I would love to see the Barrage end up in NC. I do think, however, that bringing them to Texas is a smart thing to do.

Isn't that like 3 or 4 week(end)s in a row that lacrosse will be played in Texas Stadium?

Not sure if they are consecutive weekends, but May is going to be filled with Lacrosse in Texas Stadium. Don't forget the NCAA D-I games and 2 games featuring the top two texas Lax teams vs 2 of the top teams from the nation back in march.

I for one as an alumnus and coach of the University of Texas at Arlington Lacrosse team am extremely pumped about the newfound interest in Lacrosse shown by the Jones Family.

Can't wait to have Jerry Land completed in Arlington. What could that mean for UTA Lacrosse? Only the future will find out.

[crimejust]

Could the Dallas Cowboys organization be the one to provide some stability to the Philadelphia Barrage? Hmm?

I don't think he will be the one to run a lacrosse team. In the MCLA mag, he already has said that he has enough on his plate keeping the Cowboys as a top team.

I will defiantly be there and I will try to bring some of my other Sam Houston buddies with me.

[NYBuilt]

Can't wait to have Jerry Land completed in Arlington. What could that mean for UTA Lacrosse? Only the future will find out.

Wake up from your dream bro. UT Arlington with have to stick it out in the 'football team's' stadium...

Doesn't Body By Jake still own all of the MLL franchises...

May 25th? Isn't that Memorial Day Weekend. NCAA semifinals and finals?

[James Foote]

Doesn't Body By Jake still own all of the MLL franchises...

May 25th? Isn't that Memorial Day Weekend. NCAA semifinals and finals?

Yup and Yup

A "funny" thing I heard last summer came from a friend of mine that plays in the MCLA. His uncle is a coach/coordinator for the Broncos... When said uncle heard that said nephew was interning with the Outlaws at Invesco, he was quite surprised to hear that a lacrosse team played there. He had no idea...

[NYBuilt]

doesn't surprise me...no one practices in the stadium...

[JW]

Can't wait to have Jerry Land completed in Arlington. What could that mean for UTA Lacrosse? Only the future will find out.

Wake up from your dream bro. UT Arlington with have to stick it out in the 'football team's' stadium...

Doesn't Body By Jake still own all of the MLL franchises...

May 25th? Isn't that Memorial Day Weekend. NCAA semifinals and finals?

Hey if you don't have dreams you don't have things to shoot for.
I was actually just thinking of the growth of the sport at UTA if a team comes to the dallas area.

I don't think Jerry himself would run the team, but there is someone in the Jones family that could run it effectively. Be it Stephen or Jerry Jr. his daughter who is huge in the family business, or a nephew.

I could care less if UTA benefits from this, but I hope that we do. I am more excited for my little brother who plays 8th grade lacrosse and had a U-15 tryout this year. Just the sheer fact that the sport of lacrosse is growing bodes very well for him as he goes into high school

[Sonny]

You can watch this game live now for free on ESPN360.com from Texas Stadium.

Lindenwood Coach Troy Hood is doing the color on the broadcast.