Tombstone
Formed: 1986
Re-Branded: 1988 (Major Indoor Lacrosse League)
First Game: January 10, 1987
Last Game: March 20, 1988
Seasons: 2
States: 3 + District of Columbia
(DC, MD, NJ, PA)
Leadership
Attendance
Trophy Case
Background
The Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League was the initial name of an box (indoor) lacrosse promotion formed by Kansas City businessmen Russ Cline and Chris Fritz in 1986. The league, which debuted in January 1987 in four mid-Atlantic cities, is the ancestor of today’s National Lacrosse League which now features teams from coast to coast in the United States and in eastern and western Canada.
All four of the Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League clubs were centrally owned and operated by Cline & Fritz’s corporation. There were no individual franchises or team owners.
Following the 1988 season, the league re-branded as the Major Indoor Lacrosse League. In 1997, the league re-branded again and became the National Lacrosse League. At the same time, the league de-centralized and shifted to a franchise model with individual owner-operators in each league city.
Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League Franchises (1987-1988)
| Franchise | Years Active | EPBLL Champions |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Thunder | 1987-1988 | 1987 |
| New Jersey Saints | 1987-1988 | 1988 |
| Philadelphia Wings | 1987-1988 | None |
| Washington Wave | 1987-1988 | None |
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