The National Lacrosse League (NLL) has its New York entity, and that franchise now has a name. The expansion team, named the New York Riptide, will begin play in the 2019-2020 season, with home games to be played at NYCB Live, Home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The Riptide name for the indoor (box) lacrosse squad was presented today today as part of the NLL’s dual announcement with the Halifax franchise’s Thunderbirds moniker, for the relocated Rochester team that will move to Nova Scotia for next season.
Inspired by traditional New York team colors, the New York Riptide color scheme is navy blue and orange, while adding a seafoam green to capture the signature Riptide feel. The logo features a lacrosse stick in action amid swirling water to reflect the unrelenting power of the team that GF Sports is looking to build. To come up with the Riptide name, the team reached out to fans on their website for feedback and Riptide was the overwhelming favorite.
“The fans spoke, and the overwhelming choice was New York Riptide,” said Gary Fuhrman, Managing Partner at GF Capital and Board Member of GF Sports. “We are excited to give the greatest lacrosse fans in the world, a fresh, new brand for professional lacrosse. The name Riptide signifies the unbridled strength of ocean currents, an unstoppable force of nature inextricably linked with Long Island.”
How popular is the team going to be? “I told my grandkids I was coming to the Coliseum today to announce a new team and they said ‘Papi’ I hope its lacrosse not soccer,” said New York soccer legend Shep Messing, who won both indoor soccer titles with the MISL Arrows in the building and outdoor titles with the Cosmos. “This team, and the indoor game, is exactly the fit that Long island needs.”
“There is a tradition of championships in this building, both the Nets and the Islanders, and you can feel here today the positive vibe that the NLL and GF Capital is bringing back here with the Riptide,” added Islanders great Butch Goring, also on hand for the announcement prior to the start of the finals of the NY Open tennis event. “I will be here for the first game and I’m really interested to see how this goes. It’s the right place, at the right time.”
Over the last 18 months, the NLL has added four new teams in emerging lacrosse markets with ownership groups who have experience in live sports and entertainment in state-of-the-art arenas.
Both the Philadelphia Wings and the San Diego Seals, expansion teams this year, have enjoyed tremendous success in their markets with attendance, sponsorships and live viewership numbers. The Riptide and Thunderbirds, both led by experienced ownership groups, will be flagship teams in the NLL.
“We are very proud to announce the brands for both of our newest expansion teams,” said NLL Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz. “Today marks yet another monumental day for New York, Halifax, our fans and the league. With the reveal of the Thunderbirds and Riptide as Halifax and New York’s official brand identities, there are many reasons for excitement in these cities as we inch closer to their inaugural games in December 2019.