Jim Jennings needs a new sidekick.

So came the word today from Manhattan, where National Lacrosse League deputy commissioner George Daniel has resigned after six seasons.

Daniel, who was also the league's general counsel, will remain a part of the NLL's inner circle, joining the still-unnamed New York expansion franchise as president and governor.

"Working with Jim during the tremendous growth of the NLL over the last six years has been the experience of a lifetime," Daniel said today.

Daniel joined the league office in September 2000, about two weeks after Jennings was hired as commissioner. A 1998 graduate of Temple University Law School, Daniel previously had been general counsel to the International Basketball Association and interim commissioner of the Indoor Professional Football League.

With the NLL, Daniel took a leading role in the collective bargaining agreement with the Professional Lacrosse Players Association, and will remain on the league's Labor Committee as New York's governor.

"Without [George], the league would not have accomplished national expansion, national television and labor peace with the players association," Jennings said.

"Although we're sad to see him leave the league office, we're happy that he's going to be taking the reigns of what will become one of our premier franchises."

The league did not name a successor for either position Daniel held.