As Ottawa welcomes back pro lacrosse, questions are raised about its chance of success

As a professional lacrosse team returns to Ottawa later this year, a local league and the owner of the city's last pro team are confident it will succeed — but questions about the team's long-term viability remain.

The National Lacrosse League (NLL) announced Wednesday that the New York Riptide will be moving to Ottawa and will debut as the Ottawa Black Bears next season.

The move comes about two decades after Ottawa's previous NLL team, the Ottawa Rebel, was sold to Edmonton after two seasons. 

Brad Watters, who was president of the Rebel during its ill-fated run from 2001 to 2003, said he's confident constraints that held back his team won't hinder the Black Bears.

"The market has really improved since we were there," Watters said. "Our teams were never really competitive. I know that's not going to be the case."

The new team is a partnership between the NLL, owners GF Sports and Entertainment and the Ottawa Senators. 

For Watters, that tie to the Senators is key.

Placing them in the same building is an opportunity for cross-promotion and creates an incentive to establish a dedicated fan base, he said.

"I think this is the perfect fit," Watters said. "You can advertise at the Sens games. There's no disinterest in seeing this team succeed."

The vice-president of the Nepean Knights Lacrosse Association is upbeat about the team's arrival.

Jon Zywicki's league, which at least one Riptide played in, is planning to take in 550 children for its upcoming summer season.

He said a professional team to foster local interest in the sport will snowball into higher attendance.   

"Ottawa is a big lacrosse hotbed in the province," he said.

"It's going to be a grassroots, planned exposure to get more and more families and kids engaged