The Salem Mayhem will be the eighth team competing in the PBLA’s inaugural season

KANSAS CITY, MO (September 27, 2022) — The Professional Box Lacrosse Association (PBLA) today announced the launch of its most recent expansion team in Salem, Virginia, in the Roanoke Valley region. The Salem Mayhem is officially the eighth team to join the PBLA and will compete in the Salem Civic Center when the season begins in December.

There are the eight teams for the PBLA’s inaugural lacrosse season:

  • The Salem Mayhem
  • The Binghamton Bombers
  • The Charlotte Bootleggers
  • The Elmira Renegades
  • The Hampton Hammerheads  
  • The New England Chowderheads 
  • The Syracuse Spark
  • The Trenton Terror  

The PBLA is continuing to evaluate additional markets and will make further announcements as new communities and teams are added. PBLA Commissioner Steve Donner is looking forward to the continued growth of the league and is very excited about bringing Salem on board for this season. 

“As an organization, we are absolutely thrilled about having a team in Salem,” said Donner.

“Both the city and the community itself long have a long history with the sport of lacrosse, and we know that the PBLA will help add to that illustrious tradition by bringing America’s fastest growing, and most exciting professional sport to the city of Salem. I know I speak for all of us here at the PBLA when I say that I can’t wait to see the Salem Mayhem take the field this fall.” 

Steve Donner, PBLA Commissioner

The announcement of the Salem expansion comes hot on the heels of the PBLA’s first combine, which took place in Elmira, New York, from September 9th through the 11th. Players and coaches from around the world came to try out for the PBLA to see if they had what it takes to join the ranks of American professional lacrosse. 

“Our first combine couldn’t have gone better,” said Russ Buller, the PBLA’s Chief Player Performance Officer.

“The level of speed and talent we saw in that arena gave me goosebumps. I think the PBLA is going to shock a lot of people when our players light up those arenas this fall.”

Russ Buller, PBLA Chief Player Performance Officer

To learn more about the PBLA visit http://PBLA.com/about

About The PBLA

The PBLA was established to help further grow the sport of lacrosse and create the most exciting brand of professional box lacrosse in North America. The PBLA’s mission is to bring the world of professional, high-energy, indoor lacrosse to fans across the United States. The PBLA believes there’s a tremendous opportunity to improve the game of professional box lacrosse by bringing back American players to compete in non-stop, riveting contests, that will bring every fan to their feet and show everyone why Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in the country.