How Much do Professional Lacrosse Players Make: An Inside Look
Updated: Jan 19
When you think of professional athletes, you might imagine the lavish lifestyles of football or hockey players. But let's switch gears and talk about lacrosse, a sport that's not as widely recognized or as high-paying. However, it's on the rise, and the potential for increased earnings is on the horizon. So, how much do professional lacrosse players make?
The Pay Scale: How Much Do Professional Lacrosse Players Make
The paycheck of a professional lacrosse player isn't a one-size-fits-all figure. It varies based on several elements, including the league they're in, their experience, and their performance.
For instance, a player in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) can expect to earn between $35,000 and $50,000 annually, with the cream of the crop potentially raking in over $100,000. On the other hand, players in the Major League Lacrosse, before it merged with PLL, and the National Lacrosse League (NLL) earn an average salary of $10,000 to $25,000 and $9,000 to $34,000 per year, respectively.
Top Paid Lacrosse Players
Lacrosse is a growing sport with a passionate fan base. While the sport is still relatively new to the professional scene, there are a number of players who are making a significant amount of money.
The top 10 highest paid lacrosse players in the world earn an average of $350,000 per year. The highest paid player, Paul Rabil, earns over $1 million per year. Rabil is a superstar in the sport and has a number of endorsement deals.
Other top earners include Blaze Riorden, Tom Schreiber, Lyle Thompson, and Grant Ament. These players are all stars in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), the top professional outdoor lacrosse league in the United States.
The salaries of lacrosse players are on the rise, and it is likely that we will see even more players making millions of dollars in the future. Here are the top 10 highest paid Lacrosse players:
Paul Rabil - $1 million+
Blaze Riorden - $500,000
Tom Schreiber - $450,000
Lyle Thompson - $400,000
Grant Ament - $350,000
Jake Bernhardt - $300,000
Ryan Drenner - $250,000
Brodie Merrill - $200,000
Kyle Jackson - $150,000
Matt Rees - $100,000
The Gender Wage Gap: A Reality in Lacrosse Too
Sadly, the gender wage gap isn't just a corporate issue; it's present in lacrosse as well. The Women's Professional Lacrosse League (WPLL) offers salaries that are noticeably lower than their male counterparts. The average salary for a female lacrosse player can range from nothing to a few thousand dollars per year, with top players earning up to $10,000 or more.
Lacrosse Salaries in Comparison to Other Major Sports
When we compare the salaries of professional lacrosse players to those in other major sports, it's clear that lacrosse has some catching up to do. Let's take a look at the average annual player salaries in various sports leagues for the 2019/20 season:
NBA (Basketball): $8.32 million
IPL (Cricket): $5.3 million
MLB (Baseball): $4.03 million
EPL (Soccer): $3.97 million
NFL (American Football): $3.26 million
La Liga (Soccer): $2.69 million
NHL (Ice Hockey): $2.55 million
Serie A (Soccer): $2.23 million
Bundesliga (Soccer): $1.98 million
Ligue 1 (Soccer): $1.3 million
CSL (Soccer): $1.21 million
NPB (Baseball): $0.88 million
MLS (Soccer): $0.41 million
J-League (Soccer): $0.33 million
AFL (Australian Football): $0.25 million
SPFL (Soccer): $0.25 million
CFL (Canadian Football): $0.09 million
NLL (Lacrosse): $0.034 million (highest)
As you can see, the NBA leads the pack with an average annual player salary of $8.32 million, while the NLL, one of the major lacrosse leagues, has an average annual player salary of $34,000 at its highest. This stark difference highlights the financial disparity between lacrosse and other major sports.
However, it's important to note that the popularity and revenue of a sport play a significant role in determining player salaries. As lacrosse continues to grow in popularity, we can hope for an increase in player salaries in the future.
Beyond the Game: Other Income Streams
Many lacrosse players boost their income with endorsements and sponsorship deals. Take Paul Rabil, for example. As one of the world's top lacrosse players and co-founder of the PLL, he supplements his income with various endorsement deals and business ventures.
The Future of Lacrosse Salaries: A Crystal Ball View
Predicting the future of lacrosse salaries is like trying to predict the weather - it's tricky. It depends on a variety of factors, including the sport's popularity, the negotiation skills of players and their agents, and the revenue generated by the leagues and teams. However, as lacrosse continues to grow in popularity and attract more fans and sponsors, we might see a rise in the salaries of lacrosse players in the future.
The Wealthiest in the Game
While the average salaries may not be as high as other sports, some lacrosse players have managed to amass considerable wealth. Players like Paul Rabil, Chris Hogan, and Tom Schreiber have not only made a name for themselves on the field but also off the field with various business ventures and endorsements. However, it's important to note that the financial details of these players are not always publicly available, and their wealth can fluctuate due to various factors.
Factors Influencing a Lacrosse Player's Salary
A lacrosse player's salary isn't just about how well they can score a goal or prevent one. As with any professional league there are many factors that go into what a player can make.
It's a complex equation involving various factors:
Experience: A seasoned player with a proven track record can command a higher salary.
Performance: The better a player performs on the field, the higher their potential earnings.
League Type: Different leagues have different pay scales. For instance, a player in the MLL typically earns less than a player in the NLL.
Negotiating Skills: A player's ability to negotiate a contract can significantly impact their salary. Having the best agent can significantly help, but they also take a portion of a players salary
Market Value: A player's perceived value can affect their salary. High-demand players with a strong reputation can command higher salaries. Play well and you can earn more.
Sponsorship Deals: Endorsement deals and sponsorships can significantly boost a player's income. As the popularity of Lacrosse increases so do opportunities to earn more money.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Lacrosse Salaries
Predicting the future of lacrosse salaries is like trying to predict the stock market - it's not an exact science. It depends on various factors, including the sport's growth, players' negotiation power, and the revenue generated by the leagues and teams. However, as lacrosse continues to grow in popularity and attract more fans and sponsors, there's potential for an upward trend in lacrosse salaries.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, while lacrosse may not offer the same high salaries as sports like football or hockey, it's a growing sport with increasing potential for higher earnings. The salaries vary based on several factors, including the league, experience, and performance. And while the gender pay gap is a reality in lacrosse, efforts are being made to promote equality in the sport. As the sport continues to grow, we can hope for a future where lacrosse players, regardless of their gender, can earn a fair and substantial income from the sport they love.
Do you have any thoughts or questions about lacrosse player salaries? Feel free to share!