Ottawa joins the National Lacrosse League for 2024-2025 season
Posted Feb 21, 2024 11:36:58 AM.
Last Updated Feb 21, 2024 02:12:21 PM.
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) announced on social media on Wednesday that the New York Riptide are relocating to Ottawa.
In a media release, the NLL confirmed the team will begin play in the 2024-2025 lacrosse season at the Canadian Tire Centre.
The team will be called the Ottawa Black Bears.
“Ottawa is an incredible market, with an established fan base, and a major-league arena,” said NLL Commissioner, Brett Frood. “This is an immense opportunity for our League to fortify our roots in the National Capital Region and to partner with a sophisticated front office in the Senators.
“We feel this relationship will be a terrific success and are excited and confident in the short- and long-term positioning of the Ottawa Black Bears.”
According to the league, the Black Bears will continue as the New York Riptide until the end of the 2023-24 NLL season. They will also continue under the leadership of head coach Dan Ladouceur, a five-time NLL champion.
The franchise is expected to start playing in December, making it the NLL’s sixth Canadian team.
“After a very competitive and extensive screening process, we are thrilled to bring our franchise, the Ottawa Black Bears, to the Nation’s Capital,” said Erik Baker of GF Sports and Entertainment. “We chose Ottawa for many reasons, including the strength of the Senators Sports & Entertainment brand, the demand and rapid growth of box lacrosse in the region, and the fantastic arena.”
The last time Ottawa had an NLL team was back in 2003 when the Ottawa Rebels played from 2001 to 2003. In 2005, they were moved to Edmonton, Alta., rebranding as the Edmonton Rush.
In 1994 Parliament passed the National Sports of Canada Act which declared lacrosse to be “Canada’s National Summer Sport”.
