MAJOR LEAGUE LACROSSE


'Major League Lacrosse' is a professional outdoor Lacrosse league that is made up of teams within the United States. The league is currently made up of 10 teams in two conferences, Eastern and Western.

Contents
History
Teams
Eastern Conference
Western Conference
Franchise movement
MLL Championship Games
League Officials
League Office
References
See also
External links

History


MLL began regular season play in June of 2001. MLL was founded by Jake Steinfeld, Dave Morrow and Tim Robertson in 1999. Steinfeld is well-known for creating the "Body By Jake" line of exercise equipment and videos. Morrow is a former All-American lacrosse player and the president of Warrior Lacrosse.
The season runs from May to August. MLL rules that differ from traditional lacrosse rules include: a two-point goal line 16 yards from each goal, a 60-second shot clock, a limit of three long-stick defensemen per team and the elimination of the restraining box. The 60-second shot clock was changed from a 45-second shot clock in 2005. On January 13, 2001, MLL conducted its first draft. After the league assigned each team three players, goalie Sal LoCascio was the first player selected by Bridgeport.
MLL announced on March 9, 2005, that the league would expand to Los Angeles for the 2006 season; the team will play its home games at The Home Depot Center and will be operated by AEG, Inc. The league announced on July 2 that Denver, Colorado would also be an expansion city with a team playing at INVESCO Field at Mile High. The league later added teams in Chicago, Illinois and San Francisco, California and created a western conference for these teams, which started in the 2006 season. Since the league's inception it has gained numerous sponsors that have helped the league grow. Current sponsors include New Balance, Warrior, Bud Light, Tommy Hilfiger, Gatorade, Cascade, Brine, Gear-Up Sports, Under Armour, First National Bank of Omaha, Starbucks, The Great Atlantic Lacrosse Company, and Body by Jake.
The league was divided into the 'American Division' — Boston, Bridgeport (moved to Philadelphia in 2004) and Long Island — and the 'National Division' — Baltimore (moved to Washington after the 2006 season), New Jersey and Rochester — from 2001 until 2005. The league played a 14-game regular season its first two years; in 2003, the schedule was cut to 12 games. The playoff format will have the top teams in each division advancing to the New Balance MLL Championship Weekend while the two teams with the best records regardless of division will be the Championship Weekend’s two wildcard entries.
The MLL plans to add two more western expansion teams in 2008. Cities under consideration are Cincinnati, Dallas, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Diego, Seattle, and St. Louis.[1][2][3]
ESPN2 has televised games since the 2003 season. On March 14, 2007 the two agreed to a television contract that will run until the 2016 season.[1]

Teams


Eastern Conference

TeamCity/AreaField
'Boston Cannons'Boston, MassachusettsHarvard Stadium
'Long Island Lizards'Uniondale, New YorkMitchel Athletic Complex
'New Jersey Pride'Piscataway, New JerseyYurcak Field
'Philadelphia Barrage'Downingtown, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia Area)United Sports Training Center
'Rochester Rattlers'Rochester, New YorkPAETEC Park
'Washington Bayhawks'Washington, D.C.Georgetown University Multi-Sport Field

Western Conference

TeamCity/AreaField
'Chicago Machine'Bridgeview, Illinois (Chicago Area)Toyota Park
'Denver Outlaws'Denver, ColoradoINVESCO Field at Mile High
'Los Angeles Riptide'Carson, California (Los Angeles Area)The Home Depot Center
'San Francisco Dragons'San Francisco, CaliforniaKezar Stadium

Franchise movement


★ Bridgeport Barrage (2001–2003) → Philadelphia Barrage (2004–Current)

★ Baltimore Bayhawks (2001-2006)→ Washington Bayhawks (2007-Current)

MLL Championship Games


Year Champion Score Runner-up Venue Location Game MVP
2001 Long Island Lizards 15-11 Baltimore Bayhawks Kennedy Stadium Bridgeport, Connecticut Paul Gait (Long Island)
2002 Baltimore Bayhawks 21-13 Long Island Lizards Columbus Crew Stadium Columbus, Ohio Mark Millon (Baltimore)
2003 Long Island Lizards 15-14 (OT) Baltimore Bayhawks Villanova Stadium Villanova, Pennsylvania Kevin Lowe (Long Island)
2004 Philadelphia Barrage 13-11 Boston Cannons Nickerson Field Boston, Massachusetts Greg Cattrano (Philadelphia)
2005 Baltimore Bayhawks 15-9 Long Island Lizards Nickerson Field Boston, Massachusetts Gary Gait (Baltimore)
2006 Philadelphia Barrage 23-12 Denver Outlaws The Home Depot Center Carson, California Roy Colsey (Philadelphia)
2007 Philadelphia Barrage 16-13 Los Angeles Riptide PAETEC Park Rochester, New York Matt Striebel (Philadelphia)

League Officials


Name Years Title
Gabby Roe 1999–2002 Executive Director
Matthew Pace 2002–03 Executive Director
David Gross 2003–04 Chief Operating Officer
2004–present Commissioner

League Office


Years City
1999–01 East Rutherford, New Jersey
2001–04 Secaucus, New Jersey
2004— Boston, Massachusetts

References


1. May, Shaun (2006), Slash Magazine, pp. 5
2. MLL Expansion
3. Overview

See also



Steinfeld Cup

Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game

Major League Lacrosse MVP Award

Major League Lacrosse Rookie of the Year Award

Major League Lacrosse Coach of the Year Award

Major League Lacrosse Defensive player of the Year Award

Major League Lacrosse Offensive player of the Year Award

Major League Lacrosse Goaltender of the Year Award

Major League Lacrosse Iron Lizard of the Year Award

Major League Lacrosse first overall collegiate draft choice

Major League Lacrosse Sportsman of the Year Award

Major League Lacrosse Most Improved Player of the Year Award

Major League Lacrosse Community Service Award

List of MLL seasons

List of professional lacrosse players

National Lacrosse League - the men's indoor lacrosse league in the United States and Canada

Sports league attendances

External links



Major League Lacrosse

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