JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Bullies, the city's professional lacrosse team, will not start playing later this month as once planned.
The team is embroiled in legal issues with the newly formed North American Lacrosse League, with four teams -- including Jacksonville -- opting to begin play in September. Three other teams decided to keep a winter schedule.
"The season will start in the end of September. It is good for the league to have a national television deal," said Chris Milo, the Bullies' General Manager.
"It (television deal) is going to make sure the league is around for a long, long time," said Milo, who noted the team will play at the Veterans Memorial Arena.
The legal issues that have to be resolved include which teams get to keep the name "North American Lacrosse League."
"The legal issues will get sorted out, we believe will show who the real members of the NALL are and who has the authority to operate the league," said attorney Jonathan Oliff, who is representing the Bullies.
The indoor lacrosse team says it has sold 1,000 season tickets with fans being told their tickets are good for the 12-game season that will start in September and end in mid-December.
Before the falling out, the Bullies had a January 28 home opener scheduled with the Kentucky Stickhorses.
The Bullies in March are planning to bring in Team Ireland for an exhibition game to showcase what indoor professional lacrosse is all about.
First Coast News