A number of cities and potential ownership groups have expressed interest in expansion franchises:
After high attendance of over 20,000 fans at the 2007 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Jennings says that the league will "definitely consider expanding to Halifax, for sure."[21]
On June 17, 2009, the San Jose Stealth announced their relocation to Everett, Washington, north of Seattle, for the 2010 season. The newly renamed Washington Stealth[22] played their home games at the Comcast Arena at Everett.[3] In their first season in Everett, the Stealth won the league title.
On August 10, 2009, the New York Titans announced the team's move to Orlando, Florida, to become the Orlando Titans.[23]
Commissioner George Daniel announced on March 31, 2010, that there would be no expansion for the 2011 season.[24]
In July 2010, the Orlando Titans announced that they would not participate in the 2011 season due to ownership restructuring.[25]
In late summer 2011, the Boston Blazers suspended operations for the 2012 season. However, as of May 31, 2012, GM and team president Doug Reffue stated that the Blazers ownership is in negotiations with a local New England group. With the intentions of either selling the team or entering into a partnership with this group, Reffue added that the Blazers could return for the 2014 season.[26]
On June 27, 2013, the Washington Stealth announced that they were relocating permanently to the Langley Events Centre in Langley, British Columbia, and would be renamed the Vancouver Stealth. The decision to relocate was made after the 2013 NLL Championship Game (which the Stealth earned the right to host) had to be moved, due to a scheduling conflict with Comcast Arena, from Everett to Langley, where it was played before a sold out crowd.
On July 11, 2014 Philadelphia Wings announced they would be relocating from Philadelphia after 28 years in the city. On August 5, the Wings announced they would be relocating to Uncasville, Connecticut and will play in the Mohegan Sun Arena.
On May 29, 2015 the Minnesota Swarm announced they would be relocating to Duluth, Georgia to become the Georgia Swarm and will play in the Arena at Gwinnett Center.
On July 20, 2015 the Edmonton Rush announced they would be relocating to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to become the Saskatchewan Rush and play in the SaskTel Centre. In their first season in Saskatoon, the Rush won the league title.
Franchise movement and name changes
- Baltimore Thunder (1987–1999) → Pittsburgh CrosseFire (2000) → Washington Power (2001–2002) → Colorado Mammoth (2002–current)
- New Jersey Saints (1987–1988) → New York Saints (1989–2003) → Inactive
- New England Blazers (1989–1991) → Boston Blazers (1992–1997, 2009–2012) → Inactive
- Ontario Raiders (1998) → Toronto Rock (1999–current)
- Syracuse Smash (1998–2000) → Ottawa Rebel (2000–2003) → Inactive → Edmonton Rush (2005–2015) → Saskatchewan Rush (2015–current)
- Albany Attack (1999–2003) → San Jose Stealth (2003–2009) → Washington Stealth (2009–2013) → Vancouver Stealth (2013–current)
- Columbus Landsharks (2001–2003) → Arizona Sting (2003–2007) → Inactive
- Montreal Express (2002) → Inactive → Minnesota Swarm (2004–2015) → Georgia Swarm (2015–present)
- New Jersey Storm (2002–2003) → Anaheim Storm (2003–2005)
- Philadelphia Wings (1987–2014) → New England Black Wolves (2014–current)
Media coverage
United States
In the early 2000s, CNN Sports Illustrated aired NLL games regularly. The NLL had had its All-Star Games and Championship games on NBC in 2005 and ESPN2 in 2006.In 2007, the NLL had a regularly scheduled "Game of the Week" on Versus, the network now known as NBC Sports Network and home of the Indycar Series, NHL, Tour de France, and PBR. For the 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 was cancelled.[27]
For the 2011 season, the NLL returned to Versus, beginning with coverage of the 2011 All-Star Game, followed by 6 weekly games, and 2 playoff games, one of these being the championship game.[28]
Beginning with the 2012 NLL season, U.S. broadcast rights shifted to the CBS Sports Network, carrying 8 regular season games, all of them live.[29] Regional sports networks also provide some coverage of individual teams.
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.[30]
Time Warner Cable SportsNet carries games from the Rochester Knighthawks and some games from the Buffalo Bandits.
Canada
In Canada, TSN and TSN2 also air NLL games, however their game coverage is primarily focused on the Toronto Rock.Web streaming
From 2009 until 2011, all NLL games were carried on the streaming video platform and web site Livestream.[31] The TSN/TSN2 coverage is also available on ESPN3.In 2012, the NLL reached an agreement with The Lacrosse Network, a partnered YouTube channel, to distribute all of the 2013 season's games onto YouTube. All games are available on YouTube after the broadcast and most games were broadcast live.[32]
The 2016 season was broadcast over Fox Sports GO to viewers both in Canada and the US.[33] Beginning with the 2016 division semifinals, the NLL used a new streaming service at NLLTV.com, powered by NeuLion.[34]
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