What happened to the NY saints?

[lacrossefreak]

What happened to the NY saints?

[stegmakk]

Gongas wants to sell the team...but they couldnt find a buyer in time...or somethin like that...its a shame...but the cloud has a silver lining...at least i know gongas won't own the team later :)

[Hooligan]

Be patient. New York WILL have a team next year in the NLL. This is the only way the NLL could oust Mike Gongas from the league completely. An investor is all the team needs, and there are interested parties.

[8-ball]

nething about another team in ohio? or even in detroit? i know detroit used to have one also.

[Hooligan]

Yes, Detroit had the Turbos until about 1996. But financial difficulties took that team away.

The NLL isn't too interested in re-exploring old markets yet. They need to stablize themselves with quality markets (and when I say quality, I'm not talking about 6-8,000 per game...more like 10,000+). When the NLL gets that over a period of maybe 5 years, then they can get back into markets like Columbus and Detroit which worked, but failed due to ownership.

Don't give up hope, you'll see the NLL back someday. It is run much better than it was even as soon as last year. But this will be a test this season. If any markets fail to meet expectations, then the team will be removed and placed elsewhere. The NLL will no longer tolerate incompetence in ownership. Next year the NLL will be at least 12 teams big, as NY and Minnesota will join (not official yet, but count on it, unless something catestrophic happens). New York is a unique situation, as they have investors who are interested at resurecting the Saints, but couldn't meet certain deadlines.

Patience with the NLL. It will be in a town near you...hopefully real soon!

[8-ball]

well thats good to hear, whatever will help the league get bigger is fine w/ me. r they putting the new NY team in NYC or buffulo again? it could do pretty well in NYC. they definetly like their sports there. it would be cool to add an NLL tema there, especially w/ how many ppl r there.

[Hooligan]

Buffalo still has the Bandits. The Bandits are in a bit of a pinch (with the ownership problems of the Buffalo Sabres, who own them. But the Sabres have a new ownership group which is pretty strong now). But I can say that they will be just fine, as the Bandits always seem to have a good team.

And yes, the new (well, not really) New York team will be in NYC. Basically, the team will be the same franchise as the New York Saints. The personnell will be completely different, and the name might change (still don't know), but the team will most likely continue to be located on the Island. Madison Square Garden is way too expensive to rent, and make a profit in the NLL (they've tried). Besides, the majority of lacrosse fans are on the Island anyway. The Saints only had attendance and financial problems after Mike Gongas bought them. He was the owner from Hell, and the NLL did what they had to do, to oust him from the league completely. Though, Gongas is still considered an investing partner in the Arizona team (which has yet to be named, officially).

[8-ball]

thats cool, its smart to put team in NYC b/c of the population there. it would really spread if they have a good owner. Gongas should be dragged out to the country side and left there. what a terrible owner. but thats cool, its good to know that the NLL is going to get bigger, now the MLL just needs to catch up, which i know they will eventually. do u anything about the NLL games being on tv at all this season? or wat the arizona team name will be yet?

[Hooligan]

The NLL will air games on Sportsnet in Canada. Locally, each team will air a collection of games on local networks. Nationally in America, there is no TV deal.

And the Arizona name is not a push issue yet. They still have plenty of time, and will not rush with that yet. So, no juice yet...stay tuned!

[8-ball]

thats cool, i really hope that espn or sum network like that decides to help and air games, i really wanna watch them.

[mightymouth]

Watch for a TV deal with ESPN in 05.

It is still possible to get one for 04 but I will not hold my breath on that one.