The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) is a professional lacrosse league in the United States that was founded by Paul Rabil and Mike Rabil in 2018. The league is composed of eight teams, and its inaugural season debuted on June 1, 2019. The league’s tour-based schedule takes place in 12 major-market cities, and each team plays six games during the 14-week season.
Many players left Major League Lacrosse to explore the opportunities in the new league when it was announced. The PLL has quickly become one of the most renowned names in the sport, and it offers several benefits to both players and fans. In this guide, readers will learn about the PLL’s rules, teams, players, and everything they need to know to become a fan of this exciting league.
What is the Premier Lacrosse League?
The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) is an American professional field lacrosse league that was founded in 2018 by Paul Rabil and his brother Mike Rabil. The league is composed of eight teams, and its inaugural season debuted on June 1, 2019. The PLL is a tour-based league with a 14-week schedule that takes place in 12 major-market cities.
History of the Premier Lacrosse League
The idea for the PLL was born out of the desire to create a more fan-friendly and player-centric professional lacrosse league. Paul Rabil, one of the most recognizable players in the sport, was frustrated with the lack of growth and development in the Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the league he had played in for over a decade. He believed that the sport deserved a better platform, and that the players deserved better compensation and working conditions.
After months of planning and fundraising, Rabil and his brother Mike announced the formation of the PLL in October 2018. The league was able to attract some of the top players in the sport, including former MLL stars like Tom Schreiber, Matt Rambo, and Rob Pannell. The PLL also secured a multi-year media rights deal with NBC Sports, which gave the league unprecedented exposure and credibility.
Structure of the Premier Lacrosse League
The PLL currently has eight teams, each with a roster of 22 players. The teams are divided into two conferences, the Red Conference and the Blue Conference, and each team plays six regular-season games. The top four teams from each conference advance to the playoffs, which are held over a single weekend in August.
The PLL has implemented several innovative rules and formats that are designed to make the game more exciting and fan-friendly. For example, the league uses a shot clock, which requires teams to take a shot within 52 seconds of gaining possession. The league also has a two-point line, which allows players to score two points if they shoot from outside a designated arc.
Overall, the PLL has been successful in its mission to create a better professional lacrosse league. The league has attracted a passionate fan base, and its players are among the best in the world. The PLL has also been able to secure lucrative sponsorship deals with companies like Adidas, Gatorade, and Capital One, which has helped to ensure its long-term viability.
How to Watch the Premier Lacrosse League
For fans of the Premier Lacrosse League, there are several options available for watching the games. In this section, we’ll cover television coverage and online streaming options for the PLL.
Television Coverage
The PLL has partnered with NBC Sports to provide coverage of the league’s games. In 2021, 21 games were broadcast on NBC and NBCSN, making it the most-ever professional lacrosse games on television in a season. It is expected that NBC Sports will continue to provide coverage of the league in the coming years.
For fans outside of the United States, the PLL can be streamed on the following providers:
| Provider | Country |
|---|---|
| TSNDirect | Canada |
| Star | Latin America |
Online Streaming Options
For fans who prefer to stream games online, the PLL can be streamed and replayed on ESPN+. This service is available in 185 countries, making it a convenient option for fans around the world.
In addition to ESPN+, the PLL can also be streamed on the following providers:
- TSNDirect (Canada)
- Star (Latin America)
Overall, there are several options available for fans who want to watch the Premier Lacrosse League. Whether you prefer to watch games on television or stream them online, there are plenty of ways to keep up with the action.
Teams in the Premier Lacrosse League
Current Teams
The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) is currently composed of eight teams. These teams are:
- Archers Lacrosse Club (Archers LC)
- Atlas Lacrosse Club (Atlas LC)
- Cannons Lacrosse Club (Cannons LC)
- Chaos Lacrosse Club (Chaos LC)
- Chrome Lacrosse Club (Chrome LC)
- Redwoods Lacrosse Club (Redwoods LC)
- Waterdogs Lacrosse Club (Waterdogs LC)
- Whipsnakes Lacrosse Club (Whipsnakes LC)
Each team has a roster of about 22 players, including both American and international players. The teams compete in a tour-based schedule, playing games in different cities throughout the United States.
Expansion Teams
As of the current date, there are no announced plans for expansion teams in the PLL. However, the league has expressed interest in expanding to new markets in the future. In the past, the league has added expansion teams. For example, the Waterdogs Lacrosse Club joined the league as an expansion team in 2020. The team is based in San Diego, California and is the league’s first team on the West Coast.
Overall, the PLL continues to grow in popularity and is becoming an increasingly important part of the lacrosse world. With its unique tour-based schedule and talented teams, the league is poised for continued success in the years to come.
Star Players in the Premier Lacrosse League
The Premier Lacrosse League is home to some of the best professional lacrosse athletes in the world. These players have honed their skills over years of practice and dedication to the sport. Here are some of the star players in the league:
| Player | Team | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Schreiber | Archers | Midfield |
| Rob Pannell | Atlas | Attack |
| Matt Rambo | Whipsnakes | Attack |
| Trevor Baptiste | Atlas | Faceoff Specialist |
| Michael Ehrhardt | Whipsnakes | Defence |
Tom Schreiber is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the league. He has won the league MVP award twice and is known for his speed, agility, and scoring ability.
Rob Pannell is a veteran attackman who has been a dominant force in the league for years. He has won the league MVP award and is known for his precision passing and scoring ability.
Matt Rambo is a rising star in the league and was named the championship MVP in 2019. He is known for his aggressive style of play and scoring ability.
Trevor Baptiste is widely regarded as the best faceoff specialist in the league. He has won the league’s faceoff percentage title in each of his first three seasons and is a key player for the Atlas.
Michael Ehrhardt is a standout defender who is known for his physicality and ability to disrupt opposing offenses. He was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2021.
Key Events in the Premier Lacrosse League Calendar
Championship
The Premier Lacrosse League Championship is the pinnacle event of the league’s season. The top four teams from the regular season compete in a single-elimination playoff format to determine the league champion. The Championship game is played in a neutral location, with the winner being crowned the PLL’s best team of the year. The 2023 Championship Series was held in late February at The St. James indoor stadium in Springfield, Virginia, with Archers LC, Atlas LC, Chrome LC, and Whipsnakes LC competing.
All-Star Game
The PLL All-Star Game is an annual exhibition game that showcases the league’s top players. The All-Star teams are selected through a combination of fan voting, player voting, and coaching staff selections.
The game is typically held in the middle of the regular season, with the location rotating each year. The All-Star Game is a fun event for fans to watch, with high-scoring games and plenty of trick shots and highlight-reel plays.
The Premier Lacrosse League has become one of the most popular professional lacrosse leagues in the world. With a focus on innovative gameplay, high-quality production, and engaging fan experiences, the PLL has quickly established itself as a leader in the sports industry.
Whether you’re a die-hard lacrosse fan or a casual sports enthusiast, there’s plenty to love about the Premier Lacrosse League.
Conclusion
The Premier Lacrosse League has quickly become a popular and exciting league for lacrosse fans around the world. With its unique tour-based model and top-tier players, the league has gained a loyal following in just a few short years.
Players in the PLL earn higher salaries than in the previous professional outdoor league, Major League Lacrosse, and also receive healthcare benefits and ownership shares in the league. This has attracted top talent and helped to create a competitive and entertaining league.
The PLL’s focus on digital media and streaming has also helped to increase its popularity, with fans able to watch every game live on Peacock. The league’s growth across ticketing, streaming, social, and digital platforms has been impressive and shows no signs of slowing down.
Overall, the Premier Lacrosse League offers an exciting and innovative approach to professional lacrosse, with a focus on player benefits and fan engagement. With its continued growth and success, the league looks set to become a major player in the world of sports.
