Welcome to the Weekly Fast Break, where we update you on news and notes from the lacrosse world from the prior week. From major stories to entertaining social media posts and beyond, we’ve got you covered to catch you up on the latest news and opinion on and off the lacrosse field.
NLL, PLPA Agree to New Collective Bargaining Agreement
The National Lacrosse League and the Professional Lacrosse Players Association agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement, according to information released by the PLPA:
#PLPA members have by majority vote ratified the tentatively approved deal reached by the PLPA & #NLL. We thank the Player Reps for their commitment & their fellow Players for supporting the Exec. Committee during these negotiations. Thanks fans for your support! #letsplaylax
— PLPA (@PLPAlax) November 24, 2018
The National Lacrosse League then released the following statement:
The National Lacrosse League and the Professional Lacrosse Players Association (PLPA) announced today that they have agreed to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement. The collective bargaining agreement is for a five-year term beginning with the 2018-19 season.
“We appreciate the efforts of the negotiating committee and their tireless dedication to reaching a fair and equitable agreement for both the NLL and the players. This agreement has created a clear path for incremental growth, not just for the players and the existing clubs, but for the sport of lacrosse as well. Thank you also to the fans and the players for your patience as we worked through this situation,” said Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz.
Additionally, PLPA President Peter Schmitz stated, “This new agreement sets the players in a great position for success as partners in a league and a sport whose best days are ahead.”
Details regarding the upcoming 2018-19 season will be forthcoming.
Here were the reactions from the league and the PLPA:
#MOOD pic.twitter.com/xR964MASNF
— NLL (@NLL) November 25, 2018
The Players are chomping at the bit to leave the gate and get to camps! #LeaveTheGate
— PLPA (@PLPAlax) November 25, 2018
The Hamilton Bengals also reacted to the news:
— Hamilton Bengals (@hamlaxjunior) November 25, 2018
Vancouver Warriors goalkeeper Aaron Bold took to Twitter to thank the PLPA and fans for their work and being patient through this process:
Thank you @PLPAlax and all of our reps for the long hours of work to get an agreement. Thank you all @nllwarriors and @NLL fans for holding tight through this process. LET THE GAMES BEGIN! Can’t wait!
— Aaron Bold (@Boldy77) November 25, 2018
Buffalo Bandits player Bill O’Brien also thanked everyone involved to get the season started:
Pumped that the @NLL & @PLPAlax worked so hard to get a deal done! Thank you to @NLLcommish, team and @PLPAlax executive team and reps for working relentlessly to get some lacrosse going! #Thankful #NLLCBA #ItsGoTime
— Bill O’Brien (@Bill_OBrien96) November 25, 2018
Lacrosse legend Joe Spallina expressed his excitement and desire to get a team back on Long Island. What do you say, NLL?:
Congratulations to the @NLL and the @PLPAlax settling and getting the season back on track. Now @NLL let’s get a team back on Long Island BRING back the Saints
— Joe Spallina (@JoeSpallina) November 25, 2018
And fans sounded-off as well to express excitement for the season:
This is the best news I have heard in a long time! Can’t wait to get back to watching one of the best sports in the world! Great job getting a deal done boys!
— @KSling15 (@ksling15) November 25, 2018
Excited to see the @SaskRushLAX make another run for the Cup! So glad the issues have been sorted and we have an @NLL season soon to be started!! #GoRushGo pic.twitter.com/cxak1wwNzC
— David Salisbury (@Ras_Rax) November 25, 2018
Be sure to take a look at Evan Schemenauer‘s Random Thoughts for full insight and analysis about the new CBA and start of the 2018-2019 NLL season.
Legendary Sports Agent Peter Schaffer Pens Op-ed For LaxAllStars:
Peter Schaffer, who played lacrosse at Franklin & Marshall University and is a current professional sports agent who represents or has represented high-profile clients like football legend Barry Sanders and current pro lacrosse player Trevor Baptiste.
Read the full piece here.
David Huntley Posthumously Awarded With Lester B. Pearson Award
The Canadian Lacrosse Association posthumously awarded lacrosse great David Huntley with the Lester B. Pearson Award on November 21. The Canadian Lacrosse Association released a statement, which can be found here.
Premier Lacrosse League Featured on Sports Illustrated
The Premier Lacrosse League was featured in last week’s Future Issue of Sports Illustrated. Lots of buzz has been generated by the PLL in recent weeks since the announcement of its inception. To read the full article, click here.
