Glen Powell, Rob McElhenney Anchor Premier Lacrosse League’s $100 Million Funding Round

Hollywood stars Glen Powell and Rob McElhenney are among the investors backing the Premier Lacrosse League’s latest $100 million financing round.

The Series E round, led by Ares and Joe Tsai, marks the largest capital raise in pro lacrosse history. ESPN, which acquired a stake in the league in 2025, has made a new minority equity investment as part of this transaction. The proceeds will support both the PLL and its corporate sister, the Women’s Lacrosse League.

A detailed breakdown of individual stakes and financial figures was not disclosed by the league or its investors.

McElhenney, known for co‑creating and starring in *It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia* and for rebranding his surname from McElhenny to McElhenney, has partnered with Ryan Reynolds to produce the FX docuseries *Welcome to Wrexham*. The series chronicles their investment in Wrexham AFC, a Welsh club that has risen from hardship to the cusp of promotion to the Premier League, the top tier of British soccer.

In an interview with Deadline, PLL co‑founder and president Paul Rabil remarked that Wrexham exemplifies the cross‑genre appeal the league seeks. As the sport’s high‑school and college player base grows and ESPN’s involvement boosts visibility, Rabil believes lacrosse has the potential to achieve a “Mighty Ducks” moment. He highlighted McElhenney and Reynolds’ savvy use of American fandom as a model for the sport’s future, while noting Powell’s ambition beyond acting as a key factor in his investment.

Powell has also ventured into entrepreneurship, co‑creating, starring in, and executive‑producing Hulu’s comedy series *Chad Powers*. The show’s production team includes former athletes Eli and Peyton Manning, as well as ESPN.

“Lacrosse has the ingredients to become one of the most exciting growth stories in sports,” Powell said in a statement. He will serve as a creative adviser to the PLL, focusing on storytelling, brand strategy, and creative development. Together with PLL co‑founders Paul and Mike Rabil, Powell plans to expand the league and its Women’s counterpart into Texas, beginning with his home state.

Other investors in the Series E round include country‑music artist Warren Zeiders, actor Tony Cavalero, and several private‑equity firms. Ares Sports, Media and Entertainment’s co‑head Jim Miller will join the PLL’s board of directors following the transaction.

The league explained that the influx of capital will fund expanded media distribution and original storytelling, new sponsorship and commercial partnerships, deeper investment in the Women’s Lacrosse League, and broader access for youth lacrosse. The funding comes ahead of a landmark milestone for the sport, slated for inclusion in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

“Lacrosse is entering one of the most important periods in its history. With the Olympics on the horizon, we have an opportunity to introduce the sport to a new generation of fans and athletes around the world,” said Mike Rabil, co‑founder and CEO of the PLL.

Additional investors include Creator Sports Capital, Carolyn Tisch Blodgett’s Next 3, FirstTracks Sports Ventures, Jed Hart, West End Investment Management, James Young, Bolt Ventures (David Blitzer’s private investment platform), and Chris Shumway.

“We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Ares, Joe Tsai, and this suite of strategic and passionate investors,” Paul Rabil said in the press release. “It’s a powerful signal when the most respected investors in sports believe not only in where lacrosse is today, but in where it’s going. And to bring a former player turned actor like Glen Powell onto our ownership group, paired with Wrexham owner, actor and producer Rob McElhenney—among other entertainers—will make a big difference in our brand and storytelling efforts.”

The Raine Group served as the financial advisor to the PLL for this transaction.

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