July 23, 2008
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The National Lacrosse League (NLL), North America’s professional indoor lacrosse league, introduced John J. Arlotta as the new owner of the league’s Minnesota Swarm franchise at a press conference held on Wednesday, July 16th at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. Arlotta is very familiar to the Notre Dame community as he and his wife, Bobbie, pledged the lead gift for the University’s new $5 million lacrosse stadium.
Arlotta, a 1971 Notre Dame graduate, purchased the Swarm from Minnesota Sports & Entertainment (MSE), owners of the franchise for its first four seasons in the NLL. MSE owns and operates the NHL’s Minnesota Wild and Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul among its properties.
Arlotta is the former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Denver-based Coram Inc., a privately held provider of home infusion and specialty pharmacy services. Prior to Coram, he served as Chairman, President and CEO of NeighborCare Inc. Arlotta joined NeighborCare in July 2003, and took the company public in December of that year. From 1995 to 2000, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of Caremark Rx as well as the President of Caremark’s specialty biotech drug distribution business. He started his health care career in 1971 at Chicago-based Baxter International.
“I am truly excited to officially take over the ownership of the Minnesota Swarm franchise, and I want to thank my good friend (MSE majority owner) Craig Leipold for giving me this opportunity,” said Arlotta. “The Swarm has made great strides both on and off the field in its first four seasons in the National Lacrosse League and I look forward to helping the organization achieve the ultimate goal of bringing a championship team to Minnesota.”
“We are pleased to introduce John Arlotta as our newest team owner in the National Lacrosse League,” said NLL Commissioner Jim Jennings. “John is an incredibly successful businessman and has a great passion for lacrosse. We could not ask for a better combination in a new owner, and we welcome John and his family to the NLL.”
Arlotta’s son, Andy, will be a part owner and will join the Swarm on a full-time basis. He will be involved in a number of aspects of the business, including sales and sponsor relations. He has spent the last 10 years working in the healthcare industry, most recently as National Account Manager at Managed Healthcare Associates, a group purchasing organization for specialty pharmacies.
MSE purchased an NLL franchise on August 10, 2004 and the Swarm began play in the 2005 season at the Xcel Energy Center. Minnesota recently completed its fourth campaign and set franchise records with 10 wins and an average attendance of 11,405 fans per game while advancing to the playoffs for the third straight time.
MSE announced on May 14 that a letter of intent was signed to sell the team to John J. Arlotta. The Minnesota Swarm will continue to play its home games at the Xcel Energy Center and MSE will also continue to support and provide certain business services. The Swarm will begin their fifth season in the NLL in January 2009.
Groundbreaking ceremonies for Arlotta Stadium on the Notre Dame campus were held on April 18, 2008. Arlotta Stadium will become the new home for the Notre Dame men’s and women’s lacrosse programs upon completion, which is scheduled for June of 2009. Conceptual plans suggest a 2,000-seat, lighted stadium that would include an artificial-turf field, locker rooms, restrooms and concession areas. The Arlotta children – Mindy, Andy and Jon – also have pledged an additional gift from The Arlotta Family Foundation toward the project.
— ND —