NLL - NATIONAL LACROSSE LEAGUE

NLL

The NLL - National Lacrosse League is a professional indoor lacrosse league with 11 teams in the US and 3 in Canada. The league is modeled around box lacrosse which is very popular in Canada. Games are played right on top of hockey ice covered with artificial turf. Actual hockey rinks are used including boards and glass. Teams play a 16 game schedule and all games are played on the weekend. This is Canadian style lacrosse at its finest. Some of the finest players in the world participate in the league and as more and more star American field players convert from field lacrosse following their college careers to the indoor game, fan interest for Box Lacrosse is also increasing in the US. The NLL is a major factor in that growth of interest.

The 2008 Season is underway.

the History

You can check out the league on their web site and find a detailed history of the league. The roots of the league began in 1987 when 4 teams made up the Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League. In 1988 the league changed names and was then known as the Major Indoor Lacrosse League (MILL). In 2000 the league relocated to New York and has been known ever since as the National Lacrosse League.

the Game

Indoor lacrosse is the passion in Canada and has a growing fan base in the US. There are currently 13 teams:

The game is played with 6 players per side and is very high scoring and fast paced. It might remind you of indoor soccer only with sticks. It has much of the action of hockey and some of the strategy of basketball. Rebounds are part of the game and the walls are used as an extension of the floor. Rebound passing is very much a part of the game. I really enjoy the League, and I know you will too. If you get a chance to watch or better yet go in person to see a game definitely take the opportunity. You will be treated to an exceptionally exciting, high scoring game, and a fantastic family fun environment.

media Coverage

In 2007 you could catch the National Lacrosse League on TV in prime time in the US for the first time as the games were televised on the Versus Network in the US and Canada. They were also aired internationally on the Eurosport network and were seen in over 50 countries.

Serious Satellite Radio covered the games on Radio.

Due to the labor negotiations and temporary postponement and then re-instatement of the season, coverage for the 2008 season is spotty, but I suspect that will improve as the season progresses.

For 2008 games can be viewed via pay per view webcast on the B2 network for a low per event cost.

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