The National Lacrosse League formally introduced Jim Jennings as the new commissioner of the three-year-old league today during a press conference at ESPN Zone in New York City.

A veteran of sports marketing with teams in several professional leagues, Jennings replaces Jim Livsey, who left the position to lead the Columbus Landsharks ownership group.

At the age of 23, Jennings was appointed Director of Marketing for soccer's New York Cosmos, spurring the team's average home attendance to over 50,000 and lifting the Cosmos to the head of the league in corporate sponsorships.

After leaving to found Valet Park International, the nation's largest valet parking company, Jennings returned to the sports world in 1995, as the general manager of the USBL's Florida Sharks, establishing attendance and sponsorship records in the process. He later served as president of the CBA's Florida Beachdogs.

Jennings then moved into ownership, investing in the New Jersey Shorecats of the USBL. A year later, he acquired the USBL's Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs, setting a new attendance record along the way.

On being hired as NLL Commissioner, Jennings said, "My administration will have three objectives: increase league revenues, promote franchise expansion and establish recognition of the NLL as the fifth major league sports league in North America. I would like to thank the NLL owners for this opportunity to take the league to the next level. We will maximize all avenues for league revenues including sponsorships, internet, merchandising, television and radio broadcasts."

"As a member of the league’s executive committee, I am extremely pleased that we have been able to secure Jim’s services," said Philadelphia Wings co-owner Mike French. "We performed an extensive search and Jim was our top selection on a very short list of highly qualified candidates. I look forward to working with Jim in the years to come."