National Lacrosse League (2005-2015)
Tombstone
Born: August 2004
Moved: May 2015 (Georgia Swarm)
First Game: January 1, 2005 (W 12-11 @ Rochester Knighthawks)
Last Game: May 2, 2015 (W 13-12 vs. Rochester Knighthawks)
Champions Cup Titles: None
Arena
Xcel Energy Center (18,064)
Opened: 2000
Branding
Team Colors: Blue, Yellow & Gray
Ownership
Owners:
- 2004-2008: Minnesota Sports & Entertainment (Robert Naegele, Jr.)
- 2008: Minnesota Sports & Entertainment (Craig Leipold)
- 2008-2015: John Arlotta & Andy Arlotta
Our Favorite Stuff
Minnesota Swarm
Logo T-Shirt
It’s tough to find pro lax throwback tees, but American Retro Apparel has a nice line of shirts from both the National Lacrosse League and the recently defunct Major League Lacrosse. This Swarm logo tee in Dark Heather is one of our very favorites from the collection.
This design is available in several colors and in sizes small through XXXL today!
When you make a purchase through an affiliate link like this one, Fun While It Lasted earns a commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Background
The Minnesota Swarm was a professional box lacrosse team that played 11 winter seasons in St. Paul, Minnesota. Founded in August 2004, the Swarm played their first four seasons as part of Minnesota Sports & Entertainment, owners of the the National Hockey League’s Minnesota Wild and their home arena, the Xcel Energy Center.
In January 2008, as the Swarm were about to embark on their fourth season, Minnesota Sports & Entertainment changed hands. Craig Leipold bought controlling interest in the Wild and MS&E’s other properties. Within months, Leipold offloaded the Swarm, selling the team to his friend John Arlotta and his son Andy. The Arlottas would operate the team for its remaining seven years in St. Paul.
Performance
The Swarm was a middling club throughout their years in Minnesota. The team advanced to the playoffs in seven of eleven seasons, but never won a division title or advanced to the National Lacrosse League’s Champions Cup finals. Canadian forward Ryan Benesch won the NLL’s scoring title in 2011 with 46 goals and 49 assists in 16 games.
Red Ink
Like most National Lacrosse League franchises, the Swarm lost money annually. After losing a major sponsorship with Treasure Island Resort & Casino in 2013, the Arlotta family sent a season ticket appeal letter to fans citing “tremendous financial losses“since acquiring the club five years earlier.
The Swarm hung in for two more seasons in St. Paul. But in May 2015, the Arlottas announced the club would move to Duluth, Georgia. Now known as the Georgia Swarm, the franchise won its first National Lacrosse League championship in 2017.
Downloads
2008 National Lacrosse League Media Guide
2008 National Lacrosse League Media Guide
2009 National Lacrosse League Media Guide (.PDF)
2011 National Lacrosse League Media Guide (.PDF)
2012 National Lacrosse League Media Guide (.PDF)
2013 National Lacrosse League Media Guide (.PDF)
2014 National Lacrosse League Media Guide (.PDF)
2015 National Lacrosse League Media Guide (.PDF)
Links
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