National Lacrosse League - Arizona

Arizona Lands National Lacrosse League Franchise

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA --- Phoenix Coyotes Chairman and Governor Steve Ellman and National Lacrosse League (NLL) Commissioner Jim Jennings announced today that the Columbus Landsharks lacrosse franchise, owned by JA Columbus Sports Ventures, Inc. has signed a three-year deal with Arena Management Group to manage the day-to-day business operations of the lacrosse team. The team will relocate to the Glendale Arena for the 2003-04 season.

“We are extremely excited to bring the NLL to the Phoenix market and specifically Glendale and the West Valley,” said Ellman. “In the past few years, the sport of lacrosse has grown substantially throughout the United States and Canada, particularly on the west coast with new franchises in Anaheim and San Jose and one of the NLL’s most successful franchises in Denver. Indoor professional lacrosse is an exciting, fast paced, physical game that local fans will really enjoy.”

The National Lacrosse League (NLL) is North America’s professional indoor lacrosse league, and plays during the winter and spring months. The league was formed in 1987, and was first known as the Major Indoor Lacrosse League (MILL). The league formed a strong base in the Northeastern United States before its recent push into the Western half of the U.S. and Canada.

“Arena Management Group and the Glendale Arena are very pleased and proud to be working with JA Columbus Sports Ventures, Inc. in forming this partnership to bring professional lacrosse to the Glendale Arena,” added Ellman. “They are passionate about the sport and are dedicated professionals who share our high expectations for success both on and off the field of play. We look forward to a successful partnership together for many years to come.”

The Landsharks will get a new name in addition to a new home. Play is expected to begin in late December of 2003. NLL teams each play eight home games and eight road contests as part of a 16-game regular season schedule. Most games are played on the weekends. The league's regular season typically runs 16 weeks, starting in late December and ending in April, with the Champion's Cup Playoffs to follow. The NLL regular season schedule will be released in September.

“I played lacrosse while growing up in Ontario,” said Wayne Gretzky, managing partner of the Phoenix Coyotes. “It's a fast, exciting game that's very similar to hockey. I know our fans will love it.”

Gretzky is one of countless current and past NHL players who played indoor, or “box” lacrosse while growing up in Canada. The game combines high scoring with the physical aspect of hockey.

“We’re very excited about our new partnership with Arena Management Group and the Coyotes,” said Mike Gongas, partner of JA Columbus Sports Ventures. “With the Coyotes on the rise and the opening of the new arena, it is truly an exciting time in Arizona sports history. We are pleased to be a part of it. Coyotes fans and all sports fans are going to love the fast-paced fun of professional indoor lacrosse. The fans of Arizona are not getting an expansion team; they are inheriting a young, talented team that is on the verge of making the Champion’s Cup Playoffs.”

“This is a great day for the sports fans of the Valley of the Sun, the entire state of Arizona and the NLL,” said Commissioner Jim Jennings. "We are now a truly national league, with teams across the United States and Canada. The arrival of this franchise in Arizona shows that our business plan is working. We have moved into another successful National Hockey League market, and formed a partnership with a NHL team. We are very excited to work with the Phoenix Coyotes and Coyotes Hockey, LLC and look forward to a great future in Glendale.”

The National Lacrosse League is North America's professional indoor lacrosse league, featuring the best lacrosse players in the world. The NLL has ten teams playing in the major markets of the United States and Canada. The teams are: Anaheim (to be named), Arizona (to be named), Buffalo Bandits, Calgary Roughnecks, Colorado Mammoth, Philadelphia Wings, Rochester Knighthawks, San Jose (to be named), Toronto Rock and the Vancouver Ravens. The league's average attendance last season was close to 9,000 fans per game. The Colorado Mammoth, Philadelphia Wings and Toronto Rock each average more than 15,000 fans per home game. For more information, visit the official website of the National Lacrosse League, www.NLL.com.

“This is a welcome opportunity for Valley residents,” said Glendale City Manager Ed Beasley. “It is an opportunity for Glendale to secure another tenant for our arena, and at the same time provide a family-oriented, entertainment experience. We look forward to welcoming more tenants to this site, and to making the Glendale Arena truly a destination point.”

NAME THE TEAM CONTEST

Arena Management Group will be conducting a “Name the Team” contest from August 28 through September 19 that will give sports fans throughout Arizona an opportunity to participate in naming the Valley’s newest sports franchise. Fans interested in taking part in the contest are encouraged to click here to register and submit entries for the competition.

The Coyotes also announced today season ticket prices for the 2003-04 lacrosse season at Glendale Arena. Ticket packages include all 8 home games. Season ticket prices range from $10.00 to $20.00 with limited availability in the VIP Club at $30.00. All packages include complimentary parking. Single game ticket information will be released at a later date.

For more information regarding season ticket packages and individual game tickets for Arizona Lacrosse, please call (480) 563-7825 or check out the team's website at www.ArizonaLAX.com.

This article was taken from www.nll.com.  All rights reserved.