Comcast Brings NLL Team Back to Philadelphia

Tue Sep 12 2017 | Megan Schneider | Pro

PHOTO BY JOHN STROHSACKER

The Wings played in Philadelphia for 28 years before moving to Connecticut in 2014 as the New England Black Wolves.



The NLL, headquartered in Conshohocken, Pa., is bringing box lacrosse back to Philadelphia. Confirmed Tuesday morning, the league will formally announce the acquisition of its 11th franchise by Comcast Spectacor on Thursday at Wells Fargo Center. NLL commissioner Nick Sakiewicz and Comcast President and CEO Dave Scott will reveal Thursday the team’s name, the first season of play and where games will be held. According to a Bloomberg News report, the franchise, reportedly bought for $5 million, will begin play in 2018-19 and its home venue will be Wells Fargo Center, home of the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers and NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers. The news comes just one month after Alibaba co-founder Joseph Tsai, a former Yale lacrosse player, purchased the rights to an expansion franchise in San Diego. Under the direction of team president Steve Govett, who brought the Mammoth to Colorado in 2002, the Southern California team will begin play in December 2018 at Valley View Casino Center.











Comcast, along with its media business NBC Universal, aims to align itself with the NLL’s digital-first strategy. NLL games in Philadelphia can now be streamed via NBC Sports Gold, a paid streaming service specifically for niche sports. The cable company, also headquartered in Philadelphia, already has roots with local sports teams, including the Flyers, whose games air on Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia.

After the former Philadelphia Wings of the NLL, a mainstay in the city for 28 years, moved to Connecticut in 2014 as the renamed New England Black Wolves, the mascot Wings is rumored to be a favorable team name of this newest franchise.

Thursday’s press conference will be broadcast live on NLLTV.com at 11 a.m. Eastern.