MLL Chesapeake Bayhawks Owner Brendan Kelly believes the league is "on the verge of making a major leap forward" and is "ready to expand and support four more teams," according to Bill Wagner of the Annapolis CAPITAL GAZETTE. MLL owners are "counting on the new commissioner to spearhead the development of new media partners." A new commissioner is "slated to be named within the next month or so." Kelly said that a "short list of candidates has been identified and the process is nearing an end." Wagner notes all games are "broadcast by the Lax Sports Network, which holds exclusive rights." Kelly: "LSN is part of the solution, but it's not the whole solution. We definitely need a great television presence. You need a full-blown media strategy and package. Right now, there are a lot of moving parts with MLL in terms of media rights and sponsors. It's not all clear-cut." He also believes the "fragmented nature" of men's lacrosse is "not good for any of the stakeholders." Kelly: "The MLL and NLL are doing their things. We should all be working together as a unit to grow the game." Kelly said that lacrosse-specific venues, like the one the Bayhawks are planning, would be a "way for MLL franchises to gain control of revenue streams." Kelly: "Building a stadium would clearly show the other MLL owners that we have a good business model." Wagner notes last season, seven of nine MLL teams finished with a record of 8-6. Kelly said that the "remarkable parity of the league is the result of every team being loaded with quality players." Kelly: "You look around at the amount of talent on every roster and it's incredible" (Annapolis CAPITAL GAZETTE, 7/20).
