On March 1, the World Jai-Alai League (WJAL) introduced Lewis has joined its board of administrators. Lewis, a 13-time Pro Bowl participant with a Super Bowl MVP award underneath his belt, is ready to deliver his aggressive nature to a sport that has greater than a century-long historical past in Miami and is trying to take one other step towards mass adoption in 2023.
“I’m excited to join WJAL on the ground floor and help spread the word about this fast-growing sport,” mentioned Lewis through a WJAL press launch. “These are incredible athletes playing a uniquely challenging game, and Scott Savin [chief operating officer at Magic City Casino & Jai-Alai] and his team are building something special. I look forward to getting to Miami soon to check out these athletes in person.”
LET US KNOW WHAT SPORT WE SHOULD DO NEXT #jaialai pic.twitter.com/gAwd4SnFug
— World Jai-Alai League (@JaiAlaiLeague) March 1, 2023
As anticipated, touchdown a sports activities determine of Lewis’s stature is an enormous get for the WJAL, and one thing they’re over-the-moon enthusiastic about.
“We could not be happier to welcome Ray to our board of administrators. This is an enormous day for the expansion of our league,” mentioned Savin. “Ray’s stature, expertise, and insights will enhance total consciousness of jai alai, which is already rising exponentially. Ray shall be a motivating power, not only for our athletes, however for all of us.”
Lewis joins a board of administrators whose mission shall be to extend consciousness of jai alai and appeal to extra followers to a sport that when had a big, devoted fanbase within the U.S.
Miami has been the longtime epicenter of the American incarnation of the game, which peaked within the U.S. within the Seventies. Interest within the sport waned over the next decade, and a three-year-long gamers’ strike starting in 1988 all however extinguished its reputation.
I cherished this joke by @MichaelRyanRuiz within the native hour in the present day. This is the primary time the Devils have performed the Cyclones ever. 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/IXNdFDyYvd
— ‘Clone Nation (@ShaveStop) February 28, 2023
The addition of Lewis to the WJAL board is the newest push to market the league that is gained some floor in South Florida following the help of native celebrities, together with Mike Ryan and Chris Cote of the Dan LeBatard Show.
The five-team league — the one one among its variety within the US — options the highest gamers on the earth, together with the a number of former University of Miami athletes, in addition to expertise from Spain, France, Mexico, and the Philippines.
South Floridians involved in trying out the 150mph motion in particular person are in luck — the WJAL performs three days per week on the Magic City Fronton in Miami, and its Spring Season gamedays are open to the general public on Fridays (7 p.m.) by May 12.
In addition to native eyeballs, the WJAL has a nationwide viewers for its video streams that air dwell on ESPN3.
WJAL matches are additionally viewable on Jai-Alai TV (www.jaialai.dwell), through the Jai-Alai app, and at www.watchjaialai.com.