ESPN Buys Minority Stake in Premier Lacrosse League

ESPN has acquired a minority equity stake, reportedly around 3%, in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) as part of a new five-year media rights deal starting in 2026 and running through 2030. The agreement covers all PLL regular season, All-Star, playoff, and championship games, as well as games from the Maybelline Women’s Lacrosse League (WLL), with matches streamed on ESPN+ and televised on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2. Exact financial terms of the stake were not disclosed. Both ESPN and PLL leaders describe the deal as a major milestone that reflects growing fan engagement and commercial momentum for professional lacrosse. The partnership comes as lacrosse is set to be a demonstration event at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The PLL's investor roster includes Joe Tsai, the Chernin Group, Arctos, the Kraft Group, and CAA.