The Portland LumberJax are out of here

May 4th, 2009 by Dwight Jaynes | Filed under Lacrosse.

Too bad. It’s a fun sport and it had its following in this town. This release came out this afternoon:

JAX OWNERS WILL NOT CONTINUE TO OPERATE IN PORTAND

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Copy by Steven Masters, Media Relations Manager

            JAX OWNERS WILL NOT CONTINUE TO OPERATE IN PORTAND
PORTLAND, May 4, 2009 – The owners of the Portland LumberJax lacrosse
club
have announced today that they do not intend to operate the club in
Portland next season.  The LumberJax franchise has been in operations
for
the past four seasons, in which it reached the playoffs three times,
including a championship game appearance in 2008.  The club’s 2009
season
concluded last weekend with a loss in a West Division Semifinal playoff
game.

“We are currently exploring options for the future,” said LumberJax
Executive Vice President Brian Silcott.  ”For numerous reasons,
including
the current economic climate, it has become increasingly difficult for
our
owners to continue funding the team at the level necessary to ensure
future success in Portland. Right now there are several options for the
franchise including a move to another market, accepting new partners
and/or the outright sale of the franchise.  The National Lacrosse League
has a June 1 deadline for notification of intent, so a final decision
will
be made soon.”

“We are entertaining many different avenues for the future of this
franchise,” added Managing Partner Angela Batinovich.  ”We believe in
this
sport, this league and this team.”

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4 Responses to “The Portland LumberJax are out of here”

  1. Panama says:
    May 4, 2009 at 3:49 pm

    wasn’t portland one of the better markets in terms of attendance?

    Is this league in danger of folding?

    makes you wonder the story behind the story…any insights Dwight?

  2. ItsMrHarris2u says:
    May 4, 2009 at 6:29 pm

    Too bad, it was fun. Where else can you sit in the 2nd row for a face value of $11.75?

  3. lefty says:
    May 4, 2009 at 8:38 pm

    I guess your city will never be in the “big” leagues. Them those of us who have lived here know that. but you are a bike riding champion. and you are closing a car lane on Broadway for the bike riders and spending big Fedearal bcks to expand streetcar on east side tR

  4. blazerbrad09 says:
    May 5, 2009 at 6:51 am

    Does that mean we will get an Arena Football team soon? Or will we get a WNBA team?