Professional outdoor lacrosse could be coming to Hamilton
http://www.thespec.com/sports/articl...ng-to-hamilton
The Toronto Nationals of Major League Lacrosse could be on their way to Hamilton.
The Spectator has learned the club is in negotiations with McMaster University to play its games at Ron Joyce Stadium. The Nationals have also had discussions with Hamilton Entertainment and Convention Facilities Inc. (HECFI) to handle some of their business operations.
“At this point in time, we haven’t concluded and papered any deal yet,” said Lewis Staats, president of the Rochester Americans of the AHL and Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League. Staats said he was brought into the negotiations about five weeks ago to represent Curt Styres of Ohsweken, who owns both the Amerks and Knighthawks and is financially involved with the Toronto Nationals franchise.
“I’ve been in Hamilton and met with both HECFI and McMaster but, at this point in time, we’re still in negotiations over use of the venue and with HECFI over some of the business operations.”
Stuart Brown, president of the Nationals, a professional outdoor field lacrosse team, didn’t return calls from The Spectator.
McMaster’s director of athletics and recreation Jeff Giles confirmed university officials have talked to the Nationals.
“It would be strictly a rental agreement for us,” said Giles, who noted the timing is good for McMaster with games in May, June and July.
“It would bring people onto the campus at a time of the year when we’re generally not that busy.”
Duncan Gillespie, CEO of HECFI said he has another meeting with the Nationals scheduled for later this week.
“I’m hoping that we can finalize something then that I can take to the HECFI board on Dec. 2,” said Gillespie. “And, if the board approves it, we can finalize moving the team here.”
Major League Lacrosse has six teams, the Boston Cannons, Rochester Rattlers, Chesapeake Bayhawks, Denver Outlaws, Long Island Lizards and the Nationals.
Teams play a 12-game schedule, six at home and six away.
David Gross, commissioner of the MLL, said there has been no formal request to move the team from Toronto yet but he is aware that talks are taking place.
“All the league is doing is making sure that, if they do reach terms, our requirements are taken care of,” he said. “There’s always things that leagues want to look at in terms of venues and that’s all we’re doing.”
The Nationals played their home games last year at Lamport Stadium in Toronto.
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