LXM PRO

Jonny_Vegas

Lxm pro is growing rapidly.. The rosters get better and better every event. Most recent addition is Mikey Powell (aka the G.O.A.T.). They also have Sean Lindsay, zack Greer, Brett Hughes, Sean Morris, Kyle Harrison, shamel bratton, ramel bratton, Brett Moyer, chazz woodson, Joe Walters, and many more! I have been to 2 Lxm pro events and the next one is Lxm pro 702 las Vegas on on December 2-4. Let's look 10 years into the future... Where do you see the mll, Lxm, and pro field lax in general?

TheLax

I dont see LXM picking up much steam. I think its a great idea, but i dont think its being executed as well as it can. Things have gone downhill since 949

Cam

When do I get to see Mikey Powell highlights?

C_Hart

Reply to @Cam: In agreement on this. Read the recap, but I want the video. Also, while I respect the LXM Pro (It is a great event and it did get M. Powell playing again) I wouldn't mind seeing the leagues merge. Not sure what this would look like, but all the best players in the league would be great for the sport.

Tom_H

IL and Lax.com were there. Nothing extraordinary from Mikey. He didn't force the action. He had a couple of great btb passes/assists though. I'd say he played 60% of the game and ran a little midfield late. Having said all that, he's still as explosive as ever.

Band

Here's the facts: a static league (MLL) is more compelling to fans over time than a tour (LXM) because you can follow it. There are stats, standings, a playoff chase, playoffs, a championship. There are records to be made and broken, storylines (the NFL has done a masterful job of making Tuesday-Saturday an ongoing soap opera), etc. It's easier to become a devoted fan to the MLL and to an MLL team.
What the LXM has going for it is the whole "tour" thing: it comes to the fan. The MLL isn't so popular yet that people will go out of their way to travel to go watch a game. Eliminating this hurdle be bringing the game to the fan was a smart move by the LXM.
If I were the MLL, I'd be scheduling at least one game every week of the season to be in an "emerging" market like the LXM seems to be doing.

ConnorWilsonLAS

Reply to @Band: see that's why I think the MLL should love the LXM! They are basically doing a lot of market research for them... and not even on purpose. But good events by the LXM means the MLL should consider those areas. So I love that they're separate.

The MLL provides that static league experience, while the LXM gets people in the mindset that might actually pay to see a pro lax game.

LaxAllStars

Reply to @ConnorWilsonLAS: Here's a question for you, CW... Do you think the MLL has a correspondent privately reporting to them from every LXM event?

Chewy

Reply to @LaxAllStars: I think it would be in the MLL's best interest to have someone at the LXMPRO events. The target market alone would give them enough "data" on how to appeal to a different crowd. Look at a recent MLL/Warrior commercial... they appeal to a everyday lax bro, is there any draw to that from a kid in the ghetto... Nope. That's where the dose of music comes into play as kind of a draw for the LXMPRO events. And this definitely isn't a race thing because Eminem is a rapper and Hootie is now singing country. GTG

ConnorWilsonLAS

Reply to @LaxAllStars: I would doubt it. MLL is doing their thing and the lax world is small enough that there really are no secrets.

Tom_H

Reply to @Band: Here's some facts from a different perspective although I think most people would agree with you about a league being more compelling. This year I saw a handful of MIAA games including the championships, the #1 HS team, the #1 D1 team, the #1 D3 team, and a handful of other NCAA games. I live 20 minutes from the Bayhawks and had no desire to go and watch even from the sidelines. This past weekend, I drove 2 hours to Philly to see the LXM 610. Different strokes for different folks.

Band

Reply to @Tom_H: Care to explain why? Something draws you to the LXM but not the MLL. What is it?

Tom_H

Reply to @Band: Not sure what it is. I've tried to watch a few games on TV and never make it through.

gunnergordo

Fellas,

I drove 2 hours to Philly on Sunday as well to watch LXM and left with mixed feelings. I really don't consider myself a pro ball fan as much as I consider myself a lacrosse fan. To be completely honest I went to go see Mikey Powell and Kyle Harrison and was very impressed with their performances. MP is still the man and the 4 hour round trip, baking in the stands, and paying $45 (had the fam with me) was worth it just to see what he did off ball let alone with the ball.

Now on the the the things that made me bummed out:

1. LXM needs better logistics. How you run out of water and Gatorade before halftime in 80+ degree weather for the fans is just amazing. They also only let the fans on one side of the field which constrained everyone on the bleachers that directly faced the setting sun which made it not only hot but even with a hat and dark polarized shades on I had trouble tracking the game at times. LXM also placed their huge VIP field tent near the sideline by one of the goals thus negating the view of that goal from 1/4th of the allowed bleacher section. Even from the opposite end of the bleachers that corner of the field of play was obscured. The vendor village was weak in my opinion and while I did not expect it to be like the NCAA tourney I did expect companies there trying to sell gear. Adrenaline was there(duh) and a small Universal Lacrosse stand that tore down promptly when the game started. The rest of the vendors where all food/LXM promo tents with the exception of the GTL crew selling neon tanks.

2. I was bummed at the turnout. There was not even enough spectators to pack one side of a high school football field. I see the same thing in MLL as well as the pro indoor game. It was just another reminder that despite being "the fastest growing sport in America" that we are still small fish in a big pond.

3. While the caliber of athletes were impressive and skills on display amazing you could not help notice that the game was missing something. My 7 year old daughter pegged it when she asked me, "Daddy who do we want to win?". I was stumped on that one. They are all all-stars in my book and I had players on both sides that I really like so I did not really have a reason to favor either side. I just tried to watch the guys that impress me and to see what they did off ball to make them such good players. But there was really none of that excitement that comes with competition in that game with the exception of the last quarter when both teams dialed it up a notch or two because lets face it, no one likes to lose.

Overall I'm glad I went to see it with my own eyes. That being said I don't think I'll ever go to another LXM unless some changes are made. Not trying to bash LXM at all because they are growing the game and I DO appreciate what they are trying to do. But they need to somehow book legit musicians to get people in the gates and somehow get away from the Harlem Globetrotter/all-star game feel. I felt their advertising was excellent for the event and it got me hyped for the game but once I set foot inside the venue I knew what was up. Pro lax will catch on at some point and I wish both the MLL and LXM the best in the future. I really enjoyed MLL this year especially the play offs and championship. Once lax starts getting money pumped into it at a pro level and the athletes can stop having day jobs and actually concentrate on their game (like other pro sports) then we will see some amazing progress. Sadly I feel this is still a decade or two away...

Cheers,

Gordo

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