NEW YORK, N.Y. (Wednesday, May 30, 2012) - The Long Island Lizards of Major League Lacrosse (MLL) announced today that they have been sold to an investor group which includes Medallion Financial Corp. (Nasdaq: TAXI), and National Football League Hall of Famer Jim Brown, who, besides professional football, is widely considered the greatest lacrosse player of all time.
“We are very excited about this opportunity, the potential of Major League Lacrosse, and working with a legend like Jim Brown,” said Andrew Murstein, President of Medallion.
“Long Island is a hot bed for lacrosse, which, according to recent studies, is also the fastest growing sport in the U.S. With Jim and I both growing up on Long Island, we know firsthand how passionate the fans are about lacrosse and what it means to the community. We have assembled an all star ownership group which, in addition to Jim, includes our team Vice Chairman Richard Mack of AREA Property Partners, who is also originally from Long Island, as well as Ivan Wolpert, Albert Maione, John Lizza, and other local investors,” Murstein said.
“ With the foundation of current stars like Long Islander Max Seibald and Greg Gurenlian as well as future superstar CJ Costabile, one of the five finalists up for the 2012 Tewaaraton Trophy, college lacrosse's equivalent to the Heisman Trophy, we will be giving the New York area fans an exciting team for years to come".
Jim Brown added, "Not everyone knows this, but lacrosse has always been my favorite sport along with football. I started playing at Manhasset High School, not too far from the Lizards’ home field at Hofstra in Hempstead.
“I was an All American lacrosse player at Syracuse and our team went undefeated in my senior year. This sport is ready to explode and I am proud to be a part of it. I am passionate about the Lizards and plan to be at our next home game at Hofstra on Long Island, June 1st, one hour before the 7 p.m. game time, to meet the fans. It will be a bit of a homecoming for me and I am excited beyond words".
About Medallion Financial
Medallion Financial Corp. is a specialty finance company with a leading position in the origination and servicing of loans financing the purchase of taxicab medallions and related assets. The Company also originates and services loans in other commercial industries, and its wholly-owned portfolio company, Medallion Bank, also originates and services consumer loans. The Company and its subsidiaries have invested over $5 billion in small businesses.
About Jim Brown
Jim Brown played running back for the NFL Cleveland Browns from 1957 to 1965. At the end of his career he was named as the greatest professional football player of all time by The Sporting News. Brown was an outstanding athlete at Manhasset High School on Long Island in football, lacrosse, baseball, basketball and running track. At Syracuse University he had the unusual distinction in his senior year of making first team All-American in football and first-team All-American in lacrosse, where he scored 43 goals in 10 games to rank second in scoring nationally. After professional sports, Brown transitioned to a distinguished career in acting, and became notable for his social activism. He currently works with youth reform to reach their greatest potential on a national platform through the Amer-I-Can Foundation, a non-profit he founded in 1988
About the Long Island Lizards
The Long Island Lizards of Major League Lacrosse (MLL) was founded in 2001 as one of the original six franchises. Long Island won the Steinfeld Cup in its inaugural season, 2001, as well as in 2003. The Long Island Lizards currently play all of their home games at Hofstra University Shuart Stadium. Tickets for all the Lizards games can be purchased online at www.lizardslacrosse.com.
About Major League Lacrosse
Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league, was founded by Jake Steinfeld and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. Major League Lacrosse commenced play in June of 2001 and is in its twelfth season in 2012. MLL has continued to lead the sport of lacrosse into the mainstream of competitive team sports. The league is made up of eight teams: The Boston Cannons, Charlotte Hounds, Chesapeake Bayhawks, Denver Outlaws, Hamilton Nationals, Long Island Lizards, Ohio Machine and Rochester Rattlers.
The 2012 season commenced on April 28, 2012. The 2012 MLL All-Star Game will take place on Saturday, June 30 at FAU Stadium in Palm Beach County, FL. and the 2012 MLL Championship Weekend will take place on August 25 and 26 a Harvard Stadium in Boston, Mass. More information about the league can be found at www.majorleaguelacrosse.com, Facebook or Twitter.
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