Atlanta's new Major League Soccer franchise is set to debut in 2017.  The metro area may now be home to an expansion franchise for Major League Lacrosse (MLL), too.

MLL plans a major announcement Friday at Fifth Third Bank Stadium at Kennesaw State University in Cobb County.  League Commissioner David Gross will be on hand.  An email notice about the event hints it concerns "the exciting future of Major League Lacrosse in 2016."

Friday's announcement comes on the eve of Saturday's MLL championship game at Fifth Third Bank Stadium between the Rochester Rattlers and New York Lizards.  The game will be televised nationally by CBS Sports.

While details are under wraps, Marty Elliott, general manager of the KSU Sports and Entertainment Park, makes no secret of the desire to lure an MLL franchise to Kennesaw.

"We have been working with Major League Lacrosse for some time in the hopes of securing a team for the Atlanta market," he tells the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

For the 2015 season, MLL had eight teams.  Each team played 14 regular season games.  The schedule runs from April through the play-offs in August.  There might be some early overlap with KSU women's lacrosse.

Fifth Third Bank Stadium served as home field for the Atlanta Beat of the now-defunct Women's Professional Soccer League.  This fall, it's home to KSU Owls football.

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