🔎 THE WLL: EVERYTHING WE KNOW

On Wednesday, Nov. 13, PLL co-founder Paul Rabil announced the formation of a new Women’s Lacrosse League (WLL) set to begin play in 2025.

With the announcement, a new chapter in women’s professional sports is set to begin. Girls who have dreams of playing NCAA Division I lacrosse, can now also aspire to be full-time professional lacrosse players after college.

There are a lot of questions about the WLL, and we hope to answer them all with our information round-up below…

WHO’S PLAYING IN THE WLL? So far, the WLL has introduced four “ambassador” athletes. Those athletes are Charlotte North, Alex Aust-Holman, Lizzie Colson and Izzy Scane. North and Scane are both two-time Tewaaraton Award winners; Aust-Holman and Colson each played on a National Championship team at Maryland.

HOW MANY TEAMS WILL BE IN THE WLL? There will be four WLL teams in the first season. Paul Rabil said during a press conference on Wednesday that cities, rosters and coaches will be announced “by the end of the year.”

WHEN IS THE FIRST WLL GAME? The WLL will begin competition alongside PLL teams at the 2025 Championship Series in Washington, D.C. in February. Exact dates are not set yet, but you can sign up for ticket alerts on the PLL website.

WHAT VERSION OF LACROSSE WILL THE WLL PLAY? The WLL will compete in a Sixes format. Like the PLL Championship Series, this event is designed to familiarize both players and fans with the discipline that will be played at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

WHAT ABOUT ATHLETES UNLIMITED? The WLL will not conflict with the Athletes Unlimited season. The league is designed to be an additional playing opportunity, affording female lacrosse players more potential to become full-time athletes.

WHAT IS THE LEAGUE’S SLOGAN? “It’s our time.” The NBA launched the WNBA in 1996. The UFC debuted its first women’s weight class in 2013. After six successful seasons, the PLL is following a similar path and providing women’s lacrosse players with a new professional option.

WHO’S WATCHING? According to Nielsen ratings, interest in the WNBA grew 29 percent in the past year. NWSL ratings were up by 17 percent during that same time period. The WLL hopes to capture some of that overall momentum behind women’s sports and create new pro lacrosse fans.

Reply to this email with a city/state that you think should have a WLL team!

🧐 Kavanagh Requested His Trade

Last week, former Boston Cannons attackman Pat Kavanagh was dealt to the Denver Outlaws in a shocking trade. As the dust settles on the deal, multiple reports have revealed that Kavanagh was the one who requested the trade.

Cannons head coach Brian Holman told USA Lacrosse Magazine that Kavanagh was not satisfied with his future role as a midfielder and requested the trade after playing Sixes with Team USA in Indianapolis last month.

“At the end of the day, it was obvious to me the best way for Pat to succeed was for him to not be on the Cannons and give him the freedom to go do what he needs to do,” Holman said, per USA Lacrosse Magazine.

Ultimately, Holman was able to move Kavanagh for two picks (2025 third-overall pick, 2026 second-rounder).

“It was too good of an offer to let slip through our fingers,” Outlaws head coach Tim Soudan told team beat writer Topher Adams.

In Denver, Kavanagh will have a chance to play his natural attack position alongside fellow 2024 first-round draft pick Brennan O’Neill. Logan Wisnauskas and Eric Law are both pending free agents, but one or both of them could be re-signed to round out the Outlaws’ starting attack for 2025.

✍️ Another Millon, Another Spallina

National Signing Day was on Wednesday, as colleges around the country worked quickly to lock in the Class of 2025. Virginia secured the top-ranked recruit on the men’s side — McDonogh attackman Brendan Millon.

Brendan Millon is the younger brother of Virginia attackman McCabe Millon, who led all NCAA Division I freshmen in goals (41) and points (66) last season. Their parents, Mark and Erin Millon, are both in the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

The Millon brothers have anchored the recent McDonogh dynasty, which has yielded three straight MIAA A Conference Championships. Brendan will try to lead his team to a fourth straight title in the spring of 2025.

On Friday, Clemson officially signed No. 1 ranked women’s recruit Alexa Spallina.

Alexa Spallina is the younger sister of star Syracuse attackman Joey Spallina. Her twin brothers Jake and Brett Spallina are also on the Syracuse roster. Alexa was originally committed to Syracuse, but flipped her commitment to Clemson last June.

With Spallina’s help, Clemson has now officially inked the No. 1 recruiting class in the country. That’s a huge development for a program that is only in Year 3.

🥍 Pat McAfee Donates 600 Sticks

Last month, Pat McAfee welcomed former Notre Dame teammates Pat Kavanagh and Liam Entenmann on his show and held a shooting competition in the studio. During that competition, Kavanagh scored a goal on Entenmann that secured a donation of 600 lacrosse sticks from McAfee.

McAfee recently followed through on his promise, donating 600 sticks to CityLax.

With the help of Lacrosse Unlimited, Brine and Warrior, CityLax will distribute the sticks to students in the New York City public school system.

Click the button below to watch the segment that led to this donation.

🫡 Lacrosse Player Up For NFL Award

Former Notre Dame midfielder Steve Clagett Jr. has been nominated by the Baltimore Ravens for the NFL’s Salute to Service Award. Clagett, who served in the United States military as a Navy SEAL, is currently the Director of Learning & Development for the Ravens.

Here’s a captivating feature on Clagett from NFL on FOX:

Clagett was a team captain for the Irish. He recorded 25 points (21G, 4A) and 116 ground balls in 54 career games from 2001-04. You may remember his younger brother Taylor Clagett, who was a face-off specialist for Notre Dame and enjoyed a successful run on Jeopardy! in 2023 and 2024.