Major League Lacrosse: The History and Legacy of a Professional Era
For two decades, Major League Lacrosse (MLL) served as the premier destination for professional men's field lacrosse in the United States. Founded in 1999 and beginning its first season of play in 2001, the league provided a platform for post-collegiate athletes to showcase their skills in a high-stakes, summertime environment.
The league's structure typically featured a regular season of ten to 16 games, culminating in a four-team playoff. The ultimate prize was the Steinfeld Trophy, named in honor of the league's founder, Jake Steinfeld.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1999 (First season in 2001).
- Most Successful Franchise: Chesapeake Bayhawks with 6 titles.
- Peak Attendance: 6,417 average fans per game in 2011.
- Final Champion: Boston Cannons (2020).
- Fate: Merged with the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) in December 2020.
The Early Years: Founding and Initial Rivalries (2001–2005)
The MLL launched with six teams, utilizing a unique two-draft system to build its rosters. The first draft in 2000 targeted post-collegiate players, while a second draft on June 1, 2001, in Baltimore, Maryland, focused on players whose college eligibility had just expired. Ryan Mollett of Princeton earned the distinction of being the first overall pick, selected by the Rochester Rattlers.
The early era of the league was defined by a fierce rivalry between the Long Island Lizards and the Baltimore Bayhawks. These two powerhouses faced off in four of the first five championship games, with the Lizards winning in 2001 and 2003, and the Bayhawks securing titles in 2002 and 2005.
Expansion, Contraction, and Market Shifts
Financial Struggles and the 2008 Contraction
As the league grew, it faced significant financial volatility. By the end of the 2008 season, four franchises—Los Angeles, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and San Francisco—folded due to financial instability and poor attendance. For instance, San Francisco averaged 2,808 fans per game, while New Jersey struggled with only 1,920. This forced the remaining six teams into a single conference.
Attendance Peaks and Regional Disparity
Despite the contractions, the league saw a peak in average attendance in 2011 with 6,417 fans per game. However, support was unevenly distributed. The Denver Outlaws were a massive draw, leading the league with 12,331 fans per game in 2011, whereas the Hamilton Nationals averaged just 1,214—roughly one-tenth of Denver's draw.
The Southern Trend (2012–2018)
In the 2010s, the league shifted its geographic focus southward. In 2014, the Florida Launch was awarded an expansion franchise, inheriting the roster of the folded Hamilton Nationals. This was followed by the addition of the Atlanta Blaze in 2016 and the relocation of the Rochester Rattlers to Texas in 2018, where they became the Dallas Rattlers.
The Final Chapter and PLL Merger
The landscape of professional lacrosse changed forever on December 16, 2020, when the MLL announced a merger with the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). The two entities agreed to operate as one under the PLL brand and model.
As part of the agreement, the 2020 MLL champions, the Boston Cannons, were the only team to continue play in the 2021 season. They joined the PLL as the Cannons Lacrosse Club, with their roster determined via an expansion draft.
League Overview and Performance
Throughout its existence, the MLL featured a variety of teams across the U.S. and Canada, with the Chesapeake Bayhawks emerging as the most dominant franchise in terms of championships.
| Team | Champions | Runner-up | Championship Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chesapeake Bayhawks | 6 | 2 | 2002, 2005, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2019 |
| Denver Outlaws | 3 | 7 | 2014, 2016, 2018 |
| New York Lizards | 3 | 0 | 2001, 2003, 2015 |
| Philadelphia Barrage | 3 | 0 | 2004, 2006, 2007 |
| Boston Cannons | 2 | 1 | 2011, 2020 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Major League Lacrosse?
Major League Lacrosse merged with the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) in December 2020, consolidating professional field lacrosse under the PLL brand.
Which team won the most MLL championships?
The Chesapeake Bayhawks are the most successful franchise in MLL history, winning a total of six championship titles.
Who was the first overall pick in the MLL draft?
Ryan Mollett of Princeton was selected first overall by the Rochester Rattlers in the 2001 draft.
What was the Steinfeld Trophy?
The Steinfeld Trophy was the championship trophy awarded to the winner of the MLL playoffs, named after the league's founder, Jake Steinfeld.
Which MLL team joined the PLL after the merger?
The Boston Cannons, the 2020 MLL champions, were the only team to continue play in the PLL, rebranding as the Cannons Lacrosse Club.