Comments on: Moving Forward: Lacrosse Done Right

By: Connor Wilson

Connor Wilson — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 21:46:00 +0000

Lacrosse is still an “American” game right? Yet little to no lax equipment is produced here. I find that odd. American manufacturing has been struggling for years and I think it’s a vital part of an economy. If it’s a growth industry (even if it’s small), shouldn’t the companies that have their corporate offices here, also produce things here? Costs are a HUGE issue, but it is still something that needs to be addressed.

By: Connor Wilson

Connor Wilson — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 21:44:00 +0000

it’s a huge sleeping market for sure. no doubt about it. I’m excited to see it firsthand in June! Then I can write about it intelligently! Or at least, MORE intelligently.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 05:26:00 +0000

the point about gear being produced state side jumps out at me. could you flush out how you see that route affecting the game?

By: FLax

FLax — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 04:22:00 +0000

Can someone explain to me why Nike hasn’t just bought STX yet?

By: Game Winning - 412 Lax

Game Winning - 412 Lax — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 21:10:13 +0000

[...] The future of lacrosse as envisioned by Connor Wilson [...]

By: Adam Edg

Adam Edg — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 18:08:00 +0000

Great point. Asia will become more of a factor going forward. Japan has come along well. Payu is working his ass of to get Thailand to that level and beyond. Once China decides to invest in development, they’ll be tougher than both.

By: Steve J. Hess

Steve J. Hess — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:16:00 +0000

What about the rise of the international programs (and I’m not just talking about Thailand), there has been a power shift in the international scene. It will no longer be the U.S. or Canada dictating terms on how the FIL should govern, don’t be surprise to see an Asian as the next FIL Director of Development when Mr. Hayes decide to stepped down. There’s already a serious talk going on about moving a lot of the big international championship to Asia. So why isn’t lacrosse company (or ahem, Nike) make a more aggressive push toward Asia… since MAJORITY there products are already made there.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:15:00 +0000

Just a brief history lesson:
the original NLL concept was to be played either on a barge with no boards, so when you were hit near the edge of the playing surface you went into the water OR on rollerskates/rollerblades, a more rollerderby style. The specticle didn’t stick.

By: Adam Edg

Adam Edg — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:52:00 +0000

Some great points. I especially like the inclusion of Major League Lacrosse and its importance to the future of the sport. As lax strives to reach the next level, the outdoor pro league will be a vital component. Since its inception, the MLL has evolved from an LSM style product towards more of a traditional lacrosse feel. The inclusion of LSMs has been a big part of that. Sure the shot clock and two point arch make it different from the college and high school games, but shouldn’t the pro game be a little different? Shouldn’t it stand out a bit more? That said, I am not sold on the two point shot, but embrace the shot clock concept to the point where I would be interested to see a slightly longer clock adopted in the NCAA.
Your section on the major brands becoming involved is also worth mentioning. A lot of “purists” in established areas are not fond of seeing Nike, Adidas, etc. coming into lax.* But as you say, their presence demonstrates the current and future growth of the game, which can only be viewed as a good thing. At this point, the potential for worldwide expansion is mind boggling vast; these companies recognize that.
And I agree that Nike will consume STX as lax becomes more profitable domestically and globally.
*I actually posted about this in the Lacrosse Forums earlier today. Had Adidas not allowed crappy gear to be produced initially and instead produced the JGJ or 111 lines, they would have been more successful. Unfortunately their early failings destroyed their reputation to the point where the fairly great gear released in the last year has been ignored. Maybe it is best to let the Reebok division soldier on by itself…