NJ Pride Close Team Offices

Source: Inside Lacrosse Blog

The New Jersey Pride have closed their offices and general manager Steve Ferretti will be managing the Pride as the team’s only full-time employee throughout the offseason, sources confirmed this week.

The Pride are one of a number of teams looking to solidify ownership issues over the coming months, leading to widespread speculation about relocation for at least three teams around the league.

The Pride have been owned by a limited liability company associated with New Balance since June, and played a game against the Barrage in Portland, Ore., on August 9. The Pride’s situation is markedly different from the Barrage, who were owned and operated by the MLL all season and are also looking for a new home.

“From what I understand, the game we had in Portland was hosted by the Lumberjax, and every layman can figure out maybe Portland wants to own a team, but it’s a very fluid thing that changes week to week,” Ferretti said.

The coaching staff and team roster remain in tact, though a number of players have expressed concern over how many of their teammates would be willing to play home games on the other side of the country.

When reached for comment, MLL Commissioner Dave Gross said he was not in a position to comment on any of the clubs’ ownership.