Recently, ArenaMedia president and Outsider's Guide correspondent Saul Davidson conducted an interview with Dave Succamore, the vice president of the Professional Lacrosse Players Association. Excerpts of the interview which deal with the future of the Boston Blazers, now in its third year of inactivity, and on expansion are printed below.

Would the National Lacrosse League governing body try to revoke Frank DuRoss' franchise rights to the Boston/New England market?

I believe the NLL's governing body could indeed revoke Frank DuRoss' franchise rights for the city of Boston. How many chances will this individual get to be an operator of this league? Is the NLL willing to give the same kind of treatment to any other possible new group or owner trying to obtain an expansion team? There comes a time when the owner is either involved or [he's] not. Who knows, maybe there is a decent operator out there right now that could possibly obtain the Boston franchise and is not getting a fair chance at it.

Has the league in fact tried to, or impose any injunctions on DuRoss and Associates?

At this time, I am not aware of any injunctions. I have heard the rumors as you have. I know the topic of Boston lacrosse is continually discussed within the PLPA.

Does the league expect a team in Boston for 2001? Is it a realistic expectation?

We have expected a team in Boston every year. It is a real shame that the team has been lost there for the last two seasons and with this season making it a third. It is as realistic as having a serious owner. If there is no serious owner involved in doing business, then I would have to think there may not be a team. The fans, players, PLPA and NLL really suffered due to there not being a team in Boston over the years. When you lose a great city like Boston, you lose something, and that something is definitely linked to credibility.

Do they think a Boston franchise will be a relocation or an expansion franchise?

I definitely hope it is an expansion city. You had a nucleus of a great team in Boston with great athletes. They all loved the game. Who knows, if DuRoss is still involved it might end up in his backyard in Providence.

How do you believe the expiration of the collection bargaining agreement will affect expansion for 2001?

The PLPA has been trying to sit down with the NLL negotiating team for over a year to reach an agreement in regards to an extension to the CBA, but we have yet to get together. The PLPA wanted an early start on negotiations so we wouldn't have a strain on our relationship with management as we have had over the past. There are far too many outstanding issues to date that need to be rectified before we can move forward with negotiations. In regards to expansion with direct relationship to the CBA, how can an owner come into the league and not know his operating costs for the next one, two, three years? With an extension to the contract in place it can only attract owners to this league. Without an extension, you are going in blind from a cost factor and that in itself may scare potential investors away. Maybe investors are already in place for the 2001 season with or without an extension. Time will only tell.

The views expressed in interviews presented here are the opinions only of the speaker, and not necessarily those of the Outsider's Guide, ArenaMedia, the National Lacrosse League, the Professional Lacrosse Players Association, or any of the member teams of the NLL.