Where could the NLL Line Up?
I, like a lot of you have grown into being a regular fan of the NLL(National Lacrosse League) and am happy to see the expansion of the league. Cities like San Diego, Philadelphia, Halifax and Fort Worth have all gotten franchises in recent years and they have done great so far!
In this piece I will discuss the places I’d love to see the NLL expand to.
- Baltimore- Let me just get this out of the way. Yes Baltimore is the closest major city to my hometown and I honestly think Baltimore would be a great market for an NLL franchise. They have an open arena in the Royal Farms Arena and if you know Baltimore you know that arena needs something exciting to happen inside of it soon! Baltimore is and will remain the lacrosse capital of the world and you already have a built-in fanbase and with more people moving into the area, you still have room to grow that fan base. Finally, you have the feel of a tight-night small market city with the resources of a major market city. It would be the perfect NLL city.
2. Las Vegas- We’ve already seen the proof in the pudding. Vegas hosted a San Diego Seals game back in 2020 that drew in over 8k+ people. We all know what Vegas has to offer from a night life perspective and as the game of lacrosse moves more West, Vegas could be an introduction to the sport for Nevada a state that doesn’t see a lot of major lacrosse. They have proven to do well with expansion franchises in the Raiders of the NFL and Golden Knights of the NHL. Don’t forget we are moving into a the gambling-era where it is really going to blow up and obviously Vegas is the gambling hub which will attract an even broader fan base.
3. Seattle- Look its just time! Everyone has been talking about Seattle for years and years but no traction has been made. I don’t even have to make an argument for the fan base, just go to a Seahawks game or look on the NBA message boards for people who want that league to comeback as well. Seattle is a sports city! Lacrosse is starting to emerge in the Northwest and I believe we will be talking about the Northwest in the same way we do Utah for lacrosse in a few years. Do I have to mention how well Vancouver does? C’mon Allen family, take some of that money and give you’re city another sport to get excited about!
With that being said, the NLL is some of the best lacrosse on the planet. Box lacrosse has and will continue to grow across the world! Where would you like to see the NLL go ? As always, if you have any story ideas or thoughts on this subject or past, shoot me a dm on twitter @ jordan_john5.
