Paul Rabil, the lacrosse G.O.A.T. and co-founder of the Premier Lacrosse League, shares his incredible journey from player to entrepreneur. He opens up about overcoming challenges in launching the PLL and highlights the potential for niche sports in today's media world. The discussion touches on the changing landscape of sports broadcasting and the importance of building relationships within the industry. Rabil's insights into media partnerships and the exciting future for lacrosse are both insightful and inspiring.
Paul Rabil's journey from player to co-founder of the Premier Lacrosse League highlights the importance of resilience and market innovation in sports.
The PLL's unique touring model and media partnerships with networks like NBC and ESPN aim to capture and engage a younger audience in lacrosse.
Deep dives
The Journey of Paul Rabel
Paul Rabel, a revered figure in lacrosse, reflects on his unique path in sports, particularly his transition from a player to the founder of the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). He recalls the early days of learning the sport at age 12, initially struggling but eventually discovering his potential in high school, which led to a focused pursuit of collegiate lacrosse. Despite the existing professional leagues, he identified a gap in the market for a league that truly connected with the youth and broadened the sport's appeal. Rabel's journey emphasizes the importance of resilience and the commitment to improving a sport he loves, showcasing how personal experiences shaped his ambitions to elevate lacrosse on a professional level.
Establishing the Premier Lacrosse League
The launch of the PLL in 2018 underlines a strategic move to create a unique model that challenges the traditional structures of sports leagues. Rabel and his team focused on a touring model instead of a conventional home-and-away schedule, drawing parallels to successful individual sports like UFC and F1. This approach has catered to a younger audience, fostering a new experience around lacrosse. The initial challenges of securing financing and media deals were met with innovative thinking and a commitment to delivering a quality experience for fans and players alike.
Key Media Partnerships
Securing media partnerships proved crucial for the PLL's visibility and growth, beginning with a deal with NBC that prioritized capturing a young demographic. Rabel understood that establishing a successful league required compelling storytelling and solid audience engagement metrics to attract major networks. The strategic pivot to work with ESPN showcased the league's potential for extensive reach, capitalizing on the increasing trend of streaming and younger viewers. The partnership not only emphasized the importance of digital engagement but also recognized the need for linear TV as a means to solidify the league’s presence among traditional sports audiences.
Challenges and Innovations in Lacrosse
Rabel reflects on the significant challenges that come with creating and sustaining a new sports league, particularly in reviving youth sports and increasing participation in lacrosse. He acknowledges the expensive nature of the sport, which can act as a barrier to entry for many interested young players, leading to innovative projects like street lacrosse initiatives aimed at lowering these costs. The PLL's efforts to reinvent the grassroots aspect of the game provide a template for engaging with the community and maximizing participation. By reshaping how lacrosse is experienced at the youth level, Rabel hopes to cultivate a new generation of players and fans, ensuring the long-term growth and sustainability of the sport.
John sits down with Paul Rabil, the lacrosse G.O.A.T., and co-founder of the Premier Lacrosse League for a candid chat about his journey as a player and the genesis of the PLL. Paul extemporizes candidly about his pro career, the white space in the market, the fundraising hurdles and the early challenges of standing up the league. Then the duo discuss the opportunity ahead for niche and niche-ish sports in the current media ecosystem.