NewYorkDragons80
12-09-2001, 07:59 AM
Dr. J, Oprah in Chicago NLL bid
By MIKE KOREEN -- Toronto Sun
Ex-NBAers Julius (Dr. J) Erving and Jayson Williams are teaming up with talk-show queen Oprah Winfrey in an attempt to bring a National Lacrosse League expansion team to Chicago.
And if that's not enough to excite NLL fans, Brad Watters is creating a buzz as he looks to expand his lacrosse empire into Quebec City.
The celebrity Chicago trio was formed by Williams, who owns the expansion New Jersey Storm. An application for a Chicago team has been sent to NLL commissioner Jim Jennings.
"It would be great if it works out, but it is in the very preliminary stages," Jennings said. "I don't know how realistic it is (because he has not looked at the application in detail)."
Williams has been a boisterous promoter of the NLL since buying the Storm this past summer. He has talked about the 13-team box lacrosse league on Winfrey's show.
The Quebec City proposal, meanwhile, revolves around a complicated transaction in 1997 when the Major Indoor Lacrosse League was folded in order to create the NLL.
Philadelphia Wings owner Russ Cline owned all the teams in the MILL, but the single-ownership structure was removed with the formation of the NLL.
When the NLL started play in 1998, Cline maintained control of a "dormant franchise." Cline still pays league dues for that franchise, which can only be brought to life in Quebec and must form by next season.
Watters, who controls the groups that manage the Toronto Rock, Ottawa Rebel and Montreal Express, and Cline are interested in forming a group to operate the dormant franchise.
"I think Quebec could be huge for us," Watters said. "There are a lot more fans there than you might think."
The NLL likely would not grant an expansion team to Quebec as Jennings has said the next three expansion teams will be placed in the United States.
When asked if he thinks there is a good chance a Quebec team would operate next season, Jennings said, "I think so. You never know, but the fact (Cline) continues to pay dues indicates there is interest in putting a team there."
Meanwhile, a group in Halifax has expressed interest in bringing an NLL team to that city, but an existing team likely would have to move there for that to happen
"THOSE BASTARDS"
-Norman Schwartzkoff
"May God bless us in this trial, comfort us, strengthen our resolve, and make our justice as terrible and certain as His."
-Senator John McCain
"Neitzche is dead"
-God
By MIKE KOREEN -- Toronto Sun
Ex-NBAers Julius (Dr. J) Erving and Jayson Williams are teaming up with talk-show queen Oprah Winfrey in an attempt to bring a National Lacrosse League expansion team to Chicago.
And if that's not enough to excite NLL fans, Brad Watters is creating a buzz as he looks to expand his lacrosse empire into Quebec City.
The celebrity Chicago trio was formed by Williams, who owns the expansion New Jersey Storm. An application for a Chicago team has been sent to NLL commissioner Jim Jennings.
"It would be great if it works out, but it is in the very preliminary stages," Jennings said. "I don't know how realistic it is (because he has not looked at the application in detail)."
Williams has been a boisterous promoter of the NLL since buying the Storm this past summer. He has talked about the 13-team box lacrosse league on Winfrey's show.
The Quebec City proposal, meanwhile, revolves around a complicated transaction in 1997 when the Major Indoor Lacrosse League was folded in order to create the NLL.
Philadelphia Wings owner Russ Cline owned all the teams in the MILL, but the single-ownership structure was removed with the formation of the NLL.
When the NLL started play in 1998, Cline maintained control of a "dormant franchise." Cline still pays league dues for that franchise, which can only be brought to life in Quebec and must form by next season.
Watters, who controls the groups that manage the Toronto Rock, Ottawa Rebel and Montreal Express, and Cline are interested in forming a group to operate the dormant franchise.
"I think Quebec could be huge for us," Watters said. "There are a lot more fans there than you might think."
The NLL likely would not grant an expansion team to Quebec as Jennings has said the next three expansion teams will be placed in the United States.
When asked if he thinks there is a good chance a Quebec team would operate next season, Jennings said, "I think so. You never know, but the fact (Cline) continues to pay dues indicates there is interest in putting a team there."
Meanwhile, a group in Halifax has expressed interest in bringing an NLL team to that city, but an existing team likely would have to move there for that to happen
"THOSE BASTARDS"
-Norman Schwartzkoff
"May God bless us in this trial, comfort us, strengthen our resolve, and make our justice as terrible and certain as His."
-Senator John McCain
"Neitzche is dead"
-God