Letter to John Arlotta

November 4, 2013

I have over the soon-to-be ten years of Minnesota Swarm lacrosse inquired as to the sanity of player personnel moves or ways to market the team like installing blue turf, reinstating the Swarm Performance Team, schedule magnets and other things that most may have been found fanciful or ludicrous and probably with good reason. But I have never demanded that the Swarm fire a coach, general manager or person in management.

That changes today.

In order for the Swarm to go forward on the road to recovery and a long-term future in Minnesota, the next step must be to fire Co-Owner and President of the Minnesota Swarm, Andy Arlotta. Not after the upcoming season, not next year, not next month, not next week but immediately.

1. With the loss of the Treasure Island sponsorship that brought a sizeable amount of money and prestige to the team, I have finally lost faith in the ability of A. Arlotta to properly manage the day-to-day operations of the team especially when it comes to attracting quality and much needed sponsorship for the team.
2. With the Treasure Island sponsorship gone, I am not enthusiastic about A. Arlotta's chances to replace that sponsorship with a partner that is equal to or better than Treasure Island to be the team's main sponsor. With the 2014 season drawing near, I have great fears that a replacement will not be found by A. Arlotta in time if at all.
3. If there is a new sponsor to replace the deal the team had with Treasure Island, I believe that deal must be negotiated and finalized by John Arlotta, the Swarm's Owner and/or by a qualified and talented person hired by J. Arlotta with strong knowledge of and good relations with the Minnesota business community.
4. I have read of A. Arlotta's conduct that precipitated legal action from a person who petitioned the court to be protected from A. Arlotta. Legal Action
5. I am troubled over the numerous quality employees that have left or been released from their positions under the current ownership due to A. Arlotta's behavior towards them.
6. I generally have not heard many positive opinions about A. Arlotta from players and staff over the years. Most find him meddlesome at best and much worst has been said which can not be repeated without the use of a large amount of indelicate language.

I do want to state that A. Arlotta has treated me very well, probably much better than deserved, but this is a move that must be done for the short and long-term success of the Minnesota Swarm.

I know that a decision like this will be very difficult for John Arlotta, considering that Andy is blood of his own blood, but if it's J. Arlotta's intention for the Swarm to stay in Minnesota for the long term, this is the first move to be done and done now. Even if it is J. Arlotta's intention that he can't support the team and his son with his finances and is looking to sell locally, a much better impression can be made on a prospective local buyer if A. Arlotta is completely removed from the team.

J. Arlotta must find a replacement for A. Arlotta, like I stated above, who has insight and good relations with the local business community and can also lead his employees in an honorable and respectful way.

I know that J. Arlotta loves and treasures the Minnesota Swarm. He has put in a lot of sweat and tears in his quest to bring a championship to the city and to grow the sport in the state. He was willing to humble himself and learn about the inner workings of the National Lacrosse League from former Swarm General Manager Marty O'Neill and even though I have disagreed about some of his personnel decisions (okay many), I know he has done the best he can with what he has to work with.

Now with the team, as a whole, possibly entering its darkest period just as the team on floor is entering the 2014 season with the brightest of expectations from themselves and the fans that this is the year to achieve Champions Cup glory, it is time to for John Arlotta to make his toughest but most necessary decision during his time as owner, which is to fire his son, Andy Arlotta.