The National Lacrosse League’s westward movement continued Wednesday when it announced plans for an expansion franchise in Edmonton, Alberta.
Unlike recent expansion or relocations to Colorado, Minnesota, Arizona, San Jose, Calif., and Anaheim, Calif., the Edmonton franchise will not be aligned with the local NHL team. With the addition of Edmonton, the league has 11 teams.
“My consideration of that market is that there are tremendous sports fans in Edmonton,” Mammoth general manager Steve Govett said. “They’ve supported the Oilers and the Eskimos of the CFL.”
In the past three years, the 19-year-old league has gained unprecedented sponsorship, TV coverage and attendance, averaging more than 10,000 in six cities, including 17,123 in Toronto and 17,035 in Colorado. However, stability remains an issue. Teams have come and gone in Baltimore, New York, New Jersey, Detroit, New England, Pittsburgh, Boston, Charlotte, N.C., Syracuse, N.Y., Washington, Ontario, Albany, N.Y., Ottawa, Columbus, Ohio, Montreal and Vancouver, British Columbia.
The deadline for expansion is June 1, and there’s a possibility of one team relocating. There are two expansion applications pending.
