The National Lacrosse League today announced its first new franchise in three years, welcoming Minnesota as its eleventh team at a press conference this afternoon.

The unnamed team isn't really new, though. The Canadian Press reports that Minnesota Sports and Entertainment (MS&E) purchased the dormant Montreal Express, which had been missing from action the past two seasons.

Interim Minnesota Lacrosse logo, unveiled today.

New team, dormant team -- it matters little to the newest NLL city or to the club's new owner, the same company that owns the NHL's Minnesota Wild.

"We are thrilled to bring professional lacrosse to the Xcel Energy Center," MS&E chairman Bob Naegele Jr. said. "Minnesota has one of the fastest-growing lacrosse communities in the nation and we believe fans will truly enjoy this powerful, high-scoring and fast-paced sport."

Minnesota's entry continues the NLL's business model of partnering with NHL clubs. Seven franchises are owned or operated by an NHL team, and all but one (Rochester) play in an NHL rink.

"[Associating with NHL clubs] has become the ideal model for success both on and off the floor," NLL commissioner Jim Jennings said.

When Jennings took office in September 2000, six of eight teams played in NHL rinks, but only two had a operating relationship with an NHL team.

Although Minnesota technically is getting an existing franchise, there are no rights to recall players lost in the Montreal Express' September 2002 dispersal draft. Rather, the usual expansion rules apply -- an expansion draft and the top spot in the order for this fall's annual entry draft.

As for a name, don't expect one soon -- the team's interim web site, lacrossemn.com, projects an announcement in late September. Presently, there's an online poll for fans to help select the name, with Thrill, Rush, Swarm and Bullheads as choices.

For now, the club is using a generic logo, with the silhouette of a lacrosse player, in light green, in the foreground and a cutout in the shape of Minnesota (dark green) in the background. The words "Minnesota Lacrosse" and "lacrossemn.com" appear at the bottom, in white.

Since NLL reportedly had been waiting for other expansion prospects to firm up before proceding with today's announcement, it appears unlikely that a twelfth team will be added for the 2005 season. Never count out anything with the NLL, though, especially with Detroit and Dallas still being mentioned as candidates.