LOS ANGELES, CA (May 6, 2022) - The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) powered by Ticketmaster has announced a formal partnership with Harlem Lacrosse, a school-based non-profit organization based in New York.

Founded in 2008, Harlem Lacrosse changes the life trajectories of youth through daily wrap-around academic support, mentoring, leadership training, college readiness, career exploration, admissions counseling, and lacrosse instruction. Harlem Lacrosse operates in five cities: New York, Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles.

“Developing a more diverse and inclusive environment for lacrosse is a key initiative for PLL Assists,” said PLL Co-Founder and CEO Michael Rabil. “Harlem Lacrosse is working to close the gap for underserved students through lacrosse and academic support. We’re proud to partner with Harlem Lacrosse in their efforts both on- and off-field.”

A formal partnership between the PLL and Harlem Lacrosse will aim to build new opportunities for collaboration, helping both organizations amplify their roles as leading voices for equity and inclusion in the sport of lacrosse. The partnership will focus on the following three pillars: (1) launching mentorship and internship opportunities for PLL players and Harlem Lacrosse alumni, (2) building transformational events and experiences for HL students, and (3) telling impactful stories of the game’s greatest past and present BIPOC players, with an emphasis on the support from non-profit organizations like Harlem Lacrosse.

“The PLL shares our vision for a lacrosse community that is more diverse and inclusive, and they have proven that they are a transformational force in our sport,” said Harlem Lacrosse CEO Mike Levin. “This exciting partnership will accelerate our growth and help us do even more for the students, families and communities we serve at Harlem Lacrosse.”

“Harlem Lacrosse was created to support students who have been denied the educational and athletic opportunities they deserve by providing year-round, in-school, academic and athletic programs,” said PLL Director of Players & Inclusion Kyle Harrison. “Last month at Harlem Lacrosse’s 10th anniversary celebration, I was able to see the inaugural team reunited. Seeing the impact of those opportunities provided by Harlem Lacrosse a decade ago on the lives of those young men was special.”

For more information on the upcoming PLL season, visit www.premierlacrosseleague.com/schedule. 

ABOUT PREMIER LACROSSE LEAGUE 

The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) powered by Ticketmaster is a men’s professional lacrosse league in North America, composed of 8 teams rostered by the best players in the world. 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 composed of Joe Tsai Sports, Brett Jefferson Holdings, The Raine Group, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Chernin Group, Blum Capital, The Kraft Group, Arctos Sports Partners, and other top investors in sports and media. The PLL is distributed through an exclusive media rights agreement with ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN+. The PLL was recognized by Front Office Sports’ 2021 Best Employers in Sports. For more information, visit www.premierlacrosseleague.com and follow on social media: Instagram (@PLL), Twitter (@PremierLacrosse), Facebook (@PremierLacrosseLeague), YouTube (YouTube.com/PLL) and TikTok (@pll).

ABOUT HARLEM LACROSSE

Founded in Harlem in 2008 and formally incorporated in 2011, Harlem Lacrosse aims to close the opportunity and achievement gaps for underserved students by placing a full-time program director at schools in high need communities for the full school day to serve as an advocate, mentor, tutor and coach. Harlem Lacrosse programs include study halls and tutoring, lacrosse  instruction and competition, enrichment experiences, college trips, career exploration, and secondary school advising/placement. As the largest organization in the nation working to expand access to the sport in low-income, urban communities, Harlem Lacrosse has established itself as a leader in the fight to make lacrosse more inclusive and equitable.