National Lacrosse League Announces Re-Location of Washington Power to Denver

National Lacrosse League (NLL) Commissioner Jim Jennings announced today the re-location of the Washington Power franchise to Denver, Colorado for the 2002-03 season. The yet-to-be-named franchise will play it their home games in the Pepsi Center which currently houses the National Hockey League's Colorado Avalanche and the National Basketball Association's Denver Nuggets.

The team is owned an operated by Kroenke Sports Enterprises which owns and operates the Pepsi Center and its two occupants. Everyone at Kroenke Sports is thrilled to bring the National Lacrosse League to Colorado, said E. Stanley Kroenke. Today is an exciting day for the National Lacrosse League, added Jennings. We're setting foot west of the Mississippi for the first time in the United States.

Lacrosse is a great game; I am convinced that the Denver market can support a franchise and Washington was a great franchise to buy, added Don Elliman of the NLL's newest team. We're excited and believe that the fans in Denver will love the sport. I believe the huge fan base in the area and the fan support for hockey will translate well [to lacrosse].

Steve Govett will remain as the team's President, General Manager, and Alternate Governor. We're excited [about the move to Denver]...we've had a fantastic response so far. Over 200 people attended today's press conference...our goal is for our first game to be a sellout, said Govett. Darris Gilgour remains as the team's coach along with such standout players as Gary Gait and Del Halladay. Paul Gait will most likely have some type of undefined role with the team. I have never been exposed to an organization as excited [about the team] as the Colorado ownership, said Halladay, soon to be playing in his fourth city in his short NLL career.

With the July 10, 2002 deadline less than 24 hours away, the NLL is expected to determine the status of the Montreal Express and Buffalo Bandits. Following re-alignment of teams, the league will announce the 2002-03 schedule. Commissioner Jennings declined to offer any insight into the fate of the Montreal and Buffalo franchise other than to say that every effort is being made to keep these teams in their current cities.

Denver's team name and logo will be announced in the upcoming weeks. Season tickets go on sale beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday Jul 10, 2002. For season tickets and other information, please call 303.405.1101 or visit coloradolax.com.