Recently retired Paul Rabil, one of the greatest lacrosse players of all-time, announced this week a new national television deal for the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) which he co-founded with his brother Mike.
“We’re thrilled to announce our new agreement with ESPN,” said the Gaithersburg native and recent inductee into the DC Sports Hall of Fame. “It’s a testament to our gameday experience, the business teams at the PLL, growing interest level and engagement of a global lacrosse audience, as well as ESPN’s foresight and meaningful investment into a game that’s indigenous to North America – one of the fastest-growing in the US today.”
The PLL and ESPN reached a four-year media rights agreement that will span the network’s broadcast, cable and streaming platform. The League’s fourth season is scheduled to begin on June 4, 2022, playing 47 games across 13 US cities, including All-Star, Playoffs, and Championship Weekend on September 17, 2022.
🚨📺 The PLL and @espn have agreed to a four-year media rights deal. pic.twitter.com/qUoLLOpHMt
— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) March 23, 2022
135 lbs soaking wet, this kid watched @espn every morning, dreaming of one day playing lacrosse at the highest level. Today, a kid his age will get to watch @espn and see what it looks like for that dream to now be a reality pic.twitter.com/aDwUxUj3nf
— Paul Rabil (@PaulRabil) March 23, 2022
PLL games will air exclusively across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN+, with all 47 games available to stream on ESPN+.
Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN and Sports Content, said: “This new agreement will maximize exposure for the league and sport as a whole, with a number of events on linear television and all games being available direct to consumer. Paul and Mike Rabil are incredible leaders and innovators in the sport and we are all looking forward to continued growth for the PLL.”
“Year-over-year PLL viewership has shown consistent growth, setting record numbers for pro lacrosse across broadcast and streaming platforms,” said Mike Rabil, Co-Founder and CEO of the PLL. “We’re excited to work together with ESPN to bring even more eyeballs to the sport of lacrosse.”
Rabil talked to MyMCM in October (before the ESPN deal was announced) about his pro league, retirement and growing the game of lacrosse on MoCo’s Most Famous podcast.
