Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. The Premier Lacrosse League will be headquartered in Los Angeles, the latest development out of Paul Rabil’s new enterprise that’s set to debut in June 2019.
“This move is a major statement for us as we begin pushing this league forward,” said Mike Rabil, CEO and co-founder of the PLL. “To have a base of operations centered in Los Angeles — where athletes and entertainments intertwine on a daily basis — is going to be so impactful for our league, our players, and our fans. It will give us the launching pad to bring lacrosse to a whole new level.”
A PLL press release also cited the sport’s rapid growth in California and the diverse lacrosse audience in LA, where 39 percent of fans are Hispanic and African-American, as factors in its decision to base its operations there.
2. The National Lacrosse League and the Professional Lacrosse Players Association remain at an impasse over a new collective bargaining agreement just 23 days before the scheduled start of the 2019-20 season. The PLPA hinted at a short-term solution in a tweet Wednesday, saying it had rejected the NLL’s latest offer but proposed a one-year plan that would allow the season to get underway while both sides continued to negotiate a long-term deal.
Players have rejected the league's most recent offer, but have provided a 1 year proposal in the interest of getting the season underway while we continue to negotiate on a mutually agreed upon long term deal.
The Players have rejected the league's most recent offer, but have provided a 1 year proposal in the interest of getting the season underway while we continue to negotiate on a mutually agreed upon long term deal. #PLPA #FairDealNoDeal
— PLPA (@PLPAlax) November 7, 2018
The NFLPA has offered its support to the PLPA cause.
Thank you @DeSmithNFLPA and the @NFLPA for your continued support of our members and organization. #PLPA #NFLPA #FairDealOrNoDeal pic.twitter.com/LEBof031UA
— PLPA (@PLPAlax) November 7, 2018
The Buffalo Bandits, meanwhile, announced the cancelation of a youth clinic and open practice scheduled for Saturday.
3. The Women’s Professional Lacrosse League began a four-day tour in Tokyo on Wednesday, hosting a lacrosse class at a junior high school, putting on a clinic for university players and organizing a draft camp for Japanese players who are interested in joining the league.
Fifteen WPLL players traveled to Japan for the tour, including Dana Dobbie, Megan Douty, Brooke Griffin, Kylie Ohlmiller and Sammy Jo Tracy.
Reunited in Tokyo! #CROSSCROSSE #WITNESSREALLACROSSE #LACROSSE #ラクロス #クロスクロッセ #本物を目撃せよ #WPLLinJapan #WPLLworldwide #GrowTheGame pic.twitter.com/WCiLQIy2ca
— WPLL (@prowomenslax) November 8, 2018
Good morning from Tokyo! After breakfast today’s #WORLDCROSSE agenda includes:
— WPLL (@prowomenslax) November 7, 2018
- Lacrosse class at Kasai Junior High
- Clinic for university players
- Draft Camp for players interested in joining the WPLL
Learn more about #WPLLinJapan: https://t.co/DewZ00RbQ2 pic.twitter.com/MG5Yx2kbpq
4. Maryland’s Erica Evans, the all-time leading scorer at Canisius and a member of the Canadian women’s national team, is right at home in College Park. The fifth-year transfer is still recovering from a knee injury that derailed her senior season in Buffalo, but she looked lightning fast in the fall, impressing Terps coach Cathy Reese.
We checked in with both the Maryland women and UMass men in the latest stories of our Fall Ball Focus series
WHAT WE’RE READING
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How the adaptive lacrosse movement has increased access to the sport.
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An 8-year-old with a serious genetic condition signed a ceremonial letter of intent and got special access to the UConn women’s lacrosse team through Team IMPACT.
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An Inside Lacrosse podcast features former Princeton All-American Sean Hartofilis and his new film, “Covadonga.”
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Bellarmine is doing its part to grow the game in west Louisville.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
The PLL and Rabil media machine continues to churn out quality behind-the-scenes content, including episode 3 of “The League,” which documents meetings and conversations with NBC Sports.
Fire in the Desert: Emily Glagolev, Arizona State’s second-leading scorer as a freshman, with a between-the-legs fake into a behind-the-back finish.
WHAT’S ON TAP
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Our Fall Ball Focus series continues with more college team check-ins.
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From the November edition, a look at how the Denver Outlaws became MLL’s model franchise.
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TLN personality RJ Kaminski takes on Kyle Harrison 1-on-1 in basketball.
TOMORROW. @RJKaminski VS. @KyleHarrison18 Who brings it home? pic.twitter.com/yMdmcZtIss
— TLN (@LacrosseNetwork) November 7, 2018