Does the NLL Have a Role in International Boxla?

In 2010 the European Lacrosse League started up its first season, the first organized lacrosse league in Europe. The formation of this six team league was a huge step towards growing box lacrosse in Europe.

Is it the NLL's role to help this league and more leagues like it grow? If box lacrosse was a world wide sport, wouldn't it get more recognition in the states?

With the lack of money in lacrosse right now, were are in a spot where it may be a while before we start seeing real international competition in the NLL or the NLL really backing any international league.

You never see a player in the NLL from somewhere other than the US or Canada. It makes sense, that's where all the teams are. But there are foreign players in the NHL, because that's there main source of income. For the pay NLL players get, few players will be drawn to uproot their lives in Europe to move here and play lacrosse. Hopefully someday this will be achievable, and remember, the NHL didn't always have foreign players.

But is it the NLL's duty to help grow box lacrosse internationally? In my opinion, no. Its the FIL's duty to attempt to grow box lacrosse. The NLL has enough on their hands, they have to worry about growing the sport here, where the teams actually are! Sure, a premiere game in Europe to start the season would be a cool idea. The problem is, where is that money coming from? Until the NLL gets a foothold in the US and Canada, they shouldn't even consider spreading their influence to other countries.

To grow box lacrosse, the FIL needs to get more aggressive. There are 25 member nations of the Federation of Indoor Lacrosse, but only 9 indoor members. The FIL needs to encourage incoming and current members to participate in both forms of the sport. They should host lacrosse tournaments in some of the countries. Hopefully there's enough support to start a professional league, similar to the ELL. Maybe even the NALL puts a team in a place like Mexico City. Only one thing is certain: the growth of indoor lacrosse internationally is vital to the sport surviving long term. If its played around the world, the sport will get more recognition. Maybe you see the world tournament on TV. Maybe someone other than the US, Canada, or Iroquois will have a chance at winning. If anything it makes box lacrosse a whole lot more interesting.