ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) - A new indoor lacrosse league is coming to the east coast. The Professional Box Lacrosse Association has announced a new, professional, American box lacrosse league, and it could be coming to the region. The operator of First Arena and President of Mammoth Sports and Entertainment, Steve Donner was announced as Commissioner of the league.

The launch of the PBLA comes just as lacrosse was officially labeled as the fastest-growing sport in America in a study conducted by the NCAA. The league will consist of 8 teams, and the cities that will have teams will be announced on July 19th with fans being able to vote on the name they like best for their local team.

Donner has over 27 years in the industry, including being the Marketing Director for the Buffalo Sabres, and owner of the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League. He tells WENY that the majority of the players in the league will be Division I and Division II NCAA graduates who played NCAA lacrosse. Donner discussed playing a key part in the development of this new league.

"It's exciting to be part of something new, building something from the ground up, it's something I've always enjoyed in my career," said Donner. "Starting a sports league, which I've done before, you have an opportunity to do things, especially in today's age with technology you can do some things you could never do.

As the league prepares to announce the cities of the teams on July 19th, Donner mentioned the potential of one of the team calling Elmira home.

"Our commitment to the county was to bring a diversity of programming to the arena, and bring new and exciting sports to the arena. We have put in a strong bid for Elmira to be a part of and one of the original members of this new league. We'll find out on July 19th the results of our efforts" he said.

"I think the biggest thing is you've got to come out and see this sport for yourself. This indoor game with these players is going to be one of the most exciting fastest things you'll ever see in an arena. I think you'll like it, I don't think you'd be sitting down much" Donner added.

To learn more about the Professional Box Lacrosse Association, click here.