Major League Lacrosse has approved expansion to Charlotte, N.C. and Columbus, Ohio for the 2012 season, according to Commissioner Dave Gross.
The league's Board of Managers met Friday and got the required 75% approval to add two new franchises.
Ideally, the league would like to expand to 16 teams by the end of the decade, adding two more in 2012, another two in 2013, and an additional six some time thereafter. The league has identified 19 potential markets to explore expansion, including Charlotte and Columbus.