Pro Lacrosse Merger: From My Perspective
If you’re reading this by now you know there was big news in the lacrosse world. If you’re new to the lacrosse world, I’ll give you the dumbed down version of why everyone and their mother is having heart issues according to their twitter accounts and my perspective on said merger.
So there was two lacrosse leagues, one being Major League Lacrosse, started back in 2001 in a city based model and which everyone who was good enough to be a pro played in up until the 2019 season. Then came the Premier Lacrosse League started by former MLL MVP Paul Rabil after him and multiple players were tired of many things that the MLL did and didn’t do including low salaries. Many people understandably were not happy about this but lets not shit ourselves, this was a great move for a niche sport to go big time. He took many of the best players from MLL with him and thanks to a great marketing team, social media, a broadcast deal with NBC and a good on-field product it exceeded expectations.
In its inaugural season the PLL blew up and frankly did a better job at staying in the headlines than the MLL good or bad. Anyone knows that even negative headlines are still headlines. I’m not smart enough to know the numbers of how each league did in 2019 but you can scroll endlessly through twitter and Instagram to figure which one did in the court of public opinion.
However, in 2020 when both leagues were still going strong and looking forward to great summers with an immaculate amount of talent looking to come out of college and play we were hit by the worst crisis I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. I’m only 20 years old, this shit was bad. The COVID-19 pandemic and it altered all things in the world including pro lacrosse. Basically, both had to play their seasons in bubbles , the PLL in Utah with thankfully with no postive tests and the other in my home state of Maryland with some unfortunate positive tests at the end which made me sad that I couldn’t see my hometown Bayhawks repeat as champs. Take that as you will.
But now the time you’ve been waiting for! They merged and now together as the PLL, pro lacrosse will be whole again. My first reaction was two things “Oh shit” as everyone else probably said and then my second one was thank god there will be no more of “the other league” phrase. Now I am grateful for the PLL and the people in their front office, without many of them I would not have the platform I have to write this piece and I own what feels like about every t-shirt they have ever produced but with that being said, I got so sick of hearing “The Other League” when referring to the MLL. Like damn, Rabil made a name for himself in there and there were still great players in that league, they are people too and in this day in age ALL Leagues Matter….
The PLL will keep the seven teams or clubs they had and will bring on the Boston Cannons under their branding of “Cannons LC”. I personally love this and i’ve heard the rumors that it was because of an ownership thing but I think the point we are all missing is that this sets up a great rivalry with Archers LC to see which one can make things go in the air the highest(Insert Michael Scott joke).
Lyle Thompson will undoubtedly be the first pick in the expansion draft as he is the best player in the world. Slide in my twitter dm’s(jordan_john5) if you want to argue, we have to embrace debate these days. The second needs to be Dillon Ward assuming he is unprotected by Chaos because he gets no love and may damn well be the best goalie of all time when its all said and done. Yes, I said that. Two guys that no one are talking about coming over from MLL are Ben Randall( maybe the best defender in the bubble) and Isaih Davis- Allen, but the second doesn’t surprise me as SSDM’s get no love(peep Pat Harbeson being left off the PLL-Top 50 list). Watch out for these guys to make a big splash.
With all of that being said, you’re probably thinking damn…this guy had some deep childhood trauma but if you know me I’m just out here trying to put a smile on someone’s face. I hope you found this at least somewhat worth you’re time and I look forward to the bright future of pro lacrosse.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
