Breaking: NLL Portland Lumberjax will not continue to operate in Portland

May 4th, 2009 by Steve Kojima

From the Lumberjax front office – 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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Stay tuned to the NLLinsider.com for more on this breaking story.

An All-America at Simon Fraser and a decorated Jr. A player for Coquitlam, Kojima began covering lacrosse in 2003 and started working for Inside Lacrosse in 2007. Email him at steve.kojima@nllinsider.com or go to www.laxfuj.com.

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