The abbreviation MLL signifies Major League Lacrosse a semi-professional men lacrosse league in the US. The league was founded in 1999 and the first season took place in 2001. Because lacrosse is much bigger in America than in Germany, they have a more extensive structure, so we want to explain to you the principles, the history and the basic facts about the MLL.
Facts about the MLL
The league was founded in 1999 and currently consists of nine teams. Each MLL team has a season schedule of 14 games. The team which makes it to the final even 16 games. The season starts in April and the end of the season in August. The winner of the MLL gets the Steinfeld Trophy. The MLL also belongs to the semi-professional leagues. The players are supposed to earn 10,000 – 25,000 dollar a year, so the players and employees mostly have other jobs.
MLL’s sponsors include Coca Cola, Powerade, New Balance, Warrior, Cascade Lacrosse, Maverik Lacrosse, STX, Brine and many others.
History of the MLL
In 1998, Jake “Body By Jake” Steinfeld, got the idea of launching a professional outdoor lacrosse league, after reading a report about the growth of the sport lacrosse. This is why he teamed up with the owner and president of Warrior Lacrosse, Dave Morrow. They also included Steinfeld’s friend Tim Robertson, Chairman of Bay Shore Enterprises and former CEO of the Family Channel and together they formed the Major League Lacrosse, LLC, a Virginia limited liability company. In 2003, New Balance Athletic Shoe Inc. and an Anchor Level League sponsor were added as founders.
In June 2001 began the first MLL season with 6 teams, which were divided into two divisions. In the first two years they played a 14-game season and then of course the championship final. In 2003, the number of games was reduced to 12, but in 2012 again increased to 14. The team number also changed frequently. By the year 2005 six teams participated in the tournament. Between 2006 and 2008, a total of 10 teams, from 2009 to 2011 only six, because four teams fell out due to financial problems. From 2012 to 2015 they played with 8 teams and in 2016 another team joined, so there are nine teams.
Format and Rules
It is played according to the well-known rules. There are only three additional rules, which would be:
- Two-point goal: Goals scored from behind the two-point goal line (16 yards from goal) are counted twice.
- Since 2009, four longsticks per team have been allowed on the field.
- 60-second shot: If the ball-bearing team didn’t make a goal shot after 60 seconds, the ball possession changes.
