The New Jersey Storm will relocate to the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim, the National Lacrosse League announced in a media conference call today.

Ogden Facility Management Corporation (OFM Corporation), which owns Arrowhead Pond, has purchased an ownership stake in the Storm, with former NBA star Jayson Williams continuing as the team's majority owner.

The relocation news brings closure to the Storm's disappointing two-year tenure in New Jersey, where it failed to draw many fans to Continental Airlines Arena. Officially, the club had the eighth-best average attendance last season (5,300), but actual crowd size often was much lower.

"This is a great day for the sports fans of Anaheim and the NLL," commissioner Jim Jennings said. "We have moved into another successful National Hockey League market, and formed a partnership with a very successful sports and entertainment venue in the Arrowhead Pond.

"We are very excited to work with the management and staff of the Arrowhead Pond, and join the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in bringing first-class sports entertainment to the fans of Anaheim during the winter and spring months."

This is the latest in a series of partnerships established between an NLL franchise and either an arena or another tenant at the new arena.

A year ago, Kroenke Sports (which also owns Pepsi Centre, the NHL's Colorado Avalanche, and the NBA's Denver Nuggets) purchased the Washington Power, relocated it to Denver, and made it financially successful.

A month ago, the NHL's San Jose Sharks teamed up with a group of investors to move the Albany Attack to HP Pavilion in San Jose.

Although the Bay Area is the fifth-most populous metropolitan areas in the United States and Denver is among the top twenty, Jennings noted that the new market (the greater Los Angeles area) is bigger than both of them combined.

"The arrival of this franchise in Anaheim gives us a presence in the second largest population and media market in the United States," he said.

At approximately sixteen million people, the Los Angeles metro area ranks only below that of New York City (20 million) in population.

OFM will handle the team's marketing and day-to-day operations, although Chip Santye will remain as the club's president and governor.

"We are extremely excited to be bringing the NLL to the city of Anaheim and to have the first team in Southern California," Arrowhead Pond general manager Tim Ryan said. "The sport of lacrosse has witnessed a substantial growth spurt across the nation and in California as well."

"The indoor professional game is a furiously fast paced contest that local fans will find hard to resist," Ryan added. "We are excited to host a team in this up-and-coming professional league."

As with previous relocations, the Anaheim franchise will receive a new name and logo. A name-the-team contest is expected, although no details were released.

Another partnership might be on the way. The Columbus Landsharks are working on a deal to relocate to the Phoenix Coyotes' new arena in Glendale, Arizona. The most recent reports are that the Coyotes would buy a controlling interest in the Landsharks, with current owners Michael Gongas and Charlie Russo retaining a minority stake.