What is going on with the Barrage?

[gordie]

What is going on with the Barrage? I am hearing that a major announcment will be coming next week. Anyone?

[njone42]

where did you here that?

[NYoldlax]

I think the lawyers got ahold of this one and it may be a while. I heard they have folded for next year. Maybe a relocation or something else but the guy said it was too late to do it for 08. Hopefully for 09 as the team is too good to disappear.

[MaKiMaKi13]

Philadelphia Barrage fans, you may want to hold off on purchasing those season tickets for 2008. Now that doesn’t mean you won’t be buying them eventually; but with a possible move out of the Philly area for next season still looming, the name of the game at this point, all the way up to the top, remains “wait and see.”

“There might be some change in ownership, but that’s easier said than done in any league,” said Barrage general manager Keith Mecca. “If the right owners don’t step up, and the right situation isn’t there, then there’s a possibility that the franchise will move.”

But on the other hand…

“There’s also a myriad of possibilities that it [a move out of Philly] won’t happen,” continued Mecca. “It’s like there are four choices right now and a 25% chance that any of them could happen.”

So for now, the best thing to do is keep the credit card in the wallet, crank up the Tom Petty, and sing along: The waiting is the hardest part…


http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2007/11/27/its-wait-and-see-for-philly-barrage/

[jbear]

Seeing as Philadelphians do a mass exodus to the shore each summer, I think a move out east, maybe Va Beach or similar, is the best option. Or send them to Dallas or Seattle (instead of starting a new franchise in one of those spots).

"Seattle Barrage" sounds good to me.

[8-ball]

i think if they move again, they should change the name maybe. could be good.

[Wooks]

Or send them to Dallas or Seattle (instead of starting a new franchise in one of those spots).

"Seattle Barrage" sounds good to me.

Truueeee dat. Plus, they're probably losing the sonics anyways.

[laxmiddi307]

I hope they move and get new jerseys. i dont like them.

[kleinlax-75]

yea really and what kind of mascot is the barrage? i mean the pride and the riptide and the outlaws thats gnarly but what exactly is a barrage? but yea in us lacrosse magazine it said something about hem moving to probably dallas but it was a sure thing at all, we'll see come summer time but hopefully sooner than that

[jbear]

Truueeee dat. Plus, they're probably losing the sonics anyways.

Yeah, the Sonics are as good as gone, although NBA is Winter/Spring while MLL is summer, so not sure there'd be any benefit to an MLL team by losing the Sonics. Different story if talking about an NLL team... Seattle Sting?

[groundballs1111]

Anyone know what the story is with the Philly team? Is the fact that they did not conduct any picks hint that the franchise might be folding? Where are the guys with the inside track on the Philly lax scene?

[Prof. Mushroom]

http://insidelacrosse.com/page.cfm?pagerid=2&news=fdetail&storyid=171539
Interesting development...

[cgbates14]

Jacksonville Barrage would be nice....its at least warm down here

[shiftylax]

Maybe their front office was on vacation...oh, wait they take vacations during the season, nevermind...

[Bretmac]

know what be cool if they came to ontario

[THE_1protector]

i think they will get moved to dallas. there is already a box team in Portland, why put a field team right next to it? Dallas Barrage sounds cool too.

[OldGoalie]

The bottom line is that, unfortunately, the Barrage just aren't viable in Philly, economically at least. There just isn't the right combination of location and timing to make the team profitable in this region. My guess is the league will take over the team and they'll travel.

[Dlax44]

i think they will move to new jersey..i know nj already has the pride but its a growing sport and there are plenty of other sports teams with more than one team in their state

[groundballs1111]

Lacrosse fans in New Jersey can't even support the Pride. Why should the league add another team to that state? If anything, the MLL shouldn't have any team in NJ.

[westlakelax17]

i think they will move to new jersey..i know nj already has the pride but its a growing sport and there are plenty of other sports teams with more than one team in their state

If the pride bring in low numbers to their games in the first place, then if they would move the barrage to NJ, both teams would be splitting the small amount of MLL fans in New Jersey. The only reason California has 2 teams is because the state is so big that you need 2 teams to support the entire state.

[longstickmid20]

I hope the Barrage stay. Philly is a good spot to have a team and the closest to me.

[PcLax35]

As a philadelphian i dont think they will move(its the only freaken team winning championships) i think they will just take the year off and then come back, also if they were moved to dallas doesnt matter if they won 2 back to back championships in philly all philly fans that follow lacrosse and football(which is 98% of there fans in philly) will lose all respect for them. Also they wont go to NJ because they have the pride. And i doubt they will go to ontario because canada is more of a box country for professional. But like i said they wont move them again, they will just take the year off...or just like wait till the last second. Not like they needed those draft picks, dont fix what aint broke.

[rider]

My opinion is that there's really nowhere for the Barrage to move to, it'd just be a parallel move, it won't improve anything. Philadelphia may not seem like a great professional lacrosse market, but seriously, what markets in America are anyway?

[laxer6]

The MLL needs to do something about the Barrage. It's the best team in this leagues short history. But could you imagine that dispersal draft. Big guns like Spallina,Boyle and Streibel going high and stars of tomorrow like Zash,Smith and Possner in later rounds.

[PcLax35]

there wont be a dispersal draft...if the team is moved everyone stays on the team, if they take the year off then everyone stays on the team. It not like there gettin paid millions of dollars anyway, they get what like a average of 20k a season if that. This is why they all have real jobs incase this happens. Plus i dont think any of the players would wanna change to another team just because the barrage want the year off or want to move.

[Orangeville]

Keith Mecca is no longer the barrage gm. He is now focused on finding a buyer for the struggling barrage. The barrage have suspended operations.

[PcLax35]

yea i heard that to, im pretty upset.

[NBCLAX23]

that doesnt mak any sense why say I hope they hange their city namend uniform, and mascot? You might aswell just expand and kep the barrage in philly

[gordie]

If they fold, who will be picked first in the dispersal draft? Dougherty, Boyle, Striebel, Spallina or Sweeney?

[colax]

If they fold, who will be picked first in the dispersal draft? Dougherty, Boyle, Striebel, Spallina or Sweeney?

I guess it depends on what the draft order will be. But here are my guesses. this is assuming that Colsey is retired
1-Brian Dougherty- you just cant find another goalie like him anywhere
2-Ryan Boyle- makes everyone around him better
3 Matt Striebel- one of the best middies in the league
4-Kyle Sweeney-
5-Andy Corno-Good Face off men are hard to find
6-Brian Spallina
7-Justin Smith
8-Matt Zash
9-Mike Springer
10-Brett Moyer
11-Jed Prossner
12- Joe Ceglia
13-Kevin Cassesse- who knows if he will keep playing now that he is a head coach

[Terry]

I talked to a couple people inside the Barrage organization today, and it seems like the smart money says there won't be an MLL season in Philly.

http://www.insidelacrosse.com/page.cfm?pagerid=2&news=fdetail&storyid=172169

Also, a number of the players I spoke with both on and off the record are really angry and most are saying they won't play next year if they don't come back as the Barrage in Philadelphia.

http://www.insidelacrosse.com/page.cfm?pagerid=2&news=fdetail&storyid=172170

Regardless of what ends up happening, (and remember mid-October and the NLL? Anything can still happen) this is a pretty bad mess.

What do you think? My initial impression is that, looking up and down the roster, it's hard for any pro league to call itself such without guys like Matt Striebel, Roy Colsey, Ryan Boyle, Kyle Sweeney, Brian Spallina and Brian Dougherty taking part.

The other thing I gleaned was how hurt these guys will be if they're denied the opportunity to play with each other. They all talked about how much fun their championship party was this weekend, and it really sounds like they enjoy being around each other so much.

Feel free to use this thread to keep up on what's going on in Philly, and I'll try to put up some more not-suitable-for-print tidbits that come my way here.

[laxer6]

Crazy idea, what if NLL outdoor buy the contracts to all these players and assigns most of the team to a squad in let's say Philadelphia. I'm pretty sure when the MLL first came out they assigned players to squads.Now what if the NLL outdoor league can keep 60-75% of this team together and starts bringing in top canadian talent. The dispersal of the Barrage could break the MLL.

[GoofyLaxer]

I've been out of it... but I didn't realize Philly wasn't doing well. You would think some of the success in indoor would transcend to the outdoor league. Is any team really doing that well, other than CO? Seems like Washington's days are numbered.

[rider]

There really isn't a team that is doing well except Colorado in MLL, they are all on shaky financial ground. Even Rochester, who's always been one of the stable franchises, is almost going off the deep end because their owners are losing millions of dollars due to the soccer stadium they put money into.

[tholland10]

The Barrage is a cursed franchise...Going to untested waters in Seattle or Dallas would be risky, but I think both places are worth trying to place a team. What ever happened to Columbus? They hosted a championship game. I think Florida is a good option too.

[redskinsatheart]

cannons can't be doing that bad...they're in a failry low key facility and get tons of fans (their average per game was higher than everyone except the outlaws)

[redskinsatheart]

wow im glad that jsut posted on a completely different thread than the one i was on...

[rider]

cannons can't be doing that bad...they're in a failry low key facility and get tons of fans (their average per game was higher than everyone except the outlaws)
You know honestly, we have no idea just how well even the Outlaws are doing, we just assume they're doing alright because they're doing great at the box office and they're owned by a sports billionaire who probably wouldn't care if he got a small loss. Without any TV revenues, minor league sports teams are always on alert financially, even with great sponsorship and attendance.

[8-ball]

yeah i was at that championship game in columbus. great stadium, great crowd, overall, im surprised they havent put one there yet. they were going to, but they didnt sell enough season tickets or something.i think thats a good place for a team. dont move the barrage though. i feel itll be cursed as well.

[Wavelax4]

Im guessing that within the next 10 years or so, the NLL will take over. My explanation isn't really going to go too in-depth, but with this new outdoor lacrosse league that doesn't have only two equiptment suppliers, and probably a higher popularity because of it's indoor success, MLL players might be more tempted to join in, and the NLL could have two championships in the year, Indoor and Outdoor and keep the same teams. I think that the outdoor should be regular outdoor lax, and the indoor should be box.

[laxer6]

It's starting to become obvious that the MLL can not control it's franchises. A team that won back to back championships is probably not going to exsist much longer, so how many other teams do we have to worry about falling apart? the best thing for the MLL would be to sell it's teams to the NLL. NLL keeps the 10 teams we have now adds on a couple more and should probably keep the name MLL(NLL outdoor sounds so stupid). Now a 16 team outdoor lacrosse team with two live games on espn a week and management that markets, think of what could happen. We could be seeing games on NBC within 3 years. With the shot clock and 2 point shots lacrosse is very marketable to people not involved in the sport and if the pro league is exposed to people not on this forum the potential is endless. The success of bothe leagues will carry over into each other, salaries will raise and we might be the video game we have been crying about for so long. We need to stop arguing over which one is better and help each other out. Box or field lacrosse is still lacrosse and until the MLL and NLL team up were just fans watching part time pros play the sport they love while we sit there and wonder is this team going to be around next year.

[JohnsHopkins16]

This sounds odd because the Barrage are the really only consistently challenging team... sorta like the lizards from years ago...the only thing is that their stadium is terrible...nothing else wrong with the barrage

[rider]

yeah i was at that championship game in columbus. great stadium, great crowd, overall, im surprised they havent put one there yet. they were going to, but they didnt sell enough season tickets or something.i think thats a good place for a team. dont move the barrage though. i feel itll be cursed as well.
The reason MLL Columbus didn't happen doesn't have anything to do with ticket sales or anything. Lamar Hunt (RIP) inquired into an MLL franchise to put in Columbus, and may have been one of the first investors to inquire about MLL. But for some reason, he decided not to pursue it, so the matter was put to rest.

[oviedolax]

i think that it should be in florida, that would be awesome

[Orangeville]

Im guessing that within the next 10 years or so, the NLL will take over. My explanation isn't really going to go too in-depth, but with this new outdoor lacrosse league that doesn't have only two equiptment suppliers, and probably a higher popularity because of it's indoor success, MLL players might be more tempted to join in, and the NLL could have two championships in the year, Indoor and Outdoor and keep the same teams. I think that the outdoor should be regular outdoor lax, and the indoor should be box.



NLL OUTDOOR IS DEAD AND HAS BEEN DEAD FOR AWHILE. They killed NLL outdoor plans when gait took the job at SU.

[OldGoalie]

I'm amused at the suggestion that the NLL should take over the MLL seeing as how the NLL barely could put on a season this year with its labor issues. In reality, although there are some reasonably "succesful" NLL franchises, few, if any, are making much money, and as they say, it's hard to "make it up through volume" if the profit margin is zero to begin with. Zero x a large number is still zero.

[Prof. Mushroom]

New developments. The MLL has taken over the Barrage for this summer. They will play this year. This is on IL's website - http://www.insidelacrosse.com/page.cfm?pagerid=2&news=fdetail&storyid=172629

Barrage on for '08

January 11, 2008
Terry Foy

Inside Lacrosse has confirmed that Major League Lacrosse has taken control of the Philadelphia Barrage and will operate the team this summer, avoiding the dispersal draft that had worried team members late last month.

According to a memo sent out by the League Friday morning, the Barrage will play at least four, if not all of their scheduled home games outside of Philadelphia, likely in promotional markets across the United States.

The memo also said that MLL considers the Barrage’s continued operation “in the best interest of the League,” a point emphasized by Barrage players rallying for the team’s preservation.

According to defenseman Kyle Sweeney, defenseman Brian Spallina spearheaded the fight to save the team, emphatically advancing the issue to Commissioner Dave Gross.

“I think the league was indifferent about it, and there was no urgency,” Sweeney said. “But I think when Brian took the initiative, he got them actively seeking a solution. It was a dead issue for four or five months, Brian makes a phone call and now we have a solution.”

While every Barrage player contacted was excited that an agreement was reached, reactions were mixed on playing a schedule scattered throughout North America.

“I think [traveling] is great the league,” midfielder Justin Smith said, noting that fans attending Barrage “home” games will have the opportunity to see the two-time defending champions. “I think it’s great for the growth of the sport. I think it’s good for the guys. Most of us aren’t really coming from Philly anyway, so it doesn’t matter too much where we play. But mostly, I think it’s great for the league.”

Gross said Friday afternoon that decisions regarding the Barrage, including their front office and player personnel decisions, are currently under the control of the MLL, and no decision has been made as to who will ultimately operate the franchise. He added that the Barrage’s former management system has been replaced by the League, and that no player personnel decisions will be made until a general manager is put in place by the League.

Whether head coach Tony Resch will return to the team is unknown at this time, though Sweeney said he would be surprised if he did.

“I don’t know if Tony will stay on board, I don’t know why he would. If I were him, I wouldn’t. Everything he touches turns to gold and he’s got three kids, he doesn’t need to be traveling every weekend.”

Pressed about the idea of a player-coach, Sweeney said, “I’d take that in a heartbeat. First rule: no practices.”

[JLLOMMER]

i think if they find a succesful spot in texas they should stick them there. Dallas Barrage just rolls off the tongue so nicely.

[laxray14]

I hope the Barrage stay. Philly is a good spot to have a team and the closest to me.

me to its close and its only a like 25 min drive from where im at.

[sapgar15]

they used to play in bridgeport ct they might move back there that would be nice

[Prof. Mushroom]

they used to play in bridgeport ct they might move back there that would be nice

What? Where did you hear that? Or do you just mean you want them to move back? Do you really think they are going to move back there when it didn't work out before. Plus there are many other locations that are probably better locations to move the team to.

[flyersrule9733]

why dont they move into Lincoln financial? there isnt much going on there in the summer besides maybe soccer.

i would go to more games if it was there

[laxn]

^ its far too big of a venue. And why are people saying the NLL is more stable, the whole NLL nearly had to miss a season not just one team. Probably the best for both would be some kind of merger in a few years, with one management for both leagues but the continuation of an indoor and outdoor league. It will be hard to keep the leagues around though, I'm actually surprised the MLL has lasted this long without many problems.

[PeteyLax13]

they used to play in bridgeport ct they might move back there that would be nice

I was a ball boy at the first MLL Championship in B-Port and they couldn't even fill a high school stadium. There is no way the Barrage would ever move back there. As for this whole cross-country tour idea for the Barrage would be great, it would open so many people's eyes to the sport. I would love to see them come to Dallas even if it were for just a game.

[phillybarrage21]

why dont they move into Lincoln financial? there isnt much going on there in the summer besides maybe soccer.

i would go to more games if it was there

well i used to work for the barrage til they moved to dowingtown which is too far for me but i asked Mecca why not and the main problem is
6 figure price per game (maintence of field, concessions, staff for the game, etc) which will cause basically no profit since the most they have ever gotten was during the ncaa championships when they were in philly so take nova stadium capacity and divide it by half and thats roughly what the attendance was. Which at villanova not counting those days ranged anywhere between 2000 to on a excellent day approx 2800 or so. but the high end days were rare.