The Wings, Philadelphia’s National Lacrosse League franchise, are folding.
On Thursday, the NLL announced that the Wings and the Ottawa Black Bears would cease operations. For the Wings, the decision comes after Comcast Spectacor pulled its ownership of the franchise following the 2025-26 season. At the time, the NLL announced that it had initiated a “comprehensive process” to find an owner for the team, but the league ultimately decided to contract. The move to discontinue the Wings and the Black Bears, which also had ownership turnover, leaves the NLL with 12 teams.
“Today is a difficult day for the National Lacrosse League and, most importantly, for the fans, players, employees and partners who have supported the Ottawa Black Bears and Philadelphia Wings,” NLL commissioner Brett Frood said in a release. “These are proud lacrosse markets with passionate communities, and we are grateful to everyone who has invested their time, energy and belief in these clubs.
“As we enter our 40th anniversary season, our responsibility is to provide certainty for our constituents and move forward with 12 active member clubs aligned behind the League’s collective future.”
The NLL noted in its release that both cities “remain important markets to the NLL,” and the league would “consider future opportunities in either community if the long-term conditions and partners necessary to support a sustainable franchise are established.”
After Comcast Spectacor pulled its ownership of the Wings, it was expected that the franchise would move out of the city. The team was never included in Comcast Spectacor and Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment’s plan for a new arena in the stadium complex that will open in 2030.
A dispersal draft, allowing the 12 remaining franchises to select players from the Wings and Black Bears, will be Sept. 15.
Last season, the Wings (5-13) finished with the worst record in the NLL. The franchise was established in 1987 as one of the original four teams of the NLL. The Wings became a fan favorite at the Spectrum as box lacrosse, which originated in Canada, gained popularity in the United States. The Wings relocated to Connecticut in 2014 and were renamed the New England Black Wolves. However, in 2017, the franchise was reestablished as an expansion team under the ownership of Comcast Spectacor.
The termination of the Wings franchise does not leave Philadelphia without a professional lacrosse team, as the Premier Lacrosse League’s Philadelphia Waterdogs have gained a fan base in the area. The league uses a touring model, in which teams travel from city to city as a league and franchises have “homecoming weekends” in their home markets. The Waterdogs, who played at Subaru Park last month, are slated to take on the Denver Outlaws in the league’s championship game on Sept. 20 at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, N.J. (12:30 p.m., 6abc).
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