A $100 million Series E financing round for North America's Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) – the largest ever single cash injection in the world of professional lacrosse – has closed.
The financing round for the eight-team league was led by US private equity firm Ares Management and Joe Tsai, the US sports franchise owner and co-founder of Alibaba Group (who also already owns the San Diego Seals of the National Lacrosse League).
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It also involved sports broadcasting giant ESPN (the league's domestic broadcast partner), as well as famous actor and producer Rob Mac, actor Tony Cavalero, country music singer Warren Zeiders, and actor, writer, and producer Glen Powell.
The funds will be allocated across four areas, as the league's eighth season continues: media distribution expansion; growing sponsorship opportunities; increasing investment in the Women's Lacrosse League (WLL); and increasing access to youth lacrosse.
Overall, this investment is aimed at accelerating the development of the PLL and the WLL ahead of the sport returning to the Olympic stage in Los Angeles in 2028.
Mike Rabil, co-founder and chief executive at the PLL (which held its Series D funding round in 2022), said: "With the Olympics on the horizon, we have an opportunity to introduce the sport to a new generation of fans and athletes around the world.
"Our focus is on building the infrastructure to support that growth through elite competition, broader distribution, youth participation, and a stronger professional ecosystem.”
Tsai – who owns New York teams across top-tier men's and women's basketball – added: "The PLL has built a forward-looking model that resonates with both fans and partners. I’m excited to continue my support for this extraordinary founders-led enterprise.”
The principal PLL investor also has stakes in Los Angeles FC (Major League Soccer), and the Miami Dolphins of American football's NFL.
As part of the overall package, Jim Miller – co-head of Ares Sports, Media, and Entertainment – joins the PLL's board of directors, while Powell becomes a creative advisor to the league.
The Raine Group advised the PLL during this process.
The 2026 season of the PLL got underway in early May and will come to an end with the conclusion of the post-season playoffs on September 20.
Last June, meanwhile, ESPN extended and expanded its broadcast agreement to include the WLL and a minority equity stake in the PLL – marking the first time ESPN has publicly disclosed an equity investment in a sports league or property.
The latest five-year deal has begun with the 2026 season, and covers all games across both leagues, the postseason playoffs, as well as the All-Star and championship games.
