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PBLA Professional Box Lacrosse Association

Professional Box Lacrosse Association Reveals Team Names

by Fran Stuchbury
August 18, 2022 - Professional Box Lacrosse Association (PBLA)


The Professional Box Lacrosse Association unveiled its inaugural team names this week. Fans were able to vote on their favorite of four names in each of the league's seven markets. Logos, colors and other details have yet to be announced. The PBLA's first season begins in December.

Below are the four choices in each city and the voting winner.

Binghamton, NY

Binghamton Bombers
Binghamton Bravehearts
Binghamton Blast
Binghamton Brawlers

Name Announced - Binghamton Bombers

Bombers is a strong name which could incorporate a military theme, perhaps an airplane makes the most sense. A Division III school in New York is called the Ithaca Bombers, while the pros feature a couple of altered references to the nickname. The Canadian Football League has a team called the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, while the New York Yankees have been referred to as the "Bronx Bombers."

Charlotte, NC

Charlotte Fury
Charlotte Goal Diggers
Charlotte Bootleggers
Charlotte United LAX

Name Announced - Charlotte Bootleggers

Bootleggers is an original name with ties to the Charlotte area.

The league Facebook page revealed the rationale behind the name:

"When the law said you can't sell alcohol anymore, folks in Charlotte said, 'watch us.' And just like that, the Bootlegger was born. Running alcohol to the thirsty masses, Bootleggers raced around the backroads, evading the law, and developing the skills that would eventually lead to today's sport of NASCAR. Additionally, Charlotte's 'Bootlegger House' did a lot of business in the 1920s and remains infamous still. Why? Because it's known as the most haunted house in Charlotte, that's why! And the site strikes fear in the hearts of almost everyone who visits to this day."

The team can be creative with the logo possibly incorporating a NASCAR theme. Visiting fans may be inspired to visit the Bootlegger House as well.

Elmira, NY

Elmira Tilt
Elmira Express
Elmira Renegades
Elmira Huckleberries

Name Announced - Elmira Renegades

Many teams have used this name including the USFL's Orlando Renegades in 1985, Canadian Football League's Ottawa Renegades from 2002 until 2005, XFL's Dallas Renegades in 2020, and South Atlantic League baseball's Hudson Valley Renegades to name a few. An outlaw theme seems likely.

Hampton, VA

Hampton Neptunes
Hampton Salty Crabs
Hampton Hammerheads
Hampton Hooligans

Name Announced - Hampton Hammerheads

Named after the shark with the distinctively-shaped head, teams that have used the Hammerheads name include the Florida State League's Jupiter Hammerheads, Major League Lacrosse's Connecticut Hammerheads in 2020 and the Corpus Christi Hammerheads which played in several indoor football leagues from 2004 until 2012.

New England

New England Warriors
New England Rebellion
New England United LAX
New England Chowderheads

Name Announced - New England Chowderheads

Maybe the standout of the bunch, the name cements the team's ties to New England.

From the league Facebook page:

"This team is named after our most recognized dish, clam chowder, one of the most indelicate dishes. It is rude, rugged, and full of substance and better tasting than whatever food your stupid city is known for.. Just like clam chowder, we'll keep you warm on cold evenings as you scream our name from the stands."

While the name will receive attention, the team's challenge will be building a marketable identity around it.

Trenton, NJ

Trenton Terror
Jersey Shorehounds
Trenton Titans
New Jersey Chopper Squad

Name chosen: Trenton Terror

An Arena Football team that played in Houston in 1996 and 1997 was called the Texas Terror. Trenton could go with a monster-style logo. Trenton Titans, the name of a former minor league hockey team, lost out, which is probably a good thing because the New Jersey Titans of junior hockey's NAHL may not have been pleased.

Syracuse, NY

Syracuse Sasquatch
Syracuse Revolution
Syracuse Flow
Syracuse Sparklemuffins

Name chosen: Syracuse Spark

The league left the confines of fan voting to pick the Syracuse name as it was not one of the four choices. "Spark" is derived from Sparklemuffins, a very colorful and vicious little jumping spider, which was a nickname finalist.

From the Facebook page: "The sparklemuffin is known for being able to jump up to 50 times their body length, stalking their prey like lions, and taking down other spiders three to four times their size."

The Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association use a similar name, though it is not related to the Sparklemuffin.

The next step for the Professional Box Lacrosse Association is to design logos for all seven teams. The league may also announce an eighth team or consider a travel-only team to aid in scheduling.



Professional Box Lacrosse Association Stories from August 18, 2022


The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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