San Francisco Dragons acquired by local investment group

[Sonny]

San Francisco, CA – The San Francisco Dragons, the Bay Area’s Major League Lacrosse (MLL) franchise, today announced that a local investment group has acquired the franchise from its previous east coast owner.

The new ownership group now consists of investors with varying degrees of involvement in lacrosse on a local and national level. Gregg Jacobs, Managing Member for the investment group who led the acquisition, became passionate about acquiring the Dragons after attending the Dragons’ first-ever game in Kezar stadium in May, 2006.

Through contacts Jacobs made through his involvement in Ross Valley (Marin) Lacrosse Club, he obtained significant backing from Jamie Greene, a partner with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. who played at the University of Pennsylvania and is a Trustee of the US Lacrosse Foundation; Brian Lantier, a retired investment banker, Naval Academy All-American and member of three National Championship teams (’63-’65), and NorCal US Lacrosse Chapter Board Member; and Ed Gibbons, founder of Gibbons Green Van Amerongen, Inc and Naval Academy All-American Team Captain.

“The Dragons will now benefit from having an ownership group with strong ties to the Bay Area lacrosse community,” said Jacobs. “Local ownership will enable local promotion of the Dragons and outreach to the local youth clubs, high schools, colleges, and adults who played the sport.

Jacobs adds, “Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in the US – it is fast-moving like hockey and basketball, is played on a big outdoor field like soccer, and involves physical contact – all of which make it exciting to watch.”

“Once we reach a critical mass of interest from a loyal lacrosse fan base, others will come,” states Jamie Greene, one of the significant investors. “While lacrosse is not as well known as other more established sports, the MLL players are the best lacrosse players in the world and, even better, those same players are easily accessible by the fans! This combination spells success!”

David Gross, MLL Commissioner adds, “We are very excited that the San Francisco Dragons have been purchased by a local ownership group with tremendous ties to the community. We look forward to enhanced branding and promotion that will come from a local ownership group and the resulting popularity in the Dragons and MLL.”

The Dragons’ first home game is at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco on June 2nd. For tickets or more information, call 415-573-2525 or visit www.sfdragons.com.

[CyLaxKeeper00]

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