The Professional Lacrosse League (PLL) was a men's professional
indoor lacrosse league in the
United States. It was announced in 2012 with its inaugural season scheduled to begin in September 2012. The league originated in a split with the
North American Lacrosse League
The North American Lacrosse League (NALL) was a professional indoor lacrosse league based in the United States. It was founded in 2011 as North America's fourth professional lacrosse league, after American Lacrosse League (field lacrosse, 1987) Ma ...
(NALL). The league ended after a year, in 2013.
History
The Professional Lacrosse League developed out of a rift in the
North American Lacrosse League
The North American Lacrosse League (NALL) was a professional indoor lacrosse league based in the United States. It was founded in 2011 as North America's fourth professional lacrosse league, after American Lacrosse League (field lacrosse, 1987) Ma ...
, which was originally scheduled to start play with five teams in January 2012. Weeks before the NALL season was to start, four of the teams – the
Charlotte Copperheads, the
Hershey Haymakers
The Pennsylvania Haymakers were an American professional indoor lacrosse team based in Pennsylvania. They are a charter member of the Professional Lacrosse League. They were previously known as the Hershey Haymakers and intended to play in Hershey ...
, the
Jacksonville Bullies
The Jacksonville Bullies were a professional indoor lacrosse team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. Following a dispute with their original league, they played part of the 2012 season in the Professional Lacrosse League before canceling the rema ...
, and the
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Shamrocks
The Pennsylvania Shamrocks were an American professional indoor lacrosse team based in Pennsylvania. They were a charter member of the Professional Lacrosse League (PLL). They were previously known as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Shamrocks and planned ...
– announced that the NALL had relieved acting Commissioner Anthony Caruso of duty and would be switching from a winter to a fall schedule. In turn, Caruso responded that his removal was illegitimate and that he remained in charge of the NALL, which would keep to the winter schedule.
The dispute went to litigation, with the result that winter faction kept the NALL name and branding, while the fall faction formed the PLL.
Brett Vickers was announced as PLL League President. The league was supposed to start play with four teams in September 2012, however, the Haymakers and Shamrocks franchises have not secured arena leases and are currently searching for new locations.
On July 11, 2012 the Commissioner Brett Vickers announced on Twitter "@PLLcommissioner I love throwing people off by setting up websites." & "Heading South..........had two great meetings in the two new PLL cities Wednesday and yesterday. Excited about September!" Adding speculation that New Jersey may not be the league's newest member.
On August 28, Brett Vickers resigned from the PLL.
On September 6, 2012, New Jersey Rascals CEO announced "It is with a heavy heart that we announce the New Jersey Rascals will not be playing this season. We believe it is in the best interest of our fans, the Sun National Bank Center, our corporate partners and sponsors to take another year to explore the many ways that we can build on the great momentum we are seeing in the Mercer County area." With the loss of the Rascals, the 2012 PLL season was in serious jeopardy. The Rascals tried to become a charter member of the failed United States Lacrosse League.
Teams
Former teams
See also
* List of professional sports teams in the United States and Canada
References
{{Box lacrosse leagues
2012 establishments in the United States
Defunct professional sports leagues in the United States
Sports leagues established in 2012