Америкалық лакросс лигасының тарихы

Field lacrosse league that merged with the Premier Lacrosse League in 2020
the lacrosse league formerly known as the Major Indoor Lacrosse League

Major League Lacrosse (MLL) was a men's field lacrosse league in the United States. The league's inaugural season was in 2001. Teams played anywhere from ten to 16 games in a summertime regular season. This was followed by a four team playoff for the championship trophy, the Steinfeld Trophy, named after founder Jake Steinfeld. League attendance peaked at 6,417 in 2011 At the time of the announcement, the 2020 MLL champion Boston Cannons were announced as the only team continuing play in the 2021 season as members of the PLL. Their roster would be set via expansion draft and, following PLL style, dropping "Boston" from their name, becoming the Cannons Lacrosse Club.

MLL added four teams for the 2006 season, bringing the league's number of teams up to ten. The expansion markets were Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, and San Francisco, extending the league across the country and into top media markets. MLL combined the original six teams into the Eastern Conference and put the new teams into the Western Conference. The Los Angeles Riptide were owned by the Anschutz Entertainment Group and played its home games at the Home Depot Center. Denver Broncos' owner Pat Bowlen brought the Denver Outlaws to an NFL stadium, Mile High. The other new franchises were the Chicago Machine and the San Francisco Dragons. Despite winning championships in 2006 and 2007, Philadelphia didn't attract more than 2,500 fans to their games. So in 2008, the Barrage tested out new markets by playing all of its "home" matches in five other cities: Cary, North Carolina; Hillsboro, Oregon; Irving, Texas; St. Louis; and Virginia Beach. In addition, the Barrage's "home game" against the Cannons was played in Boston. At the end of the 2008 season, four teams – Los Angeles, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and San Francisco – folded due to financial problems. Several of these teams suffered from poor attendance, San Francisco drew 2,808 per game and only 1,920 in New Jersey. This contraction forced the remaining six teams to form one conference. The Rochester Rattlers won the 2008 Steinfeld Cup but like the Barrage, struggled at the gate. At the start of the 2009 season, a new ownership group in Toronto bought the rights to the Rochester franchise. The Toronto Nationals inherited the staff and players of the team, but the Rattlers' name and team colors were left in Rochester for the possibility of a future team. In 2010, the Bayhawks and Lizards met for the fifth time in the championship game. The Bayhawks prevailed 13–9, almost the same score as when they beat Long Island 15–9 five years earlier. The newly renamed Chesapeake Bayhawks went on to win two more championships in the next three years, in 2012 and 2013. Their five Steinfeld Cup trophies are the most in MLL history. The league's attendance peaked at 6,417 per game in the 2011 season. The individual franchises had a wide range of local support. Denver lead the league in attendance, drawing 12,331 fans per game in 2011, while the relocated Hamilton Nationals had 1,214 people per game, one tenth of Denver's attendance.

In late 2009, Kyle Harrison, Scott Hochstadt, Craig Hochstadt, Xander Ritz, and Max Ritz formed the LXM Pro Tour. The tour would feature two teams playing games across the country at special events involving the LXM Pro game and youth activities. The tour competed for players with the MLL as the more established league would not let players under contract play in other professional lacrosse events. On February 13, 2014, MLL announced a partnership with the LXM Pro Tour, a week after the league announced a new equipment deal with STX, a sponsor of one of the LXM Pro teams. The deal moved LXM to the MLL off season and allowed players to participate in both MLL and LXM. However, LXM Pro didn't hold any tour stops after the announcement.

During the early years of MLL, the league did not have any teams in the southeast. In January 2011, Commissioner David Gross announced that Charlotte, North Carolina, as well as Columbus, Ohio, were granted expansion teams for the 2012 season. The Ohio Machine and Charlotte Hounds opened play in April 2012, with both teams missing the playoffs in their inaugural season. With the expansion, the league grew to eight teams and expanded its schedule to fourteen games. In November 2013, the Hamilton Nationals folded and an expansion franchise was awarded to the Florida Launch for the 2014 season. The Launch inherited the Nationals roster. The Atlanta Blaze became the ninth MLL team in 2016. The Rattlers relocated [again] from Rochester, New York, in 2018 to Dallas, Texas, and began play as the Dallas Rattlers in 2018.

On April 1, 2019, just two months before the start of the season, the league announced that the Charlotte Hounds, Florida Launch, and Ohio Machine would not be playing in 2019. While the Hounds announced they would be back in 2021 under new ownership in a renovated stadium, the Launch and Machine effectively folded. The announcement dropped the league down to six teams, the fewest teams since 2011, and meant all remaining owners owned only one team. Jim Davis, owner of New Balance, had owned the Hounds, Launch, and Machine, but he now owns only the Dallas Rattlers. Also in 2019, MLL saw its first goal by a Japanese player, Kohta Kurashima, who is also the first Japanese born player in MLL history. The Rattlers ceased operations after the 2019 season. and the staff and roster were shifted to an expansion team called the Connecticut Hammerheads. The Atlanta Blaze also ceased operations after the 2019 season and were replaced by a resurrected Philadelphia Barrage. Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the league announced they would play a week long quarantined season in Annapolis at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium with no fans. Every team would play each other once (five total games) before a four team playoff as normal.

On December 16, 2020, it was announced that the MLL had agreed to merge all operations with the Premier Lacrosse League. Under this agreement, the leagues will operate as one under the "PLL" brand and model. In order to accommodate the influx of players the PLL will be expanding the league to include its eighth touring team, known as Cannons Lacrosse Club, paying homage to the 2020 MLL champions, the Boston Cannons. The roster of this new team was determined by the 2021 expansion draft.

A Major League Lacrosse Field is 110 yards long and 60 yards wide. The game is 60 minutes long, divided into four 15 minute quarters with 15 minute intermission at halftime, plus multiple 10 minute golden goal periods for regulation games ending in ties unless one team scores, which wins the game. Teams are required to dress twenty players, with ten players on the field at a time. MLL rules are based on NCAA rules with various changes. The most significant are a two point goal line from each goal, a 60 second shot clock, the elimination of the restraining box, and allowing dive shots. The shot clock was originally 45 seconds before it was changed to 60 seconds for the 2005 season. From the inception of the league to 2008, there was a limit of three long stick defensemen per team in order to promote scoring. Beginning in 2009, the league conformed to high school and college lacrosse rules and now allows four long–sticks per team on the field at any one time. 20 players dress for each regular season game.

Team City First season Last season Notes Atlanta Blaze Atlanta, Georgia 2016 2019 Boston Cannons Quincy, Massachusetts 2001 2020 The team joined the Premier Lacrosse League and was renamed to Cannons Lacrosse Club until returning to Boston when the PLL announced home cities for each team. Charlotte Hounds Charlotte, North Carolina 2012 2018 Inactive for 2019 and 2020 seasons Chesapeake Bayhawks Annapolis, Maryland 2001 2020 Baltimore Bayhawks 2001–2006, Washington Bayhawks 2007–2009 Chicago Machine Bridgeview, Illinois 2006 2010 Played final season as a traveling team Connecticut Hammerheads Fairfield, Connecticut 2020 2020 Dallas Rattlers Frisco, Texas 2001 2019 Originally Rochester Rattlers 2001–2008 and 2011–2017 Denver Outlaws Denver, Colorado 2006 2020 Revived as a Premier Lacrosse League team in November 2023 as a result of Chrome Lacrosse Club rebranding. Florida Launch Boca Raton, Florida 2014 2018 Hamilton Nationals Hamilton, Ontario 2009 2013 Toronto Nationals 2009–2010 Los Angeles Riptide Carson, California 2006 2008 New Jersey Pride Piscataway, New Jersey 2001 2008 Also played in Montclair and Bridgewater New York Lizards Hempstead, New York 2001 2020 Long Island Lizards 2001–2012 Ohio Machine Columbus, Ohio 2012 2018 Philadelphia Barrage Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2001 2020 Bridgeport Barrage 2001–2003, Inactive 2009–2019 San Francisco Dragons San Francisco, California 2006 2008 Played final season in San Jose

The MLL Championship Game was played at a neutral site decided by the league. Teams qualified for the playoffs by finishing with one of the top four records during the regular season. Those four teams played in a semifinal to determine who plays in the Championship Game. Season Champion Score Runner up Venue Location Attendance Game MVP 2001 Long Island Lizards 15–11 Baltimore Bayhawks Kennedy Stadium Bridgeport, CT 6,745 Paul Gait 2002 Baltimore Bayhawks 21–13 Long Island Lizards Columbus Crew Stadium Columbus, OH 5,596 Mark Millon 2003Long Island Lizards 15–14 (OT) Baltimore Bayhawks Villanova Stadium Villanova, PA 6,593 Kevin Lowe 2004 Philadelphia Barrage 13–11 Boston Cannons Nickerson Field Boston, MA 8,279 Greg Cattrano 2005Baltimore Bayhawks 15–9 Long Island Lizards Nickerson Field Boston, MA 6,829 Gary Gait 2006Philadelphia Barrage 23–12 Denver Outlaws The Home Depot Center Carson, CA 5,374 Roy Colsey 2007Philadelphia Barrage 16–13 Los Angeles Riptide PAETEC Park Rochester, NY 5,288 Matt Striebel 2008 Rochester Rattlers 16–6 Denver Outlaws Harvard Stadium Boston, MA 8,481 Joe Walters 2009 Toronto Nationals 10–9 Denver Outlaws Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Annapolis, MD 7,003 Merrick Thomson 2010 Chesapeake Bayhawks 13–9 Long Island Lizards Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Annapolis, MD 6,445 Kyle Hartzell 2011Boston Cannons 10–9 Hamilton Nationals Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Annapolis, MD 5,027 Jordan Burke 2012Chesapeake Bayhawks 16–6 Denver Outlaws Harvard Stadium Boston, MA 7,384 Ben Rubeor 2013Chesapeake Bayhawks 10–9 Charlotte Hounds PPL Park Chester, PA 3,892 John Grant Jr. 2014Denver Outlaws 12–11 Rochester Rattlers Fifth Third Bank Stadium Kennesaw, GA 8,149 John Grant Jr. 2015New York Lizards 15–12 Rochester Rattlers Fifth Third Bank Stadium Kennesaw, GA 8,674 Paul Rabil 2016Denver Outlaws 19–18 Ohio Machine Fifth Third Bank Stadium Kennesaw, GA 5,522 Eric Law 2017Ohio Machine 17–12 Denver Outlaws The Ford Center at The Star Frisco, TX 7,543 Marcus Holman 2018Denver Outlaws16–12Dallas Rattlers MUSC Health Stadium Charleston, SC 4,086Matt Kavanagh 2019Chesapeake Bayhawks10–9Denver Outlaws Dick's Sporting Goods Park Denver, CO 6,374 Steele Stanwick 2020Boston Cannons13–10Denver Outlaws Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Annapolis, MD No fans Not awarded

Every year, Major League Lacrosse held a collegiate player draft. The collegiate player draft occurred prior to the league season. Only players who competed at the collegiate level and whose NCAA eligibility has expired in the previous season were eligible for the draft. The exact date, location, and number of rounds varied each year. In addition, each off season, MLL heald a supplemental player draft. The draft was held to expand a team's protected list to a pre season active roster of 40 players. If a player wasn't selected, they returned to the player pool.

SeasonDateLocationMLL TeamPlayerPositionCollege2001June 1, 2001Radisson Hotel at Cross Keys, Baltimore, MDRochester RattlersRyan MollettDefensePrinceton2002June 2, 2002Cawley Stadium, Lowell, MARochester RattlersJosh CoffmanMidfielderSyracuse2003May 29, 2003The Haverford School, Haverford, PABridgeport BarrageChris RotelliMidfielderVirginia2004June 3, 2004Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CTBaltimore BayhawksMichael PowellAttackSyracuse2005June 1, 2005Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CTNew Jersey PrideKyle HarrisonMidfielderJohns Hopkins2006May 31, 2006Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CTRochester RattlersJoe WaltersAttackMaryland2007May 31, 2007Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NYChicago MachinePat HeimMidfielderPenn State2008May 28, 2008Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJBoston CannonsPaul RabilMidfielderJohns Hopkins2009May 27, 2009Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJChicago MachineKenny NimsAttackSyracuse2010June 6, 2010Yale University, New Haven, CTChicago MachineNed CrottyAttackDuke2011January 21, 2011Pratt Street Power Plant, Baltimore, MDHamilton NationalsKevin CrowleyMidfielderStony Brook2012January 13, 2012Philadelphia Marriott's Liberty Ballroom, Philadelphia, PALong Island LizardsRob PannellAttackCornell2013January 11, 2013Philadelphia Marriott's Liberty Ballroom, Philadelphia, PAOhio MachinePeter BaumAttackColgate2014January 10, 2014Philadelphia Marriott's Liberty Ballroom, Philadelphia, PAOhio MachineTom SchreiberMidfieldPrinceton2015January 23, 2015Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MDFlorida LaunchLyle ThompsonAttackAlbany2016January 22, 2016Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MDAtlanta BlazeMyles JonesMidfieldDuke2017May 28, 2017Toby Keith's Bar and Grill, Foxoborough, MAFlorida LaunchDylan MolloyAttackBrown2018April 18, 2018The U. S. Lacrosse Headquarters, Sparks, MarylandBoston CannonsTrevor BaptisteMidfieldUniversity of Denver2019March 8, 2019NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte, North CarolinaOhio MachineAlex WoodallFace offTowson2020May 4, 2020VirtualNew York LizardsTD IerlanFace offYale

Fox Sports Network broadcast games for the first two seasons, then ESPN2 televised a weekly MLL game from 2003 through 2011. Games continue to be streamed on ESPN3. CBS Sports Network has televised all star games and the playoffs since 2013. MLL did not receive any money from these networks for these deals. In 2017, Lax Sports Network was given exclusive rights to all 63 regular season games. Twitter streamed the semifinal games and CBS Sports Network broadcast the final. On April 1, 2019, the league announced they had reacquired broadcast rights from Lax Sports Network. It was unclear where each team would broadcast its games, though the Cannons announced on March 28 that NBC Sports Boston would air all 16 of their games. One day prior to the start of the 2019 season, the league announced that 12 games would be broadcast on Stadium and the network would air a weekly studio show. Also in 2019, MLL re partnered with the ESPN network. Weekly coverage was shown on ESPN+ and several games, including the league championship, were broadcast nationally on ESPN2. MLL saw their biggest television reach in league history. The semi finals and finals combined for 297 million total household viewers. Major League Lacrosse would expand its relationship with ESPN for the COVID 19 shortened 2020 season. All 18 games (including postseason) were available on the ESPN family of networks, including ESPN+. ESPN2 broadcast two games on Sunday, July 19. A few days later, the partnership was expanded to TSN for Canadian viewers and ESPN Player to allow fans to watch from over 130 countries. The championship game was broadcast on ESPN's flagship station on Sunday, July 26.