Sticks In

A lot of lacrosse technology today!

After talking about where I'll be sharing content, both written and this podcast, going forward, we discuss NLL+. It's a new direct to consumer streaming platform from the NLL, offering game replays, live game viewing options, features, and more. Why is this important, what does it mean for how you and I will watch the NLL, and why is it so crucial leading up to LA 2028?

Then, we keep the tech talk going. Joe Pompo, co-founder of Get Reps, joins to talk about the R1 Smart Lacrosse Ball. Already being used by lacrosse coaches and players like John Galloway, Joey Spallina, Emma Ward, and Michelle Tumolo, it's a ball that allows you to track data and reps in real time as you train. We talk about the genesis of the idea, getting it to market, how it's being used today. Of course, I let my imagination run wild and think about the ways it could impact, competition, broadcast, and advanced analytics, so we cover that too.

PLL deals are being struck! We talk through the new contracts for Ethan Rall and Matt Campbell in the context of the looming media rights deal for the league, Marcus Holman getting in a new deal and player motivations to change teams, what the Kieran McArdle signing means for the Waterdogs offseason, and then the big one, the Pat Kavanagh trade. We break down why Boston would make the deal, who they can target with their draft pick return, and why Denver didn't actually break the acquire Kavanagh.

Then, it's a conversation with Cannons/Desert Dogs player Jonathan Donville. We talk growing up in juniors, how it molds lacrosse players, the influx of Americans playing in summer box, balancing being a two league pro, and how he handles his role as a lacrosse media member while being an active player.

The World Box Championships are all wrapped up, so we talk about the performances on both the men's and women's sides of the event, plus some of my favorite stories. We also talk about why events like this should mean so much to the "Grow The Game" crowd.

Then, we move on to the next major international lacrosse event, the USA Lacrosse Experience. Team USA will play Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Great Britain this weekend in Sixes. The event is being held at Indiana University, and features both men's and women's competition. On the men's side, the Team USA roster has just one collegiate player, Jake Taylor. We talk to the Notre Dame attackman about getting to play for Team USA, the Sixes format, sharing the field with some other Notre Dame alums, catching feeds from some of the best passers on earth, looking ahead to Los Angeles 2028, and a whole lot more.

Donate to Red Cross and support those in need following Hurricane Helene

We start things off with some PLL Championship viewership discussion. The PLL looking at schedule changes to avoid the NFL, a new media rights deal, and some of the other things that can grow viewership particularly in the postseason.

Then, it's mailbag time. Your questions answered on topics like PLL Free Agency, Head Coach candidates, NIL, PLL Awards, events this spring, and a whole lot more.

We start things off with some PLL Championship viewership discussion. The PLL looking at schedule changes to avoid the NFL, a new media rights deal, and some of the other things that can grow viewership particularly in the postseason.

Then, it's mailbag time. Your questions answered on topics like PLL Free Agency, Head Coach candidates, NIL, PLL Awards, events this spring, and a whole lot more.

The second day of PLL Championship Weekend, PLL hosted Street Lacrosse at the Capitolo Playground in Philadelphia. The event featured local food, artists, celebrities like Jason Kelce, Flava Flav, and Jeffrey Wright, and of course plenty of lacrosse. Hear from Michael Sowers, Kyle Harrison, TD Ierlan, Jordie from Barstool, Mike Rabil, and Paul Rabil about why this event is special, and what it does to help grow the sport. I didn't appreciate it fully until I saw the event in person, and now I'm a big supporter of Street Lacrosse.

It's Media Day! The PLL is hosting media members for team press conferences and interviews leading up the Sunday's Championship Game. We talk to a number of players from both the Utah Archers and Maryland Whipsnakes. This episode will feature interviews mashed back to back, rapid fire, in the way they were recorded in the Independence Ballroom at the Philadelphia Marriott. Guests are, in order:

Mac O'Keefe

Each interview lasts 8-10 minutes and covers the events of Championship Weekend, briefly touching on the season to this point, and key parts of the matchup for Sunday's Championship game.

No ad breaks in the middle for this one, just non-stop interviews for you from Philadelphia.

100 Episodes of Sticks In! A long ride that has been fun and I'm so thankful for everyone who has ever listened in.

A special guest for the episode, PLL Co-Founder and President Paul Rabil. On the day before the PLL Quarterfinals, we look back at the 2024 regular season.

We talk the first year of having teams attached to home markets. What it takes to build a true home atmosphere, what markets had immediate success in year one, how the PLL measures growth specifically attached to being in a home market, and other learnings.

We talk the rule changes that impacted the season. The removal of longpoles from the faceoff spot and the resurgence of that position, how the PLL approached making that decision, the way the players have adjusted to that and the :32 in year two of that change, and the challenges of testing and implementing new rules in the PLL.

We look ahead to what's coming, as Paul answers questions related to how soon we can expect a PLL player minimum salary increase, the next steps towards true home and away schedules, the league making more information public like fines and contract terms, and possible future PLL sites (Vegas, anyone?)

Thank you to everyone who has ever listened, and thank you to Paul for joining me. Can't wait for the next 100 episodes.

The postseason is here! We are talking about both matchups in the PLL Quarterfinals, happening this weekend at Gillette Stadium. We talk through the news of Jack Rowlett's suspension and how that could impact the game. Then, we talk through the battle of the veteran led Whipsnakes vs the young guns of the Outlaws, and how that can play out.

But first, PLL Award nominees are out. We go through each of the positional awards and talk about the case for each candidate, plus a few names who could have been up for an award this year but missed the cut. Finally, we talk the retirement of Jake Carraway, and his brief but bright career.

The penultimate weekend of PLL lacrosse is in the books. We recap all the action from Denver, and talk about how the results are shaping the playoff picture heading into the last week of the season. Three teams are alive for two playoff spots, and we still can crown a winner of the West.

Plus, we break down the lone deal on trade deadline day. Jackson Morrill being acquired from the Whipsnakes by the Archers in exchange for a 3rd round draft pick. Talking why it was good or bad for both sides. Plus a hypothetical trade for an All Pro that I wish was made.

Finally, an interview with Denver Outlaws attackman Eric Law joins to talk lacrosse in Colorado, nearly being a goalie, playing for Bill Tierney and Matt Brown, his time in the MLL and PLL, and a whole lot more.