The Rochester Rattlers outdoor professional lacrosse team is leaving Rochester.
The announcement on Thursday said that the Rattlers will relocate to Frisco, Texas and will be rebranded as the Dallas Rattlers for the 2018 Major League Lacrosse season.
“We have been interested in the North Texas area for quite some time and we are thrilled that our dream of bringing an MLL team to Dallas has come to fruition,” MLL Commissioner David Gross said. “We would like to thank the city of Rochester, the Dworkin family and everyone who has supported the Rattlers for their devotion to the team. We believe this relocation will make the franchise stronger than ever and will bring the highest level of lacrosse to a rapidly growing hotbed for the sport.”
Bill Warder, who has served as an assistant coach with the Rattlers since 2007, will be the head coach.
Last season, the Rattlers went 8-6 and qualified for the postseason for the eighth time in franchise history. They were eliminated by the Outlaws in the MLL Semi-Finals, 15-8.
The Rattlers were managed by David and Wendy Dworkin during the 2017 season and returned to play at Capelli Sport Stadium. They are one of the six original franchises that began play in MLL in 2001 and won the Steinfeld Trophy in 2008 with a 16-6 win over the Outlaws for the first Championship in franchise history.
The team relocated to Toronto before the 2009 season, but resumed play under the Rochester Rattlers brand in 2011 when the Chicago Machine relocated to Rochester.
The announcement comes a day after the owners of the Rochester Rhinos, David and Wendy Dworkin, announced an effort to try and raise $1.3 million by the end of this month if they are to assure a 2018 season for the soccer team.
The Dworkins also managed the Rattlers, and released this statement:
"The Rochester Rhinos organization and Capelli Sport Stadium wish the Rochester Rattlers continued success in Dallas. We thank Major League Lacrosse, Commissioner David Gross, Rattlers Coaches and the Players for their support last season. We have greatly enjoyed working with them and attending games. Professional sports teams are vital community assets – a sentiment we know is shared by thousands of people across the region, recognizing the benefits they bring to fans, neighborhoods and so many others."
