Seattle applying for NLL expansion team in 2008
Submitted by walax on Fri, 2006-06-23 09:44.
Jim Jennings, commissioner of the National Lacrosse League, said Wednesday he has received an application from Bob Whitsitt for a Seattle expansion team for the 2008 season.
Whitsitt is former president and general manager of the Sonics and Portland Trail Blazers and former president of the Seahawks whose son, Sean, played on the Harvard lacrosse team as a freshman.
"I'd say his chances of getting a franchise in Seattle are pretty good," Jennings said from his office in New York.
Before receiving a franchise, expected to cost $5 million, Whitsitt must secure an arena lease and demonstrate that a Seattle-based franchise can attract season ticket and corporate support. The team likely would play its home games at KeyArena or the Tacoma Dome.
"We still have to present it (the application) to our board, but I think with a guy like Whitsitt running the team, I think he'll accomplish the goals," Jennings said.
The P-I was unable to reach Whitsitt for comment.
The indoor league has 13 franchises in the United States and Canada. They include the Arizona Sting, Buffalo Bandits, Calgary Roughnecks, Chicago Shamrox (new for 2007), Colorado Mammoth, Edmonton Rush, Minnesota Swarm, New York (new for 2007), Philadelphia Wings, Portland LumberJax, Rochester Knighthawks, San Jose Stealth and Toronto Rock.
"The Portland team, which was new last season, played in the Rose Garden and averaged about 10,000 fans per game," Jennings said. "We think Bob (Whitsitt) could develop a nice rivalry between Seattle and Portland."
Last season, the league's average attendance was 10,804, with several games drawing crowds in excess of 16,000. Total attendance was 1,037,147 for 88 regular-season games, six playoff games, the All-Star game at Toronto and the NLL Championship Game.
