ESPN takes minority stake in Premier Lacrosse League
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ESPN has renewed its media rights deal with Premier Lacrosse League, and also made a minority investment in the league.
Why it matters: This marks a shift in ESPN's strategy as it looks to invest in growth areas outside of traditional television.
- A strategic investment in PLL gives ESPN more incentive to work with the the league on effective distribution.
Between the lines: While it's not the first time ESPN has taken a stake in a small league, it is the first time it's made one public.
- That suggests ESPN is trying to signal to the market that it's looking to get more creative with its dealmaking in the streaming era.
Zoom in: The new five-year media distribution agreement begins in 2026 and includes rights to all of the PLL's regular season, all-star, playoff, and championship games.
- It also includes rights to games for the Maybelline Women's Lacrosse League, currently in its debut season, plus future PLL and WLL Drafts.
Zoom out: Momentum is building around lacrosse. The PLL has seen record viewership across Disney and ESPN platforms over the past few years, and the sport returns to the Olympic Games in 2028.
- "This is an incredible moment for lacrosse ... and we felt this was an incredible for us," says Matt Kenny, ESPN's VP of programming and acquisitions.
- "You combine that with our overall commitment to lacrosse — which, by the way, is a sport that we've long supported — and we really think it just enhances our ability to serve, serve lacrosse fans, elevate lacrosse, elevate women's sports, and continue to better serve fans," he adds.
