ESPN and the Premier Lacrosse League have reached a renewal for a five-year media rights agreement through which games within the entity will air on network platforms. The deal is going to commence with the 2026 season and includes all games within the regular season, All-Star Playoff and championship matchups, along with Maybelline Women’s Lacrosse League contests and future drafts. In addition to the multiyear deal, ESPN has also made a minority equity investment in the PLL, and according to a person familiar with the terms cited by CNBC, the company has acquired a 3% stake.
“We’re thrilled to continue our relationship with the Premier Lacrosse League and expand our commitment to the ascendant sport by bringing the recently launched Women’s Lacrosse League to ESPN,” Rosalyn Durant, executive vice president of ESPN programming and acquisitions, said in a statement. “This renewal reflects our dedication to showcasing the best in lacrosse, growing the game across all levels, and delivering world-class competition to fans year-round.”
The media rights agreement comes following a year in which viewership of the PLL championship game on ABC was up 9% from the previous year. Furthermore, the broadcast of the PLL All-Star Game was its most-viewed iteration of such in league history. While all PLL and WLL games will be available to stream on ESPN+, select games will also be presented on linear networks such as ABC, ESPN and ESPN2.
“This partnership marks a historic moment for the PLL and WLL,” Paul Rabil, co-founder and president of the Premier Lacrosse League, said in a statement. “ESPN’s renewed commitment, along with their investment, speaks volumes about the future of lacrosse. Together, we’re not only bringing the best in professional lacrosse to more fans, more often, but we’re building a model for how modern sports leagues can grow – with equity, innovation, and access at the center.”
The media rights deal comes shortly before the expected launch of the ESPN direct-to-consumer service through which fans can view content from various ESPN networks without a traditional pay television subscription. Along with this new business venture, ESPN is also slated to reveal enhancements to its app to introduce new features and personalized user experiences. Current standalone ESPN+ subscribers are automatically going to become subscribers to the ESPN select plan upon the introduction of the service, while those who bundle ESPN+ with Disney+ and Hulu will receive the ESPN select bundle.
“This renewed partnership with ESPN is a major milestone for the continued rise of both the PLL and WLL,” Mike Rabil, co-founder and chief executive officer of the Premier Lacrosse League, said in a statement. “It underscores the momentum behind both our men’s and women’s leagues and the demand from a growing, passionate fanbase — unlocking new opportunities for our players, partners, and fans alike.”
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