The Premier Lacrosse League announced that it has closed a $100 million Series E financing round. The round was led by Ares and Joe Tsai and represents the largest capital raise in the history of professional lacrosse. The financing also includes a subsequent minority equity investment from ESPN. Additional investors include actor, writer, and producer Glen Powell; Wrexham A.F.C. co-chairman, actor, and producer Rob Mac; country music singer and songwriter Warren Zeiders; and actor Tony Cavalero.
Other investors include Creator Sports Capital, Carolyn Tisch Blodgett’s Next 3, FirstTracks Sports Ventures, Jed Hart, West End Investment Management, James Young, Bolt Ventures, Chris Shumway, and others.
As part of the financing, Jim Miller, co-head of Ares Sports, Media and Entertainment, will join the PLL’s board of directors.
Powell will join the PLL as a creative advisor and will work with founders Paul Rabil and Mike Rabil to help bring the first PLL and Women’s Lacrosse League teams to Texas.
The Raine Group served as financial advisor to the PLL on the transaction.
The PLL said proceeds from the financing will be directed across four priorities: expanding media distribution and original storytelling, growing sponsorship and commercial partnerships, deepening investment in the Women’s Lacrosse League, and broadening access to youth lacrosse to make the sport more affordable and available.
The investment is also designed to accelerate the league’s growth ahead of lacrosse’s return to the Olympic stage at LA28.
The financing comes as the PLL and WLL continue building their media, commercial, and participation platforms around one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S.
ESPN’s investment deepens its existing alignment with the PLL and WLL as the leagues’ media rights partner.
The partnership already includes live game distribution and original storytelling across ESPN platforms.
The 2026 PLL and WLL seasons are airing on ESPN platforms and ABC.
The PLL said youth participation remains central to its long-term strategy, both as an access point for the sport and as a driver of future fandom.
The league plans to keep lowering barriers to entry, connect recreational and professional lacrosse, and make the sport more accessible.
Founded by Paul Rabil and Mike Rabil, the Premier Lacrosse League is a men’s professional lacrosse league in North America with eight teams featuring many of the world’s top players.
The PLL is distributed through an exclusive media rights agreement with ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN+.
KEY QUOTES:
“Lacrosse is entering one of the most important periods in its history. With the Olympics on the horizon, we have an opportunity to introduce the sport to a new generation of fans and athletes around the world. Our focus is on building the infrastructure to support that growth through elite competition, broader distribution, youth participation, and a stronger professional ecosystem.”
Mike Rabil, Co-Founder and CEO of the Premier Lacrosse League
“The PLL is one of the most exciting growth-stage scaling stories I’ve seen. Mike and Paul have built a business with incredible trajectory, from accelerating media reach to a credible sponsorship platform to exponential fan engagement. The story of lacrosse as the fastest sport on two feet is finally being told around players who bring grit, skill and flair to the field. The PLL has built a forward-looking model that resonates with both fans and partners. I’m excited to continue my support for this extraordinary founders-led enterprise.”
Joe Tsai, Investor in the Premier Lacrosse League
“We’re thrilled to invest in the PLL at a defining moment for the league and the sport. Lacrosse has tremendous momentum, world-class athletes and a deeply engaged fanbase, creating exciting opportunities across media rights, live events and broader fan engagement. We look forward to supporting Mike, Paul and the entire team with scaled institutional capital to help advance the league’s next chapter of growth and innovation.”
Jim Miller, Co-Head of Ares Sports, Media and Entertainment
“We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Ares, Joe Tsai, and this suite of strategic and passionate investors. It’s a powerful signal when the most respected investors in sports believe not only in where lacrosse is today, but in where it’s going. And to bring a former player now transcendent actor like Glen Powell onto our ownership group, paired with Wrexham owner, actor and producer, Rob McElhenney – among other entertainers – will make a big difference in our brand and storytelling efforts.”
Paul Rabil, Co-Founder, President and Chief Creative Officer of the Premier Lacrosse League
“Lacrosse has the ingredients to become one of the most exciting growth stories in sports. I’m thrilled to invest in the PLL and WLL and help bring professional lacrosse to the forefront of culture. Starting with my home state of Texas.”
Glen Powell, Investor and Creative Advisor to the Premier Lacrosse League
