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FROM PREMIER LACROSSE LEAGUE: THE PREMIER LACROSSE LEAGUE AND MAJOR LEAGUE LACROSSE ANNOUNCE MERGER

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LOS ANGELES (December 16, 2020) – The Premier Lacrosse League (“PLL”) and Major League Lacrosse (“MLL”) have merged with subsequent season operations and activities to formally exist under the Premier Lacrosse League.

As part of the merger, the PLL will immediately expand to include the Boston Cannons as the PLL’s eighth team, under the rebranded name Cannons Lacrosse Club. The Cannons Lacrosse Club roster will be entirely selected through an Expansion Draft in 2021. Additionally, the PLL will retain the rights to all of the former MLL teams for future expansion considerations.

The PLL and MLL have created an internal team that will oversee the success of the transition, including: front office, team and player orientation; the 2021 season schedule, which will include former MLL team markets; and a long-term plan to develop youth lacrosse players in historical MLL communities.

In the coming months, details will be announced regarding the 2021 Expansion Draft, as well as more information on how transitioning MLL players may enter the PLL Player Pool.

MLL Commissioner, Sandy Brown, explained, “this merger only benefits the future of the game, for it combines the history of professional lacrosse with an innovative approach that has already accelerated the game’s growth. Further, the major market commercial opportunities are at their infancy. The runway for a combined effort is robust.”

PLL co-founder and CEO, Mike Rabil, responded saying, “the unification of PLL and MLL puts the game first by providing our athletes and fans a single destination for the best lacrosse in the world, across every medium, coming this Summer 2021 on NBC Sports. I can’t think of anything better and more exciting for the sport.”

PLL co-founder and CMO, Paul Rabil, stated, “the PLL and MLL partnership is a massive step forward for professional lacrosse. Merging the two organizations and removing some of the challenges that athletes, sponsors and fans faced will undoubtedly advance the game forward. This one’s particularly nostalgic for me and a number of PLL players given that we began our careers and played in championship games with MLL prior to the PLL’s launch. Today and forever we share in that history and continue to build the future of pro lacrosse together.”

About PLL

The Premier Lacrosse League is a men’s professional lacrosse league in North America, composed of 7 teams rostered with the best players in the world. Co-founded by lacrosse superstar and investor, Paul Rabil, and his brother, serial entrepreneur and investor, Mike Rabil, the Premier Lacrosse League is backed by an investment group composed of Joe Tsai Sports, Brett Jefferson Holdings, The Raine Group, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), and other top investors in sports and media. The PLL was named Sports Breakthrough of the Year in 2020 by the Sports Business Journal and is distributed through an exclusive media-rights agreement with NBC Sports Group.

For more information, visit PremierLacrosseLeague.com, and follow on social media:

Instagram: @PLL

Tik Tok: @PLL

Twitter: @PremierLacrosse

Facebook: @PremierLacrosseLeague

YouTube: YouTube.com/PLL

PREMIER LACROSSE LEAGUE ANNOUNCES YEAR-OVER-YEAR GROWTH OF CHAMPIONSHIP GAME BROADCAST

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LOS ANGELES, CA. (August 12, 2020) – The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) announced today year-over-year viewership growth for the PLL Championship Game on NBC. The 2020 PLL Championship Game was played on Sunday, August 9th, on NBC at 12:30PM ET in Herriman, Utah, and featured Chaos LC taking on Whipsnakes LC.

The PLL Championship Game brought in a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 340,000 viewers on NBC, outperforming the 2019 Championship Game (276,000 viewers) by an impressive 23%. The game took place at Zions Bank Stadium and pitted the top-ranked, undefeated and defending champion Whipsnakes against the lowest seeded, yet red-hot Chaos. After Chaos shut down Whipsnakes in the opening three quarters, Whipsnakes went on an unprecedented 10-0 run propelled by Zed Williams to take home its second consecutive title with a 12-6 win. Williams tied the PLL single-game record with six goals, including five in the fourth quarter alone, and was subsequently named Tournament MVP.

With NBC and NBCSN coverage for the PLL Championship Series now complete, all 14 combined broadcasts averaged 153,000 Total Viewers, an increase of 33% over the 2019 inaugural PLL season.

ABOUT PREMIER LACROSSE LEAGUE

The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) is a men’s professional lacrosse league in North America, composed of 7 teams rostered with the best players in the world. Co-founded by lacrosse superstar Paul Rabil and his brother, serial entrepreneur and investor, Mike Rabil, the Premier Lacrosse League is backed by an investment group composed of Joe Tsai Sports, Brett Jefferson Holdings, The Raine Group, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), and other top investors in sports and media. The PLL season is distributed through an exclusive media-rights agreement with NBC Sports Group. For more information, visit www.premierlacrosseleague.com and follow on social media: Instagram (@PLL), Twitter (@PremierLacrosse), Facebook (@PremierLacrosseLeague) and YouTube (YouTube.com/PLL).

PLL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES CHAMPION TO BE CROWNED SUNDAY AT 12:30 P.M. ET ON NBC

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Whipsnakes LC Face Chaos LC Looking to Capture Second Straight Championship Title at 12:30 p.m. ET on NBC

Post-Game Show at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC

NBC Sports Gold’s Premier Lacrosse League Pass to Present Championship Commercial-Free

STAMFORD, Conn. – August 7, 2020 – NBC Sports presents the PLL Championship Series Championship on Sunday, when Matt Rambo and Whipsnakes LC face off against Josh Byrne and Chaos LC at 12:30 p.m. ET on NBC. The top-seeded Whipsnakes LC will look to capture their second straight Championship title, while seventh-seeded Chaos LC, who went winless in the tournament’s round-robin matchups, will aim to win their third straight game and knock off the reigning champions. A 30-minute Championship post-game show will immediately follow the matchup at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

Last night, Chaos LC defeated Archers LC 13-9 behind 18 saves from goalie Blaze Riorden and five points from Josh Byrne, including this highlight reel one-handed between the legs goal. In the other semi-final, Whipsnakes LC beat Redwoods LC 13-12 in an overtime thriller. Brad Smith registered six points, including five assists, and Jay Carlson scored four goals to lead the Whipsnakes’ offense.

The Championship is the culmination of a quarantined tournament that featured 20 games in 16 days all presented live across NBC Sports platforms. In last year’s inaugural season Championship, Whipsnakes LC defeated Redwoods LC in overtime on a Matt Rambo winning-goal for the 12-11 victory.

NBC Sports Gold will exclusively live stream the Championship commercial-free. NBC Sports Gold’s Premier Lacrosse League Pass is available now for a price of $19.99 here. In addition to the U.S., the pass is also available in 12 countries: Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the U.K. USD or EUR pricing is available.

NBC Sports’ Paul Burmeister (play-by-play) and Class of 2019 National Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee Ryan Boyle (analyst) will call the Championship alongside sideline reporter Todd Harris onsite at Zions Bank Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Following is Sunday’s PLL Championship Series schedule across NBC Sports:

DATE TIME (ET) EVENT NETWORK*
Sun., August 9 12:30 p.m. Championship: Chaos LC at Whipsnakes LC NBC
  2:30 p.m. Championship Post-Game Show NBC

*Championship available on NBC Sports Gold’s Premier Lacrosse League Pass

–NBC SPORTS–

NBC SPORTS PRESENTS PLL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES PLAYOFFS TRIPLEHEADER TONIGHT BEGINNING AT 5:30 P.M. ET ON NBC SPORTS GOLD

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Tonight’s Playoffs Tripleheader Features Chaos LC and Chrome LC at 5:30 p.m. ET Exclusively on NBC Sports Gold, Followed by Waterdogs LC Facing Redwoods LC at 8 p.m. ET

Archers LC vs. Atlas LC Featured at 10:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN

STAMFORD, Conn. – August 4, 2020 – NBC Sports presents a PLL Championship Series playoff tripleheader tonight, beginning with two games exclusively on NBC Sports Gold’s Premier Lacrosse League Pass at 5:30 p.m. ET. The night’s opening matchup features Connor Fields and Chaos LC against Connor Farrell and Chrome LC at 5:30 p.m. ET, followed by Zach Currier and Waterdogs LC facing Myles Jones and Redwoods LC at 8 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Gold.

NBC Sports Gold will live stream all remaining six tournament games commercial-free, including three games available exclusively for subscribers. NBC Sports Gold’s Premier Lacrosse League Pass is available now for a price of $19.99 here. In addition to the U.S., the pass is also available in 12 countries: Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the U.K. USD or EUR pricing is available.

The nightcap will feature Paul Rabil and Atlas LC taking on the first overall pick in the 2020 PLL College Draft Grant Ament and Archers LC at 10:30 p.m. ET.

Playoffs in the PLL Championship Series are single-elimination and tonight’s victorious teams in addition to Whipsnakes LC, who earned the number one seed and playoff bye, will advance to the Semifinals on Thursday. The first Semifinal matchup will be presented at 8 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Gold and the second Semifinal will air at 10:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN. The Championship Game will take place on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on NBC.

NBC Sports’ Paul Burmeister (play-by-play) and Class of 2019 National Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee Ryan Boyle (analyst) will call the tripleheader alongside sideline reporter Todd Harris onsite at Zions Bank Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Following is the upcoming PLL Championship Series schedule across NBC Sports:

DATE TIME (ET) GAME NETWORK/PLATFORM*
Tues., August 4 5:30 p.m. Chaos LC at Chrome LC NBC Sports Gold
  8 p.m. Waterdogs LC at Redwoods LC NBC Sports Gold
  10:30 p.m. Atlas LC at Archers LC NBCSN
Thurs., August 6 8 p.m. Semifinal 1 NBC Sports Gold
  10:30 p.m. Semifinal 2 NBCSN

*All games available on NBC Sports Gold’s Premier Lacrosse League Pass

–NBC SPORTS–

PREMIER LACROSSE LEAGUE ANNOUNCES VIEWERSHIP MILESTONES FROM OPENING WEEKEND OF PLL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

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LOS ANGELES, CA. – July 28, 2020 – The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) announced today numerous viewership milestones from its opening weekend (three games total) of the PLL Championship Series, played on July 25-26 in Salt Lake City, Utah, including the second- and third- most watched outdoor professional lacrosse games in media history and the most-watched PLL game ever on NBCSN.

The PLL Championship Series’ opening weekend featured a thrilling game on Sunday, July 26 between Atlas and the expansion Waterdogs, which delivered a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 341,000 on NBC, making it the second-most watched outdoor pro lacrosse game in media history and the third-most watched pro lacrosse game in 15 years.

Despite roaring out to a halftime lead, Waterdogs were completely shut down for much of the second half behind the heroics of Atlas goalie Jack Concannon. Atlas attackman Chris Cloutier scored a dramatic game-winner late in the fourth quarter to help Atlas prevail 11-10.

The PLL Championship Series got underway with a matchup between Redwoods and Whipsnakes at 4PM ET on July 25 on NBC. Total Audience Delivery (TAD) for the game averaged 334,000 viewers, ranking as the third-most watched outdoor professional lacrosse game in media history. In a rematch of the 2019 Championship Game, Whipsnakes emerged victorious 13-9 behind a dominant team defensive performance.

Saturday’s action continued with a 7:30PM ET game between Chrome and Chaos, which culminated in a come-from-behind 13-9 victory for Chrome led by star attackman Jordan Wolf. The game was broadcast on NBCSN and measured a TAD of 155,000 – the most-watched game in PLL history for a game on NBCSN.

Both primetime broadcasts on NBC featured unique live celebrity interviews from New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick (Saturday), New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (Sunday) and Co-Hosts of the Pardon My Take podcast, Big Cat and PFT Commenter. The Premier Lacrosse League additionally led the online conversation throughout the weekend. PLL Championship Series games led to 22 million social impressions on Saturday and Sunday alone and saw official league handles generate 34 million social impressions during the past week (July 19 – July 26).

The PLL Championship Series continues tonight with a doubleheader under the lights on NBCSN. First, Archers and Waterdogs collide at 7PM ET and will be followed by Redwoods and Chrome at 9:30PM ET. All PLL Championship Series games are shown via a combination of NBC, NBCSN and NBC Sports Gold – the networks’ direct-to-consumer streaming platform.

PLL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES CONTINUES WITH 11 GAMES THIS WEEK ON NBC SPORTS

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Tonight’s Doubleheader Features Chaos LC and Redwoods LC at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN, Followed by Archers LC Facing Atlas LC at 9:30 p.m. ET

Redwoods LC vs. Atlas LC on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET on NBC

First Game Exclusively on NBC Sports Gold ‘s Premier Lacrosse League Pass – Archers LC vs. Chrome LC Thursday at 9:30 p.m. ET

STAMFORD, Conn. – July 27, 2020 – The PLL Championship Series continues with 11 games this week across NBC, NBCSN and NBC Sports Gold. Tonight’s doubleheader features Connor Fields and Chaos LC (0-1) against Ryder Garnsey and Redwoods LC (0-1) at 7 p.m. ET, followed by Marcus Holman and Archers LC facing Paul Rabil and Atlas LC (1-0) at 9:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

In the opening game of play on Saturday on NBC, Whipsnakes LC defeated Redwoods LC 13-9 in a rematch of the inaugural season Championship. New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick joined the broadcast to discuss his passion for the sport of lacrosse and what similarities he sees between football and lacrosse players. Chrome LC battled to a 13-9 victory over Chaos LC on Saturday night, led by a four-point performance from Jordan Wolf.

Yesterday, Atlas LC had a one-goal 11-10 victory over the expansion Waterdogs LC, behind four goals by Eric Law.

The tournament’s third matchup on NBC, highlighted by Rabil and Atlas LC taking on Garnsey and Redwoods LC, will air on Saturday, August 1, at 1 p.m. ET.

The first NBC Sports Gold exclusive game of the PLL Championship Series will be the nightcap on Thursday, July 30, featuring Holman and Archers LC against Justin Guterding and Chrome LC (1-0) at 9:30 p.m. ET.

NBC Sports’ Paul Burmeister (play-by-play) and Class of 2019 National Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee Ryan Boyle (analyst) will call the action throughout the week alongside sideline reporter Todd Harris onsite at Zions Bank Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Throughout the first week of the PLL Championship Series, the league’s seven teams will compete in a 14-game group play format to determine seeding for the following week’s single-elimination tournament. The winner of the tournament will be crowned the 2020 PLL Champion. All 20 league games will be presented live across NBC, NBCSN, or NBC Sports Gold, with all televised games also streaming live on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. The tournament schedule can be found here.

NBC Sports Gold will live stream all 20 games commercial-free, with 6 games available exclusively for subscribers. NBC Sports Gold’s Premier Lacrosse League Pass is available now for a price of $19.99 here. In addition to the U.S., the pass is also available in 12 countries: Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the U.K. USD or EUR pricing is available.

Following is this week’s PLL Championship Series schedule across NBC Sports:

DATE TIME (ET) GAME NETWORK/PLATFORM*
Mon., July 27 7 p.m. Chaos LC at Redwoods LC NBCSN
Mon., July 27 9:30 p.m. Archers LC at Atlas LC NBCSN
Tues., July 28 7 p.m. Waterdogs LC at Archers LC NBCSN
Tues., July 28 9:30 p.m. Redwoods LC at Chrome LC NBCSN
Thurs., July 30 7 p.m. Atlas LC at Whipsnakes LC NBCSN
Thurs., July 30 9:30 p.m. Archers LC at Chrome LC NBC Sports Gold
Fri., July 31 7 p.m. Chaos LC at Whipsnakes LC NBCSN
Fri., July 31 9:30 p.m. Chrome LC at Waterdogs LC NBC Sports Gold
Sat., August 1 1 p.m. Redwoods LC at Atlas LC NBC
Sat., August 1 3:30 p.m. Waterdogs LC at Chaos LC NBC Sports Gold
Sun., August 2 12 p.m. Whipsnakes LC at Archers LC NBCSN

*All games available on NBC Sports Gold’s Premier Lacrosse League Pass

–NBC SPORTS–

PLL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES TO FEATURE INNOVATIVE PRODUCTION BY NBC SPORTS AND PREMIER LACROSSE LEAGUE

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Production Innovations to Include Player-to-Commentator Communication, Social Media Integrations, Betting Line Displays & More

Opening PLL Championship Series Game Features Redwoods LC and Whipsnakes LC in Inaugural Season Championship Rematch on Saturday, July 25, at 4 p.m. ET on NBC

Paul Burmeister, Ryan Boyle and Todd Harris to Call Action On-Site

STAMFORD, Conn. – July 23, 2020 – With just two days to go until the first game of the PLL Championship Series, NBC Sports and the PLL today announced production innovations for the two-week, 20-game tournament that will provide lacrosse fans with an unmatched viewing experience.

The production innovations include:

  • Player-to-Commentator Communication: Player-to-commentator communication is returning for every game of the PLL Championship Series. Multiple players on the field will be able to instantaneously communicate with the NBC Sports PLL broadcast team of Paul Burmeister (play-by-play), Ryan Boyle (analyst) and Todd Harris (sideline reporter) throughout the game to give viewers unmatched game perspective from an inside source;
  • Social Media Integrations: During broadcasts, a social media integration tagboard will be featured allowing fans to show how they are engaging with the action on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok;
  • Sports Betting: PLL game betting lines will be displayed on NBC Sports broadcasts, marking the first-ever outdoor professional lacrosse league to do so;
  • Unique Camera and Microphone Locations: A number of cameras and microphones will be strategically placed around Zions Bank Stadium to capture amplified and engaging audio during game action, including new microphone locations on goalposts, stadium camera loops featuring 400-plus PLL fan cutouts, locker room access and a minimum of four mic’d up players and coaches per game to provide on-field commentary throughout the games.

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The opening game of the PLL Championship Series will feature Matt Rambo and the defending champion Whipsnakes LC against Ryder Garnsey and Redwoods LC in a rematch of the inaugural season Championship on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET on NBC. NBC Sports’ opening day coverage of the tournament continues with the first game on NBCSN when Justin Guterding and Chrome LC face Connor Fields and Chaos LC at 7:30 p.m. ET.

All PLL Championship Series games will be presented live across NBC, NBCSN, or NBC Sports Gold, with all televised games also streaming live on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. NBC Sports Gold – NBC Sports’ direct-to-consumer live streaming product powered by Playmaker Media – will live stream all 20 games commercial-free, with 6 games available exclusively for subscribers. NBC Sports Gold’s Premier Lacrosse League Pass is available now for a price of $19.99 here. For the entire tournament schedule, click here.

–NBC SPORTS–

PLL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES BEGINS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY ON NBC AND NBCSN

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Opening PLL Championship Series Game Features Redwoods LC and Whipsnakes LC in Inaugural Season Championship Rematch on Saturday, July 25, at 4 p.m. ET on NBC

Chrome LC and Chaos LC Highlight Second Game of Opening Day Doubleheader on NBCSN Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET

Atlas LC Face Off Against Expansion Waterdogs LC in First-Ever Game Sunday at 4 p.m. ET on NBC

Paul Burmeister, Ryan Boyle and Todd Harris to Call Action On-Site

All 20 Tournament Games Available Commercial-Free on NBC Sports Gold’s Premier Lacrosse League Pass

STAMFORD, Conn. – July 22, 2020 – The PLL Championship Series begins Saturday and Sunday on NBC and NBCSN, starting with Matt Rambo and the defending champion Whipsnakes LC against Ryder Garnsey and Redwoods LC in a rematch of the inaugural season Championship on Saturday, July 25, at 4 p.m. ET on NBC.

NBC Sports’ opening day coverage of the tournament continues with the first game on NBCSN when Justin Guterding and Chrome LC face Connor Fields and Chaos LC at 7:30 p.m. ET.

A second matchup will air on NBC during the weekend, highlighted by Paul Rabil and Atlas LC taking on Ryan Drenner and the expansion Waterdogs LC in their first-ever game on Sunday, July 26, at 4 p.m. ET.

NBC Sports’ Paul Burmeister (play-by-play) and Class of 2019 National Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee Ryan Boyle (analyst) will call the action alongside sideline reporter Todd Harris onsite at Zions Bank Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. More information on the commentating trio can be found here.

Throughout the first week of the PLL Championship Series, the league’s seven teams will compete in a 14-game group play format to determine seeding for the following week’s single-elimination tournament. The winner of the tournament will be crowned the 2020 PLL Champion. All 20 league games will be presented live across NBC, NBCSN, or NBC Sports Gold, with all televised games also streaming live on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. The tournament schedule can be found here.

NBC Sports Gold – NBC Sports’ direct-to-consumer live streaming product powered by Playmaker Media – will live stream all 20 games commercial-free, with 6 games available exclusively for subscribers. NBC Sports Gold’s Premier Lacrosse League Pass is available now for a price of $19.99 here. In addition to the U.S., the pass is also available in 13 countries: Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the U.K. USD or EUR pricing is available.

Following is this weekend’s PLL Championship Series schedule on NBC and NBCSN:

DATE TIME (ET) GAME NETWORK*
Sat., July 25 4 p.m. Whipsnakes LC at Redwoods LC NBC
Sat., July 25 7:30 p.m. Chrome LC at Chaos LC NBCSN
Sun., July 26 4 p.m. Atlas LC at Waterdogs LC NBC

*All games available on NBC Sports Gold’s Premier Lacrosse League Pass

–NBC SPORTS–

PAUL BURMEISTER, RYAN BOYLE AND TODD HARRIS TO SERVE AS PLL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES COMMENTATORS ON NBC SPORTS

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Paul Burmeister to Serve as Play-By-Play Voice Alongside Analyst Ryan Boyle & Sideline Reporter Todd Harris During Two-Week Tournament

Opening PLL Championship Series Game Features Redwoods LC and Whipsnakes LC in Inaugural Season Championship Rematch on Saturday, July 25, at 4 p.m. ET on NBC

STAMFORD, Conn. – July 21, 2020 – Paul Burmeister will serve as the play-by-play voice of NBC Sports’ coverage of the 20-game PLL Championship Series alongside analyst Ryan Boyle and sideline reporter Todd Harris, beginning this Saturday, July 25.

NBC Sports play-by-play commentator Paul Burmeister and Class of 2019 National Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee Ryan Boyle will call the action from the booth onsite at Zions Bank Stadium during each matchup of the 20-game tournament, while Todd Harris will provide pre-game, halftime, and postgame reports as well as sideline interviews. All three will be inside the Premier Lacrosse League’s quarantined bubble in Salt Lake City, Utah.

“We are excited to announce Paul, Ryan and Todd as the voices of the PLL Championship Series and its world-class players across NBC Sports over the next two weeks,” said Dan Steir, Senior Vice President, Production, and Senior Coordinating Producer, NBC Sports. “Paul and Ryan return to our innovative PLL broadcasts and I know Todd will be a great addition to bring the excitement and fast-paced action of the PLL to viewers.”

Throughout the first week of the PLL Championship Series, the league’s seven teams will compete in a 14-game group play format to determine seeding for the following week’s single-elimination tournament. The winner of the tournament will be crowned the 2020 PLL Champion. All 20 league games will be presented live across NBC, NBCSN, or NBC Sports Gold, with all televised games also streaming live on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. The tournament schedule can be found here.

The opening game of the PLL Championship Series will featuring the defending champion Whipsnakes LC against Redwoods LC in a rematch of the inaugural season Championship on Saturday, July 25, at 4 p.m. ET on NBC. NBC Sports’ opening day coverage of the tournament continues with the first game on NBCSN when Chrome LC face Chaos LC at 7:30 p.m. ET.

NBC will present a second opening-weekend matchup when Atlas LC take on the expansion Waterdogs LC in their first-ever game on Sunday, July 26, at 4 p.m. ET.

PAUL BURMEISTER

One of NBC Sports’ most versatile voices, Paul Burmeister served as host during the Premier Lacrosse League’s inaugural season. His extensive broadcasting resume includes serving as studio host and play-by-play commentator for NBC Sports Group across a number of properties, including the Tour de France, NHL Live and the All-American Bowl. Burmeister has handled three Olympic assignments for NBC Olympics, most recently during the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics as a ski jumping play-by-play announcer. Burmeister also serves as the play-by-play commentator for football games on Notre Dame’s radio network.

RYAN BOYLE

Ryan Boyle – a four-time All-American attackman from Princeton University and Class of 2019 National Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee – brings an unmatched lacrosse IQ to the broadcast booth. Boyle helped lead the Tigers to the 2001 NCAA National Championship, as well as four consecutive Ivy League titles. He ranks third all-time in Princeton history with 232 career points (70 goals, 162 assists). Boyle helped men’s lacrosse Team USA capture gold medals in the 2002 and 2010 World Lacrosse Championship. Additionally, Boyle played several seasons on the National Lacrosse League (NLL) indoor circuit.

TODD HARRIS

Todd Harris is the voice of NBC Sports Group’s action sports, including the Dew Action Sports Tour, and has completed six Olympic assignments with NBC Sports. In addition, he served as the play-by-play announcer for alpine skiing during NBC Olympics’ coverage of the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games and called play-by-play for the same events for five other Winter Olympics. From 1999-2007, Harris worked as a sideline reporter on ABC’s lead college football broadcast team covering the ABC game of the week in the PAC-10 in 2005.

–NBC SPORTS–

NBC SPORTS AND PREMIER LACROSSE LEAGUE TO PROVIDE INNOVATIVE PRODUCTION FOR INAUGURAL SEASON

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Production Innovations to Include Player-to-Commentator Communication, Shot Speed, Skycam & More

Season Begins This Saturday, June 1, at 1 p.m. ET From Gillette Stadium – Available Exclusively on NBC Sports Gold

First Televised Game Airs Sunday, June 2, at 1:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN with Paul Rabil and Atlas LC vs. Greg Gurenlian and Redwoods LC

STAMFORD, Conn. – May 29, 2019 – With just three days to go until the first game in Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) history, NBC Sports and the PLL today unveiled production innovations and enhancements that will showcase the sport and its world-class athletes in ways that fans have never seen before. The innovations will be emphasized prominently throughout all NBC Sports broadcasts and live streams, highlighting and enhancing numerous elements of the game such as player communication, strategy, and shot speed.

The inaugural PLL season begins this Saturday, June 1, at 1 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium, available exclusively on NBC Sports Gold’s “Premier Lacrosse League Pass.” The PLL’s opening weekend coverage at Gillette Stadium continues Saturday at 4 p.m. ET with Whipsnakes-Chaos on NBC Sports Gold, with the first live televised game airing on Sunday, June 2, at 1:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN as Atlas LC takes on Redwoods LC.

“We are constantly looking for ways to innovate our programs and create the most enjoyable viewing experience possible for fans at home,” said Dan Steir, SVP, Production, NBC Sports. “This is an amazing sport featuring incredible athletes and we think our production approach will showcase the sport of lacrosse in ways that will bring fans closer to the game.”

“This summer, the PLL will be televised live to millions of homes across the country,” says PLL Co-Founder and Atlas LC midfielder, Paul Rabil. “NBC’s innovative broadcast and technological advancements will showcase our players and game in ways that have never been done in the history of pro sports. This weekend marks a new era for lacrosse, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring the world closer to the game.”

The production innovations includes:

  • Player-to-Commentator Communication: For the first time in the sport of lacrosse, NBC Sports is implementing player-to-commentator communication for every game of the PLL season. Two players on the field, focusing on the goalie and attack positions, will be able to communicate with NBC Sports PLL broadcast team of Paul Burmeister (host), Brendan Burke (play-by-play), Ryan Boyle (analyst) and Chantel McCabe (reporter) throughout the game as the ball transitions up the field to give viewers unmatched game perspective from an inside source. Partnering with Gubser & Schnakenberg, LLC (GSC), these innovative communication applications will be installed via the goalie’s helmet. GSC has over 50 years of experience providing communication products for the NFL and NCAA, among other sports leagues.
  • Shot Speed: In conjunction with SMT (formerly SportsMEDIA Technology), there will be an array of sensors at each end of the field for each PLL game to track shot speed from a variety of angles, utilizing SMT’s lacrosse intelligence engine to provide real-time speed tracking. This technology has never been used before in the sport of lacrosse.
  • Players as Commentators: Also new for the sport of lacrosse, NBC Sports will have a player from one of the six PLL teams not playing join host Paul Burmeister to call a portion of the game from the field. This inside look will allow fans to meet and learn more about their favorite players from across the league, while hearing insights from active players as games unfold.
  • Skycam: Typically utilized only three times per year in the sport of lacrosse, NBC Sports will implement the use of Skycam for multiple games throughout the PLL’s season. Skycam is a computer-controlled, cable-suspended camera system that is maneuvered over the field, providing “video game-like” angles to TV coverage for viewers at home. Skycam is most often used in NFL broadcasts; and, while it has also been implemented in the NBA, NHL, NASCAR, PGA, and NCAA basketball, Skycam has only ever been used in lacrosse for the NCAA Men’s Semifinals and Championship game.
  • Mic’d Up: Each week during the PLL season, various players and coaches across the six teams will have microphones wired to them so that fans can hear on-field commentary throughout the games.

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Comprehensive coverage of the inaugural 2019 PLL season continues throughout the summer across NBC Sports, with three games on NBC and 16 on NBCSN. All 39 of the PLL’s games – including All-Star Weekend and Skills Competition – will be live streamed on NBC Sports Gold’s “Premier Lacrosse League Pass”, with 20 games exclusively for subscribers. For the PLL’s entire 2019 schedule, click here.

NBC Sports Gold is powered by Playmaker Media, NBC Sports Digital’s technology service which provides end-to-end support for companies in need of best-in-class live streaming and VOD solutions.

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ABOUT THE PREMIER LACROSSE LEAGUE

The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) brings the sport of lacrosse to a national stage for the first time through a tour-based model, complete with the best players the game has to offer. Co-founded by lacrosse superstar, philanthropist, and investor Paul Rabil and his brother, serial entrepreneur and investor, Mike Rabil, the Premier Lacrosse League is backed by an investment group comprised of The Raine Group, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), The Chernin Group, and Blum Capital. The PLL season will begin in June 2019, with six teams, embarking on a 14-week season that concludes with a playoff and PLL championship game. The PLL season will be distributed through an exclusive media-rights agreement with NBC Sports Group. For more information, visit PremierLacrosseLeague.com, and follow on social media:

Instagram: @PLL
Twitter: @PremierLacrosse
Facebook: @PremierLacrosseLeague
YouTube: YouTube.com/PLL

–NBC SPORTS–