Shamrox are back in action

For Chicago Shamrox fans, the game is on.

Nine days after canceling the 2008 season, National League Lacrosse officials announced a long-term agreement with the players union that will allow the league to return to action.

While it appears the Shamrox will be able to play at the Sears Centre, much of the 14-team league play remains a question mark, and it's possible some teams that gave up arena dates may not return this season.

The two sides agreed to a seven-year deal that runs through the 2014 season, but either side can opt out after five years. The long-term deal was critical to the health of the NLL, Commissioner Jim Jennings said.

"The long-range view of the league has never been better," he said. "We're now stronger than ever."

The sides agreed to a 5 percent increase in the maximum veteran and franchise player salaries to $22,358 and $27,948, respectively, and a 6 percent increase for all others.

Jennings said no schedules have been approved, and he had no idea how many teams would return, when the season would begin, where all the games would be played or how long the season would last. The season originally was scheduled to open Dec. 27, with the Shamrox playing their first home game Jan. 5.

Jennings said he hopes a full schedule can be finalized by the middle of next week.

"We're very pleased and excited about this news," Shamrox President Connie Kowal said. "We had a terrific first year at the Sears Centre, and now we can build on that."

Kowal said he has had daily conversations with operators of the 11,000-seat arena on keeping dates open for the Shamrox, but now the start of the season and the entire schedule is in the hands of NLL officials to work through issues with all of their teams.

Meanwhile, the league and the players union will continue to negotiate on a salary cap system that allows free agency.