Chicago's Newest Sports Franchises

By Todd McClamroch in News on Feb 20, 2006 8:25PM

Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States and here in Chicago. In the span of a few months, Chicago has been awarded two professional lacrosse teams.

The first team, the Chicago Machine, will play traditional outdoor lacrosse as part of Major League Lacrosse (MLL). Their inaugural season begins May 20th and runs through August. The Machine will make their home at the Sports Complex of Benedictine University in Lisle. Chicago was one of four expansion cities selected as the popularity of the sport spreads further west. The MLL now includes ten teams nationwide.

Just last week Chicago was awarded a National Lacrosse League (NLL) team for the 2007 season. The yet-to-be named franchise will play in Hoffman Estates in the new Sears Centre. The NLL expands to twelve teams with the addition of the Chicago franchise. There will be no dueling lacrosse schedules, as this league plays a 16-game regular season between December and April, followed by playoffs.

The indoor version of lacrosse is adapted to be played within the confines of a hockey rink, including a turf field overlaying the ice but keeping the hockey boards and glass. On this smaller field the action is fast and an average game may see as many as 25 goals from the two teams.

The franchise is accepting submissions for the team name so head over to their website today and suggest a name. Chicagoist is just hoping they get a better name than the Chicago Machine or the WNBA's Chicago Sky.