As the final weekend of Major League Lacrosse (MLL) regular season approaches, half of the league’s teams will begin to look towards to next season. The Rochester Rattlers will not only have to reevaluate after missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season, but also prepare for a potential franchise relocation.
A founding MLL team, the Rochester Rattlers reached the playoffs in five out of the franchise’s first eight seasons including a Steinfeld Cup championship in 2008. After moving north of the border prior to the 2009 season to become the Nationals franchise, the folding of the expansion Chicago Machine eventually led to the Rattlers returning to the MLL for the 2011 season.
Attendance in Rochester has been rapidly diminishing in recent years. After averaging 4,307 fans per game in 2011, this number decreased to 3,649 by the 2012 season. The Rattlers’ attendance saw another significant drop this season, ranking dead last in league attendance with an average of 1,991 fans per game. The Rattlers are the only squad league wide with an average attendance of under two thousand fans per game, with Hamilton being the only other MLL team to average less than three thousand fans per game.
Rumors began circulating regarding yet another departure from Rochester prior to the 2013 season when it was announced that two of the Rattlers’ home games would be played at neutral locations ideal for out of market MLL expansion.
The stellar attendance at the neutral location games only furthered speculation of the looming end of MLL in Rochester. A 17-14 loss to the Chesapeake Bayhawks in St. Petersburg, FL attracted 3,940 fans, while a 16-14 win versus the Boston Cannons in Kennesaw, GA drew an attendance of 4,417.
Whether relocation is inevitable for the Rattlers or not, the team’s on the field production must improve next year along with ticket sales. Since returning to the league the Rattlers have failed to make the playoffs in three seasons, posting a 14-25 record during the time span.
The Rattlers will conclude their regular season in Boston Saturday, August 10 in what could potentially be their last game representing the city of Rochester. Face-off is set for 8 p.m.
