A few weeks ago the league and the players agreed on a new CBA. This new agreement will bring indoor lacrosse to the fans for the next seven years.
The ink wasn’t even dried and teams started signing players. Nothing unusual, except this time teams are locking up players for three years and some for seven years.
The two-time defending champion Rochester Knighthawks already have three signed for seven years. CraigPoint, Sid Smith, and Dan Dawson. Paul Dawson(4 yrs) Dylan Evans (3 yrs). The Knighthawks are trying to be the first team to three-peat in the history of the indoor lacrosse league. These signings are telling there fans to anchor down and get behind them.
In years past teams have signed players for one and two years, and for fans it gets difficult to get behind a team if the players on the roster change like a traffic light on a city street.
Colorado inked Grant Jr to a four year deal, Kasey Biernes 3 years (Toronto), Tyler Richards 3 years (Stealth) are some others that have signed 3 years or more.
Signing players to these long term deals can also help the league as they hope it brings in more fans when they see their team keeping a nucleus to build around.
As camps prepare to start, look for more players to be signed, and some to long term deals.
Some noteable Restricted/Unrestricted Free Agents (RFA/UFA)
Joe Walters & Matt Vinc (RFA-Rochester)
Ryan Benesch (RFA-Buffalo)
Luke Wiles & Paul Rabil (RFA-Phila)
Garrett Billings & Nick Rose (RFA-Toronto)
Josh Sanderson (UFA-Toronto)
Ryan Ward (UFA-Edmonton)
