How did Paul Rabil become the first professional lacrosse player to earn seven figures. What impact does this have on the sport of lacrosse. How is the business of lacrosse evolving.
Paul Rabil: The Face of Professional Lacrosse
Paul Rabil, a 28-year-old midfielder from Gaithersburg, has become the poster boy of professional lacrosse. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 220 pounds, Rabil’s physical presence is as impressive as his skills on the field. His long brown hair and signature flat-brimmed baseball cap, adorned with the Red Bull logo, have become iconic in the lacrosse world.
Rabil’s rise to prominence in the sport is marked by his exceptional performance and marketability. He plays in both professional leagues – the outdoor Major League Lacrosse (MLL) for the Boston Cannons and the indoor National Lacrosse League (NLL) for the Philadelphia Wings. As the top pick in the 2008 MLL collegiate draft, Rabil earns an annual salary of $65,000, significantly higher than the average income of about $20,000 for pro lacrosse players.
Breaking the Seven-Figure Barrier in Lacrosse
Rabil is on the verge of making history as the first professional lacrosse player to earn seven figures. By the end of 2013, he had secured sponsorship deals with about a half-dozen companies, according to his advisor, Ira Rainess. These deals are projected to net Rabil a couple million dollars over the next several years, marking a significant milestone in the sport’s history.
Why is this milestone significant for lacrosse?
- It demonstrates the growing commercial potential of the sport
- It sets a new standard for player earnings in professional lacrosse
- It could attract more talented athletes to pursue lacrosse as a career
- It may lead to increased investment in the sport from sponsors and media
Rabil’s Impressive Sponsorship Portfolio
Rabil’s success extends far beyond his performance on the field. His marketability has attracted a diverse range of sponsors, including:
- Red Bull: Energy drink manufacturer and sports marketing powerhouse
- EFX: Makers of athletic wristbands
- Nooka: Funky watch brand
- Warrior (New Balance): Lacrosse equipment and apparel line
The Warrior brand, owned by New Balance, has even launched an eponymous line of apparel and on-field lacrosse gear featuring Rabil’s name. This level of brand association is rare in the sport of lacrosse and speaks to Rabil’s influence and marketability.
The Current State of Professional Lacrosse
Despite Rabil’s success, the reality for most professional lacrosse players is quite different. The average income in the sport is around $20,000 per year, forcing many players to maintain day jobs alongside their athletic careers. This stark contrast highlights the evolving nature of the sport’s professional landscape.
How do most professional lacrosse players balance their careers?
- Many maintain full-time jobs in fields such as finance, sales, or education
- Some pursue coaching or training roles to supplement their income
- Others leverage their lacrosse skills for camps, clinics, and private lessons
- A select few, like Rabil, secure significant sponsorship deals
The Growth of Lacrosse as a Sport and Business
Rabil’s success is indicative of the growing popularity and commercialization of lacrosse. The sport has seen significant growth at both the youth and collegiate levels in recent years, which is beginning to translate into increased opportunities at the professional level.
What factors are contributing to lacrosse’s growth?
- Increased exposure through television and streaming platforms
- Growing participation at youth and high school levels
- Expansion of collegiate programs, particularly in Division I
- Rising interest from sponsors and advertisers
- Development of professional leagues and improved player compensation
The Impact of Rabil’s Success on Future Lacrosse Players
Rabil’s breakthrough into seven-figure earnings could have far-reaching implications for the future of professional lacrosse. As the first player to achieve this level of financial success, Rabil is paving the way for others to follow in his footsteps.
How might Rabil’s success influence aspiring lacrosse players?
- Increased motivation to pursue lacrosse as a viable career option
- Greater focus on personal branding and marketability
- More emphasis on developing skills both on and off the field
- Heightened competition for sponsorship deals and endorsements
The Role of Media and Marketing in Lacrosse’s Growth
The increased visibility of players like Paul Rabil is closely tied to the evolving media landscape surrounding lacrosse. As the sport gains more attention, opportunities for players to build their personal brands and secure lucrative sponsorships are expanding.
How is media coverage changing for lacrosse?
- More televised games on major sports networks
- Increased streaming options for fans to watch games online
- Growing social media presence for teams, players, and leagues
- Development of lacrosse-specific media outlets and content creators
This expanded media coverage not only helps to grow the sport’s fanbase but also provides valuable exposure for sponsors, creating a symbiotic relationship that benefits players like Rabil.
Challenges Facing the Growth of Professional Lacrosse
While Rabil’s success is a positive sign for the sport, professional lacrosse still faces several challenges as it seeks to establish itself alongside more mainstream sports.
What obstacles must professional lacrosse overcome?
- Limited revenue from ticket sales and media rights
- Lack of widespread national recognition
- Competition from other established and emerging sports
- Need for increased investment in marketing and promotion
- Balancing growth with maintaining the sport’s traditions and culture
Addressing these challenges will be crucial for the long-term sustainability and growth of professional lacrosse as a viable career option for players beyond the elite few like Paul Rabil.
The Future of Lacrosse as a Professional Sport
As Paul Rabil breaks new ground in player earnings, the future of professional lacrosse looks increasingly promising. The sport is poised for continued growth, with expanding opportunities for players, fans, and businesses alike.
What developments can we expect in professional lacrosse?
- Increased player salaries and benefits across the board
- Expansion of professional leagues to new markets
- Greater integration of technology in training and game play
- More crossover appeal with other sports and entertainment industries
- Development of year-round training and competition opportunities
As the business of lacrosse continues to evolve, players like Paul Rabil will play a crucial role in shaping the sport’s future. Their success on and off the field will help to attract new talent, sponsors, and fans, ultimately contributing to the growth and sustainability of professional lacrosse.
Lacrosse’s Global Expansion and Olympic Aspirations
While lacrosse has strong roots in North America, particularly in the United States and Canada, the sport is increasingly gaining traction on a global scale. This international growth is not only expanding the player and fan base but also fueling aspirations for Olympic inclusion.
How is lacrosse expanding globally?
- Establishment of national lacrosse federations in various countries
- Increased participation in international tournaments and championships
- Growing popularity in countries like England, Australia, and Japan
- Development of youth programs and leagues in new markets
- Collaboration with international sports organizations to promote the game
The global expansion of lacrosse is creating new opportunities for players, coaches, and businesses involved in the sport. As more countries embrace lacrosse, the potential for professional leagues and lucrative careers in these emerging markets grows.
What are the prospects for lacrosse becoming an Olympic sport?
Lacrosse has been making strides towards Olympic inclusion, with the sport receiving provisional recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2018. This is a significant step, but several challenges remain:
- Meeting IOC criteria for global participation and gender equality
- Adapting the sport’s format to fit within the Olympic program
- Competing with other emerging sports for a limited number of spots
- Demonstrating the sport’s value to the Olympic movement
Olympic inclusion would be a game-changer for professional lacrosse, potentially leading to increased funding, media exposure, and career opportunities for players around the world.
The Role of Technology in Advancing Lacrosse
As with many modern sports, technology is playing an increasingly important role in the development and promotion of lacrosse. From equipment innovations to data analytics, technological advancements are shaping the future of the game.
How is technology impacting lacrosse?
- Advanced materials in stick and protective gear design
- Video analysis tools for player development and scouting
- Wearable technology for performance tracking
- Virtual and augmented reality for training and fan engagement
- Social media platforms for player branding and fan interaction
These technological advancements are not only improving the quality of play but also creating new business opportunities within the lacrosse industry. Players like Paul Rabil who can effectively leverage these technologies may find themselves at a significant advantage both on and off the field.
The Economics of Lacrosse: Beyond Player Salaries
While player earnings, particularly Paul Rabil’s groundbreaking seven-figure income, are a significant aspect of lacrosse’s economic landscape, the sport’s financial ecosystem extends far beyond professional salaries. Understanding the broader economic impact of lacrosse is crucial for assessing its growth potential and sustainability.
What are the key economic drivers in the lacrosse industry?
- Equipment and apparel sales
- Youth and amateur league participation fees
- Ticket sales and media rights for professional games
- Sponsorship and advertising revenue
- Training camps, clinics, and private coaching
- Sports tourism related to tournaments and events
The growth in these areas not only supports the professional game but also creates a wide range of career opportunities within the lacrosse industry. From equipment designers and manufacturers to event organizers and media professionals, the economic impact of lacrosse extends well beyond the playing field.
How does the lacrosse economy compare to other sports?
While lacrosse’s economic footprint is still smaller than that of major sports like football, basketball, or soccer, it is growing at a rapid pace. Some key comparisons include:
- Higher growth rate in participation compared to many traditional sports
- Increasing investment from major sporting goods brands
- Expanding media coverage, including dedicated lacrosse channels and streaming platforms
- Growing interest from non-endemic sponsors looking to reach lacrosse’s affluent demographic
As the sport continues to grow, understanding and leveraging these economic factors will be crucial for players, teams, leagues, and businesses involved in lacrosse.
The Cultural Significance of Lacrosse
Beyond its growing economic impact, lacrosse holds a unique place in North American culture, particularly due to its Indigenous roots. As the sport expands globally and becomes more commercialized, balancing this cultural heritage with modern development presents both challenges and opportunities.
How does lacrosse’s Indigenous heritage influence the modern game?
- Preservation of traditional game variations alongside modern formats
- Incorporation of Indigenous symbols and traditions in team branding
- Programs to promote lacrosse in Indigenous communities
- Efforts to increase Indigenous representation in professional lacrosse
- Educational initiatives to raise awareness of lacrosse’s cultural significance
As players like Paul Rabil achieve unprecedented success in the professional realm, there’s an opportunity to use this platform to highlight and honor the sport’s rich cultural heritage. This cultural connection can also serve as a unique selling point for lacrosse as it competes for attention in the crowded sports marketplace.
What role does lacrosse play in community development?
Beyond its professional aspirations, lacrosse continues to play a significant role in community building and youth development. Some key aspects include:
- Promoting teamwork, discipline, and physical fitness among youth players
- Providing scholarship opportunities for college-bound athletes
- Fostering connections between urban and suburban communities through shared love of the sport
- Creating mentorship opportunities between professional players and young athletes
- Supporting charitable initiatives through lacrosse-related events and foundations
As the business side of lacrosse grows, maintaining and strengthening these community connections will be crucial for the sport’s long-term health and cultural relevance.
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Michigan Lacrosse carries a full-line of equipment, accessories, apparel, and team supplies. We are authorized retail partners with the biggest names in the industry, including Brine, Cascade, East Coast Dyes (ECD), EPOCH, GAIT, JUNK® Headbands, Maverik, StringKing, STX, TRUE, Warrior and more.
We also offer a SAME-DAY or Next- Day CUSTOM stringing services for men’s & women’s lacrosse sticks- including goalie sticks. Our partner organizations, Triumph Lacrosse Club (girls) and Dominate Lacrosse (boys) also offer exceptional lacrosse training & clinics. Training includes Beginner/Novice, Intermediate & Elite levels, including 1-on-1 personal training, small group training & large clinics. Training sessions recommended for ages 8-18 years old.
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Michigan Lacrosse is located @ 6102 Gotfredson Rd, in Plymouth – .03 miles North of M-14 & right across from Karl’s Cabin (restaurant). We’re conveniently located less than 5 minutes from Plymouth, 10 minutes from Canton, Livonia & Northville, 15-20 minutes from Ann Arbor, Farmington Hills, Novi & South Lyon and 30 minutes or less from Brighton, Commerce, Hartland, Milford, Saline, Tecumseh and many more lacrosse communities in Southeast Michigan – and less than an hour from Ohio & Windsor!! We truly love lacrosse and are committed to helping grow the sport….“the greatest game on two feet”.
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The business of lacrosse – Baltimore Style
In Paul Rabil’s large, tanned hands, the half-pint glass of beer might as well be the queen of England’s teacup.
Shortly after 6 on a Tuesday evening, the poster-boy of professional lacrosse grabs a bar stool at The Wharf Rat in Fells Point, not far from his Canton home. He tells the man tending bar he likes lighter beers, and then gets served a Barking Squirrel, which he sips approvingly. His hair, brown and shoulder-length, is still damp from the shower he took after his workout. His left foot pushes down on the floor to sturdy the muscular 6-foot-3, 220-pound frame on the stool. On top of Rabil’s head sits a fitted, flat-brimmed, blue baseball cap, innocuous enough except for what’s emblazoned on the front—the logo of energy drink manufacturer and part-time daredevil impresario Red Bull, which has been his corporate sponsor for more than three years.
It’s not just Red Bull that has put money into the 28-year-old midfielder from Gaithersburg. Rabil has endorsement deals with EFX, makers of athletic wristbands, and funky Nooka watches. He has an eponymous line of apparel and on-the-field lacrosse gear, including lacrosse handles and heads (the lacrosse stick, for we non-laxers) with the Warrior brand, owned by deep-pocketed New Balance. Bill Belichick, the sullen-faced New England Patriots coach, has been photographed wearing a T-shirt from Rabil’s Warrior line. (We hear he’s a fan.)
Widely regarded as the finest player in the sport, Rabil plays in both pro leagues—the outdoor Major League Lacrosse (for the Boston Cannons) and the indoor National Lacrosse League (for the Philadelphia Wings). He was the top pick in the 2008 MLL collegiate draft and earns an annual salary of $65,000—in a sport where the average income for pro players is about 20 grand a year. (The old adage about not quitting your day job holds true in professional lacrosse; Rabil plays alongside stockbrokers, sales reps and other guys with typical nine-to-five jobs.)
But Rabil’s life—and net worth—are about to skyrocket. By the end of 2013, Rabil was sponsored by about a half-dozen companies, according to Ira Rainess, his Baltimore-based advisor, who has also repped Cal Ripken Jr. and Ray Lewis. And over the next several years, these sponsorship deals will net him a couple million dollars, making Paul Rabil the first professional lacrosse player to earn seven figures.
While Rabil’s forthcoming financial milestone is decidedly a product of his own likeability and success—including two NCAA lacrosse championships with Johns Hopkins University, a gold medal with Team USA in the world lacrosse championships in 2010, and a 2011 MLL championship in with the Boston Cannons—he’s gotten a boost from the sport’s surging popularity.
Lax is the fastest-growing sport in the last 10 years, according Baltimore-based US Lacrosse, the sport’s national governing body. More than 720,000 players at the under-15, high school, collegiate and professional levels play the game, compared to roughly the 250,000 counted in 2001, the inaugural season of Major League Lacrosse. Long confined to New England and the mid-Atlantic states, the sport is now spreading to the South, the Midwest and West, with clinics popping up in Louisiana, Utah, Colorado and California.
“Over the last 30 years, it has become a very, very cool game,” says Michael French, co-owner of the Philadelphia Wings, one of the nine teams in the indoor National Lacrosse League founded in 1987. “We’ll go and play against the Mammoth in Colorado and they’ll have 18,000 people at the game. It’s no longer a sport of the Northeast.”
Those attendance figures have marketing and product development teams spinning at some of the biggest brands around the county.
“Their research is telling them to get into the game now,” says Rainess, who himself played lacrosse at Pikesville High School. Just one gem of a statistic: A recent Sports and Fitness Industry Association survey found that 43 percent of lacrosse players come from households with annual incomes higher than $100,000.
“It’s a market where there’s plenty of disposable income to buy products—and lacrosse fans are very enthusiastic about the game,” Rainess continues. “In the next two or three years, you’re going to see a lot of companies investing in this sport.”
Note to Under Armour: put your chips in now before some other apparel company or shoe brand ends up owning the sport at the professional level.
Interestingly, Paul Rabil—a middle-class kid whose mom is a Catholic school art teacher and dad is a sales rep for a printing company in Washington, D.C.—was more excited about soccer and basketball up until he hit high school. He didn’t even touch a lacrosse stick before sixth grade, when a neighbor invited him to play.
“It’s an extremely technical sport, so I was behind,” Rabil says. “I was always sort of ahead athletically, with my size, but I struggled with it, and wanted to quit, because I was so far along in basketball and soccer.”
Instead of quitting, he doubled down and went to DeMatha High School to play lacrosse exclusively.
“I was the biggest lacrosse rat you could imagine,” he says. “For me, it was all part of growing up. As a kid, you look for ways to express yourself—and there’s nothing more comfortable than doing so on a field for me.”
During the season, Rabil practices twice a week and he lifts weights and shoots around every day. Over the summer he hosts lacrosse camps where he coaches 50 high school-age, offensive players he hand-selects.
Off the field, Rabil also works to grow the sport he loves by bringing it to the next generation. Through the foundation that bears his name, for instance, Rabil, in conjunction with Warrior, bought all the lacrosse gear and equipment for the Baltimore Lab School—and he personally provided coaching and consulting—to help develop the school’s first lacrosse team.
“Within a year they had men’s and women’s varsity programs with full schedules,” says Rabil, who has a strong affinity for helping kids with learning differences. Rabil has auditory processing disorder and his little sister, now in the fashion business in Boca Raton, has dyslexia and attended the Lab School of Washington, where he offers an annual scholarship. “We’re also working with the Jemicy School now to help redesign their uniforms and strengthen their lacrosse program. They really welcomed me with open arms,” he says.
Rabil’s passion for his sport—and his desire to pass it on—are palpable, but the athlete is in nearly equal measure a business strategist. Described by Rainess as a “very intellectual and professional” guy, the political science major who graduated from Hopkins with a 3.5 GPA and a minor in entrepreneurship meets with his advisor every single week on the top floor of a downtown Baltimore office building. There they talk over the possibility of Rabil endorsing different products that companies send in, and manage current sponsorship deals together. Before the deal with Warrior was etched in stone and the Rabil Collection officially rolled out, the two of them spent 18 months poring over the particulars, with Rabil using much of that time to test out the on-the-field gear.
“I really take pride in the entrepreneurial spirit and being a part of what my sponsors are doing,” Rabil says. “I don’t just want to wear a logo, I want to help grow and build brands.”
Of course, in many ways, Rabil is the brand.
“We’re looking to build up a Paul Rabil experience, or platform,” says Erin Kane, who heads up an internal team entirely dedicated to the Brand of Rabil at New York City-based marketing agency Octagon, where he signed a few months ago.
“Warrior is trying to replicate what Michael Jordan did with Nike,” says Howe Burch, executive vice president and managing director of TBC advertising agency in Fells Point, who has also spent time in the sports marketing departments of Fila and Reebok. “They’ve built a collection around Rabil, and hopefully that collection will endure long after he stops playing.”
Big shoes to fill indeed, but the man behind the lacrosse helmet—a man whose biceps are louder than the decibel level of his voice in a crowded bar—doesn’t get caught up in thinking of himself professional lacrosse’s prime-time player, even if The New York Times once crowned him the guy who will make lacrosse sexy to a national audience.
“That’s one of those things I don’t really think about,” Rabil says. “I get pegged on it occasionally, and I’m cool with it, but I really, truly do believe that lacrosse as a sport will one day be a mainstream game, and the growth will be unbelievable.”
Indeed, as more players like Rabil sign endorsement deals and present a version of lacrosse divorced from the perception of the college-age, beer-guzzling “lax bro,” Rainess predicts other companies will take the pro game seriously and gravitate to it.
“The growth of this sport is not going to stop,” says MLL commissioner David Gross. “It’s been growing at a 10 percent clip for the past decade. And once people get exposed to it, they get hooked.”
Read STYLE’s
Q&A with Paul Rabil here. >>
Lacrosse Company: How I Started Signature
As a kid, I knew I would play college football. That’s how I discovered our game and ultimately founded my lacrosse company, Signature.
In eighth grade, my football coach came into the locker room and dropped a bunch of lacrosse sticks on the ground. He informed us there were new plans for our off-season training.
That was when I first learned about the fastest game on two feet.
Tackling The Future
That was my moment of realization: if I wanted to play college sports, lacrosse was my path there.
I immediately fell in love with lacrosse but stuck with football, too. I was bumped up to varsity football as a freshman, lining up at running back and corner. Football is king in Palm Beach County. A lot of guys I played against have been in the NFL, like Matt Elam, Nick O’Leary and Lamar Jackson.
In high school, Elam played running back, and in a game that season, I was tasked with handling him. He came around on a sweep, and I hunkered down for the hit. Elam lowered his shoulder and tore my rotator cuff, running through me like the human speedbump I was. He carried me 10 yards before falling to the ground, which means I can say that I tackled Matt Elam.
That was my moment of realization: if I wanted to play college sports, lacrosse was my path there.
I remained a three-sport athlete through high school, though lacrosse became my number one. Through the sport, I achieved my goal and joined the lacrosse team at St. John’s University. That’s where the final transformation of my passion took place.
My First Lacrosse Company
From mangoes to lacrosse equipment, I’ve had the chance to experience a lot as an entrepreneur!
I always knew I wanted to provide for myself and not have to rely on anybody. As a kid, my brother and I would do anything to make a buck. We were landscapers, odd-job doers, whatever it took. One of our more lucrative ventures was a mango stand, sourcing our product from our neighbor’s trees.
In high school, I joined forces with some friends to build a lacrosse training business. Soon, we grew from three or four customers per week to 40 or 50, and we expanded our employees, bringing on other young lacrosse experts to do the lessons for us. We provided checklists and a roadmap while handling all the scheduling and behind-the-scenes work. All they had to do was follow instructions, show up and teach lacrosse.
It was my first exposure to management, and it was a nightmare.
They never read the checklists. They’d arrive without balls and without goals. It was ridiculous.
I knew from that point on that I wanted to start a new business and scale it with a smaller team.
Innovating The Lacrosse Ball
Lacrosse balls have been the same since forever.
During a practice my senior year of high school, I was stretching off to the side. The goalie was getting warmed up, and the ball pinged off the post and hit me in the back. I picked it up, and a lightbulb went off in my head.
Lacrosse balls had been the same since forever. If a better ball could be created, then players could get more out of every rep, coaches could get more out of every practice, and the sport would be improved overall.
I found a rubber chemist on LinkedIn and we got to work.
We discovered what makes a ball go bad: friction. Friction from hitting the back of the net, skimming against the grass or turf, coming out of the mesh, it all adds up. Then include UV rays from the sun, and the ball will be torn away.
We improved the manufacturing process and chemical composition of the ball. Our work helped solve a problem in lacrosse, and it’s what led to Signature.
Launching Signature
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I first launched the company in the spring of 2014 while still playing at St. John’s.
I quickly knew I wanted to pursue it full-time, but I also knew that was incompatible with being a college student and Division I athlete. That’s why I transferred to the University of Tampa, and eventually dropped out of school; I knew Signature was my passion right away.
My plan was to build Signature up to a point, exit and begin a hedge fund. But in 2016, someone asked me why I couldn’t do that with Signature? I couldn’t find an answer. I began to think much bigger about what Signature could be. We were already developing our Quick Connect Goal and Complete Lacrosse Sticks as I thought about how we could become a global brand.
I realized what, at our core, we were really good at: finding problems and solving them.
So, we began our search for a great problem to solve, and we found it. Our lacrosse company cold called youth sports program directors across the country, and we discovered their largest gripe was uniforms and fan gear.
Problem Solving
Each program is setup with an unparalleled team store.
The process was too convoluted. The program director would take orders from all the parents, have to hunt them down for cash prior to ordering or front the money themselves, send the order forms to a retailer, then they’re sent to a sourcing agent, then they go to a factory that probably doesn’t have the required software, so everything is done in paper and likely not in English.
Next, the retailers get the goods and blindly send them along to the program director. The director, who then hands them out at the field, is the only outlet for parents to complain when the size, color, numbering and more are wrong.
We cut the program director and sourcing agent out of the process, allowing a higher quality product at a better price and limiting human error. We have 24/7/365 team services and take care of marketing. Textile manufacturing is domestic, and there’s a 21-day standard turnaround time for everything. We’re the only lacrosse company offering a 100 percent replacement guarantee.
When a team joins with us, we set up a team store with 30 custom products on our site. Parents put their order in through Signature’s website, and the order drop ships to their front door.
Problem solved!
Paying It Forward
Through Signature, through coaching, through athletics, and through leadership, I will answer my father’s prayers and make a positive impact.
Growing up, my dad used to say a prayer every night that all he wanted was for my brother and me to make a positive impact on the world. It’s something that’s never left me.
At Signature, we solve problems that make the world more positive. We also develop influential leaders who will develop more influential leaders. These qualities are personally important to me, and I know my teammates feel the same.
My fiancée, Maddie, is a youth lacrosse program director. She has helped me get involved with coaching young laxers, too, and it has become one of my favorite activities. Sometimes, after working long days on my lacrosse company for weeks on end, it can be tough to be up and at the field early on the weekend to set up for games and tournaments. Whenever I put up any resistance, she reminds me how fortunate I was to have the experiences I had growing up; this is an opportunity for me to give that back and pay it forward.
It works every single time.
I am incredibly grateful for lacrosse and sports. They have given me everything I have, providing me with the lessons, relationships and moments that have shaped me into who I am now.
Through Signature, through coaching, through athletics, and through leadership, I will answer my father’s prayers and make a positive impact.
What’s Next
Right now we’re raising capital for Signature through the business crowdfunding site, Start Engine. We’re doing this in order to raise the bar in the industry and to create the next generation of lacrosse gear that provides a better player experience.
It’s been a thrilling experience since we launched the campaign, and I’m enjoying the process of meeting new investors. There are so many brilliant people who are part of the lacrosse community!
Interested in starting your own company?
The least I can do is offer help, be it doling out advice or connecting you to the right information, so please don’t hesitate to reach out by commenting below with any questions.
Interested in investing in our lacrosse company?
I’d be happy to connect. The best way is to reach out is through LinkedIn, or you’re more than welcome to comment on our Start Engine page: StartEngine.com/Signature.
I’ll be back on Lacrosse All Stars soon to report about how it went.
Cascade Lacrosse Company Profile: Acquisition & Investors
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Designer, manufacture and marketer of helmets and eye wear for lacrosse. The company’s products include men’s lacrosse helmets, women’s lacrosse and field hockey eyewear, rescue and whitewater helmets and ice hockey helmets. The company primarily distributes its products through the specialty retail channel.
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Designer, manufacture and marketer of helmets and eye wear for lacrosse. The company’s products include men’s lacrosse h
Recreational Goods
Clay, NY
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000000 | Private Equity-Backed | Litchfield, IL | 000 | 0000 | 000000000000 |
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Top 5 Specialty Lacrosse Brands
If you’re an avid lacrosse player, you’re definitely familiar with the sport’s top brands. Names like STX, Maverick, Cascade, Warrior, Under Armour, and Nike are all common place. And, it’s a safe bet that these marquee brands comprise the majority of your gear set up.
Here at SidelineSwap, we’re all about discovering specialty brands and companies. We respect small businesses in the sporting goods industry who have carved out a space for themselves and built a loyal following. It’s not easy to do, but when it’s done right, you’ll appreciate the difference in customization, craftsmanship and quality that comes from a smaller specialty brand. In no particular order, these are five of our favorite niche lacrosse brands.
1. Signature Lacrosse
Whenever it’s time to buy new lacrosse gear, most guys get pumped about choosing a new shaft; a new head; a new pair of cleats. But if you think about it, lacrosse players don’t spend much time thinking about the one piece of equipment they actually need to play lacrosse: a ball.
That’s exactly what the founders of Signature Lacrosse realized about three years ago. The company was formed when two old friends transferred to the University of Tampa to play lacrosse. They shared a mutual frustration for the lack of quality of the balls that their program used. The lacrosse balls didn’t last longer than a season, and after too much use they’d turn into “greasers” — hardened, slippery versions of once-fine lacrosse balls that seriously hurt when you get nicked by them in the arm or the head.
The guys at Signature Lacrosse worked with chemists from Tampa to develop several new types of rubber. Signature Lacrosse rubber is more durable, while being much softer compared to other ball brands. When a Signature Lacrosse ball hits you, the impact is dispersed and not as localized. These balls are much safer than other alternative options, and one of the main goals of Signature Lacrosse is to reduce the frequency of concussions caused by lacrosse balls taken to the helmet. Signature Lacrosse has caught they eye of roughly 200 college programs nationwide, with coaches jumping on board with the concept of lacrosse balls that last longer and are safer for their guys to use.
2. Stylin Strings
Knowing how to string your own lacrosse head has been a huge part of lacrosse culture since the sport’s inception. The problem with this is, it sometimes discourages newcomers from trying lacrosse in the first place. That’s where companies such as Stylin Strings come into play.
Founded in 1999, Stylin Strings is one of the founding brands of the lacrosse equipment industry. The company got its start by originally selling its services on the now defunct website E-lacrosse.com. Fast forward to 2018, and Stylin Strings has its HQ in York, PA and a website of its own where you can purchase customized, pre-strung, dyed lacrosse heads. They also do a ton of work creating customized dyed heads for college programs — on the women’s side, and the men’s side. Stylin Strings employs about 17 stringers who will string your head for you. For lacrosse players who prefer to string their own heads, Stylin Strings is a great place to buy cool, customized stringing that you can have shipped right to your door. Stylin Strings continues to help grow the game of lacrosse by routinely putting out how-to videos on YouTube that aim to teach beginner lacrosse players how to properly string their sticks.
3. Throne of String
Based out of Brooklyn, NY, Throne of String is in the business of lacrosse stringing. You can buy stringing materials on their website, as well as purchase pre-strung pockets. To get a pre-strung lacrosse head delivered right to your door, the process is simple. First, choose the type of head you want, and then the pocket design. Customize the colors for each part of the stringing design. Select your turnaround time (if you need your new head quickly, you can pay a little extra for a three-day turnaround time; otherwise, a typical delivery window is between one and two weeks from the time you place your order.)
In addition to stringing supplies, Throne also sells eye shields to protect your vision on the field from sunny days. You can also buy shafts and custom dyed heads from Throne as well.
4. Adrenaline Lacrosse
Need new uniforms? Adrenaline is a great option for teams looking for fresh, customized uniforms. Adrenaline was founded by East Coast-transplants, two former Division I All-American lacrosse players who settled in San Diego upon graduating to start a lacrosse company. Today, Adrenaline is the official apparel provider for the MLL.
Adrenaline creates uniform orders for men’s and women’s teams, and you can easily place a team order on their website. Over 75 colleges and top high school programs all over the country use Adrenaline as a uniform provider.
5. HeadWrapz
Lid decals have become more and more popular over the years. Just last summer, we had a Cascade S with Fortnite decals sell on SidelineSwap. Pretty gnarly.
All kidding aside, there’s one company out there that’s capitalizing on the desire of young lacrosse players to have custom decals on their helmets. That company is HeadWrapz.
HeadWrapz has a website where you can order easy-to-apply decals for your lacrosse helmet. The process is simple. First, indicate what type of helmet you have. Then, choose your style of decal, upload the artwork you want to use, personalize it to your liking and then boom! Your unique decals will arrive on your doorstep in no time. You can also place a bulk order to get custom decals for everyone on your team.
Coastline Lacrosse Company | Tidal Mesh
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Local lacrosse company aims to dominate industry
While navigating their way toward accounting careers at Towson University, Mike and Greg Kenneally thought of lacrosse as nothing more than a passion and a hobby. Six years later, the brothers have expanded their high-performance lacrosse equipment company, East Coast Dyes (ECD), exponentially due to its innovative technology and Maryland location.
“Greg was always the go-to person in college for fixing equipment issues,” said Mike. “When he told us he was going to tackle the issue of lacrosse mesh failing in wet weather, we said go for it. He made the whole house smell awful while coming up with the wax mesh solution.”
But the results were undeniable.
The product generated more than 800 orders during the company’s first Cyber Monday sale in 2012. Mike told his brother they had created something special and the CPA duo took an unexpected change in careers. What started as a group of college buddies cranking out orders in their Baltimore County home transformed into a full-scale operation at a 2,000-square-foot facility in Lutherville by May 2013.
“Mesh hadn’t really been innovated until we played with the wax idea,” Mike said. “Between that technology and our ability to network in a state with a deep history rooted in lacrosse, we’ve been able to expand our presence across the country.”
Last year, ECD relocated a third time to a 21,000-square-foot facility with a built-in turf field in Towson. The company acts as a manufacturing and wholesale online retailer for dealers locally and nationally with buyers including LAX World, Lacrosse Unlimited, and lax.com. They are also the proud sponsor of University of Maryland, Loyola, Towson, and Navy lacrosse teams. ECD is looking to be the go-to source for athletes seeking the best in equipment.
“We want to make the best shaft, head, and mesh combo in the business,” Mike said. “Our recent expansion and Maryland’s job pool of lacrosse savvy employees is going to make that possible.”
ECD is a recipient of the Baltimore County Boost Fund, a loan program provided through the Maryland Department of Commerce that puts revenue from the state’s video lottery terminals to work for small, minority, woman, and veteran-owned businesses. For more information about ECD visit eastcoastdyes.com.
90,000 offGroup – the history of the creation of lacrossetechnology.ru.
The OffGroup company was founded in 2008 in Moscow by two students and within a few years has become a dynamically developing company that provides demanded and innovative products on the market of goods and services. There was a lot of trial and error in choosing a development strategy, but the enthusiasm and endless desire of the young team to work did their job. The main emphasis was placed on the search for interesting goods and services that could compete in such a difficult market as in Moscow, as well as in the formation of a young cohesive team.The first was the store of Italian school globes, which was initially more perceived as a hobby, and later grew into a large wholesale and retail store of children’s goods. Now the Offgroup company has about 10 different projects, the most interesting of which are a store selling smart chargers lacrossetechnology. ru, Russia’s first store selling Japanese neural earphones neco-mimi.ru, a business gift store www.nastolnye-nabory.ru and dr.
Our advantages:
- Always a high level of service, which means competent consultations on all communication channels (free multichannel phone 8 800, online chat, support via ICQ and Skype), convenient payment methods, discounts for regular customers
- Prompt delivery throughout Russia with or without prepayment
- Warranty and post-warranty service
- Convenient website and multifunctional personal account, notifications when order status changes by e-mail
- Wide assortment and large stock balances, only real certified goods
- Large showroom and conveniently located pick-up points
- Flexible wholesale and retail price list and bonus program
- Affiliate program
We wish you a pleasant shopping and look forward to seeing you in our stores!
Individual entrepreneur Nesterova Alena Igorevna
OGRNIP 315774600050965
TIN 772850123283
Legal. address: 117335, Moscow, st. Architect Vlasov, 11, bldg. 2
account 40802810200000794410 in TINKOFF BANK JSC
account 30101810145250000974, BIK 044525974
90,000 Buick has announced the premiere of the new LaCrosse sedan – DRIVE
This is the first official teaser for the LaCrosse model.By 2018, all Buicks will have a face like this with a cross-bar grille and an updated badge.
The third generation of the Buick LaCrosse model will be presented to the general public in November 2015 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The current LaCrosse is a relative of the Chevrolet Impala sedan (Epsilon II platform), and the new one, according to unofficial data, uses a front-wheel drive E2XX trolley (it has the newest Chevrolet Malibu, we will soon see the Cadillac XT5 and later the next Opel Insignia). Rather, here the designers have applied its stretched and extended version of P2XX.
The Americans point out directly that the production car borrows a number of design elements from the Buick Avenir concept shown in January this year.
The
Avenir, which is almost 20 cm longer than the modern Lacrosse, is built on the new rear-wheel drive Omega platform (we already know it from the Cadillac CT6 sedan). If assumptions about different “carts” come true, then Buick may have another model, larger than the LaCrosse.The developers themselves do not give hints, pointing out only that the Lacrosse will have a five-lever in the back.
In the meantime, two Lacrosses were seen in China: one disguised, the other not. According to spy shots, the interior will resemble the interior of the Abner, but the rear part of the body does not look like that concept.
The range of engines is likely to change: instead of the “four” 2. 4 Ecotec there will be a two-liter turbo LTG, and instead of the “six” 3.6 LFX – the newest “atmospheric” unit V6 3.6 LGX. As a result, the power will increase – in the basic version with 185 hp. up to 276, and for the older one from 307 hp. up to 340. “Automatic” will increase the number of steps from six to eight or even to nine (this is the kind of gearbox that the insiders predict to the related XT5 crossover). The choice of front and all-wheel drive will remain.
Buick has published teaser images of the new LaCrosse :: Autonews
Buick has released teaser images of the new LaCrosse
Buick has published teaser images of the new generation of the LaCrosse sedan.The public debut of the model will take place today at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
The design of the car will be reminiscent of the Avenir concept. The car will receive LED headlights, ventilated front fenders, chrome-plated door handles, a spoiler and a radiator grill already familiar from previous models. In addition, the model will be equipped with a different center console and a new gear lever. When creating the interior of the novelty, silk, leather, bamboo and wood were actively used.
The novelty will be built on the E2XX platform and equipped with front-wheel drive.The sedan will become noticeably lighter than its predecessor. The rest of the technical details of LaCrosse are kept secret for now.
Earlier, Buick announced the development of a new generation of hatchbacks Verano and Verano GS. The models are intended for the Chinese market and are unlikely to appear in other countries. The Verano hatchback will be built on a new platform, which is used by the Opel Astra. A 1.5-liter gasoline engine will be installed under the hood of the model.