I hope that this league takes off, as the MLL seems to be stuck in neutral – or worse. We all like the city-based model in sports; it allows local communities to rally behind the squad. With rare exceptions (Golden State, New England), most rabid fans come from in or around ‘ the cities’ the team represents. I think that this is why the Nets struggled in getting a real solid fan-base, personally. Just an unscientific observation.
With PLL, though, they are trying to address the shoddy pay of pro lacrosse players. That’s what this is all about. Guys that have been playing in the MLL simply make more money in the business of lacrosse than they do from actually playing. For the studs, like Rabil, it’s not too bad. But for a rookie who is just good enough to get on the field, they don’t have as many supplemental income options other than full-time work outside of their game. They are using the single ownership model to get the league set on solid footing. I bet in a few years, you’ll see the league stabilize with ‘owners’ and cities that will support them. But it won’t happen until things are steady.
In terms of the lacrosse, and some of the rule changes…I like them. I’d like to see a more aggressive tinkering to the FO game, like mandating that your hands can’t be in a certain grip, or putting the sticks further away. I might also bring the dimpled ball, like a golf ball, to see if some more fun could be had there. I might also ditch the fourth long pole. Anything that can be perfected at a higher level and then adopted in the college game on down…
