Paul Rabil, co-founder and CEO of the Premier Lacrosse League, is a seven-time champion and three-time MVP. He shares his journey from a young athlete to a professional entrepreneur, emphasizing the role of social media in building a fanbase. Rabil discusses launching the PLL, its innovative tour-based model, and the significance of securing sponsorships. He also highlights his podcast, Suiting Up, and the Paul Rabil Foundation's mission to support children with learning differences. His insights on empathy and leadership are equally inspiring.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Path to Lacrosse
Paul Rabil grew up playing various sports but discovered lacrosse at age 12.
He initially struggled but found himself excelling in lacrosse more than other sports, leading him to focus on it in high school.
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Early Skill Development
In high school, Paul honed his lacrosse skills through wall practice and studying VHS tapes of college games.
He prioritized imaginative skill development, a practice he feels is less common among young athletes today.
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Transition to Pro and Social Media
After college, Paul was drafted into Major League Lacrosse but also worked in real estate.
Realizing the potential of social media, he started connecting with fans directly, which attracted sponsors and led him to pursue lacrosse full-time.
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How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
Brené Brown
In 'Daring Greatly,' Brené Brown delves into the topics of vulnerability, shame, and courage. The book, inspired by a quote from Theodore Roosevelt's 'Citizenship in a Republic' speech, argues that vulnerability is essential for living a wholehearted life. Brown discusses how vulnerability is often misunderstood as weakness, but it is actually a sign of courage. She provides insights from her research on how vulnerability affects men and women differently and offers practical advice on overcoming shame and embracing vulnerability in personal and professional life. The book emphasizes the importance of connection, shame resilience, and the distinction between guilt and shame[3][4][5].
Paul Rabil is the co-founder and CEO of the Premier Lacrosse League or PLL, a new tour-based league of the top professional lacrosse players in the world that will debut on June 1st. Paul was the #1 player in the draft for Major League Lacrosse in 2008 after winning a national championship at Johns Hopkins. He is a 7-time Champion and 3-time MVP. Alongside his on-the-field accomplishments, Paul is a passionate entrepreneur who was the first lacrosse player to earn $1 million in endorsements.
Our conversation covers Paul’s early interest in lacrosse, developing a social media fan following, the importance of sponsorship revenue for athletes, and the leverage athletes have over teams. We then turn to the formation of the PLL, including Paul’s attempt to purchase the MLL with a search fund, his shift in business model from private equity to venture capital, the tour-based model, operations, distribution, and the on-field product. We close by discussing Suiting Up, Paul’s podcast where he interviews top professional athletes and coaches, and the Paul Rabil Foundation, which brings lacrosse to schools for children with learning differences.
Paul is as savvy off-the-field as his is skilled on it, and as the PLL takes off as I suspect it will, this conversation may well mark an important moment in time for this fascinating start-up league.
Tune in to NBC to watch the first games from Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts on the first weekend in June.
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