(New York)--The National Lacrosse League announced that the Vancouver Ravens have been removed from the 2005 NLL schedule due to their inability to secure a suitable arena lease. The Ravens, who entered the league as an expansion franchise for the 2002 season, had played their home games at General Motors Place in Vancouver for the past three seasons. Following the conclusion of its initial three-year lease at General Motors Place, the club engaged in negotiations with both General Motors Place and the Pacific Coliseum, also in Vancouver, in an effort to secure a lease agreement for the 2005 season.

On December 6th, the NLL received written confirmation that the Pacific Coliseum agreed to enter into an agreement to host the Vancouver Ravens for the 2005 season. The league imposed a deadline of today for the Ravens to secure a formal lease and meet certain financial conditions imposed by the NLL.

The management for the Pacific Coliseum notified the club yesterday that it was ceasing negotiations towards a formal lease agreement, despite its written confirmation of December 6 to enter into an agreement.

A revised 2005 schedule will be released shortly. The league will also hold a dispersal draft of the Vancouver Ravens players tomorrow, December 15, 2004 at 6:00 PM Eastern via teleconference call.