League MLL Colors Green, white, black General manager Joe Spallina Arena/Stadium James M. Shuart Stadium Based in Town of Hempstead | Home stadium Shuart Stadium Head coach Joe Spallina Local media New York Newsday Founded 2001 Parent organization Medallion Financial Corp. | |
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The New York Lizards, originally the Long Island Lizards, are a Major League Lacrosse (MLL) team based in Hempstead, New York, located on Long Island. They are original members of the MLL and lost in the league's inaugural game on June 7, 2001 to the Baltimore Bayhawks (now Chesapeake Bayhawks), 16–13. From the league's inception in 2001 through 2005, they were in the American Division. From 2006 to 2008, they were in Eastern Conference. Investor Medallion Financial currently values the team at approximately $3.7 million, well in excess of the implied $1.4 million valuation when it was acquired in 2012. At the end of 2013, it was valued at as little as $604,000. Filings show it has never paid a dividend back to Medallion, suggesting it is not currently profitable.
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History
In the MLL's inaugural season in 2001, the Long Island Lizards split their home games between Hofstra Stadium, now James M. Shuart Stadium, and EAB Park (now Bethpage Ballpark). For the 2002 season, they used Hofstra Stadium as their home field. As of 2003, the Lizards played all home contests at Mitchel Athletic Complex, in Uniondale, New York until 2008. The team will return to James M. Shuart Stadium for their home games in 2009. The Lizards have won American Division championships in 2001, 2002, and 2003, and Major League Lacrosse titles in 2001, 2003 and 2015. The team made the playoffs in 2005 as a wildcard despite a losing record. The team's name and logo are based on the Italian wall lizard, a small reptile that was imported to Long Island (which has no native lizards) in the 1960s and which populate areas of the team's hometown of Hempstead in Nassau County.
On December 14, 2012 the Lizards changed their name to the New York Lizards.
Prior to the 2015 season, the Lizards made a trade with the Boston Cannons for Paul Rabil. In exchange for Paul Rabil and Mike Stone, the Cannons received Max Seibald, Brian Karalunas and three draft picks.
In 2015, the Lizards won their third Steinfeld Cup by defeating the Rochester Rattlers 15-12.
Rivalry
Chesapeake Bayhawks
The Lizards' main rival is the Chesapeake Bayhawks. Between them they hold 8 of the 15 MLL league championships awarded through the 2015 season. The two teams have played in the championship game five times, with Chesapeake winning 3 of those 5.
Boston Cannons
The Lizards have found a new rival in the Boston Cannons after they traded their All Star Mid Fielder Paul Rabil to New York in January 2015. That season the Lizards faced the Cannons in the MLL semi-finals and the game resulted in a dramatic overtime victory for the Lizards(16-15). The tension of that game continued into the 2016 MLL season when the Cannons came to James M. Shuart Stadium, which resulted in another intense over-time victory for the Lizards(13-12).
General managers
Current coaching staff
Current roster
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