The greatest entrepreneurial adventures take a lot of sleepless nights, a bias for action and a commitment to people. Starting a professional sports league is no different.  

As we gear up for the first ever Stars and Stripes Classic, Fran Racioppi is joined by Mike Rabil, the co-founder of the Premier Lacrosse League. Mike and his brother Paul, started the league with a vision to put the players at the center of the business model.

From better pay, to open marketing, to benefits and equity in the league, they’re redefining how professional sports embraces their athletes.

Mike shared the market opportunity he and Paul saw in lacrosse and how they relentlessly pursued investment and support. He explained how giving players equity, access to marketing content and a seat at the table have created a more inclusive league. And he showed us where the sport is headed with regional affiliation. 

They also previewed the Stars and Stripes Classic coming September 2 to Gillette Stadium where the bonds between lacrosse and Special Operations will face off for the very first time. 

Take a listen, watch, or read our conversation with the business mind behind the PLL, then head over to our YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform to catch all the action from the Stars and Stripes Classic. 

Don’t forget to go to Green Beret Foundation to  join our 18 Series Match Challenge to support our team as the Snakeeaters take on the Frogmen. 

Highlights

• 0:00 Welcome to Fairfield University
• 4:15 What was the vision for the PLL?
• 6:21 How do you start a pro sports league?
• 8:10 How does the open marketing concept help promote the game?
• 10:20 Why introduce regional affiliation?
• 12:07 Why keep the 2-point shot?
• 12:48 How do you recruit the best athletes to lacrosse?
• 15:46 The Stars and Stripes Classic?

Quotes

• “I slept on a lot of hotel floors. Cried, bled a lot.” 
• “People ask us who our competitors are. I say ‘all the other sports.’” 
• “We know we need to continue to pay the players more.” 
• “Each time these guys stop on the field they get five stock options.” 
• “The lacrosse community is really tied into Special Forces.” 

The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube.

Special thanks to the Premier Lacrosse League for hosting us at Fairfield University and for sponsoring the Stars and Stripes Classic.