National Lacrosse League
established: 1986

formerly named: Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League (1986-1988)
formerly named: Major Indoor Lacrosse League (1988-1997)

18 Total Franchises
11 Current Franchises
8 Defunct Franchises
0 Future Franchises
11 Franchise Movements
7 Franchise Nickname Changes

National Lacrosse League Franchise History
1 Baltimore Thunder (1987-1998)
          Pittsburgh CrosseFire (1998-1999)
          Washington Power (1999-2002)
          Colorado Mammoth (2002-present)
2 New Jersey Saints (1987-1988)
          New York Saints (1989-present)
3 Philadelphia Wings (1987-present)
4 Washington Wave (1987-1989)
5 Detroit Turbos (1989-1994)
6 New England Blazers (1989-1991)
          Boston Blazers (1992-1997)
7 Pittsburgh Bulls (1990-1993)
8 Buffalo Bandits (1992-present)
9 Rochester Knighthawks* (1995-present)
10 Charlotte Cobras* (1995-1996)
11 Ontario Raiders (1998-1999)
          Toronto Rock (1999-present)
12 Syracuse Smash (1997-2000)
     Ottawa Rebel (2000-2003)
13 Albany Attack (1999-2003)
           San Jose Stealth (2004-present)
14 Columbus Landsharks (2000-2001)
           Montreal Express (2001-2002)
         % Minnesota Swarm (2004-present)
15 Calgary Roughnecks (2001-present)
16 Vancouver Ravens (2001-2004)
17 New Jersey Storm (2001-2003)
        Anaheim Storm (2004-2005)
18 ^Columbus Landsharks (2001-2003)
        Arizona Sting (2004-present)
19 Edmonton Rush (2005-present)
20 Portland Expansion (2005-present)

*-the Rochester Nighthawks joined during the 1995 season, 
and Charlotte joined during the 1995-1996 season as the season 
began in December for the first time ever.

^-Columbus re-located to Montreal in 2001 and another team was 
placed in Columbus that same season with the same Landsharks
name.

%-Franchise was on hiatus for two seasons.

National Lacrosse League Champions
Year
Champion
Runner-Up
2005 Toronto Rock Arizona Sting
2004
Calgary Roughnecks
Buffalo Bandits
2003
Toronto Rock
Rochester Knighthawks
2002
Toronto Rock
Albany Attack
2001
Philadelphia Wings
Toronto Rock
2000
Toronto Rock
Rochester Knighthawks
1999
Toronto Rock
Rochester Knighthawks
1998
Philadelphia Wings
Baltimore Thunder
1997
Rochester Knighthawks
Buffalo Bandits
1996
Buffalo Bandits
Philadelphia Wings
1995
Philadelphia Wings
Rochester Knighthawks
1994
Philadelphia Wings
Buffalo Bandits
1993
Buffalo Bandits
Philadelphia Wings
1992
Buffalo Bandits
Philadelphia Wings
1991
Detroit Turbos
Baltimore Thunder
1990
Philadelphia Wings
New England Blazers
1989
Philadelphia Wings
New York Saints
1988
New Jersey Saints
Washington Wave
1987
Baltimore Thunder
Washington Wave

 

NLL Championships by Franchise

6
Philadelphia Wings
1989, 1990, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2001
5
Toronto Rock
1999,2000,2002,2003,2005
3
Buffalo Bandits
1992, 1993, 1996
1
Baltimore Thunder
1987
1
Calgary Roughnecks
2004
1
Detroit Turbos
1991
1
New Jersey Saints
1988
1
Rochester Knighthawks
1997
 Major League Sports Almanac