• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now

National Lacrosse League Points to MLS as Benchmark for What League Could Become

Lacrosse - NLL

Lacrosse is on the way up.

Since 2015, the sport has seen participation grow by 25 percent, with it increasing by 10 percent in 2017 alone, according to a report from the Sport & Fitness Industry Association.

Typically known as a sport played in the northeast, lacrosse has found a footing as far west as California, where, in 2017, it was the fastest-growing team sport at the high school and collegiate levels.

The National Lacrosse League is taking advantage. This year, the league will see the San Diego Seals begin play, becoming the first NLL franchise to take up roots in California, a move that Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz is excited to see come to fruition.

“Shortly after I became commissioner, we put a strategic growth plan in place and one of the areas of growth was expansion. I’m happy to say we are adding two new teams to play this year in San Diego and Philadelphia, both with bluechip owners. Joe Tsai, the co-founder of Alibaba is our owner in San Diego and Comcast Spectacor is our owner in Philadelphia.”

“I watched 10-year-olds turn into 30-year-olds buying season tickets and MLS jerseys. I feel like we have that in lacrosse now. We’re seeing that dynamic of generational growth amongst kids playing lacrosse.” – Nick Sakiewicz, Commissioner of the NLL

At 12 teams for the 2018-2019 season, Sakiewicz and the NLL expect to be at 14 teams by 2019-2020.

The eventual goal is to get to 20 teams and to do that, the league is focused on a few major markets.

“Outside of Canada, where we think we can have seven or eight teams one day, we are looking at markets in the U.S. where we don’t have a presence, but would be big enough to support an NLL franchise,” added Sakiewicz. “Some of the places that we are focused on are locations like Chicago, Boston, Miami, Dallas, and even Portland and Seattle.”

Sakiewicz isn’t a stranger to expansion and growth. A 21-year veteran of Major League Soccer, he was one of the founding members of the league back in 1995. During his time inside the league, he helped manage two inaugural teams as well as lead the efforts to build the soccer-specific stadiums in New York and Philadelphia.

It might not be surprising then why he is bullish on a property that “has what the MLS had 20 years ago.”

“I watched 10-year-olds turn into 30-year-olds buying season tickets and MLS jerseys,” said Sakiewicz. “I feel like we have that in lacrosse now. We’re seeing that dynamic of generational growth amongst kids playing lacrosse.”

The confidence in the product from the league level comes from the fact that he believes the league delivers something that most others can’t. Speed, energy, and a time commitment that is palpable when put up against other sports that may see their games last 3-plus hours.

READ MORE: How The Lacrosse Network Has Become a Go-To Source for Content Surrounding the Sport

Another reason why is because they are building a fan base from the bottom of the age bracket up, instead of having to find a way to get younger fans to engage with their sport without alienating legacy fans in the process.

“We’re finding this new generation of kids growing up are demanding different experiences from sports,” mentioned Sakiewicz. “In a two-hour window, you are going to get the finesse and skill of hockey and basketball with the physicality of football. It’s a dynamic product that appeals to a new generation.”

The league isn’t the only one who believes in its product. Both Twitter and Turner have broadcast games with the latter signing a multi-year agreement through B/R Live with the NLL.

[mc4wp_form id=”8260″]

“We did a game of the week on Twitter and those were averaging an audience of 300,000 350,000 viewers with an average watch time of 57 minutes.”

Like any new league, there have been growing pains along the way, but if Sakiewicz and the current owners have their way, those will only just be a part of the process.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mar 26, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the first half Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The Creator Behind the LeBron ‘Glazing’ Trend Sweeping TikTok

FOS spoke to TikTok user OkaySpade who made the original song.
Seattle Kraken

Samantha Holloway Is Seattle’s NHL Present—and Hopeful NBA Future

Samantha Holloway is steering the Kraken and hoping to revive pro hoops.
Brehanna Daniels

NASCAR Pit Crew Member Brehanna Daniels Didn’t Know She’d Be a Trailblazer

The first Black female tire changer didn’t know she’d be a trailblazer.
Columbia, SC - February 16, 2025 - Colonial Life Arena: Rebecca Lobo and Ryan Ruocco during a regular season game.

Inside Ryan Ruocco’s Rapid Rise to ESPN’s Top Voice of Women’s Hoops

The top voice became “quickly addicted” to calling the women’s game.

Featured Today

Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Chris Youngblood (8) and the Alabama Crimson Tide bench celebrate during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center.

How Alabama Became College Basketball’s Newest Juggernaut

The Crimson Tide have found success rivaling their historic football program.
Kendall Coyne Schofield
March 25, 2025

Kendall Coyne Schofield Wants More for the Next Wave of Mom-Athletes

The Walter Cup–winning Frost captain says small changes mean “everything.”
Dec 21, 2024; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) looks to pass the ball against USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) in the first half at XL Center.
March 23, 2025

‘More Value to Be Had’: Were Women’s March Madness Media Rights Undersold?

Could the NCAA have gotten millions more in its latest TV deal?
Mar 20, 2025; Lexington, KY, USA; Creighton Bluejays forward Jasen Green (0) dunks the ball during the second half against the Louisville Cardinals in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Rupp Arena
March 22, 2025

Basketball-Only Schools Could See Power Surge After House Settlement Approval 

Football teams might monopolize the revenue-sharing dollars at power conference schools.

UFC’s Vegas Sphere Fight Should Set Records

The MMA fight has big aspirations and a budget to match.
August 13, 2024

Duael’s One-On-One Racing Brackets Are Yet Another Stab at Saving Track

Duael will debut in March 2025 with the inaugural Duael 100.
September 8, 2024

Guardian Caps Make NFL Debut

Multiple NFL players wore Guardian Caps over their helmets Sunday.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
August 11, 2024

Guardian Caps Have Arrived in the NFL—Ahead of Schedule

Colts star Jonathan Taylor strapped one on for Sunday’s preseason game.
August 5, 2024

How Omega Timing Determined Noah Lyles Won Olympic Gold

Omega touches every corner of the Olympics.
The Adidas ball has changed over the years.
July 25, 2023

The Most Advanced Tech at the Women’s World Cup Might Surprise You

This year’s OCEAUNZ introduces connected ball technology to the women’s game.
Sponsored

Rewriting the Sports Media Playbook

WSC’s highlight automation improved Clemson’s content strategy and overall growth.