2023 NLL season
The 2023 National Lacrosse League season, formally known as the 2022–2023 season, was the 36th in the history of the NLL. The season began on December 2, 2022, and ended with the NLL final on June 3, 2023. This was the inaugural season for the expansion team Las Vegas Desert Dogs.
| 2023 NLL season | |
|---|---|
| League | National Lacrosse League |
| Sport | Indoor lacrosse (box lacrosse) |
| Duration | December 2, 2022 — June 3, 2023 |
| Number of games | 18 |
| Number of teams | 15 |
| TV partner(s) | ESPN (United States) TSN (Canada) |
| Season MVP | Christian Del Bianco |
| Top scorer | Jeff Teat |
| Playoffs | |
| Eastern Conference champions | Buffalo Bandits |
| Eastern Conference runners-up | Toronto Rock |
| Western Conference champions | Colorado Mammoth |
| Western Conference runners-up | Calgary Roughnecks |
| Finals | |
| Champions | Buffalo Bandits |
| Runners-up | Colorado Mammoth |
| Finals MVP | Dhane Smith |
The preseason went from November 5 through November 26, 2022. It included games at Aʼnowaraʼko꞉wa Arena and Toronto Rock Athletic Centre. The regular season went from December 2, 2022, through April 20, 2023. This season had the most regular season games in NLL history with 135. The broadcasting partners are TSN in Canada and ESPN in the United States. TSN featured 20 games on TV with their NLL Game of the Week on TSN and show all the games online and their app. ESPN aired 10 games on TV and all games on ESPN+. Due to scheduling conflicts with ESPN's linear networks, Game 3 of the NLL Final was simulcast on WNLO in addition to being carried on ESPN+.
This was the first season for Commissioner Brett Frood, who was previously a NASCAR executive as president of the Stewart-Haas Racing team. Frood was a collegiate lacrosse player and was captain of the Brown University lacrosse team.
The 2023 NLL Stadium Showdown, the first outdoor NLL game, was held on March 4 at the Snapdragon Stadium, between the San Diego Seals and the Las Vegas Desert Dogs.