It’s Official: French Handball League to Play in Miami in 2009

The Ligue National de Handball (LNH) has officially confirmed earlier reports that the LNH Coupe de La Ligue semifinals and final will be played next year, April 11-12 in Miami, Florida.. Key points from the articles:

– Christian Zaharia and a former professional American Football player A.C. Tellison participated in the press conference.
– A business entity “New World Sport Entreprise” is behind the venture
– The cost of the venture is estimated at $2M and is intended to turn a profit as $3M in sponsorship is anticipated.
– Games will be played at the Miami Arena and seating will be configured for 20,000 fans.
– The sizable French, European, Cuban and South American communities in and around Miami were highlighted as a base of fans to attend the matches
– Concerns that French fans might have in traveling to Atlanta were noted and that package travel deals were planned to make it affordable
– Jackson Richardson voiced his support for the project and indicated that he might play in the all-star game
– The LNH plans to also play the semis and finals in the USA in 2010 and 2011

LNH Article: http://www.lnh.fr/zoom.php?article=509
LNH (Player and Coaches React): http://www.lnh.fr/zoom.php?article=510
Handzone.net: : http://www.handzone.net/asp.net/main.news/news.aspx?section=42&league=1
Associated Press: http://fr.sports.yahoo.com/28042008/29/le-handball-francais-fait-sa-pub-aux-etats-unis.html