The Ottawa Black Bears are a professional box lacrosse franchise based in Ottawa, Ontario. With their inaugural season in 2024-2025, they will be members of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) and will play home games at the Canadian Tire Centre.
 | |
| Sport | Box lacrosse |
|---|---|
| First season | 2025 |
| League | National Lacrosse League |
| Team history | New York Riptide 2018–2024 |
| Location | Ottawa, Ontario |
| Arena | Canadian Tire Centre |
| Colours | Black, Red, Gold, White |
| Owner | GF Sports |
| Head coach | Dan Ladouceur |
| General manager | Rich Lisk |
| Website | OttawaBlackBears.ca |
History
editOn February 20, 2024, John Rodenburg of CFGO Radio reported that the New York Riptide would be relocating to Ottawa following the conclusion of the 2023–24 season and will play their home games at Canadian Tire Centre for the 2024–25 season. The team cited poor attendance and their eviction from Nassau Coliseum as factors in the move.[1] The next day, NLL commissioner Brett Frood made the official announcement that the Riptide would be relocating to Ottawa and rebranding as the Ottawa Black Bears. This marks the first time professional box lacrosse has been played in Ottawa since 2003, when the Ottawa Rebel played their final season in Canada's capital before relocating to Edmonton and later to Saskatchewan, where they are now known as the Saskatchewan Rush.[2]
References
edit- ^ DaSilva, Matt (February 20, 2024). "Report: New York Riptide Relocating To Ottawa After 2023-24 Season". USA Lacrosse. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ "NLL's New York team to move to Ottawa and be renamed Black Bears starting next season". Toronto Star. The Canadian Press. February 21, 2024. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.