State of the League: Talking with David Gross About MLL's Business Future

Major League Lacrosse has had a very good season. Most observers and people inside the game can tell you that. It has been an exciting season of one goal games and young stars have emerged. There is more fan buzz around the 2011 MLL season than any previous. Which begs the question, what next? What can Major League Lacrosse do better to help it's rapidly growing fan base and feed our lacrosse hunger?

I talked to MLL commissioner David Gross on Friday about the future of the next MLL markets and how to continue growing the game.

Marisa Ingemi: What are your thoughts on the marketing of the Hounds and Machine so far?

David Gross: We’ve been very impressed with the efforts that both clubs have made so far.  They have terrific team management and a very strong support staff.  They have both been doing some great grassroots marketing to build the local fan base.  They understand the importance of building relationships locally. We believe that everyone will be impressed with their efforts next season when they finally get to take the field

MI: Can you see MLL working with any other lacrosse leagues in the future?

DG: The MLL will always be open to collaborative efforts that are mutually beneficial and helps to grow the sport.

MI: What do you think of the outlaws attendance record?

DG:The Outlaws organization has consistently excelled at making their games an event using innovative marking approaches to make their fan experience second to none in sports.  Matt Greenwaldt and the rest of his ticket sales staff are always trying to find new and exciting was to get people to experience an Outlaws game.  The results this past year are impressive but not unexpected as the organization lead by Mac Freeman has done a consistently tremendous job since they came into the league in 2006.

MI: You have mentioned expanding more in two years. What cities are you looking at?

DG:With our plan to grow to 16 teams by the end of the decade we have a pretty wide base of markets that we are reviewing.  Some of our former markets are near the top of the list.
MI: Would you view Hamilton and Rochester as a success in their markets this season? 

DG: The league and all of our teams have made some great strides this year, but none of us would say that we are satisfied with where we stand as either a league or in an individual market. There were some spots where we stubbed our toe this year, but we are fortunate to have dedicated ownership groups that are constantly looking to improve upon wheat they are doing.
MI: Can you imagine moving into Canada soon? If so, how will you get the publicity with the ESPN3.com blackout? 

DG: There are so many markets in the US that we are exploring that I don’t think you’ll see a second team in Canada in the short term.  We’ve had some inquires but are not currently pursuing them.