National Lacrosse League
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{{Infobox sports league
| current_season = 2009 NLL season
| logo = NLL.gif
| pixels = 100px
| caption = NLL logo
| sport = [[Box lacrosse|Indoor lacrosse]]
| founded = 1986
| inaugural = 1987
| teams = 13
| country = {{CAN}}<br>{{USA}}
| champion = [[Buffalo Bandits]]
| website = [http://www.nll.com NLL.com]
}}
{{For|the original 1974-5 incarnation|National Lacrosse League (1974-75)}}
The '''National Lacrosse League''' (NLL) is the league of men's [[box lacrosse|indoor lacrosse]] in [[North America]]. It currently has 13 teams; 3 in [[Canada]] and 10 in the [[United States]]. Unlike other [[lacrosse]] leagues which play in the summer, the NLL plays its games in the winter. Each year, the playoff teams battle for the [[Champion's Cup]].
Although there are specific areas where lacrosse is popular, primarily for historic reasons or due to high profile college programs, it is still considered a marginal sport in most of North America. Consequently, franchise relocations and foldings have been common in the NLL.
== Game ==
{{main|Box lacrosse}}
The version of lacrosse played in the NLL is indoor lacrosse. This is slightly different than box lacrosse, which is played on a hard floor, usually in the summer, and has 3 periods instead of four. The NLL plays four quarters of fifteen minutes each, with two-minute breaks between the first and second quarters and between the third and fourth quarters, and a twelve-minute break between the second and third (called ''[[half-time]]'').<ref name="rules">{{cite web |url=http://nll.com/uploads/2007rulebook.pdf |work=NLL.com |title=2007 NLL Official Rule Book |accessdate=2007-02-28}}</ref> The clock does not run when play is stopped.
The team that has scored the most goals at the end of regulation time is declared the winner. If the game is tied after four quarters have been played, the teams begin [[Sudden death (sport)|sudden death]] overtime; the team that scores first wins the game. Overtime period are fifteen minutes long, with two-minute breaks between overtime periods.<ref name="rules" /> Prior to the [[2005 NLL season]], overtime periods were 5 minutes each.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nll.com/article.php?id=1175 |title=League Announces Rule Changes |work=NLL.com |date=[[December 28]], [[2004]] |accessdate=2007-02-28}}</ref>
Each team dresses eighteen players, of whom two are [[goaltender]]s; the remaining sixteen are called ''runners'', and may be either [[Offense (sports)|forwards]] or [[Defence player|defensemen]]. There are also players, frequently defensemen, who specialize in the ''transition'' from defense to offense.
The team in possession of the ball has ten seconds to move the ball over the center line, and thirty seconds to take a shot on net. If either of these time periods expires, the whistle is blown, and the opposing team is given possession. In the NLL, the shot clock runs while a team that is killing a penalty has possession of the ball; this is not the case in all box lacrosse leagues (eg. [[Major Series Lacrosse]], [[Western Lacrosse Association]]).
== Season and playoffs ==
Each team in the NLL plays sixteen games during the regular season, eight at home and eight away.<ref name="lax101">{{cite web |url=http://nll.com/laxoverview.php |title=Lax 101: Overview |work=NLL.com |accessdate=2007-03-03}}</ref> The teams are divided into two divisions, the Eastern division and the Western division. Each team plays at least twelve of its sixteen regular season games against division opponents.
The regular season begins in late December and ends in April. At the end the regular season, the top four teams in each division make the [[playoff]]s, which consist of three single-game elimination rounds. In the first round (the ''Division Semi-finals''), each division winner hosts the fourth-place team in its division, and the second-place team hosts the third-place team. In the second round (the ''Division Finals''), the two remaining teams in each division play; the higher-seeded team hosts the game. Two weeks after the Division Finals, the division winners face off for the [[Champion's Cup]].
All NLL games are played on weekends, save for the occasional Thursday night game.<ref>During the [[2007 NLL season|2007 season]], three games were held on Thursday nights, the most since the [[2003 NLL season|2003 season]].</ref> Most NLL players have full-time jobs off the floor; notable examples include Toronto's [[Dan Ladouceur]], a [[Regional Municipality of Durham, Ontario|Durham Region]] [[police officer]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eye.net/eye/issue/issue_04.28.05/city/lacrosse.php |title=And yet, what is this quintessence of nets? |work=[[Eye Weekly]] |date=[[April 28]], [[2005]] |accessdate=2007-03-03}}</ref> and Buffalo's [[John Tavares (lacrosse)|John Tavares]], a high school [[teacher]] in [[Mississauga, Ontario]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tsn.ca/tsn_talent/columnists/bob_mckenzie/?ID=106431 |title=Tavares may have to share his handle |work=[[The Sports Network|TSN]].ca |author=McKenzie, Bob |date=[[November 30]], [[2004]] |accessdate=2007-03-03}}</ref>
== History ==
[[Image:MILL.gif|frame|MILL logo]]
The rebirth of major professional box lacrosse in the United States came on March 13, 1986, with the formation of the '''Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League''' (EPBLL), which was incorporated by [[Russ Cline]] and [[Chris Fritz]].<ref name="hist">{{cite web |url=http://nll.com/laxhistory.php |title=Lax 101: League History |work=NLL.com |accessdate=2007-03-27}}</ref> The league began play for the [[1987 Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League season|1987 season]], opening with two games on [[January 10]], [[1987]]: the [[Philadelphia Wings]] at the [[New Jersey Saints]] and the [[Washington Wave]] hosting the [[Baltimore Thunder]]. Those four teams contested a six-game regular season before a postseason which saw all four teams qualify for a single knockout tournament, which ended with the Baltimore Thunder crowned the EPBLL's first champion.<ref name="hist" />
Those same four teams played in the [[1988 Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League season|second season]] of the EPBLL.<ref name="hist" /> The teams expanded to an eight-game schedule, and set up a three-team playoff with the regular season winner claiming a bye to the title game. The league rebranded itself as the '''Major Indoor Lacrosse League''' (MILL) immediately after the season, and announced that the [[Detroit Turbos]] and [[New England Blazers]] (based in [[Worcester, Massachusetts]]) would begin play for the [[1989 MILL season|1989 season]].<ref name="hist" /> Meanwhile, the New Jersey Saints moved to [[Long Island, New York|Long Island]] and were renamed the [[New York Saints]].<ref name="hist" />
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 0 1em 1em 1em; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%" align=right border=2 cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 style="text-align: center"
! colspan=3 | National Lacrosse League Progression
|-
| Year
| Teams
| Games Played
|-
| 1987
| rowspan=3 | 4 teams
| 6 games
|-
| 1988
| rowspan=3 | 8 games
|-
| 1989
|-
| 1990
| rowspan=2 | 6 teams
|-
| 1991
| 10 games
|-
| 1992
| rowspan=2 | 7 teams
| rowspan=4 | 8 games
|-
| 1993
|-
| 1994
| rowspan=2 | 6 teams
|-
| 1995
|-
| 1996
| 7 teams
| rowspan=2 | 10 games
|-
| 1997
| 6 teams
|-
| 1998
| rowspan=2 | 7 teams
| rowspan=3 | 12 games
|-
| 1999
|-
| 2000
| 8 teams
|-
| 2001
| 9 teams
| 14 games
|-
| 2002
| 13 teams
| rowspan=8 | 16 games
|-
| 2003
| 12 teams
|-
| 2004
| rowspan=2 | 10 teams
|-
| 2005
|-
| 2006
| 11 teams
|-
| 2007
| 13 teams
|-
| 2008
| 12 teams
|-
| 2009
| 13 teams
|}
Like many young professional leagues, the MILL had its share of franchise instability. After the 1989 season, the Washington Wave folded and the MILL granted the expansion [[Pittsburgh Bulls]] a franchise to remain at 6 teams for the [[1990 MILL season|1990 season]]. [[1991 MILL season|1991]] saw no franchise changes, but the league expanded the schedule again to 10 games, and introduced two divisions.<ref name="hist" /> The American Division consisted of the Baltimore Thunder, Philadelphia Wings, and New York Saints, while the National Division was to be contested between the Detroit Turbos, Pittsburgh Bulls, and New England Blazers. The 1991 postseason consisted solely of a championship game, between the winners of the two divisions.<ref name="hist" />
[[1992 MILL season|1992]] brought another franchise move, as New England relocated to [[Boston]] and became the [[Boston Blazers (1992-1997)]]. In what would ultimately prove to be the first of the successful expansions, the [[Buffalo Bandits]] joined the American division.<ref name="hist" /> The Bandits dropped their first three games of the season, but then went on a record 22 game winning streak to claim both the 1992 and [[1993 MILL season|1993]] titles. The 1992 and 1993 seasons ended the 10 game schedule, shrinking it back to 8 games, while expanding the playoffs so that 6 of the 7 teams would qualify.<ref name="hist" />
[[1994 MILL season|1994]] would mark the first time the league would contract, as the Pittsburgh Bulls folded while no new teams were added. The league remained with the 2 division format with just 6 teams, but would abandon that for a single division in [[1995 MILL season|1995]], which also saw the folding of the Detroit Turbos and the introduction of the [[Rochester Knighthawks]].<ref name="hist" /> The Knighthawks had immediate success as an expansion team, going all the way to the championship game before falling to the Philadelphia Wings in overtime. 1996 brought the ill-fated [[Charlotte Cobras]] to the league to expand back to seven. The team from [[North Carolina]](GM Coleman Hynes) went 0-10, and quickly folded camp after the season. At the same time, the league went back to a 10 game season.<ref name="hist" />
The [[1997 MILL season|1997 season]] went back to the same 6 franchises as the 1995 season had seen, but any sort of stability was only an illusion. After the 1997 season, a rival league named the '''National Lacrosse League''' was formed, which was to be based on the franchise model traditional in major American sports leagues, instead of the MILL "single entity ownership" model.<ref name="hist" /> After a short battle between the two competitors, the two leagues merged and the 6 MILL franchises joined two NLL franchises, the [[Syracuse Smash]] and the [[Ontario Raiders]] (based in [[Hamilton, Ontario]]), under the NLL umbrella and league structure. The league suffered a setback quickly, as the Boston Blazers suspended operations for one year for the [[1998 NLL season|1998 season]], but never returned to play. The NLL went to a round robin schedule for the 1998 season, so the 7 teams played a 12 game season.<ref name="hist" />
The franchise turmoil didn't change with the new league structure, as the Ontario Raiders packed up and moved to [[Toronto, Ontario|Toronto]] after one season, becoming the [[Toronto Rock]].<ref name="hist" /> The Rock quickly became a major success both on the field and in the box office, selling out [[Maple Leaf Gardens]] and claiming the [[1999 NLL season|1999]] and [[2000 NLL season|2000]] NLL titles. 2000 saw one of the original four teams move, as the Baltimore Thunder went to Pittsburgh to become the [[Pittsburgh CrosseFire]]. The NLL also expanded to 8 teams, introducing the [[Albany Attack]] to play in New York's capital.<ref name="hist" />
In [[2001 NLL season|2001]], the league continued to grow to 14 games and introduced its 9th team, the [[Columbus Landsharks]]. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Crossefire continued to search for a place to call home, as they moved to the US capital to become the [[Washington Power]]. The Syracuse Smash became the second team to play north of the border, as they moved to become the [[Ottawa Rebel]].<ref name="hist" />
Despite all the turmoil, the league continued to expand to new markets, and [[2002 NLL season|2002]] was a major part of their nationwide expansion aspirations. For the first time, the league moved out of the Eastern time zone, adding the [[Vancouver Ravens]] and [[Calgary Roughnecks]], as well as adding the [[Montreal Express]] and [[New Jersey Storm]].<ref name="hist" /> The expansion to 13 teams necessitated dividing the league up into divisions for the first time since 1994, as the Central, Eastern, and Northern Divisions were born. The league also expanded the schedule to 16 games, where it still stands today. While the 2002 expansion ultimately proved unsuccessful (3 of the 4 teams have since folded), it did set the stage for the league to grow to a national scope. It also marked the only time the higher seeded team did not host an NLL playoff game, as the Washington Power surrendered the quarterfinal game against Philadelphia to the Wings for financial reasons. <ref name="hist" />
[[2003 NLL season|2003]] saw the Montreal franchise suspend operations, becoming the second team in league history to be in existence for only one season.<ref name="hist" /> The Power, who had struggled to draw fans in Washington, made their 3rd move in 4 season to [[Denver, Colorado|Denver]] to become the [[Colorado Mammoth]].<ref name="hist" /> This move was finally successful, as the Mammoth have become one of the flagship franchises in the league.
In [[2004 NLL season|2004]], for the first time since 1990, the league lost one of the original franchises as the New York Saints went dark. Contraction from the 2002 high of 13 teams continued, as the Storm moved across the country to [[Anaheim, California|Anaheim]], becoming the [[Anaheim Storm]], while the Ottawa Rebel folded. The Albany Attack and Columbus Landsharks followed the Storm westward, settling in as the [[San Jose Stealth]] and [[Arizona Sting]] respectively. <ref name="hist" /> The league consolidated into a 4 team Eastern Division (Philadelphia, Buffalo, Rochester, and Toronto) and a 6 team Western Division (Colorado, Arizona, San Jose, Vancouver, Calgary, and Anaheim).
[[2005 NLL season|2005]] then saw the Vancouver Ravens folded due to lease and ownership issues, while the Montreal franchise rights were bought by the [[NHL]]'s [[Minnesota Wild]] to create the [[Minnesota Swarm]] in the Eastern Division. This type of transaction, where an expansion franchise is formed using the rights of a team that had suspended operations, would be used again in the NLL for the next few years, as a glut of teams that were suspended would make those franchise rights more affordable than the league expansion fee of several million dollars.<ref name="hist" />
[[2006 NLL season|2006]] saw the Anaheim Storm suspend operations, while an ownership group led by [[Angela Batinovich]] bought an expansion franchise called the [[Portland LumberJax]], and Bruce Urban bought the rights to the suspended Ottawa franchise to form a team in [[Edmonton]] named the [[Edmonton Rush|Rush]].<ref name="hist" /> [[2007 NLL season|2007]] saw the league finally get back to its 2002 size of thirteen teams, with the addition of the [[New York Titans (lacrosse)|New York Titans]] and the [[Chicago Shamrox]], while all of the 11 teams from 2006 stayed in place, a first since the 2002 expansion.<ref name="hist" />
The [[2008 NLL season|2008 season]] was scheduled to see yet another expansion team, as the NLL was scheduled to return to [[Boston]].<ref name="Boston">{{cite web |title=Expansion team awarded to Boston for 2008 |work=NLL.com |date=[[May 9]], [[2007]] |url=http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=2944 |accessdate=2007-05-09}}</ref> However, things took a turn in October of 2007, more than two months before the scheduled start of the 2008 season, that would delay the NLL's return to Boston. On [[October 16]], [[2007]], the Associated Press reported that Commissioner Jim Jennings sent an email to players announcing the cancellation of the [[2008 NLL season]], after the NLL and The [[Professional Lacrosse Players' Association]] failed to reach a new [[collective bargaining agreement]]. The previous deal expired on July 31st, 2007.<ref name="cancelled">{{cite web |url=http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=3127 |title=2008 Season Cancelled |accessdate=2007-10-16 |date=October 16, 2007 |work=NLL.com}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |url=http://tsn.ca/tsn/news_story/?ID=220678|title=Source: NLL's 2008 season scrapped|accessdate=2007-10-16 |author=|date=October 16, 2007 |work=TSN.ca |publisher=Associated Press}}</ref> Later that day the league made its official announcement to cancel the season.<ref name="cancelled" /> However, the negotiations continued, and on October 25, the league announced that a new seven-year agreement had been reached, and that the season would be played. A new schedule was announced on [[November 2]], [[2007]], but only included 12 of the expected 14 teams.<ref name="restored">{{cite web |url=http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=3132 |title=NLL, PLPA REACH SEVEN-YEAR DEAL |accessdate=2007-10-16 |date=October 16, 2007 |work=NLL.com}}</ref> According to the news release, "the [[Arizona Sting|Arizona]] and [[Boston Blazers|Boston]] franchises have opted not to play in the 2008 due to a number of business issues. Both franchises will resume operations in 2009."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nll.com/article.php?id=3141 |work=NLL.com |title=League Releases New 2008 Schedule |date=[[November 2]], [[2007]] |accessdate=2007-11-02}}</ref>
The [[2009 NLL season|2009 season]] will see the league return to thirteen teams, as the Boston Blazers will join the league as expected. However, the [[Arizona Sting]] ceased operations and its players were [[National Lacrosse League dispersal draft#2008 Draft results|dispersed in a draft]]. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=3530|title=Dawon & Conn among available players|publisher=NLL.com|accessdate=2008-06-30}}</ref>
=== Championship History ===
* [[1987 Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League season|1987]] [[Baltimore Thunder]] 11 — 10 [[Washington Wave]]
* [[1988 Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League season|1988]] [[New York Saints|New Jersey Saints]] 17 — 16 [[Washington Wave]]
* [[1989 MILL season|1989]] [[Philadelphia Wings]] 11 — 10 [[New York Saints]]
* [[1990 MILL season|1990]] [[Philadelphia Wings]] 17 — 7 [[New England Blazers]]
* [[1991 MILL season|1991]] [[Detroit Turbos]] 14 — 12 [[Baltimore Thunder]]
* [[1992 MILL season|1992]] [[Buffalo Bandits]] 11 — 10 [[Philadelphia Wings]] (OT)
* [[1993 MILL season|1993]] [[Buffalo Bandits]] 13 — 12 [[Philadelphia Wings]]
* [[1994 MILL season|1994]] [[Philadelphia Wings]] 26 — 15 [[Buffalo Bandits]]
* [[1995 MILL season|1995]] [[Philadelphia Wings]] 15 — 14 [[Rochester Knighthawks]] (OT)
* [[1996 MILL season|1996]] [[Buffalo Bandits]] 15 — 10 [[Philadelphia Wings]]
* [[1997 MILL season|1997]] [[Rochester Knighthawks]] 15 — 12 [[Buffalo Bandits]]
* [[1998 NLL season|1998]] [[Philadelphia Wings]] 2 — 0 [[Baltimore Thunder]] (Best of 3 Games Series)
* [[1999 NLL season|1999]] [[Toronto Rock]] 13 — 10 [[Rochester Knighthawks]]
* [[2000 NLL season|2000]] [[Toronto Rock]] 14 — 13 [[Rochester Knighthawks]]
* [[2001 NLL season|2001]] [[Philadelphia Wings]] 9 — 8 [[Toronto Rock]]
* [[2002 NLL season|2002]] [[Toronto Rock]] 13 — 12 [[Albany Attack]]
* [[2003 NLL season|2003]] [[Toronto Rock]] 8 — 6 [[Rochester Knighthawks]]
* [[2004 NLL season|2004]] [[Calgary Roughnecks]] 14 — 11 [[Buffalo Bandits]]
* [[2005 NLL season|2005]] [[Toronto Rock]] 19 — 13 [[Arizona Sting]]
* [[2006 NLL season|2006]] [[Colorado Mammoth]] 16 — 9 [[Buffalo Bandits]]
* [[2007 NLL season|2007]] [[Rochester Knighthawks]] 13 — 11 [[Arizona Sting]]
* [[2008 NLL season|2008]] [[Buffalo Bandits]] 14 — 13 [[Portland Lumberjax]]
{{see also|Champion's Cup}}
=== Commissioners ===
{| border=1 cellpadding=5
| Darrel Russell
| align=center | 1987-1997
|-
| John Livsey Jr
| align=center | 1997-2000
|-
| Jim Jennings
| align=center | 2000-
|}
== Current League Structure ==
The National Lacrosse League currently plays a 16 game regular season, with 4 teams from each division qualifying for postseason play. The 1st and 4th seed in each division meet in a divisional semifinal game, while the 2nd and 3rd seeds meet in the other. The next round are the Eastern Division and Western Division champions. The divisional champions then meet in the Champions Cup final for the league title.
Each year, the league holds a mid-season [[National Lacrosse League All-Star Game|All Star Game]] between two teams representing the Eastern and Western divisions.
== 2009 Teams ==
{{NLL Labelled Map|float=left}}
[[Image:Box Lacrosse.jpg|thumb|right|300px|[[Philadelphia Wings]] visiting the [[Minnesota Swarm]] at the [[Xcel Energy Center]]]]
{{clear}}
{| class="wikitable"
! Team
! City
! Arena
! Founded
|-
! style=background-color:blue colspan=4 | <font color=white>Eastern</font>
|-
| '''[[Boston Blazers]]'''
| [[Boston, Massachusetts]]
| [[TD Banknorth Garden]]
| align=center | 2009
|-
| '''[[Buffalo Bandits]]'''
| [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]], [[New York|NY]]
| [[HSBC Arena]]
| align=center | 1991
|-
| '''[[Chicago Shamrox]]'''
| [[Hoffman Estates, Illinois|Hoffman Estates]], [[Illinois|IL]]
| [[Sears Centre]]
| align=center | 2006
|-
| '''[[Minnesota Swarm]]'''
| [[Saint Paul, Minnesota|St. Paul]], [[Minnesota|MN]]
| [[Xcel Energy Center]]
| align=center | 2004
|-
| '''[[New York Titans (lacrosse)|New York Titans]]'''
| [[New York City]], [[New York|NY]]
| [[Madison Square Garden]]
| align=center | 2006
|-
| '''[[Philadelphia Wings]]'''
| [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania|PA]]
| [[Wachovia Center]]
| align=center | 1986
|-
| '''[[Rochester Knighthawks]]'''
| [[Rochester, New York|Rochester]], [[New York|NY]]
| [[Blue Cross Arena]]
| align=center | 1995
|-
| '''[[Toronto Rock]]'''
| [[Toronto]], [[Ontario|ON]]
| [[Air Canada Centre]]
| align=center | 1999
|-
! style=background-color:red colspan=4 | <font color=white>Western</font>
|-
| '''[[Calgary Roughnecks]]'''
| [[Calgary]], [[Alberta|AB]]
| [[Pengrowth Saddledome]]
| align=center | 2001
|-
| '''[[Colorado Mammoth]]'''
| [[Denver, Colorado|Denver]], [[Colorado|CO]]
| [[Pepsi Center]]
| align=center | 2003
|-
| '''[[Edmonton Rush]]'''
| [[Edmonton]], [[Alberta|AB]]
| [[Rexall Place]]
| align=center | 2005
|-
| '''[[Portland Lumberjax]]'''
| [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]], [[Oregon|OR]]
| [[Rose Garden Arena]]
| align=center | 2005
|-
| '''[[San Jose Stealth]]'''
| [[San Jose, California|San Jose]], [[California|CA]]
| [[HP Pavilion (sports arena)|HP Pavilion]]
| align=center | 2004
|}
== Expansion ==
NLL commissioner Jim Jennings' ambitious plan for expansion includes 24 teams and possibly a 20-game schedule by 2011. He says that [[Montreal Express|Montreal]], [[Vancouver Ravens|Vancouver]] and [[Winnipeg]] "are the front-runners for expansion in Canada."<ref>{{cite news |last=Stevens |first=Neil |title=NLL boss eyes more expansion |publisher=[[Victoria Times-Colonist]] |date=[[October 4]], [[2006]] |url=http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/sports/story.html?id=c888db1c-7ed6-45fb-87f3-6bba7d6e3e60&k=83427 |accessdate=2006-10-30}}</ref>
In July 2007, the [[Vancouver Ravens]] were conditionally approved for a 2008 return; the conditions included selling at least 2,500 season tickets and finding a suitable arena lease by [[July 19]], [[2007]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/sports/story.html?id=70aaa468-be53-467f-a636-44e484f457c5 |title=New ownership could revive NLL's Ravens |work=[[The Vancouver Sun]] |date=[[June 18]], [[2007]] |accessdate=2007-06-20}}</ref> On [[July 16]], [[2007]], the [[Vancouver Ravens]] announced an agreement with [[Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment]] to make [[General Motors Place]] the home venue of the Ravens, if they are able to meet the season ticket sales requirement.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ravenslacrosse.com/news.cfm?prid=271 |title=General Motors Place To Serve As Home For New Vancouver Ravens Lacrosse Franchise |work=[[Vancouver Ravens]] |date=[[July 16]], [[2007]] |accessdate=2007-07-17}}</ref> However, just a few days later, the NLL announced that the Ravens would not play in the [[2008 NLL season|2008 season]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://torontosun.com/Sports/OtherSports/2007/07/21/4356705-sun.html |title=Ravens Put On Hold |work=[[Toronto Sun]] |date=[[July 21]], [[2007]] |accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref>
A number of cities and potential ownership groups have expressed interest in expansion franchises:
* After high attendance of over 20,000 fans at the [[World Indoor Lacrosse Championship|2007 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship]] in [[Halifax Regional Municipality|Halifax]], [[Nova Scotia]], Jennings says that the league will "definitely consider expanding to Halifax, for sure."<ref>{{cite news |last=Richardson |first=Adam |title=National commissioner 'very excited' about expansion prospects |publisher=[[The Daily News (Halifax)|The Daily News]] |date=[[May 21]], [[2007]] |url=http://www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=31118&sc=927 |accessdate=2007-05-22}}</ref>
* A group of investors put down a deposit with the NLL in June 2006 for a franchise to play in [[Seattle, Washington]] in [[2008 NLL season|2008]]. The proposed arena for this possible team is [[KeyArena]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Andriesen |first=David |title=Pro lacrosse on the horizon? |publisher=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] |date=[[November 8]], [[2006]] |url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/othersports/291498_lacrosse08.html |accessdate=2006-11-08}}</ref>
* Ownership groups from [[St. Louis, Missouri|St. Louis]], [[Cleveland, Ohio|Cleveland]], [[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]] and the [[Southern California]] area and [[Florida]] have also expressed interest in an expansion team.<ref>{{cite news |author=Inside Lacrosse Staff |title=NLL to announce expansion plans Friday |publisher=[http://insidelacrosse.com Inside Lacrosse] |date=[[June 22]], [[2006]] |url=http://insidelacrosse.com/page.cfm?pagerid=2&news=fdetail&storyid=130810 |accessdate=2006-11-10}}</ref>
* The league has also considered possibly expanding into [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City]]'s [[Ford Center]] in 2008<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsok.com/article/3032594 |date=[[March 28]], [[2007]]|accessdate=2007-03-28 |title=Lacrosse Pro-League looks at Oklahoma City |work=NewsOk.com |author=Staff, Daily Oklahoman}}</ref> as well as [[Salt Lake City, Utah|Salt Lake City]] and [[Baltimore, Maryland|Baltimore]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://laxmagazine.cstv.com/sports/s-inter/content/122806aaa.html |date=[[December 28]], [[2006]] |accessdate=2006-12-30 |title=Jennings Talks Expansion, Outdoor League |work=Lacrosse Magazine |author=Coyne, Zac}}</ref>
== Media ==
At the beginning of the 1992 MILL Season, the league came out with Coors Light's Greatest Hits, with [[Coors Light]] beer as its sponsor. The video was a little over 15 minutes in length but repeated at the end. The video consisted of four 3 1/2 minute clips in between 30 second Coors Light commercials. Background music for the clips included [[AC/DC]]'s ''[[Back in Black]]'', [[Guns N' Roses]] ''[[Welcome to the Jungle]]'' and other Eighties tunes. The final clips shows each team and its logo while that team is scoring a goal as [[INXS]]' ''[[New Sensation]]'' plays in the background.
In May 2001, ''[[Blast Lacrosse]]'', a video game based on the NLL, was released. It was the first lacrosse video game ever and included all nine teams of their [[2000 NLL season|14th season]], including mascots.
Also in 2002, [[Molson Sports and Entertainment]] released War On The Floor, a video similar to the [[Don Cherry (ice hockey)|Don Cherry]] Series. It was hosted by [[Joe Bowen]] featuring [[Pat Coyle (lacrosse)|Pat Coyle]].
On [[February 15]], [[2005]], the NLL announced that [[Activision]] would produce a new video game. The game was slated to be released for the 2007 season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Activision Value to create NLL video game |work=NLL.com |date=[[February 15]], [[2005]] |url=http://nll.com/article.php?id=1097 |accessdate=2006-11-27}}</ref> In an online chat held on NLL.com with commissioner Jim Jennings, it was noted that the game will be out in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=3133 |title=Recap of Fan Chat With Commissioner |work=NLL.com |date=[[October 29]], [[2007]] |accessdate=2007-10-31}}</ref>
In 2007, the NLL had a regularly scheduled "Game of the Week" on [[Versus (TV channel)|Versus]], the network formerly known as OLN and home of the [[NHL]], [[Tour de France]], and [[Professional Bull Riders, Inc.|PBR]]. For the [[2008 NLL season|2008 season]], due to dispute between the [[Professional Lacrosse Players' Association]] and the NLL owners in completing the [[collective bargaining agreement]], the "Game of the Week" on [[Versus (TV channel)|Versus]] was cancelled.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.insidelacrosse.com/page.cfm?pagerid=2&news=fdetail&storyid=170242 |title=NLL: Saturday night Game of the Week on VERSUS a no-go |accessdate=2007-10-12 |author=Craig Johnson |date=October 11, 2007 |work=InsideLacrosse.com}}</ref> Previously, the NLL has had its All-Star Games and Championship games on National TV, with [[NBC]] in 2005 and [[ESPN2]] in 2006. In the early 2000s, [[CNN Sports Illustrated]] aired NLL games regularly.
Also in 2007, the NLL signed an agreement with [[Sirius Satellite Radio]], who has been named "Official Satellite Radio Partner". The pact includes a "Game of the Week" as well as weekly highlight show.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=2709 |title=NLL & Sirius Sign Broadcasting Agreement |work=NLL.com |date=[[February 1]], [[2007]] |accessdate=2007-02-28}}</ref>
== Player origin ==
Although 9 of the league's 12 teams are American, about 73% of the players are [[Canada|Canadian]]. The rest are either [[United States|American]] or [[Iroquois]], with one [[Australia]]n, and one [[Slovakia]]n.
The makeup of the 12 teams is:<ref>[http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/teamstats.html?leagueid=230&seasonid=1322 NLL Team Rosters] on [http://www.pointstreak.com/ Pointstreak.com], as of [[March 25]], [[2007]]</ref>
{| style=text-align:center
|- bgcolor=#dddddd
! Percent
! Country
! Number of Players
|- bgcolor=#eeeeee
| '''73.0'''
| align=left | {{CAN}}
| 214
|- bgcolor=#eeeeee
| '''22.2'''
| align=left | {{USA}}
| 65
|- bgcolor=#eeeeee
| '''4.1'''
| align=left | {{flag|Iroquois}}
| 12
|- bgcolor=#eeeeee
| '''0.3'''
| align=left | {{AUS}}
| 1
|- bgcolor=#eeeeee
| '''0.3'''
| align=left | {{SVK}}
| 1
|}
== Awards ==
* [[National Lacrosse League Weekly Awards]]
* [[National Lacrosse League Monthly Awards]]
* [[National Lacrosse League MVP Award|MVP Award]]
* [[National Lacrosse League Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year Award]]
* [[Les Bartley Award]] (coach of the year)
* [[National Lacrosse League GM of the Year Award|GM of the Year Award]]
* [[National Lacrosse League Executive of the Year Award|Executive of the Year Award]]
* [[National Lacrosse League Defensive Player of the Year Award|Defensive Player of the Year Award]]
* [[National Lacrosse League Transition Player of the Year Award|Transition Player of the Year Award]]
* [[National Lacrosse League Goaltender of the Year Award|Goaltender of the Year Award]]
* [[National Lacrosse League Sportsmanship Award|Sportsmanship Award]]
* [[Tom Borrelli Award]] (writer of the year)
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== See also ==
* [[Box lacrosse]]
* [[List of attendance figures at domestic professional sports leagues]]
* [[Lacrosse]]
* [[List of NLL seasons]]
* [[List of sports attendance figures]]
* [[List of family relations in the National Lacrosse League]]
* [[Major League Lacrosse]] - the men's [[Lacrosse#Field lacrosse|field lacrosse]] league of the [[United States]]
* [[National Lacrosse League All-Star Game]]
* [[National Lacrosse League dispersal draft]]
* [[National Lacrosse League entry draft]]
* [[National Lacrosse League expansion draft]]
* [[National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame]]
* [[NLL records|National Lacrosse League all time records]]
== External links ==
* [http://www.nll.com/ League's Website]
* [http://www.lacrosse-network.com/outsidersguide/index.htm Outsider's Guide to the National Lacrosse League]
=== Team links ===
* [http://www.blazerslacrosse.com/ Boston Blazers]
* [http://www.bandits.com/ Buffalo Bandits]
* [http://www.calgaryroughnecks.com/ Calgary Roughnecks]
* [http://www.chicagoshamrox.com/ Chicago Shamrox]
* [http://www.coloradomammoth.com/ Colorado Mammoth]
* [http://www.edmontonrush.com/ Edmonton Rush]
* [http://www.mnswarm.com/ Minnesota Swarm]
* [http://www.nytitanslacrosse.com/ New York Titans]
* [http://www.wingslax.com/ Philadelphia Wings]
* [http://www.portlandjax.com/ Portland LumberJax]
* [http://www.knighthawks.net/ Rochester Knighthawks]
* [http://www.sjstealth.com/ San Jose Stealth]
* [http://www.torontorock.com/ Toronto Rock]
{{NLL}}
{{NLL Arenas}}
{{NLL seasons}}
{{Professional Lacrosse}}
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