Final episode before the holiday season, so it's Lacrosse Christmas.

We talk through the Zed Wiliams for Matt Brandau trade first, looking at how each team benefits from the swap and how the players each fit with their new club.

Then, we talk a bit about World Box Lacrosse Championship Cards! The pack opening video is up on YouTube, and you can see what we pulled here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2pzcpO4PgY

Finally, we go through your lacrosse Christmas wishes. Let's read through what everyone wants this LaxMas!

Big news to talk through today. Andy Towers and the Carolina Chaos coaching staff resigned this week, so we delve into what led towards that, the candidates to replace him, the fall out after the news broke, and more.

Then the IL top 50 is here! Talking about the names that did make the list, the names that didn't, the process of voting for it, and just how challenging a top 50 is to make and be comfortable with.

Finally, the main event. The Women's Lacrosse League launched, and we have WLL Ambassador Charlotte North here to break it down. We talk about the time leading up the announcement, growth in women's sports, the format of the league, the upcoming Championship Series and competing there, and a whole ton more.

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.