Expansion and Relocation
In July 2007, the Vancouver Ravens were conditionally approved for a 2008 return; the conditions included selling at least 2,500 season tickets and finding a suitable arena lease by July 19, 2007. On July 16, 2007, the Vancouver Ravens announced an agreement with Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment to make GM Place (now Rogers Arena) the home venue of the Ravens, if they are able to meet the season ticket sales requirement. However, just a few days later, the NLL announced that the Ravens would not play in the 2008 season. Although a local tabloid made mention of a potential return in 2011 for the team, Commissioner Daniel announced that there would be no expansion in 2011.
A number of cities and potential ownership groups have expressed interest in expansion franchises:
- After high attendance of over 20,000 fans at the 2007 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Jennings says that the league will "definitely consider expanding to Halifax, for sure."
On June 17, 2009, the San Jose Stealth announced their relocation to Everett, Washington, north of Seattle, for the 2010 season. The newly renamed Washington Stealth play their home games at the Comcast Arena at Everett. In their first season in Everett the Stealth won the league title.
On August 10, 2009, the New York Titans announced the team's move to Orlando, Florida, to become the Orlando Titans.
Commissioner George Daniel announced on March 31, 2010, that there would be no expansion for the 2011 season.
In July 2010, the Orlando Titans announced that they would not participate in the 2011 season due to ownership restructuring.
In late summer 2011, the Boston Blazers suspended operations for the 2012 season. However, as of May 31, 2012, GM and team president Doug Reffue stated that the Blazers ownership is in negotiations with a local New England group. With the intentions of either selling the team or entering in a partnership with this group, Reffue added that the Blazers could return for the 2014 season.
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Famous quotes containing the words expansion and and/or expansion:
“We are caught up Mr. Perry on a great wave whether we will or no, a great wave of expansion and progress. All these mechanical inventions—telephones, electricity, steel bridges, horseless vehicles—they are all leading somewhere. It’s up to us to be on the inside in the forefront of progress.”
—John Dos Passos (1896–1970)
“The fundamental steps of expansion that will open a person, over time, to the full flowering of his or her individuality are the same for both genders. But men and women are rarely in the same place struggling with the same questions at the same age.”
—Gail Sheehy (20th century)