With the release of the 2000 schedule, many NLL fans were shocked to find that the league will play only a 12 game schedule this year, instead of the 14 game schedule required with the addition of Albany to the NLL roster of teams. With the expected expansion to Chicago and the possible return of Boston next year, one has to wonder if the NLL will move away from the double round robin format it (and the MILL) had used for years.
At the heart of conflict, of course, was money. The owners claim they could not afford to pay for the additional two games, while the players union refused to compromise on the issue. Apparently, there was a tentative agreement that the owners would increase the players pay 1/12, or the equivalent or being paid for 13 games. However, when the schedule was released, it became clear no final agreement was made.
As a result, fans in each NLL city will miss out on seeing one of the teams from appearing in their city. These "missing games" are:
| City | Missing Opponent |
| Albany | Rochester |
| Buffalo | Pittsburgh |
| New York | Toronto |
| Philadelphia | Syracuse |
| Pittsburgh | Albany |
| Rochester | New York |
| Syracuse | Buffalo |
| Toronto | Philadelphia |
Among these games, several stand out. Philadelphia @ Toronto would have matched up two of the top teams in the NLL, while Rochester @ Albany and Buffalo @ Syracuse are lost chances to buid regional rivarlies. In the end, both the league and the fans suffer from the participants inability to find a compromise.
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