Who are the wealthiest former lacrosse players. How did their lacrosse careers contribute to their success. What industries have former lacrosse players found success in. How much are top professional lacrosse players earning today.
The Billionaire Lacrosse Alumni: From College Fields to Financial Success
Lacrosse, while not traditionally associated with astronomical salaries, has served as a launching pad for numerous highly successful careers. Many former collegiate lacrosse players have gone on to become billionaires and multimillionaires in various industries. Let’s explore some of the wealthiest individuals with lacrosse backgrounds.
Chase Coleman III: Hedge Fund Titan
At the top of our list is Chase Coleman III, with an estimated net worth of $8.5 billion. Born in 1975, Coleman played lacrosse at Williams College, where he served as a co-captain. After graduation, he entered the world of finance, working for Tiger Management before founding his own hedge fund, Tiger Global Management, in 2001 at just 25 years old.
How did Coleman’s lacrosse experience contribute to his success? The teamwork, leadership, and strategic thinking developed on the lacrosse field likely played a role in his rapid rise in the financial world. Today, Coleman manages billions of dollars and is considered one of the most successful hedge fund managers of his generation.
Joe Tsai: Alibaba Co-Founder and Sports Investor
With a net worth of $8.1 billion, Joe Tsai is another billionaire with roots in lacrosse. Born in Taiwan, Tsai played lacrosse at the Lawrenceville School and later for Yale University’s varsity team. His business acumen led him to co-found Alibaba Group, often referred to as the “Amazon of China.”
Tsai’s connection to lacrosse didn’t end with his playing days. Through his company J Tsai Sports, he has invested in professional lacrosse leagues, including the Premier Lacrosse League. Additionally, Tsai owns the Brooklyn Nets NBA team and chairs the Barclays Center, showcasing how his sports background has influenced his business interests.
Meg Whitman: From Princeton Lacrosse to Tech CEO
Meg Whitman, with a net worth of $2.9 billion, was a standout lacrosse player at Princeton University in 1977. Her post-collegiate career took her to the heights of the tech industry, serving as CEO of eBay and later Hewlett Packard Enterprise.
Currently serving as the United States Ambassador to Kenya, Whitman’s journey from lacrosse fields to corporate boardrooms and now diplomacy illustrates the diverse paths available to those with a background in the sport.
Professional Athletes: Making Their Mark in Lacrosse
While the billionaires on our list found success outside of professional lacrosse, there are players who have made significant earnings within the sport itself. These athletes have helped raise the profile of professional lacrosse and paved the way for future generations.
Paul Rabil: The Face of Professional Lacrosse
Paul Rabil, with a net worth estimated at $5 million, is often considered the face of professional lacrosse. As a player, he achieved numerous accolades and set records in Major League Lacrosse (MLL). However, Rabil’s impact extends beyond his on-field performance.
In 2018, Rabil co-founded the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), a new professional outdoor lacrosse league that has gained significant traction. The PLL has secured major media deals and attracted top talent, helping to elevate the sport’s profile and potentially increase earning potential for players.
Rob Pannell: Star Player and Entrepreneur
Rob Pannell, also with a net worth around $5 million, has made his mark both on and off the field. As one of the most prolific scorers in NCAA history, Pannell transitioned successfully to the professional ranks. Beyond playing, he has pursued entrepreneurial ventures and endorsement deals, capitalizing on his status as one of the sport’s most recognizable faces.
Crossover Athletes: Lacrosse Players in Other Professional Sports
Some former lacrosse players have found success in other professional sports, leveraging their athleticism and skills developed on the lacrosse field.
Chris Hogan: From Lacrosse to the NFL
Chris Hogan, with a net worth of $6 million, played lacrosse at Penn State before transitioning to football. He went on to have a successful NFL career, winning two Super Bowl championships with the New England Patriots. Hogan’s story highlights how the skills developed in lacrosse can translate to success in other sports at the highest level.
Jim Brown: Lacrosse Legend and NFL Hall of Famer
While primarily known for his NFL career, Jim Brown was also an exceptional lacrosse player at Syracuse University. With a net worth of $50 million, Brown’s athletic prowess in both sports contributed to his legendary status and post-athletic career success.
Coaches and Executives: Building Wealth Through Leadership
Some former lacrosse players have found financial success through coaching and executive roles in sports and beyond.
Bill Belichick: NFL Coaching Legend with Lacrosse Roots
Bill Belichick, with a net worth of $60 million, played lacrosse and football at Wesleyan University. While he found his greatest success as head coach of the New England Patriots in the NFL, Belichick has maintained connections to lacrosse throughout his career. His strategic mind, honed in part through lacrosse, has contributed to his status as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history.
Erika Nardini: From Lacrosse Player to Media Executive
Erika Nardini, with a net worth of $12 million, played lacrosse at Colby College before entering the business world. She has held executive positions at several media companies and currently serves as the CEO of Barstool Sports. Nardini’s success demonstrates how the teamwork and leadership skills developed through lacrosse can translate to the corporate world.
The Future of Lacrosse Earnings: Trends and Possibilities
As lacrosse continues to grow in popularity, the earning potential for players and professionals associated with the sport is likely to increase. What factors might contribute to this growth?
- Expansion of professional leagues like the PLL and National Lacrosse League (NLL)
- Increased media coverage and streaming deals
- Growing participation at youth and collegiate levels
- International expansion of the sport
- Crossover appeal with other sports and industries
While current professional salaries may not match those of major sports like football or basketball, the diverse career paths of former lacrosse players suggest that the sport can be a stepping stone to significant financial success.
Philanthropic Efforts: Giving Back to the Lacrosse Community
Many successful former lacrosse players have used their wealth and influence to give back to the sport and their communities. How are these individuals making an impact?
- Funding youth lacrosse programs in underserved areas
- Establishing scholarships for student-athletes
- Investing in the growth of professional leagues
- Supporting lacrosse-related charities and foundations
- Mentoring young players and entrepreneurs
These philanthropic efforts not only help grow the sport but also create opportunities for the next generation of players and business leaders.
The Business of Lacrosse: Entrepreneurial Opportunities
Beyond playing and coaching, the lacrosse industry offers various entrepreneurial opportunities. What are some ways former players have capitalized on their lacrosse experience in business?
- Founding equipment and apparel companies
- Developing training programs and clinics
- Creating lacrosse-focused media and content platforms
- Investing in lacrosse-related startups and technologies
- Consulting for brands looking to enter the lacrosse market
These ventures not only provide additional income streams for former players but also contribute to the overall growth and professionalization of the sport.
Lacrosse’s Global Expansion: New Opportunities for Growth
As lacrosse expands globally, new opportunities are emerging for players, coaches, and entrepreneurs. How is the international growth of lacrosse creating potential for increased earnings?
- Development of professional leagues in new markets
- Increased demand for coaching and player development expertise
- Expansion of equipment and apparel sales to new regions
- Growth of international tournaments and events
- Potential inclusion in future Olympic Games
This global expansion not only increases the potential player base but also opens up new markets for lacrosse-related businesses and investments.
The Role of Technology in Lacrosse’s Financial Future
Advancements in technology are playing an increasingly important role in the business of lacrosse. How are technological innovations impacting the sport’s financial landscape?
- Development of advanced training tools and analytics platforms
- Improved broadcasting and streaming capabilities
- Integration of virtual and augmented reality in fan experiences
- Use of social media and digital platforms for player marketing
- Implementation of blockchain and NFTs in sports memorabilia and fan engagement
These technological advancements create new revenue streams and enhance the value proposition of lacrosse as a sport and business.
The Impact of College Athletes’ Name, Image, and Likeness Rights
Recent changes allowing college athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) have potential implications for lacrosse players. How might these changes affect the financial landscape of the sport?
- Increased sponsorship opportunities for top collegiate players
- Development of personal brands while still in college
- Potential for increased visibility and marketability of the sport
- Creation of new revenue streams for players before turning professional
- Possible impact on recruitment and player development at the collegiate level
These changes could potentially increase the earning potential for lacrosse players earlier in their careers and create new pathways to financial success within the sport.
Top 15 Richest & Highest Paid Lacrosse Players in 2023
Lacrosse is a sport that has been getting rapidly popular not just in the United States but all over the world.
Although it is not one of the highest-paid sports in the world, professional lacrosse players are making good money. Lacrosse has helped various students gain scholarships in college and compete in NCAA competitions.
Many of the players have gone on to become successful entrepreneurs, businessmen, philanthropists, and politicians and are considered the richest lacrosse players in the US.
With the rise in popularity of the sport, the salaries of players have also increased and new leagues have taken birth to facilitate more aspiring lacrosse players.
Many of the former lacrosse players now have their net worth in billions. In this post, I will be covering the 15 highest-paid lacrosse players who have made a fortune after playing lacrosse.
Top 15 Highest-Paid Lacrosse Players in 2023
Lacrosse has helped launch many careers.
Students have received scholarships to get into college based on this game, which allowed them to move on to some really successful careers.
Now, many of those students who played lacrosse in college are successful businessmen, philanthropists, CEOs, politicians, ambassadors, etc.
I have handpicked the following as they are considered to be the richest and highest-paid lacrosse players of all time.
- Chase Coleman III Net Worth – $8.5 Billion
- Joe Tsai Net Worth – $8.1 Billion
- Meg Whitman Net Worth – $2.9 Billion
- Jim Brown Net Worth – $50 Million
- Bill Belichick Net Worth – $60 Million
- Erika Nardini Net Worth – $12 Million
- Paul Rabil Net Worth – $5 Million
- Rob Pannell Net Worth – $5 Million
- Chris Hogan Net Worth – $6 Million
- Alex Hewit Net Worth – $5 Million
- Gary Gait Net Worth – $5 Million
- Jeff Teat Net Worth – $3.36 Million
- Tom Schreiber Net Worth – $1-5 Million
- Lyle Thompson Net Worth – $5 Million
- Casey Powell Net Worth – $5 Million
1.
Chase Coleman III
Charles Payson “Chase” Coleman III is an American Billionaire hedge fund manager with a net worth of $8.5 billion. He was born on June 1, 1975, in New York, United States. He is a former lacrosse player who likes to live a private life.
He was raised on Glen Head, Long Island, and graduated from Williams College in 1997, where he played on the men’s lacrosse team as a co-captain. After college, he began his investment career in 1997, working with Julian Robertson and his hedge fund, “Tiger Management“, where he worked as a tech analyst from 1997 to 2000.
In 2000, Robertson decided to close Tiger Management, and entrusted Coleman with over $25 million to manage, making him one of the 30 or more so-called “Tiger Cubs”.
In 2001, at the age of 25, Chase Coleman established his own hedge fund, which he named “Tiger Global Management.“ Currently, he is running the hedge fund and is also a Co-Chairman of the Hospital for Special Surgery Investment Committee.
2. Joe Tsai
One of the richest former lacrosse players is Canadian billionaire businessman Joe Tsai, who has achieved much success in life. His current net worth is $8.1 billion. He was born on January 1, 1964, in Taipei, Taiwan, because the Tsai family escaped to Taiwan as part of the Kuomintang exodus after the communists took over Mainland China in 1949 during the Chinese Civil War.
At the age of 13, Tsai was sent to the United States to attend the Lawrenceville School, where his lacrosse career began. He played both football and lacrosse in school.
At Yale University, Tsai also played for the Yale varsity lacrosse team for 4 years and has remained a supporter of the team.
Joe Tsai is the co-founder and executive vice-chairman of Alibaba Group, China’s largest online store, known as the “Amazon of China.” He is involved in multiple business ventures and is one of the most successful entrepreneurs that have come from playing lacrosse.
Although Tsai has stopped playing, he continues to support lacrosse teams. His company, J Tsai Sports, has invested in upstart field lacrosse leagues, the Premier Lacrosse League, and others. Additionally, Tsai is also the owner of the Brooklyn Nets of the NBA and chairman of Barclays Center.
3. Meg Whitman
Margaret Cushing Whitman was born on August 4, 1956, in New York, United States. She was one of the top female lacrosse players at Princeton University in 1977. She turned her life around after that and moved to work for a number of companies.
She was president and CEO of eBay and brought the company to the newest heights of success. After that, she also remained CEO and president of Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Quibi.
She is currently serving as United States Ambassador to Kenya. The net worth of Meg Whitman is estimated to be around $2.9 billion.
4. Jim Brown
Jim Brown was born on February 17, 1936, in Georgia, United States.
He is one of the few people who made millions from their athletic success. Jim played lacrosse throughout his college career but shifted to football in his professional life.
He began his lacrosse career at Manhasset High School in New York where his midfield play earned him All-Star honors for three years. At Syracuse University, Brown’s all-around athletic ability became evident, as he lettered in four sports and was voted the school’s Athlete of the Year in 1956-57.
His last game was his greatest moment as a lacrosse player, as Brown scored five goals in one half of play against the nation’s top players in the 1957 North/South All-Star game. After that, he switched to football.
He played football for the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League between 1957 and 1965. Brown is known today as a sports analyst and an actor.
In football, he is considered to be one of the greatest running backs of all time, and also one of the greatest players in NFL history.
In 2002, he was named the greatest professional football player ever by The Sporting News.
He often talks about lacrosse as his favorite sport, and is quoted as having said, “I’d rather play lacrosse six days a week and football on the seventh.” The net worth of Jim Brown is estimated to be around $50 million.
5. Bill Belichick
William Stephen Belichick was born on April 16, 1952, in Tennessee, United States. He is an American professional football coach, currently serving as the head coach and general manager of the New England Patriots in the National Football League.
While attending Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, he played lacrosse and also served as captain of the lacrosse team during his senior year. He is renowned as the best football coach of all time.
Bill Belichick net worth is estimated to be around $60 million. In addition, he receives an annual salary of $12 million.
6.
Erika Nardini
Erika Nardini was born on November 6, 1975, in Colorado, United States, and currently is the CEO of the media company Barstool Sports. Since 2017, she is shining as the most powerful executive in sports media.
While attending Colby College, she used to play lacrosse. She got close with Paul Rabil during her time in lacrosse and the two are still connected. She is one of the strongest supporters of the sport and its players.
Erika Nardini net worth is estimated to be around $12 million.
7. Paul Rabil
Paul Rabil was born on December 14, 1985, in Maryland, United States. He is one of the most recognizable names in the lacrosse world and became known as the million-dollar man in lacrosse.
Paul Rabil was the first one to achieve the million-dollar milestone in lacrosse. Unlike other leagues like the NBA, NFL, Premier League, etc. Lacrosse is not very popular and doesn’t generate massive revenue.
Paul Rabil is a true legend for being able to make millions of dollars just from playing lacrosse and has a worldwide fan following. He has played in both MLL and NLL and is known for his incredible skills on the field.
He is the co-founder of the Premier Lacrosse League and has won various achievements throughout his career.
The net worth of Paul Rabil is estimated to be around $5 million.
8. Rob Pannell
Rob Pannell was born on December 11, 1989, in New York, United States. He is the star attackman who is known for winning various awards, achievements, and trophies.
He started playing Lacrosse at Smithtown High School, NY on Long Island. He played on the varsity lacrosse team for three years and was named MVP of the season in his senior year.
After graduating, he attended the Deerfield Academy where he set the lacrosse record for a single season with 99 points.
He is the fourth leading scorer in men’s Division I history and still holds the Cornell University and Ivy League all-time scoring records.
He was Ivy League rookie of the year in 2009 in his freshman year and continued to earn multiple achievements.
He has also earned millions of dollars just by playing lacrosse and is known throughout the world.
The net worth of Rob Pannell is estimated to be around $5 million.
9. Chris Hogan
Chris Hogan was born on October 24, 1987, in New Jersey, United States. He is a former lacrosse player who is currently a famous author and finance expert. You might remember him from The Chris Hogan Show he hosted.
He played lacrosse for 3 years during his time at Penn State but later decided to move to football. He was a prominent athlete in lacrosse for the Raiders at Ramapo High School.
He was a first-team all-state performer as a junior and senior in lacrosse. Then during his time at Penn State University where he got into the lacrosse scholarship program, he only played 3 games as a sophomore because of an ankle sprain.
However, in his senior year, he was voted captain. Then he enrolled at Monmouth University and started playing football.
He achieved much success in football and was two time Super Bowl champion in the National Football League.
Chris Hogan net worth is estimated to be around $6 million.
10. Alex Hewit
Alexander G. Hewit was born on November 8, 1985, in New Jersey, United States, and is a retired lacrosse goaltender. He is one of the most popular lacrosse players in the United States who led his high school to three New Jersey state championships.
Alex Hewit has won many recognitions and awards in lacrosse. Alex Hewit was a standout member of the Princeton Tigers men’s lacrosse team from 2005 to 2008.
During this time, he was recognized as a three-time United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) All-American, with a first-team selection and three second-team All-Ivy League performances.
Hewit’s talent as a goaltender earned him the 2006 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Goaltender of the Year award.
He also served as the co-captain of the Princeton team in 2008 and played a vital role in leading the team to win an Ivy League championship and two invitations to the NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship.
Hewit’s contributions to the Princeton Tigers lacrosse program were undoubtedly exceptional and continue to inspire aspiring players today.
Alex Hewit net worth is estimated to be around $5 million.
11. Gary Gait
Gary Gait was born on April 5, 1967, in British Columbia, Canada, and is one of the most famous professional lacrosse players of all time. He is a retired Hall of Fame professional player and a Canadian.
He was on three NCAA championship-winning teams and is known as one of the highest-paid lacrosse players of all time.
He holds many records and has won many achievements.
Even after his career ended as a professional lacrosse player, he continued in the position of a coach. On January 24, 2017, he was named Interim Commissioner of the United Women’s Lacrosse League.
Gary Gait net worth is estimated to be around $5 million.
12. Jeff Teat
Jeffery Steven Teat was born on April 30, 1997, in Ontario, Canada, and is a Canadian lacrosse player and also one of the highest-earning professional players in 2023. He is playing currently in both the National Lacrosse League and Premier Lacrosse League.
He is one of three players in lacrosse history to be selected first overall in both NLL and PLL drafts.
Jeff Teat has represented Team Canada in the 2016 Under-19 World Lacrosse Championship and 2018 World Lacrosse Championship, and has won a silver medal in both events.
The net worth of Jeff Teat is estimated to be around $3.36 million.
13.
Tom Schreiber
Tom Schreiber was born on February 24, 1992, in New York, United States, and is an accomplished professional lacrosse player currently playing for the Archer’s LC of the Premier Lacrosse League and the Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League.
He attended St. Anthony’s High School in South Huntington, New York, and played collegiate lacrosse at Princeton University.
During his college career, he was also a four-time USILA All-American, including three seasons on the First Team. Schreiber won the MacLaughlin Award as the nation’s most outstanding midfielder in his junior and senior seasons.
Schreiber’s professional career began when he was selected 1st overall in the 2014 Major League Lacrosse draft by the Ohio Machine. He was named league MVP in both the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
Schreiber is ranked the #7 best forward in the NLL by Inside Lacrosse heading into the 2023 NLL season.
He is also a part of the Premier Lacrosse League, assigned to the Archers Lacrosse Club.
With his impressive achievements and contributions to the sport, Schreiber is considered one of the highest-paid lacrosse players today.
The net worth of Tom Schreiber is estimated to be around $1-5 million.
14. Lyle Thompson
An Iroquois professional lacrosse player that plays the attack position in both PLL and NLL. He is mainly known for winning the Tewaaraton Trophy in 2014 and 2015, the only player who has won this award twice.
Lyle Thompson was born on September 9, 1992, in New York, United States. He currently plays the attack position for the Cannons Lacrosse Club of the Premier Lacrosse League.
He has played multiple times in the World Lacrosse Championships, always earning his team second or third position in the top boards. He is the sole reason the Iroquois national lacrosse team ever got to the top performance.
Lyle Thompson net worth is estimated to be around $5 million.
15.
Casey Powell
Casey Powell was born on February 18, 1976, in New York, United States, and is a Hall of Fame American former college and professional lacrosse player.
He graduated from Syracuse University in 1998, where he was a four-time USILA All-American and the NCAA Division I Most Outstanding Player in 1997 and 1998.
In 2017, Powell was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Powell played in Major League Lacrosse (MLL) from 2001 through 2016, ranking sixth in goals, second in assists, and third in points on the MLL career totals list as of 2017.
Powell won the MLL Offensive Player of the Year award in 2005 and 2014 and the MVP award in 2014 at age 38.
He started the World Lacrosse Foundation, a non-profit organization for the advancement of lacrosse, in 2015.
Powell is also a founder of Speed Lacrosse, a modified version of the sport. Casey’s younger brothers, Ryan and Mikey, were also lacrosse stars at Syracuse, where they all wore jersey number 22.
Casey Powell net worth is estimated to be around $5 million.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wrapping Up!
To sum it all up, lacrosse in itself is not a very high-paying sport but many of the lacrosse players have gone on to successful careers in the US. It is a popular sport at the high school and college levels.
Lacrosse is becoming rapidly popular and has the potential to become one of the most successful sports in the world. There are various former lacrosse players who have a net worth of even billions and are considered the richest lacrosse players in the world.
With the rise in the popularity of lacrosse, the salaries of players and opportunities are also increasing. Various new leagues have also surfaced, allowing the players to earn more from the game and become the new highest-paid lacrosse players.
Got something on your mind? Drop it in the comments section below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
About Author
Hello, I am Amber Zoe. I have liked to play lacrosse since my childhood. I like to play with different teams. I have also been a coach because of guiding the team members well. Not only do I provide athletic guidance, but people know my preference for picking up lacrosse accessories. Because I always read everything very deeply and give a proper review. I have played almost every type of lacrosse ball and sticks. Millions of people liked my advice to get the best lacrosse accessories. So I have decided to write lacrosse reviews for a decade. The information I placed on my review is practical and authentic. You can buy anything which I prefer without any hesitation.
The Next Major US Professional Sports League
THE JOE POMP SHOW: My conversation with PLL co-founder Paul Rabil is live!
We discuss the financial transition to professional lacrosse, his hall of fame career, building a multi-billion-dollar sports league, and more.
This was an epic conversation — enjoy, share, and subscribe!
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Hey Friends,
We’ve seen billions of dollars of institutional capital flow into sports this year.
Private equity firms are buying minority stakes in NBA teams, exchange-traded funds like $MVP are tracking the performance of publicly traded sports assets, and lower-tier European soccer clubs have become a breeding ground for experimental investors.
That’s all fun and exciting stuff, but here’s the interesting part.
A collection of some of the world’s best investors has teamed up with two brothers to attempt to build a multi-billion-dollar professional sports league from the ground up.
I’m talking about the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), and this is their story.
Paul Rabil was one of the greatest college lacrosse players of all time.
A high school phenom at DeMatha Catholic in Maryland, Rabil went on to win two national championships at Johns Hopkins University in 2005 & 2007.
He tallied 112 goals & 67 assists in college, was a team captain, 3x first-team All-American, and eventually, the 1st overall selection of the 2008 Major League Lacrosse draft.
The only problem? His rookie wage was just $6,000.
“I went from playing on national television to living at home with my parents — working full time in investment sales to supplement a meager pro lacrosse salary. My teammates were also weekend warriors, holding full-time jobs as teachers, investors, firefighters and doctors.
This was a new type of challenge — I was forced to workout in the morning before work and practice shooting when I got off. It’s not easy to maintain peak performance and balance a full-time job.”
This was a new type of challenge — I was forced to workout in the morning before work and practice shooting when I got off. It’s not easy to maintain peak performance and balance a full-time job.”So, knowing that he needed to make lacrosse his full-time job to maximize his athletic potential, Rabil started to look for avenues to build a personal brand & earn endorsement income.
Facebook was first, and Twitter & YouTube followed, but before people knew it, Rabil had signed sponsorship deals with a plethora of companies, including Red Bull, Under Armour, New Balance’s Warrior brand, Polk Audio, and more.
The result: Bloomberg labeled Rabil as lacrosse’s “first million-dollar-man” in 2013.
(Image: Bloomberg)
But being one of the world’s best lacrosse players is just part of Paul Rabil’s story.
Despite being in existence for nearly 20 years and watching the sport ride a wave of popularity, Major League Lacrosse (MLL) was still struggling to build a profitable & sustainable business.
For example, in 2018, about ten years after Rabil first entered the league, MLL players were still earning annual salaries of about $10,0000 on average, and Rabil, as the league’s best player, was still earning a yearly salary of roughly $65,000.
If lacrosse was the fastest growing sport in North America for much of the last decade, and attendance was increasing alongside interest, why weren’t MLL players paid more?
Well, Paul and Mike Rabil thought they could help.
The two brothers went to Major League Lacrosse with a few ideas to shake things up but were essentially told to kick rocks. Instead, they came back with a group of investors and an interesting offer — to buy the league.
Major League Lacrosse said no, and the Rabil brothers officially launched the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) in 2018, a direct competitor to MLL.
(Image: Premier Lacrosse League)
The concept behind the Premier Lacrosse League was quite genius.
Paul & Mike Rabil went out and raised money from some of the world’s best investors, including billionaire Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai, The Raine Group, The Chernin Group, and Creative Artists Agency (CAA).
That capital base enabled them to offer pro lacrosse players a few key differences:
PLL players earn an average salary of $35,000, compared to $10,000 in MLL
PLL players were given equity in the new league
PLL players & coaches were given health care coverage
Players started jumping from MLL to PLL, and the real work began.
Fast forward three years and the game of professional lacrosse looks completely different. The PLL removed wide-angled cameras, shortened the field of play, reduced the shot clock to speed up the pace of play, introduced yellow balls instead of white, and started interviewing players intra-game to add excitement.
The aesthetics and feel of the game are one thing, but we all know distribution is king.
So, after finding initial traction from a viewership perspective, the Premier Lacrosse League ended up signing a multi-year exclusive broadcasting deal with NBC.
The results have been fantastic — here’s some data from Axios.
PLL ticket revenue is up 42% from 2019
NBC Sports viewership is up 33% year-over-year
The PLL recorded nearly 300 million impressions, 16 million engagements, and 17.5 million video views across Twitter & Instagram last season.
Trust me; their social media content is second to none.
If you need a quick refresher 🤝
✂️: @RyanSehrer
After watching the swift and inevitable transition occur, the PLL and MLL ended up merging this offseason to create one unified outdoor professional lacrosse league.
“The unification of PLL and MLL puts the game first by providing our athletes and fans a single destination for the best lacrosse in the world, across every medium, coming this Summer 2021 on NBC Sports. I can’t think of anything better and more exciting for the sport,” said Mike Rabil, co-founder & CEO of the PLL.
A single, unified league is a good thing, of course, but the Premier Lacrosse League still fascinates me for a variety of reasons.
First, they operate as a single-entity operation, so instead of looking like a traditional sports league with 30+ franchises that are all individually owned, the PLL looks much more like a Silicon Valley startup.
Secondly, unlike other upstart sports leagues like the XFL, AFL, and others, who are simply trying to be a complementary option to their larger counterpart, the PLL is ambitiously attempting to actually become that single dominant professional sports league.
As they’ve said publicly, Mike & Paul Rabil believe that the PLL can one day be as big as the UFC, which is currently valued at roughly $10 billion.
The PLL still has a long way to go — the leadership team knows this. If building a multi-billion-dollar company wasn’t already hard enough, building a multi-billion-dollar sports league is even more difficult.
But given this is such a fascinating company with an ambitious mission, I sat down and recorded a 45-minute conversation with lacrosse legend & PLL co-founder Paul Rabil last week.
Paul and I discussed how he became the first million-dollar-man in lacrosse, the details of his conversations with Major League Lacrosse, the challenges of building a multi-billion-dollar sports league, and more.
This was an epic conversation, and I think you’ll really enjoy it.
LISTEN TO OUR CONVERSATION HERE
Have a great day, and we’ll talk tomorrow.
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THE JOE POMP SHOW: My conversation with PLL co-founder Paul Rabil is live!
Paul Rabil is an athlete, entrepreneur, creator, and investor.
After retiring earlier this year as one of the best professional lacrosse players in history, Rabil is now solely focused on building the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) with his brother Mike.
In this conversation, we discuss:
– The financial transition to pro lacrosse
– His Hall of Fame career
– Building a billion-dollar sports league
– Traditional media vs.
