The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) is planning a major shift in its ownership structure by 2028 or shortly thereafter, according to co-founder Paul Rabil. Currently operating under a single-entity model where the league owns all teams, the PLL aims to expand from its present eight teams to as many as 16, each owned independently by individual owners or groups. This transition is intended to mirror the ownership models seen in established U.S. professional sports leagues.

Rabil, a former professional lacrosse player and a key figure in the sport, is optimistic about the league’s growth potential, especially with lacrosse returning as an Olympic sport at the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games. He sees the Olympics as a pivotal moment that could significantly increase visibility and interest in the PLL. The league recently raised $100 million in a Series E funding round to support expansion and strengthen its market position as an emerging sports league.

The PLL’s planned ownership changes align with trends seen in other new sports leagues like League One Volleyball and the Basketball Africa League, which have moved toward franchising their teams to private owners who pay expansion fees. This approach is becoming increasingly popular as investors seek opportunities to own teams in high-growth leagues, particularly as valuations of traditional sports franchises in the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL have surged to very high levels.

Rabil also indicated that the PLL is open to discussions with private equity firms or strategic companies, such as TKO Group, which owns major sports entertainment brands, about acquiring or investing in the league. This openness highlights the PLL’s ambitions not only to expand its footprint but also to attract significant capital and strategic partnerships that could accelerate its rise in the competitive sports marketplace.