Our Pat Gregoire has been on Twitter all week reporting on a new American box lacrosse league. He adds some more detail today about the potential league.
With more research I have found out that the league is exploring the possibility of beginning operation in 2015 but has set a more realistic goal of 2016 as it is in the infancy stage and is currently starting it’s ownership drive.
The league has put together a business model that will jumpstart the American indoor game at all levels with the professional players having direct involvement with teaching young players the box game eventually developing youth leagues across the United States with a National Championship within five to seven years of their development.
The Pro Teams will be integrated with both American (at least half of the roster will be American) and Canadian players with the intention that the Canadian players become teachers of the indoor game to the American players with the eventual goal of bringing the United States to an equal level with Canada in lacrosse. The league is confident this can happen within seven to 10 years. Crucial to the group is the development of goaltenders south of the border and each team must carry one American goalie who has to play in a set number of games.
From what I gathered the league will not operate parallel to the NLL but I can not confirm that. I have been told the people behind the league all have ample lacrosse experience and are aligning themselves with some predominant business people to ensure that their model is the right model for lacrosse.
It sounds like an announcement will be made within the next few weeks; I will continue to report new information as I learn new developments involving the potential new American indoor lacrosse league.
