Attendance Increased in 2019 as Fans Came out to Support their Local Teams
Published on November 2, 2019 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL) News Release
In 2019 MLL saw a 16% increase in total attendance year-over-year. Four of MLL's teams experienced double-digit attendance growth.
In 2019 the Boston Cannons opened their season in Veterans Memorial Stadium, after a $1.5 million renovation by the team and the city of Quincy. The home opener hosted a sold-out crowd, which included Massachusetts' governor Charlie Baker and the city of Quincy's mayor, Thomas P Koch. The Cannons and the City of Quincy agreed on a multi-year deal to play their home contests at Veterans Memorial Stadium on December 4 of 2018. The $1.5 million of renovations included a new state of the art Daktronics Videoboard, new fold-down seating in the stadium, renovated press box and locker rooms, a new luxury Cannons Champions Club VIP tent, and updated landscaping for the overall footprint.
The Cannons were not alone in major attendance achievements this season, as the Denver Outlaws' Fourth of July game drew over 26 thousand fans to Broncos Stadium at Mile High. The Denver Outlaws won in a nail-biter against the Chesapeake Bayhawks in a 14-13 win, after several weather delays due to lacrosse ball size hail.
The 2019 MLL Champions, the Chesapeake Bayhawks, saw success both on and off the field this season. The MLL Champions hosted a crowd of more than 16 thousand in their last home game of the season. Bayhawks alum Shawn Nadelen, who spent 11 seasons with the Bayhawks, rang the siren for the pregame Call of the Flock to start the contest. Nadelen passed the torch to Hall of Fame Washington Redskins running back, John Riggins, who performed the second Call of the Flock and caused fans to erupt at the start of the fourth quarter.
MLL's league office also hosted a full-house for the 2019 Collegiate Draft at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, on March 9. Fans were treated to an exclusive and free experience at the Hall of Fame. They were able to meet MLL stars, like Denver Outlaws' faceoff specialist Max Adler for pictures and autographs. Fans witnessed Towson Tiger alumnus, Alex Woodall, be selected No. 1 overall.
MLL fan's benefitted from a year of growth across the board this year. MLL accomplished a broadcast reach of 724 million viewers through expanded national and regional broadcast deals. MLL signed 10 new sponsorship partners and renewed 5 partnership deals due to proven value in Major League Lacrosse. Digitally, MLL generated 194% growth in social traffic, 97% growth in social engagement and 393% growth in web traffic. MLL executed the largest grassroots initiative in league history, crossing sixteen states and seeing 150 thousand lacrosse fans. And the cherry on top of it all, MLL players dazzled fans and broke records. John Grant Jr. broke the all-time points record and extended his current record of most all-time goals, Alex Woodall set the record for the most faceoff wins in a single season by a rookie, while the Atlanta Blaze went on to break long-held team records. With 141 players signed for the 2020 season (62% GDAR players), MLL is positioned for success leading into offseason signings and looking ahead to the twentieth anniversary season.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from November 2, 2019
- MLL Alumni Spotlight: Mark Millon - MLL
- Attendance Increased in 2019 as Fans Came out to Support their Local Teams - MLL
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