The NLL is bush league because...

[tastycakes]

I'm a huge soccer fan as well, and spent the summer watching a lot of MLS stuff. Their image and approach is so much more professional than the NLL. I'm sick of going to nll.com and seeing glarring errors or the host of other bush league things they've pulled over the years. So I thought this thread might be interesting and funny. So I'll kick things off...

The NLL is bush league, becasue... outside of RBK, who basically owns the league, their only other major sponsor appears to be SUPER CUTS!!! My kid was sponsored by Super Cuts this past summer for christs sakes! Is this house league soccer or an attempt at professionalism?!?!?

[RockStar]

The NLL is bush league because they allow goofy team names and logos.

Whoever let this stuff through, really SUX at his job.

[tastycakes]

The NLL is bush league because they allow goofy team names and logos.

Whoever let this stuff through, really SUX at his job.
Definitely agree. It's almost as if 40 and 50 something year old men and attempting to be cool and coming up with these lame *** names. Oh wait, that is what's happening. A ninja, come on guys, are you serious? Or the Swarm logo looks like a crap swirling down the can for chirsts sakes.

[tastycakes]

One more for the night...

The NLL is bush league becasue... almost half of last year's tv broadcast of the champions cup was either a blue screen or had no audio, and when there was audio it was profanity laced language from the players on the floor who were mic'd

[RockStar]

One more for the night...

The NLL is bush league becasue... almost half of last year's tv broadcast of the champions cup was either a blue screen or had no audio, and when there was audio it was profanity laced language from the players on the floor who were mic'd

:chuckle: Normally the cheezy arena rock keeps the foul language off TV, but ESPN outsmarted themselves by putting the mic on Bandit's head coach Darris F. Kilgour. Ooops!

OK, my next one:

The NLL is bush because they claim the MILL's history as their own, yet selectively ignore parts of it whenever it suits them to.

(Pat Coyle has fantastic numbers for a guy serving a "lifetime" suspension! :agree: )

[Pitibear]

Now I'm bummed...

...simply 'cause I like the indoor game better than actual box or field...here's hoping the NLL can upgrade their act...on the plus side, there does seem to be legitimate money being put into the individual franchises...I am comparing to the (very) old MISL of the 70's/80's durig their initial explosive over-expansion period...the NLL does appear to be solid in this regard...

and, hey, man, don't be one of those guys who thinks 27 is old, eh?

[aussielax]

I'm a huge soccer fan as well, and spent the summer watching a lot of MLS stuff. Their image and approach is so much more professional than the NLL. I'm sick of going to nll.com and seeing glarring errors or the host of other bush league things they've pulled over the years. So I thought this thread might be interesting and funny. So I'll kick things off...

The NLL is bush league, becasue... outside of RBK, who basically owns the league, their only other major sponsor appears to be SUPER CUTS!!! My kid was sponsored by Super Cuts this past summer for christs sakes! Is this house league soccer or an attempt at professionalism?!?!?

Dude the MLS isn't the best comparison I mean as far as soccer goes it's a "bush" league.

[b-waterlax]

Dude the MLS isn't the best comparison I mean as far as soccer goes it's a "bush" league.

Ya, comparing the NLL to MLS makes the NLL look like the NFL.

Other than that I just think the team names should definatly be changed.

[tastycakes]

Dude the MLS isn't the best comparison I mean as far as soccer goes it's a "bush" league.
EXACTLY!!! So something you already deem as bush league is head and shoulders in their approach to professionalism. Compared to Euro leagues, yes it's bush, but as far as leagues are run in North Amercia, it's not too shabby. Their site blows the newly revamped nll.com, the product is great (their playoffs games were awesome this year) and their tv deals are way better than the nll. If you think the MLS is bush, where does that leave the NLL.

[tastycakes]

Ya, comparing the NLL to MLS makes the NLL look like the NFL.

Other than that I just think the team names should definatly be changed.
LOL. You might wanna tell the players that then. Take a look at this link. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/mls/longterm/2006/mls.salaries.html
There are single players that are making almost as much as the entire NLL roster. Trust me guys, the NLL is a far way away from the MLS.

[Nigel_Tufnel]

Soccer had a head start on lacrosse as far as popularity is concerned. Thus, even though the NLL is technically older than the MLS, the MLS had a lot of eager fans ready for the first true American soccer league. Thus, it took off quicker, was better funded, and had a larger fanbase. All things considered, the NLL has done pretty well, and now that lacrosse is growing in popularity, it should expand in the next few years.

In my opinion, here are some things to look for as signs of a "bush league" becoming ready for mainstream:

1) Major networks showing games (NBC, Fox, ESPN, Fox Sports).

2) Advertisements in non-sport specific publications (SI, ESPN Mag, etc).

3) Major cities with teams, with little or no minor cities. That is, you know you're in trouble when there are teams from places like Walla Walla, Boise, and Fargo, but only a handful of major cities.

4) All teams play in well known arenas or stadiums and not second rate ones like Nassau (exception for cities that do not have a first class venue).

5) At least one player from the league has advertised something not related to the sport and does not involve cutting the tape at a car dealership or supermarket.

6) Has good team names.

Thus, we can see the NLL is getting there, but still has a ways to go.

[Big_DALZIEL]

ok guys nll is not bush league man it better then soccer like man wow what a wuss sport at least you need to have some skill and pills to play lax , they also have lots of sponsors such as molson canadian (the finest beer in all the land) and wendys , brine , and gait like derka derka

[RockStar]

Good thread-starting post transcribed from a rival message board that shall remain nameless:



NLL Bush League Factor

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I came a cross an interesting website www.bushleaguefactor.com which calculates the Bush League Factor for minor hockey team logos.

So… I can guess you know where this is going. I have decided to apply the same rules to the NLL logos. Here's the rankings I came up with. Low is good, high is not so good:

Portland: 45
Rochester: 33
Toronto (old): 32
Chicago: 31
Buffalo: 26
Calgary: 21
Toronto (new): 18
New York: 17
Colorado: 15
San Jose: 15
Arizona: 14
Minnesota: 9
Edmonton: 8
Philadelphia: 4

For starters, I thought San Jose and Edmonton would have been ranked higher (i.e. more bush league)

Summary - Portland and Chicago both get slammed because their name SUX. Rochester gets big points for a phony compound word as the team name, and excessive use of teal. Toronto's old logo is a guitar playing CN Tower, need I say more! Buffalo has colour issues (Happy Hallowe'en, LOSERS!) and an overly cartoony logo.

[livinglegend]

all i have to say is that you were rooting for soccer on an nll box forum :o
soccers ga y

[Hooligan]

Tastycakes and Rockstar are absolutely, positively, right. The NLL is a complete bush league.

But, its still full of cheeky shenannigans, which makes it quaint.

[rider]

ok guys nll is not bush league man it better then soccer like man wow what a wuss sport at least you need to have some skill and pills to play lax
Oh great, let's not turn this into one of those "this sport is more exciting..." or "this sport requires more skill..." type of arguments. Those are dead end threads with no winners.

[RockStar]

.......

But, its still full of cheeky shenannigans, which makes it quaint.

For many, it's certainly part of the charm.

[camthraxFHK]

there is nothing wrong with the lumberjax name. Shamrox however sux. haha. I think the jax is a respectable nickname for a team.

[RockStar]

there is nothing wrong with the lumberjax name. Shamrox however sux. haha. I think the jax is a respectable nickname for a team.
Whoever approved either or both names SuX at his job.

[WHEELAX2]

why make fun of something that at least puts lacrosse out there. What are you doing for the sport?

[RockStar]

.......What are you doing for the sport?
For amateur lacrosse, I do a whole lot more than what's listed below.

For pro lacrosse:

-I am a longtime and frequent customer.

-I've introduced a number of new fans to the NLL.

-I am an outspoken critic whenever I believe something has been done "wrong", and could have been done differently and better.

We all know that league and team officials read this board and the wingszone one, so it's a decent soapbox for voicing opinions.

Look, I don't hate the NLL. It's all we have, and in most ways it's good enough. That said, I feel that with the right people making the decisions it could be much more and much better than it is. To express that differently - I like it enough to care about it's future.

[turfburn]

The NLL is 100 times better than it was just 5 years ago. If you can't see that and expect it to be the NFL right your nuts. You complain, bark and talk like you could do better. If you could you would be taking Jim Jennings' job and I am pretty sure that is not going to happen.

If you are as close to the league as you think you are you would realize how many great things both the PLPA and Jim have done for the players, fans, league and lacrosse itself. This has all happened in the past 5 years...it doesnt happen over night but each day the path gets better and brighter.

Thanks Jim and thanks to the NLL and PLPA for your continued improvement of the game I love.

[rampartmiddie]

as far as the Xs go; come on we are the ones who have dubbed the sport LAX. so what did you eXpect.

Ok the league is not the best it could be but it is well on its way. I don't know about the rest of the teams but the lumberjax ownership is doing a first rate job. they are a real class act, they take care of the fans, they secured the rose garden ( which is a very respectable sports arena, blazers play there), they get the players out in the community, and they are on the news all the time. they are constantly trying to bring in new sponsers and improve their image in our community. bush league they are not. the players and owners of the teams in the NLL have more heart and love for their game than any other sport does.

[tastycakes]

there is nothing wrong with the lumberjax name. Shamrox however sux. haha. I think the jax is a respectable nickname for a team.
The lubmerjaX name is childish and a lame attempt at cashing in on the whole Generation X marketing trend (hey boys, you're about ten years too late on cashing in on that by the way). Shamrocks is a good name, but the X on it is dumb. And it's not like one team tried it, two recent teams do it, UNREAL.

[tastycakes]

why make fun of something that at least puts lacrosse out there. What are you doing for the sport?
I am a lifelong participant of the sport as a player and also a coach.

I convinced several of my friends to pick up the sport and in turn bring more people into the game.

I spent more money on equipment (even now) then I should have. And still do so for my son.

Have bought season tickets for almost ten years now in both Buffalo, Hamilton and Toronto.

Even after buying season tickets I have bought probably hundreds of extra tickets to entice new fans to the game.

I have probably spent easily over a K on apparel and other MILL and NLL merchandise for myself and gifts, sometimes to new fans to get them into the sport.

I have been supporting the sport of lacrosse, both amateur and professional, longer than Jim Jennings has even known the sport existed. What more do I have to do in your mind in order to have an opinion on how I feel the NLL is run??? My point, yes the NLL has helped grow the sport, I'm not a retard, I realize this, but can more or better work have been done. Hell yes!!!

[tastycakes]

The NLL is 100 times better than it was just 5 years ago. If you can't see that and expect it to be the NFL right your nuts. You complain, bark and talk like you could do better. If you could you would be taking Jim Jennings' job and I am pretty sure that is not going to happen.

If you are as close to the league as you think you are you would realize how many great things both the PLPA and Jim have done for the players, fans, league and lacrosse itself. This has all happened in the past 5 years...it doesnt happen over night but each day the path gets better and brighter.

Thanks Jim and thanks to the NLL and PLPA for your continued improvement of the game I love.
So are you saying that Jennings is the only man that can grow this game? If yes, grow up. I'm not denying Jennings has not done good things, sure he has, never said any different. But if you are content with the some of the utter crap this league has tossed at us, then forget this league getting any bigger than it is now. If you are content with constent spelling errors on nll.com, constant mistakes on the same site, embarassing broadcasts of games (I've seen high school hockey games on local public tv better than last year's final), childish team names that most people look at in their local papers and don't even bother with reading, a front office staff made up of college students, blurry candid pictures of a women and labelling it your Girl of the Week (and I could go on and on, this is just some recent weak attempts by the league), then I guess Jennings is your man. If we as fans who help make this game don't demand better than some of the above, the NLL will be laughed out of arenas at an even faster pace than at has over the years. Ask Monteal, Vancouver, Anaheim, Albany, Columbus, Washington, New Jersey and Ottawa (and likely San Jose, Arizona, and others) how the last five years have been, all cities lost on Jennings' watch. They probably don't share the same positive view of the growth of professional lacrosse.

[turfburn]

Exactly.

Those teams came in with Livsey and went out with Jennings. They either moved or were gone. Now the ownership model took a few years and now there is a good one in place that came in with Jennings. It doesn't happen over night. But the teams that have come in since Colorado have looked much better and have much stronger and deeper pockets to work with. Will they all work? No but i have seen empty buildings in canada during the summer as well.

I am sure a web site is not the biggest worry of the league. I am sure th VS. network game is up there as well as a larger league sponsorship base. The game on NBC was a huge step. It was a bad game and some bad play did show through but it's a start. We are talking 5 years here.....the NFL was the same in it's first 5 years under Rozelle.

Tell me if you did all this great work with Canadian lacrosse why didnt you help start a league like the NLL and watch it start to bloom? I am sure you have ideas and opinions..we all do but i think you just complain about things rather than help. I really don't see to many positive posts from you. Were you let go? Did you offer assistance and they turned you down?

I guess I am just confused on all of your animosity towards the league when I think that the league has grown and gotten better for the player, fan and owners in a very short period of time.

It's soooooo much easier to complain than it is to make a difference. Offering ideas is one thing while putting blame and makeing snide remarks ( Bush league for one)is another.

[Hooligan]

why make fun of something that at least puts lacrosse out there. What are you doing for the sport?
Being published in 2 magazines and several websites promoting lacrosse isn't enough for you? Well, despite the love/hate relationship some NLL personalities have with me, whatever you wanna call me, I've gone forth and promoted this league, and have participated in several situations raising thousands of dollars in the name of the NLL, and helped promote thousands of dollars for the NLL.

But other than that, I guess my opinion of the league isn't founded on anything.

[livinglegend]

i cant believe im on a lacrosse forum and seeing people support a soccer league over a lacrosse league. that is the worst thing i have ever seen. you dont deserve to be allowed to pick up a lacrosse stick. your probly the kid who cryes in practice when your teamate slashes you a little to hard or sits back and doesnt even play just rides the pine all year. good luck

www.soccerforums.com go there if you enjoy soccer so much

[livinglegend]

Oh great, let's not turn this into one of those "this sport is more exciting..." or "this sport requires more skill..." type of arguments. Those are dead end threads with no winners.

again lacrosse forum. hence lacrosse requires more skill and best sport in all the land. i think this guy had his shin guards on to tight and his mom forgot to bring his mirror to make sure his hair was good before the game

[Nigel_Tufnel]

Whoever approved either or both names SuX at his job.

I think other than the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago White Sox, they should keep x's out of logos.

[Hooligan]

i cant believe im on a lacrosse forum and seeing people support a soccer league over a lacrosse league. that is the worst thing i have ever seen. you dont deserve to be allowed to pick up a lacrosse stick. your probly the kid who cryes in practice when your teamate slashes you a little to hard or sits back and doesnt even play just rides the pine all year. good luck

www.soccerforums.com go there if you enjoy soccer so much
Here's some clarification...

No one on here is saying they enjoy soccer over lacrosse, it is said here that those who don't like how the NLL is run, are venting their concerns. You may want to re-read the posts in this thread, because I think you've SEVERELY misinterpereted the thread. As someone who chose to be on the inside of the NLL, and walked right back out, I have to say that the concerns expressed on this thread are mirrored by some of the teams that are presently still part of the NLL, as well as those who are no longer in the league. Trust me, in no way is the NLL without fault. The AFL and the NLL are both the same age, yet the AFL has more TV exposure and media coverage, with an EA Sports video game to boot, despite the fact that lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in America....not too good considering that the MLS was able to ride that wave in the 90's and get themselves a national TV deal that STUCK!

But thanks again for the suggestions...no one will consider them though.