What Is 2020 New England Black Wolves

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2020 New England Black Wolves were a professional indoor lacrosse team based in Uncasville, Connecticut, competing in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) before the franchise ceased operations in 2021. The 2020 season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic after just five games.

Key Facts

The New England Black Wolves played in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) from 2015 to 2020.
The team was based in Uncasville, Connecticut, and played home games at Mohegan Sun Arena.
The 2020 season was suspended in March 2020 after only 5 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The franchise relocated from Philadelphia and was previously known as the Philadelphia Wings (1987–2014).
The team officially ceased operations in 2021, with the NLL reassigning its player rights to the expansion Albany FireWolves.

Overview

The 2020 New England Black Wolves were a professional box lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League (NLL), representing the New England region from their base in Uncasville, Connecticut. They played their home games at the Mohegan Sun Arena, a venue known for hosting major sports and entertainment events.

Originally a relocated version of the Philadelphia Wings, the franchise began play as the Black Wolves in 2015 and struggled to achieve consistent success on the scoreboard. The 2020 season was poised to be a rebuilding year, but it was abruptly halted due to external circumstances.

Founded in 2015: The team was established when the former Philadelphia Wings franchise was moved to Connecticut and rebranded as the New England Black Wolves.
Home venue: All home games were hosted at Mohegan Sun Arena, which has a seating capacity of approximately 10,000 for lacrosse events.
2020 season duration: Only five games were played before the NLL suspended the season in March 2020 due to the emerging global pandemic.
Final record: The team stood at 1 win and 4 losses when the season was officially canceled, marking their fifth consecutive losing season.
Team ownership: Operated under the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, which also manages the Mohegan Sun casino and other entertainment ventures.

How It Works

The New England Black Wolves operated as a franchise within the National Lacrosse League, following the standard structure of professional indoor lacrosse teams, including roster management, game scheduling, and fan engagement.

League Structure: The NLL is a professional box lacrosse league with a winter-spring season, typically running from December to June, featuring 15–17 teams across North America.
Game Format: Each game consists of four 15-minute quarters, with teams fielding six players, including a goalie, on a hockey-rink-sized turf field.
Roster Size: Teams carry 20 active players per game, with additional players on the practice squad or injured reserve list.
Player Acquisition: The team drafted players through the annual NLL Entry Draft and acquired others via trades or free agency, with a salary cap in place.
Season Suspension: On March 12, 2020, the NLL announced the suspension of the season due to the spread of the novel coronavirus, halting all games indefinitely.
Franchise Dissolution: In June 2021, the league announced the Black Wolves would not return, and the Albany FireWolves would take their place using a dispersal draft.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2020 New England Black Wolves with other NLL teams in terms of performance, attendance, and key metrics.

Team	2020 Record	Home Games Played	Avg. Attendance	Playoff Chances (Pre-Suspension)
New England Black Wolves	1–4	3	3,200	Eliminated
Philadelphia Wings	4–3	4	7,125	Still in contention
Saskatchewan Rush	7–1	4	10,000	Frontrunner
Buffalo Bandits	6–2	5	13,500	Strong contender
Halifax Thunderbirds	4–3	4	5,800	Still in contention

The data shows that the Black Wolves had one of the weakest performances in the 2020 season. With low attendance and a poor win-loss record, the team struggled to gain traction compared to more established franchises. The pandemic only accelerated the end of their tenure in Connecticut.

Why It Matters

The dissolution of the New England Black Wolves marks a significant shift in the NLL's geographic strategy and highlights the challenges smaller-market teams face in maintaining viability.

Market Challenges: Despite strong regional support, the team averaged only 3,200 fans per game, one of the lowest in the league.
Pandemic Impact: The early end to the 2020 season prevented any potential momentum from building during a critical rebuilding phase.
Relocation Precedent: The franchise’s move to Albany as the FireWolves shows the NLL’s willingness to reposition teams for better market fit.
Fan Base Disruption: Loyal Connecticut fans lost their local team, though some were later invited to special events hosted by the new Albany franchise.
Legacy: The Black Wolves developed several players who went on to have successful NLL careers, contributing to the league’s talent pool.
Future of Lacrosse: The case underscores the need for strong attendance and corporate sponsorship to sustain professional indoor lacrosse in emerging markets.

The end of the New England Black Wolves era serves as a cautionary tale about the fragility of sports franchises in non-traditional markets, especially when faced with global disruptions like the pandemic.