The launch of the new Professional Box Lacrosse Association adds another chapter to the long story that
has been written for indoor lacrosse.
It’s said that the game began 90 years ago in Canada as an opportunity for arenas to be used during
hockey’s offseason. It is actually the national summer sport for our neighbors to the north.
But let’s fast forward 40 years to the mid-1970s and zoom in a little more closely on indoor lacrosse
from that point forward in the United States and Canada, thinking here of what’s believed to be the
establishment of the first professional indoor lacrosse league.
The Original League
The original league, known as the National Lacrosse League (NLL), was founded in 1974 and consisted of
six northeastern United States and Canada teams. The league struggled in its early years, with
teams folding and the league suspending operations on multiple occasions.
In the late 1980s, the NLL was reborn as Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League, and then a couple of years later,
was renamed Major Indoor Lacrosse League (MILL). It expanded to include U.S.-based teams primarily
in the country’s eastern half. The MILL flourished during the 1990s, with the league expanding as
far south as Charlotte, North Carolina.
In the late 1990s, the MILL became the still active National Lacrosse League (NLL), with teams coming
and going from various markets throughout the United States and Canada. The NLL
teams compete to win that league’s ultimate prize, the Champion’s Cup. It is said that 97% of the
athletes who play in the NLL are Canadian.
In addition to the NLL, there are also several other professional and semi-professional indoor lacrosse
leagues in the United States and Canada.
We are the champions
Meanwhile, another important event in the world of indoor lacrosse is the World Box Lacrosse
Championship. It is held every four years and features teams from countries worldwide. The
first World Box Lacrosse Championship was held in 2003 and was won by Canada. The most recent
championship, held in 2019, was also won by Canada.
Overall, the history of indoor lacrosse in the United States and Canada has grown and expanded, with the sport gaining popularity and new leagues and teams emerging in recent years. The World Box Lacrosse Championship adds an international element to the sport, showcasing the best players worldwide. The future of indoor lacrosse looks bright, with the sport continuing to grow and attracting
