Tag Archives: expansion

Las Vegas Desert Dogs to Select 14 Players In Expansion Draft July 7

As the club prepares for its inaugural NLL season, the Las Vegas Desert Dogs will take the first major step in building their roster via the league’s Expansion Draft. General Manager and Head Coach Shawn Williams will oversee the team’s 14 selections from among the available players not protected by the other 14 NLL teams. The Desert Dogs’ selections will be announced July 7.

The league’s 14 other franchises must submit their respective lists of protected players by Thursday, June 23 by 12pm ET. No team can lose more than one player via the Expansion Draft.

“The Expansion Draft will not only help in stocking the Las Vegas Desert Dogs with exciting, talented players from among the deep reserves of the best lacrosse stars in the world, but it will also serve as a further introduction of the new, vibrant franchise to the lacrosse community,” said Brian Lemon, NLL Executive VP, Lacrosse Operations. “We know from the experience of last year’s Panther City Lacrosse Club Expansion Draft that there are many outstanding players in the NLL that a team can quickly become a contender through these selections even in its first year.”

Additional ways for Las Vegas to build its roster prior to its inaugural game this fall include, signing free agents starting on August 1st, the NLL Entry Draft, and player trades with other teams.

For the latest scores and developments about the National Lacrosse League, please visit: NLL.com and find the NLL on FacebookInstagram, and Twitter.

About the National Lacrosse League

The National Lacrosse League (NLL) is North America’s premier professional lacrosse league. Founded in 1986, the NLL ranks third in average attendance for pro indoor sports worldwide, behind only the NHL and NBA. The League is comprised of 15 franchises across the United States and Canada: Albany FireWolves, Buffalo Bandits, Calgary Roughnecks, Colorado Mammoth, Georgia Swarm, Halifax Thunderbirds, Las Vegas Desert Dogs, New York Riptide, Panther City Lacrosse Club (TX), Philadelphia Wings, Rochester Knighthawks, San Diego Seals, Saskatchewan Rush, Toronto Rock, and Vancouver Warriors.

For more information, visit NLL.com and find @NLL on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For more information visit NLL.com.

Panther City Lacrosse To Select 13 Players In National Lacrosse League Expansion Draft On June 29th

As it prepares for its first action in December, Panther City Lacrosse Club (PCLC) will take the first major step in stocking its roster via the National Lacrosse League (NLL) Expansion Draft, to be held on Wednesday, June 29, beginning at 7pm ET from the Omni Fort Worth ballroom (1300 Houston St., Ft. Worth, TX). Managing Partner Greg Bibb, General Manager & VP, Lacrosse Operations Bob Hamley, and Head Coach Tracey Kelusky will oversee the team’s 13 selections from among available players not protected by other NLL teams.

The National Lacrosse League (@NLL), the largest and most successful professional lacrosse property in the world, will broadcast the Expansion Draft Selection Show, hosted by Devan Kaney, live via the league’s YouTube channel.

Numerous dignitaries will call each of the 13 selections, including Hamley, Bibb, Kelusky (virtual), #1 WNBA draft pick Dallas Wings’ Charli Collier, future box lacrosse stars representing DFW region youth lacrosse organizations and more. A live audience will be on hand, including PCLC front office staff, partners, season ticket holders and area youth lacrosse players.

“We’ve had a number of Expansion Drafts over the last 4 years and here we are once again for NLL’s 14th team, the Panther City Lacrosse Club. It’s an exciting time for North Texas fans to see which players will become a part of the inaugural team,” said NLL Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz. “There is so much talent across the league and many outstanding players available to help Coach Kelusky build a competitive team. It’s an important night for PCLC and there will be strong viewership of fans, players, and coaches watching across the league.”

The league’s 13 other franchises have submitted their respective lists of protected players, which are available at NLL.com.

The league last held an Expansion Draft prior to the 2019-20 season, as the New York Riptide and Rochester Knighthawks formed the beginnings of their respective squads.

Additional ways for PLCC to build their roster heading into Faceoff Weekend (December 3rd-4th, 2021) include: signing any free agents starting on August 1st, the NLL Entry Draft (Late Summer/Fall 2021), and player trades with other teams.

For the most up to date information and breaking news, sign up for the NLL newsletter at NLL.com. Also follow Deputy Commissioner Jessica Berman and Commissioner Sakiewicz on Twitter @JessicaBerman1 and @NLLcommish, respectively.

For more information on the NLL, visit NLL.com. You can also find @NLL on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

NLL Adds Fort Worth As 14th Lax Franchise

by Jesse Liptzin, special to The Daily Payoff

For the first time in 2020, a Men’s Professional Sports League in North America has added a new team. The National Lacrosse League is going to be expanding into Fort Worth Texas with the announcement coming this past Wednesday by Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz and the DFW region-based ownership group in Greg Bibb and Bill Cameron, two people very experienced in owning a sports franchise.

“We welcome Fort Worth as our 14th team and are excited to be working with a first-class organization led by Bill Cameron, Greg Bibb, and the leadership at Dickies Arena, one of the premier state-of-the-art facilities in the United States,” Sakiewicz said in a media teleconference announcing the addition of the franchise.

Bibb and Cameron also are part owners in the highly successful WNBA team, the Dallas Wings. The two businessmen have yet to release a name or team colors, but say it will have something to do with Fort Worth and the area.

“We are committed to an identity that has a Forth Worth bent, but also something that is a little untraditional,” Bibb said.

This is the NLL’s second team in the Southern part of America joining the Georgia Swarm. The team won’t officially start play for another 18 months (2021-22 season), but this isn’t unusual as the NLL has a rule, new teams need at least 12 months before actual play can begin.

The new team will be playing at Dickies Arena which recently opened in 2019.

“Dickies Arena is excited to add the NLL to its event list,” said TDMC’s Matt Homan, President and General Manager of Dickies Arena. “We believe there is a solid ownership team along with the strength of the NLL. We are looking forward to working with Bill and Greg’s team locally to make sure that the Fort Worth community has a long term franchise.”

This was interesting because even though the NLL has never had a team in Texas many lacrosse teams in other leagues have failed in the area. However, Forth Worth is the 13th largest city in America and hosts plenty of sporting events between NASCAR, Gymnastics, and more.

“Fort Worth is a world-class sports destination and we are excited to welcome the National Lacrosse League franchise to our community and our spectacular new Dickies Arena,” said Jason Sands, Director, Fort Worth Sports Commission.

The NLL is the largest and longest-running professional lacrosse league so expanding the number of teams is nothing new to them. Just after the last team was added two conferences were formed. With the new addition, the 14 teams may transition into three conferences.

“In all likelihood Fort Worth will be the only expansion team headed into the following season, although you never know with us,” Sakiewicz said. “Sometimes we have been known to add two teams at a time.”

News on the 2020 NLL draft and other important information having to do with the 35th NLL season will be announced later this year.