National Lacrosse League announces new seven-year Collective Bargaining Agreement
The National Lacrosse League has announced the reaching of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Professional Lacrosse Player's Association. The agreement is a seven-year term that begins in 2008 and run through the 2014 season. The agreement marks the longest labor deal in the 22-year history of professional indoor lacrosse. The league's previous three-year agreement with the PLPA expired following the 2007 season.
"Reaching a long-term collective bargaining agreement with the players was our number one priority in this process", said NLL Commissioner Jim Jennings. "We've been building positive growth in the league over the past few years. Securing long-term labor peace puts us in a position to take our league to the next level."
The agreement also means that professional indoor lacrosse will be played in 2008. When a new CBA had not reached by the league's deadline last week, the 2008 season was canceled. A new schedule for the 2008 National Lacrosse League season is expected to be announced next week.
New York, NY -- The National Lacrosse League announced today it has reached a long term collective bargaining agreement with the players' union. As a result, the NLL's 2008 season is back on. The season was cancelled last Tuesday when the owners and the Professional Lacrosse Players' Association failed to agree on a new deal. Today's agreement is a seven-year term that begins in 2008 and runs through the 2014 season. "Reaching a long term bargaining agreement with the players was our number one priority in this process," said NLL Commissioner Jim Jennings. "We've been building positive growth in the league over the past few years and securing long-term labor peace puts us in a position to take our league to the next level." The agreement marks the longest labor deal in the 22-year history of professional indoor lacrosse. The league's previous three-year agreement with the PLPA expired following the 2007 season.
"We are so happy that a deal that is beneficial to both parties has been agreed to in time for the 2008 season," said Titans COO Timothy Kelly. "We are thankful to all our fans who stuck with us through the long week and we're looking forward to giving them a great team to cheer for this coming season."
A new schedule for the 2008 NLL season is expected to be announced next week.
Edmonton, AB-The National Lacrosse League has officially announced that professional indoor lacrosse will be played in 2008 and therefore lacrosse in Edmonton will go uninterrupted.
"This is tremendous news for everyone involved with the Rush" said Team President Duane Vienneau. "To our fans and our corporate partners, thank you for being extremely patient during this time and we are extremely thrilled to say that we are ready for the 2008 season and are looking forward to having our best season yet both on and off the floor. "
"I am very excited to get back to work on our 2008 season, we spent the summer acquiring quality players and this agreement will allow our fans to see an improved team, not just in 2008 but for years to come." said Paul Day, General Manager/ Head Coach.
"The league needed a strong partnership with its players and we achieved that with a long lasting agreement yesterday ensuring the long-term stability of the league and the ability to take it to the next level," said Vienneau.
The Rush never gave up hope and was able to retain their arena holds at Rexall Place during the cancellation. "A huge thank you to Northlands Park is needed." added Vienneau. "They were able to wait out this process with us. Rexall Place is one of the busiest arenas in the world as awarded by Pollstar. They are ranked 3rd in Canada, 7th in North America, and 13th in the World. This says a lot about their support and enthusiasm towards the Rush."
A new schedule for the 2008 National Lacrosse League season will be set as some but not all teams released their arena dates. The league will be assessing each team's arena availability over the next few days and will announce the new schedule sometime next week.
The Rush announced today that the league has confirmed that the 2008 All Star Game will indeed still happen in Edmonton. "We are ecstatic that we are still able to host the All Star Game. Our fans and City deserve the best and the All Star Game definitely is a showcase of the best in the league" said Vienneau. Along with the announcement regarding the 2008 All Star Game, the Rush unveiled the 2008 All Star Game logo.
The logo can be downloaded from the Rush website using the following link:
BUFFALO, N.Y. (October 25, 2007) --- The National Lacrosse League has announced the reaching of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Professional Lacrosse Player's Association. The agreement is a seven-year term that begins in 2008 and run through the 2014 season. The agreement marks the longest labor deal in the 22-year history of professional indoor lacrosse. The league's previous three-year agreement with the PLPA expired following the 2007 season.
"I'm glad that we were able to come to an agreement and resolve the issues that would've prevented us from playing this season," said Dave Zygaj, Buffalo's Director of Lacrosse Operations. "Most of all, I'm thrilled that we'll be coming back to play in front of some of the league's most diehard fans."
"Reaching a long-term collective bargaining agreement with the players was our number one priority in this process", said NLL Commissioner Jim Jennings. "We've been building positive growth in the league over the past few years. Securing long-term labor peace puts us in a position to take our league to the next level."
The agreement also means that professional indoor lacrosse will be played in 2008. When a new CBA had not reached by the league's deadline last week, the 2008 season was canceled. A new schedule for the 2008 National Lacrosse League season is expected to be announced next week.
Boston Blazers Return After A 10-year Absence With A New Look, New Coach
Boston (October 4, 2007) - After a decade on the sidelines, the Boston Blazers today return to the National Lacrosse League (NLL), revealing its team name and new blazing red and white team colors to fans across New England. The Blazers, the newest and 14th member of the NLL, begin their inaugural season in January 2008 at the TD Banknorth Garden.
The Blazers face-off against the New York Titans on Jan. 19 in their home opener. The Philadelphia Wings, Toronto Rock, Minnesota Swarm, Rochester Knighthawks, Portland LumberJax, Buffalo Bandits and Chicago Shamrox also battle the Blazers at the Garden in a 16-game regular season. (Please see attached schedule).
Team officials also announced that Blazers group, individual and season tickets are available by calling 1-888-TIX-BLAZ (849-2529) or visiting The Official Site of the Boston Blazers - Blazers. Tickets are $75, $50, $40, $35, $20 and $10 and are also available at the TD Banknorth Garden Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets.
"I grew up a Blazers fan and I'm thrilled that fans across New England will once again have the opportunity to root for them," said Blazers Owner and Littleton, Mass. native Tim Armstrong. "Lacrosse is not only the fastest growing sport in New England, but also across the country. The name 'Blazers' is both nostalgic and also appropriate."
The thirst for an NLL franchise in Boston was finally satisfied on May 9, 2007 when the league announced it had awarded a team to Armstrong, who is President of Advertising and Commerce at Google, Inc. The team that day also announced former NLL star and former Boston Blazers standout Tom Ryan as head coach.
While the Blazers name may be familiar the logo is certainly not. The new Blazers logo features a lacrosse player's darkened silhouette next to a red flame that blazes from the team's name. The Blazers also introduced the "Blazer B," a red capitalized "B" with flames shooting out from the top. The Blazers team colors are red and white.
"Boston is a great sports town and we know its fans expect championships," said Blazers Head Coach Tom Ryan, who won an NLL title while playing for Philadelphia. "We are assembling a balanced roster of veterans and young players that should translate into an exciting brand of lacrosse. Our goal is to be competitive and play hard in every game."
Ryan played nine years in the NLL and amassed 202 total career points (82 goals and 120 assists). He coached the U.S. Indoor Lacrosse team in the 2007 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships and has assembled a Blazers roster that includes Marshfield, Mass. native Sean Morris and Patrick Merrill, the Blazers' No. 1 overall pick from Toronto in the 2007 Expansion Draft. Merrill boasts 435 face-off wins, which ranks 17th on the all-time NLL list.
The 1975 Boston Bolts were the first professional indoor lacrosse team to play in Boston. In 1992, Major Indoor Lacrosse League's New England Blazers relocated to the Boston Garden from the Worcester Centrum. The New England Blazers, formed in 1989, were renamed the Boston Blazers and played in Beantown until 1997. The Blazers called the FleetCenter (now TD Banknorth Garden) home in 1996-97 and made four playoff appearances in six seasons in the Hub.
There will be 3,941 days between the Blazers' last game played (March 29, 1997) and their first game of 2008 on Jan. 12 at Edmonton. More than 3,950 days will have passed between Blazers home games (March 22, 1997 to Jan. 19, 2008).
PORTLAND, October 30, 2007 - The Portland LumberJax have re-signed defenseman Pat Jones to a two-year agreement, as was announced today by Head Coach/General Manager Derek Keenan.
Jones will enter his third season with the Jax in 2008. The Oshawa, Ontario native has nine assists in 27 career regular season games with the Jax. Jones is also the team's career face-off leader, winning 311 face-offs and succeeding 45% of the time.
Jones, a team captain and 2007 National Lacrosse League All-Star, is fourth in team history in loose balls collected (128).
"Pat is our captain on the floor and in the locker room," said Keenan. "He's the anchor of our defense and provides outstanding leadership to the entire team. Pat is one of those guys I can rely on because week in and week out he comes to play."
PORTLAND, October 30, 2007 - The Portland LumberJax have re-signed backup goaltender Matt King to a two-year agreement, as was announced today by Head Coach/General Manager Derek Keenan.
King, who is an eighth grade teacher in Duncan, British Columbia, will enter his third season with the Jax in 2008. Viewed as the heir apparent to Jax goalie Dallas Eliuk, King was 1-2 last season, stopping 114 of the 158 shots he faced.
"I think this will be Matt's breakthrough year in the National Lacrosse League.," said Keenan. "He had an outstanding summer playing in the Western Lacrosse Association and was named 2nd All-Star team goalie. We expect Matt to take further steps towards being an NLL starter this year and he will be given lots of opportunities to prove himself."
PORTLAND, November 1, 2007 - In light of recent comments made by Fox 12's Matt Smith and the Portland Tribune's Dwight Jaynes on Sunday's Oregon Sports Final about the lack of skill that National Lacrosse Players have, the Portland LumberJax have challenged Smith and Jaynes to suit up and play.
The Jax have challenged Smith and Jaynes to participate in a pickup lacrosse game. Both will potentially face-off against Jax Managing Partner Angela Batinovich, Team Vice President Brian Silcott, All-Star Defenseman Rich Morgan, All-Star Forward Ryan Powell and future Hall-of-Fame Goalie Dallas Eliuk.
Smith and Jaynes have until 11 a.m. Thursday, November 1 to accept the challenge or forfeit. The choice is theirs to make.
DENVER - The Colorado Mammoth retained some grit on Wednesday with the signings of defenseman Rich Catton and transition player Jim Moss. The team also announced the signings of transition player Scott Davidson and goalies Pete Jokisch and Craig Robertson.
Catton, a veteran of eight National Lacrosse League seasons, signed a one-year contract that will keep him in Denver for a third consecutive year.
"Rich will continue to bring the experience and commitment to this team that will inspire the younger players to work hard and strive to win," Mammoth general manager Steve Govett said. Catton is a 6-foot-1, 210-pound native of Burnaby, British Columbia.
Moss, who played eight games for the Mammoth in 2007 after signing with the team during the season, signed a three-year deal.
"Jim adds size and grit to the defensive side of the ball that will help our team in the physical area of the game," Govett said. Moss is 6-feet tall and 200 pounds.
Davidson, a native of Connecticut attended the University of Denver and was a standout midfielder for the Pioneers from 2002-2005. The No. 39 overall selection in the 2005 entry draft by the Mammoth, Davidson played one game last season. In his debut, he won 19-of-29 faceoffs.
Jokisch was an All-American goaltender at Colorado State and competed in the 2007 NLL Entry Draft Combine.
Robertson is a 5-foot-10, 240-pound goalie from Peterborough, Ontario, and has played junior for the New Westminster (British Columbia) Salmonbellies.
PORTLAND, October 31, 2007 - The Portland LumberJax have re-signed transition player Graham Palmer to a two-year agreement, transition player Adam Bysouth and forward Scott Stewart to one-year agreements, as was announced today by Head Coach/General Manager Derek Keenan.
Palmer scored one goal and added five assists in 11 games of action during his rookie season in 2007 with the Jax. The Nanaimo, British Columbia native also collected 56 loose balls.
Bysouth will enter his third season with the Jax in 2008. He has two goals and five assists in 20 career games with the Jax. The husband of Jax Managing Partner Angela Batinovich, Bysouth is eighth in team history in penalty minutes (23).
Stewart was acquired by the Jax on October 2nd in a trade with the Boston Blazers. Stewart played four games for the Jax during the 2006 season before being traded to the Minnesota Swarm. Stewart was selected by the Blazers in the National Lacrosse League Expansion Draft on July 31, 2007 before being traded back to the Jax.
Stewart helped pace the Swarm into the playoffs last season, scoring 17 goals and adding 23 assists.
"All three are very useful players who will add additional depth to our roster," said Keenan.
National Lacrosse League Press Release 2007
National Lacrosse League Press Release 2007
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