1 00:00:00,720 --> 00:00:04,600 Speaker 1: This is Bloomberg Business of Sports. The world changing and 2 00:00:04,640 --> 00:00:06,440 Speaker 1: what are the things we can do to transform our 3 00:00:06,480 --> 00:00:09,600 Speaker 1: business and engage our fans globally in different ways, people 4 00:00:09,600 --> 00:00:12,400 Speaker 1: are using their name and likeness to create more opportunities, 5 00:00:12,480 --> 00:00:15,520 Speaker 1: more steaks and companies. In order to turn the organization around, 6 00:00:15,560 --> 00:00:17,279 Speaker 1: we had to turn it around not only gets on 7 00:00:17,440 --> 00:00:20,959 Speaker 1: baseball operations side, but other business operations side well and 8 00:00:21,079 --> 00:00:23,079 Speaker 1: any other sport. Is very difficult, but I like to 9 00:00:23,079 --> 00:00:26,560 Speaker 1: blot my horizons and be able to expand. Sports need 10 00:00:26,600 --> 00:00:29,720 Speaker 1: to be consumed love and not to the big competitive 11 00:00:29,760 --> 00:00:33,640 Speaker 1: advantage for in artual property holders of sports content in 12 00:00:33,720 --> 00:00:37,920 Speaker 1: the media landscape. Bloomberg Business of Sports from Bloomberg Radio. 13 00:00:39,479 --> 00:00:42,440 Speaker 1: Hi everyone, I'm Jason Kelly. Welcome to the Bloomberg Business 14 00:00:42,479 --> 00:00:47,320 Speaker 1: of Sports podcast. So excited today. I'm riding solo, but 15 00:00:47,360 --> 00:00:49,720 Speaker 1: I got a couple of guys with me. We've got 16 00:00:49,760 --> 00:00:53,560 Speaker 1: a lot to talk about, some news, a new season, 17 00:00:53,960 --> 00:00:57,600 Speaker 1: and just lacks man. So excited to have both Paul 18 00:00:57,680 --> 00:01:01,320 Speaker 1: Rabel and Mike Rabel with me of the premier lacrosse league, 19 00:01:01,320 --> 00:01:04,920 Speaker 1: the co founders brothers as you can probably tell. And 20 00:01:04,959 --> 00:01:08,280 Speaker 1: it's timely because of some news and timely because the 21 00:01:08,319 --> 00:01:12,040 Speaker 1: third season kicks off this weekend. Gentlemen, really really nice 22 00:01:12,160 --> 00:01:15,600 Speaker 1: to have you with me. Thanks for havings for having us. 23 00:01:15,840 --> 00:01:19,240 Speaker 1: All right, so Mike, let's talk about the news today 24 00:01:19,680 --> 00:01:24,759 Speaker 1: broken here on Bloomberg, which is a new round of funding. UH. 25 00:01:24,760 --> 00:01:28,280 Speaker 1: A pretty familiar face, I know to you guys jumping 26 00:01:28,440 --> 00:01:32,080 Speaker 1: in here. Robert Kraft, owner of the Patriots. His stadium 27 00:01:32,120 --> 00:01:35,960 Speaker 1: is where you're gonna be kicking off the season this weekend. 28 00:01:36,000 --> 00:01:38,000 Speaker 1: We'll talk about that a little bit later on, but 29 00:01:38,360 --> 00:01:41,320 Speaker 1: tell me about this round of funding. Why now and 30 00:01:41,480 --> 00:01:44,319 Speaker 1: what you're going to use the money for? Yeah, now, 31 00:01:44,640 --> 00:01:47,720 Speaker 1: UM appreciate that, and you know, we looked at it. 32 00:01:47,760 --> 00:01:51,120 Speaker 1: Really we started considering it right around the time we 33 00:01:51,120 --> 00:01:54,640 Speaker 1: were considering the merger of the MLL, so you know, 34 00:01:54,760 --> 00:01:58,040 Speaker 1: end of last year, UM, particularly after the summer, we 35 00:01:58,080 --> 00:02:02,240 Speaker 1: started having a conversation with to leave acrosse UM, and 36 00:02:02,720 --> 00:02:05,440 Speaker 1: as part of that conversation of the two leads coming together, 37 00:02:05,560 --> 00:02:09,520 Speaker 1: we decided to expand UM to an eight team UH 38 00:02:09,760 --> 00:02:12,960 Speaker 1: and absorb the Boston Cannons, which has now been rebranded 39 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:17,880 Speaker 1: the Cannon's Lacrosse Club, which Paul plays on UM. And 40 00:02:17,919 --> 00:02:20,920 Speaker 1: as part of that, we also considered, you know, the 41 00:02:20,960 --> 00:02:25,400 Speaker 1: momentum and sort of forging a new path as the 42 00:02:25,480 --> 00:02:28,480 Speaker 1: market leader in professional acrosse. And what better way to 43 00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:32,320 Speaker 1: do that than take on strategic investors. UM. I think 44 00:02:32,360 --> 00:02:37,040 Speaker 1: a lot of entrepreneurs or founders talk about strategic investors, 45 00:02:37,040 --> 00:02:40,240 Speaker 1: but I think it really does come into play with us, 46 00:02:40,280 --> 00:02:44,760 Speaker 1: and particularly with Arctos Capital Partners leading this round. UM. 47 00:02:44,800 --> 00:02:48,960 Speaker 1: Their investments across the NBA other leagues soon to be 48 00:02:49,000 --> 00:02:53,560 Speaker 1: announced are really going to provide us a long list 49 00:02:53,600 --> 00:02:56,040 Speaker 1: of resources and a playbook. And then also with the 50 00:02:56,080 --> 00:02:58,720 Speaker 1: Craft coming along, you know, they were founding investors in 51 00:02:58,760 --> 00:03:02,680 Speaker 1: the MLS, so that will also provide us, uh, you know, 52 00:03:02,919 --> 00:03:06,080 Speaker 1: a pathway to the dues adults UM. And then also 53 00:03:06,120 --> 00:03:09,840 Speaker 1: bringing in uh Joe Tie again UM to to help 54 00:03:09,919 --> 00:03:13,160 Speaker 1: lead around. He's been invaluable UM as a member of 55 00:03:13,160 --> 00:03:15,040 Speaker 1: our board. And then also you know what he's been 56 00:03:15,040 --> 00:03:18,080 Speaker 1: able to do and revitalize in such a short time 57 00:03:18,200 --> 00:03:20,600 Speaker 1: with with the Brooklyn Nets. UM. A lot of that 58 00:03:20,760 --> 00:03:23,920 Speaker 1: strategy that he's put together with his management team has 59 00:03:23,960 --> 00:03:26,520 Speaker 1: been very helpful. So UM, it really came together then. 60 00:03:26,560 --> 00:03:29,359 Speaker 1: And then as far as your second question, how we're 61 00:03:29,360 --> 00:03:32,840 Speaker 1: thinking about uses of capital, UM, we continue to think 62 00:03:32,840 --> 00:03:34,920 Speaker 1: about resourcing our media team. You know, we want an 63 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:37,960 Speaker 1: SBJ award last year for a new sports property. We're 64 00:03:38,040 --> 00:03:42,240 Speaker 1: up this year for UH Social Media the Year, and 65 00:03:42,400 --> 00:03:44,800 Speaker 1: we continue to you know, to be hailed as one 66 00:03:44,840 --> 00:03:47,200 Speaker 1: of the sort of innovator's net space. But then also 67 00:03:47,240 --> 00:03:50,080 Speaker 1: our our live game broadcast. We want to continue to 68 00:03:50,080 --> 00:03:52,520 Speaker 1: make fans feel like they're on the field UM, and 69 00:03:52,520 --> 00:03:56,000 Speaker 1: you have to do that through UH Enhanced Technology UM, 70 00:03:56,080 --> 00:03:58,080 Speaker 1: not only with our broadcast partners, but also own and 71 00:03:58,160 --> 00:04:01,560 Speaker 1: operated technology. So we're to continue to be building technology 72 00:04:01,600 --> 00:04:04,560 Speaker 1: and how using that with our partners and then also 73 00:04:04,640 --> 00:04:07,280 Speaker 1: being able to license that technology out in the future 74 00:04:07,360 --> 00:04:09,520 Speaker 1: is something we're looking to do. UM. We also want 75 00:04:09,560 --> 00:04:13,680 Speaker 1: to further resource our partnerships team, particularly on our sponsorship side. 76 00:04:13,680 --> 00:04:16,080 Speaker 1: It's one thing to bring on a new sponsor, but 77 00:04:16,120 --> 00:04:19,479 Speaker 1: it's really hard to to make sure that relationship stays 78 00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:21,440 Speaker 1: strong for the long term, and so we want to 79 00:04:21,440 --> 00:04:23,960 Speaker 1: further resource that UM. And then I think the last piece, 80 00:04:23,960 --> 00:04:26,040 Speaker 1: which you know, just you know a lot about is 81 00:04:26,080 --> 00:04:29,520 Speaker 1: invested in youth across UM and making sure that we 82 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:33,279 Speaker 1: are playing well alongside all of our partners on the 83 00:04:33,320 --> 00:04:38,440 Speaker 1: youth side, and then continuing to unlock opportunities for future players. Interesting. Interesting, Yeah, 84 00:04:38,560 --> 00:04:40,520 Speaker 1: I have a I have a captive audience for that 85 00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:45,479 Speaker 1: for that element for sure. So so, Paul, you know, 86 00:04:45,520 --> 00:04:48,599 Speaker 1: Mike mentioned the merger with the MLL, which is a 87 00:04:48,640 --> 00:04:54,159 Speaker 1: fascinating one. As a former MLL player, of course you 88 00:04:54,279 --> 00:04:57,520 Speaker 1: were in that league. You're um, you know, back with 89 00:04:57,600 --> 00:05:01,480 Speaker 1: the candidates. I mean, it's it's a fascinating journey in 90 00:05:01,480 --> 00:05:04,279 Speaker 1: that regard. But take a step back and and help 91 00:05:04,360 --> 00:05:07,120 Speaker 1: us understand, because I don't think we've talked about it 92 00:05:07,120 --> 00:05:10,360 Speaker 1: on this program, what that merger means for the game, 93 00:05:10,880 --> 00:05:13,280 Speaker 1: and you know what we can sort of expect now 94 00:05:13,279 --> 00:05:15,800 Speaker 1: that we're going to see this combined product on the 95 00:05:15,839 --> 00:05:20,320 Speaker 1: field coming up this weekend. Yeah, yeah, it's a great question, Jay. 96 00:05:20,440 --> 00:05:25,800 Speaker 1: So I think pro what makes pro sports so dynamic 97 00:05:26,120 --> 00:05:29,200 Speaker 1: is that people congregate and venue and on screen to 98 00:05:29,279 --> 00:05:33,200 Speaker 1: watch the best in the world at their specific craft, 99 00:05:33,640 --> 00:05:37,080 Speaker 1: and there's relationships that are developed uniquely with the players 100 00:05:37,120 --> 00:05:40,240 Speaker 1: on screen. You know, modern generation of Gen z's and 101 00:05:40,279 --> 00:05:45,560 Speaker 1: millennials have built that relationship and standom largely through social 102 00:05:45,600 --> 00:05:50,640 Speaker 1: media and lifestyle and relatability, and then the previous generations 103 00:05:50,680 --> 00:05:55,320 Speaker 1: oftentimes developed it through city based affiliation or lineage of 104 00:05:55,920 --> 00:06:00,839 Speaker 1: team and sometimes family lineage. But what they all have 105 00:06:00,960 --> 00:06:04,159 Speaker 1: in common is that you know when you're watching a 106 00:06:04,240 --> 00:06:06,840 Speaker 1: competition on field, whether it's the pro game or the 107 00:06:06,880 --> 00:06:10,359 Speaker 1: international game at the Olympics, is that you're watching a 108 00:06:10,360 --> 00:06:14,960 Speaker 1: culmination of the best talent. And when we launched the PLL, 109 00:06:15,240 --> 00:06:17,200 Speaker 1: we brought over two hundred of the best players in 110 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:19,279 Speaker 1: the world. But what one thing we know about sports 111 00:06:19,360 --> 00:06:22,040 Speaker 1: or dynamic is the underdog story and that there are 112 00:06:22,040 --> 00:06:25,200 Speaker 1: more players constantly developing and striving to reach the top. 113 00:06:25,440 --> 00:06:27,320 Speaker 1: And you see it in mixed martial arts where you 114 00:06:27,360 --> 00:06:30,440 Speaker 1: have the UFC in competing leagues, and for US, we 115 00:06:30,560 --> 00:06:34,560 Speaker 1: felt like mL previously was the competing league but also 116 00:06:34,600 --> 00:06:37,040 Speaker 1: a feeder system into the p LL, as we had 117 00:06:37,160 --> 00:06:41,160 Speaker 1: enhanced professional across quite quickly UH and leading with our 118 00:06:41,279 --> 00:06:44,440 Speaker 1: NBC partnership. But now that we're able to conjoin the 119 00:06:44,480 --> 00:06:47,520 Speaker 1: properties um for a league like mL that had been 120 00:06:47,560 --> 00:06:50,360 Speaker 1: around for twenty years and established roots and communities across 121 00:06:50,400 --> 00:06:53,680 Speaker 1: the US, being able to not just bring some of 122 00:06:53,720 --> 00:06:56,280 Speaker 1: those best players over, one being Lyle Thompson, who I 123 00:06:56,400 --> 00:06:58,280 Speaker 1: play with now. As as I talked to you from 124 00:06:58,279 --> 00:07:01,840 Speaker 1: my hotel room at alette Um, but also we're we're 125 00:07:01,839 --> 00:07:05,160 Speaker 1: able to bring over fans that had been watching MLL 126 00:07:05,279 --> 00:07:08,039 Speaker 1: for a long time, so it's it's definitely unique to 127 00:07:08,080 --> 00:07:10,480 Speaker 1: the history of professional sports in America that you have 128 00:07:11,200 --> 00:07:14,920 Speaker 1: a third year league now armed with twenty years of history. 129 00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:18,360 Speaker 1: It's usually the reverse, where through the merger, the new 130 00:07:18,440 --> 00:07:21,840 Speaker 1: league gets tucked into the former league branding and operation. 131 00:07:21,960 --> 00:07:25,600 Speaker 1: So we're definitely humbled by this process, and it was 132 00:07:25,680 --> 00:07:27,640 Speaker 1: one that we had set out to do from the 133 00:07:27,680 --> 00:07:32,760 Speaker 1: get go. But moving forward, especially for a newer professional league, 134 00:07:33,600 --> 00:07:38,560 Speaker 1: the narrative is a lot more easily digested. Professional Lacrosse 135 00:07:38,760 --> 00:07:42,040 Speaker 1: is the p L. It's on NBC every weekend throughout 136 00:07:42,080 --> 00:07:44,640 Speaker 1: the summer and into the middle of September. It's a 137 00:07:44,680 --> 00:07:47,880 Speaker 1: regular season, all star culminating in the playoffs in championships, 138 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:51,000 Speaker 1: and the best players are on screen every weekend. So 139 00:07:51,480 --> 00:07:54,600 Speaker 1: that type of simplicity for a league that's trying to 140 00:07:54,720 --> 00:07:58,360 Speaker 1: burst into the mainstream. UH, spotlight is something that I 141 00:07:58,400 --> 00:08:00,680 Speaker 1: think is the biggest reward and outcome of the n 142 00:08:00,760 --> 00:08:04,480 Speaker 1: m A. Well, you gave me a really interesting way 143 00:08:04,560 --> 00:08:06,600 Speaker 1: into something I definitely want to talk to both of 144 00:08:06,640 --> 00:08:10,120 Speaker 1: you about, and Michael, I'll start with you this media landscape. 145 00:08:10,120 --> 00:08:14,800 Speaker 1: I mean, you guys find yourself at this fascinating moment, uh, 146 00:08:15,040 --> 00:08:17,720 Speaker 1: both at the start of the league with the huge 147 00:08:17,760 --> 00:08:21,440 Speaker 1: deal that you did with NBC, and then you're sort of, 148 00:08:21,480 --> 00:08:23,760 Speaker 1: to some extent not just along for the ride, but 149 00:08:23,960 --> 00:08:26,840 Speaker 1: a main player. As we start to think about how 150 00:08:26,880 --> 00:08:31,040 Speaker 1: sports are consumed and distributed. You're gonna have games not 151 00:08:31,160 --> 00:08:34,400 Speaker 1: only on NBC and NBC Sports, but that's going to 152 00:08:34,480 --> 00:08:37,280 Speaker 1: give way to Peacock, and so you're going to be 153 00:08:37,320 --> 00:08:40,440 Speaker 1: streaming as well. Help me understand what you guys have 154 00:08:40,640 --> 00:08:44,560 Speaker 1: learned about this game and the consumption of this game 155 00:08:44,559 --> 00:08:49,400 Speaker 1: and the consumption of sports and how that's evolving. Yeah, 156 00:08:49,440 --> 00:08:51,520 Speaker 1: I mean, I'll take the first stab at it. But UM, 157 00:08:51,559 --> 00:08:55,160 Speaker 1: I think last year we realized that UM to your 158 00:08:55,240 --> 00:09:00,800 Speaker 1: question around consumption, UM, that digital consumption particular early on 159 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:04,280 Speaker 1: our O T T platform formally NBC Gold. And now 160 00:09:04,400 --> 00:09:07,280 Speaker 1: to your point, we moved to Peacock. UM last year. 161 00:09:07,400 --> 00:09:10,400 Speaker 1: Are our number of subs year over year was up 162 00:09:10,400 --> 00:09:13,840 Speaker 1: a hundred, right, and we only had a third of 163 00:09:13,880 --> 00:09:20,120 Speaker 1: the games on NBC Gold compared to twenty nine UM. 164 00:09:20,160 --> 00:09:24,240 Speaker 1: And so just from our own data, we are we're 165 00:09:24,280 --> 00:09:28,560 Speaker 1: seeing higher levels of digital consumption. UM, and I think 166 00:09:28,640 --> 00:09:31,880 Speaker 1: that you know, at the same time, you know, we 167 00:09:31,960 --> 00:09:34,560 Speaker 1: still have to be intentional and thoughtful about our linear 168 00:09:34,600 --> 00:09:37,440 Speaker 1: presence UM. I think one of the misnomers is that 169 00:09:37,559 --> 00:09:40,840 Speaker 1: like linear is free, and while like in your mind 170 00:09:40,880 --> 00:09:43,160 Speaker 1: it may be free, as a consumer, you're actually put 171 00:09:43,200 --> 00:09:46,360 Speaker 1: paying a licensing fee as part of your bundle for 172 00:09:46,400 --> 00:09:49,800 Speaker 1: whoever your your pain as your cable provider. UM. That said, 173 00:09:50,080 --> 00:09:53,760 Speaker 1: because linear is still prevalent and important, UM, it's important 174 00:09:53,760 --> 00:09:56,920 Speaker 1: for us to continue to push um UH and and 175 00:09:56,960 --> 00:10:00,440 Speaker 1: promote our linear presence with with NBC this year on 176 00:10:00,559 --> 00:10:03,640 Speaker 1: NBC Maine and then also nbcsn But we're excited to 177 00:10:03,640 --> 00:10:06,400 Speaker 1: be a part of Peacock. Peacock continues to get more 178 00:10:06,400 --> 00:10:10,600 Speaker 1: resources from NBCU. UM, we know our audience is consuming 179 00:10:10,640 --> 00:10:13,280 Speaker 1: our product digitally, and then it's not U to really 180 00:10:13,280 --> 00:10:17,839 Speaker 1: continue to invest and think about that that that that experience, 181 00:10:17,880 --> 00:10:20,280 Speaker 1: whether you're watching it on mobile or you're watching it 182 00:10:20,760 --> 00:10:23,720 Speaker 1: so you're connected TV, to make sure that UM. You know, 183 00:10:23,720 --> 00:10:27,120 Speaker 1: while lacrosse is a fast moving sport, it is able 184 00:10:27,160 --> 00:10:30,040 Speaker 1: to be consumed and watched at a high rate and 185 00:10:30,240 --> 00:10:33,880 Speaker 1: and engage rate, whether no matter the platform you're watching 186 00:10:33,880 --> 00:10:37,160 Speaker 1: it on and so Paul that that does take me 187 00:10:37,320 --> 00:10:41,480 Speaker 1: to this notion of the on field product of which 188 00:10:41,520 --> 00:10:46,000 Speaker 1: you are both an architect and a player literally, and 189 00:10:46,280 --> 00:10:49,280 Speaker 1: I do wonder how you think about that. And I 190 00:10:49,320 --> 00:10:51,839 Speaker 1: know this is something we've talked about before. How you 191 00:10:51,880 --> 00:10:56,080 Speaker 1: balance the quality of play, the ability for the players 192 00:10:56,120 --> 00:10:59,280 Speaker 1: to do their thing, while at the same time creating 193 00:10:59,320 --> 00:11:01,920 Speaker 1: a product it is more attractive to the viewer that 194 00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:04,600 Speaker 1: gives people a sense of the game. And you guys 195 00:11:04,640 --> 00:11:09,480 Speaker 1: obviously revolutionize things like the you know, the in helmet, microphones, 196 00:11:09,559 --> 00:11:12,400 Speaker 1: the in game you know all of that stuff. But 197 00:11:12,520 --> 00:11:15,880 Speaker 1: how do you what's the process for kind of figuring 198 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:20,360 Speaker 1: out how to make it a more attractive product while 199 00:11:20,720 --> 00:11:25,560 Speaker 1: still kind of respecting the game. Yeah, it's a great question. 200 00:11:25,600 --> 00:11:28,280 Speaker 1: We think about our business from a product and distribution 201 00:11:28,360 --> 00:11:32,040 Speaker 1: standpoint to answer your questions specifically and as a single 202 00:11:32,160 --> 00:11:35,120 Speaker 1: entity company. It's one of the reasons why we've attracted 203 00:11:35,600 --> 00:11:39,480 Speaker 1: we think the best sports ownership group in North America, 204 00:11:39,679 --> 00:11:42,640 Speaker 1: and now bringing on the Crafts and arc Does and 205 00:11:42,679 --> 00:11:47,199 Speaker 1: the leadership that they respectively have across a number of 206 00:11:47,240 --> 00:11:50,920 Speaker 1: different properties adding value to ours is that Jason, we 207 00:11:50,960 --> 00:11:54,360 Speaker 1: can make decisions and make decisions quickly what's right for 208 00:11:54,440 --> 00:11:59,040 Speaker 1: the game from a competitive, integrity and entertainment standpoint. Look 209 00:11:59,040 --> 00:12:01,120 Speaker 1: at the history of pros sports. A lot of new 210 00:12:01,200 --> 00:12:04,640 Speaker 1: rules have been first instituted by the professional leagues. So 211 00:12:04,800 --> 00:12:07,600 Speaker 1: it's the NBA and the three point r to the 212 00:12:07,760 --> 00:12:11,120 Speaker 1: NFL and the two point conversion. There's like all these 213 00:12:11,120 --> 00:12:16,440 Speaker 1: different leadership positions that pro sports can take. And what 214 00:12:16,480 --> 00:12:18,760 Speaker 1: we set out to do is think about it both 215 00:12:18,800 --> 00:12:20,880 Speaker 1: from a from a product standpoint, So how can we 216 00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:25,080 Speaker 1: enhance the experience for our players and the competition on 217 00:12:25,120 --> 00:12:28,360 Speaker 1: the field, and how does that impact our fans viewing? 218 00:12:28,720 --> 00:12:30,960 Speaker 1: And then how can we distribute it as far and 219 00:12:31,040 --> 00:12:34,360 Speaker 1: wide as possible. And so what Mike was referencing is 220 00:12:34,440 --> 00:12:40,720 Speaker 1: this um this like intersection between streaming and traditional linear viewership. 221 00:12:41,440 --> 00:12:44,840 Speaker 1: And what's exciting is that a lot of the networks, 222 00:12:44,840 --> 00:12:50,000 Speaker 1: and especially our network partner in NBC Universal, is simulcasting. 223 00:12:50,559 --> 00:12:53,400 Speaker 1: So when we say all of our games are on Peacock, 224 00:12:53,960 --> 00:12:57,000 Speaker 1: that means all forty four of of our games are 225 00:12:57,040 --> 00:12:59,440 Speaker 1: available there, and then the other half are also being 226 00:13:00,160 --> 00:13:03,760 Speaker 1: exclusive to linear. So we have games on NBC Sports 227 00:13:03,760 --> 00:13:07,400 Speaker 1: and NBC Proper, and when those games are there, if 228 00:13:07,400 --> 00:13:09,760 Speaker 1: someone doesn't have a cable bundle, they're also watching it 229 00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:13,400 Speaker 1: on Peacock. We are driving games exclusively to Peacock because 230 00:13:13,400 --> 00:13:16,240 Speaker 1: we're seeing now that households across America on average has 231 00:13:16,360 --> 00:13:20,840 Speaker 1: four streaming service subscriptions. There's two hundred and fifty million 232 00:13:21,240 --> 00:13:25,040 Speaker 1: streaming subscriptions in the US and the cable bundle is 233 00:13:25,040 --> 00:13:27,600 Speaker 1: down to eighty millions. And so I think for as 234 00:13:27,600 --> 00:13:30,040 Speaker 1: long as the cable bundle will be around, will be 235 00:13:30,600 --> 00:13:34,120 Speaker 1: on television because there is the blue blood mark, there's 236 00:13:34,160 --> 00:13:37,319 Speaker 1: the validation that you get from being available on television 237 00:13:37,320 --> 00:13:39,840 Speaker 1: for sports fans the top of the household to the bottom. 238 00:13:40,400 --> 00:13:43,280 Speaker 1: But we're tracking trends quickly and we want to be 239 00:13:43,320 --> 00:13:46,719 Speaker 1: where every lacrosse fan is, and that's our strategy around distribution. 240 00:13:47,200 --> 00:13:50,199 Speaker 1: From a product standpoint, I'll say that lacrosse has been 241 00:13:50,240 --> 00:13:52,520 Speaker 1: known in dub for the fastest game on two feet 242 00:13:52,559 --> 00:13:55,000 Speaker 1: for for a long time. It's a big field and 243 00:13:55,040 --> 00:13:56,960 Speaker 1: players move up and down, and they put the ball 244 00:13:56,960 --> 00:13:58,640 Speaker 1: in the net more times than they do in hockey 245 00:13:58,640 --> 00:14:01,480 Speaker 1: and soccer. Uh. But when we looked at the game 246 00:14:01,920 --> 00:14:05,040 Speaker 1: on television and took an objective eye, we looked at 247 00:14:05,080 --> 00:14:07,720 Speaker 1: a few things like on a big field, it's hard 248 00:14:07,760 --> 00:14:10,920 Speaker 1: to feel the pace from your television or if you're 249 00:14:10,920 --> 00:14:14,240 Speaker 1: watching on your laptop, you know, tablet or phone. So 250 00:14:14,280 --> 00:14:17,000 Speaker 1: if we shorten the middle of the field, maybe we 251 00:14:17,040 --> 00:14:19,600 Speaker 1: can see kind of eyeline gold a goal a little 252 00:14:19,640 --> 00:14:22,240 Speaker 1: bit better. We also notice for non m across vans 253 00:14:22,280 --> 00:14:23,920 Speaker 1: that they had a tough time tracking a ball because 254 00:14:23,920 --> 00:14:25,440 Speaker 1: it moves over a hundred miles an hour and a 255 00:14:25,480 --> 00:14:27,520 Speaker 1: shot and call it fifty sixty miles an hour in 256 00:14:27,600 --> 00:14:29,680 Speaker 1: a past. So we changed the color of the ball 257 00:14:29,720 --> 00:14:31,360 Speaker 1: to op the yellow, which is the color they use 258 00:14:31,400 --> 00:14:34,840 Speaker 1: in tennis that matches a hundred mile in our serves 259 00:14:34,840 --> 00:14:37,800 Speaker 1: and sixty mile and our valleys. So things that we 260 00:14:37,840 --> 00:14:41,200 Speaker 1: are constantly looking at evolving at the pro level that 261 00:14:41,800 --> 00:14:44,000 Speaker 1: we're certain that at some point college and the use 262 00:14:44,040 --> 00:14:47,880 Speaker 1: system will adapt. And if not, that's okay because as 263 00:14:48,160 --> 00:14:51,120 Speaker 1: you evolved as a player in any pro sport, whether 264 00:14:51,200 --> 00:14:53,440 Speaker 1: it's you know, wrestling at the n C Double A 265 00:14:53,560 --> 00:14:56,160 Speaker 1: level to m m A and UFC. We're taking that 266 00:14:56,240 --> 00:14:58,760 Speaker 1: week because I think we're tracking positive trends of what 267 00:14:58,800 --> 00:15:01,800 Speaker 1: we've done thus far with the Fiel. Yeah, you know, Mike, 268 00:15:02,400 --> 00:15:04,560 Speaker 1: we've talked a lot about how people are consuming it, 269 00:15:05,280 --> 00:15:08,520 Speaker 1: you know, via their television or their computer or their smartphone. 270 00:15:09,120 --> 00:15:12,720 Speaker 1: Let's talk about the live portion, the in person portion. 271 00:15:13,160 --> 00:15:15,760 Speaker 1: I believe I saw a tweet from you yesterday saying 272 00:15:15,800 --> 00:15:17,640 Speaker 1: that you guys, and this would have been as of 273 00:15:17,960 --> 00:15:23,080 Speaker 1: Tuesday of the week before um, the first the kickoff 274 00:15:23,120 --> 00:15:26,960 Speaker 1: to the season, that you had sold more tickets already 275 00:15:27,120 --> 00:15:30,040 Speaker 1: for the for the series this weekend then you had 276 00:15:30,080 --> 00:15:33,640 Speaker 1: sold it any previous venue. What accounts for that in 277 00:15:33,680 --> 00:15:36,000 Speaker 1: your first of all, is that true? And do I 278 00:15:36,040 --> 00:15:38,240 Speaker 1: have that right and be what accounts for that in 279 00:15:38,720 --> 00:15:43,200 Speaker 1: your estimation? Yeah? Um, I think so. First of all, yeah, 280 00:15:43,200 --> 00:15:48,440 Speaker 1: it is true. Um. And I think it's two things. Um. One, 281 00:15:48,920 --> 00:15:51,480 Speaker 1: UM twenty team was our in noagural year and there 282 00:15:51,520 --> 00:15:55,840 Speaker 1: were uh, some some you know, some level of healthy 283 00:15:55,880 --> 00:15:59,520 Speaker 1: skepticism around is this uh, is this real? What's it's 284 00:15:59,520 --> 00:16:02,400 Speaker 1: going to look like? Um? I remember fielding calls from 285 00:16:02,400 --> 00:16:05,320 Speaker 1: reporters around are you going to be league? Is able 286 00:16:05,360 --> 00:16:07,280 Speaker 1: to make it through the entire year or not? So 287 00:16:07,640 --> 00:16:10,920 Speaker 1: I think there was some hesitation from the fan ecosystem. 288 00:16:11,080 --> 00:16:13,280 Speaker 1: Um uh. And then I think last year as well, 289 00:16:14,480 --> 00:16:17,240 Speaker 1: and being one of the first leagues ever I'm sorry 290 00:16:17,240 --> 00:16:19,960 Speaker 1: won the first league to announce our our return to play, 291 00:16:20,080 --> 00:16:24,040 Speaker 1: and I say bubble format UM, having the credibility to 292 00:16:24,080 --> 00:16:27,560 Speaker 1: actually keep that no call, no COVID on site outbreaks, 293 00:16:27,560 --> 00:16:30,840 Speaker 1: and then being able to drive ratings up throughout the 294 00:16:31,120 --> 00:16:35,280 Speaker 1: UH that season. And then also you know, with UH, 295 00:16:35,320 --> 00:16:38,440 Speaker 1: you know college across being canceled, UM, we were able 296 00:16:38,480 --> 00:16:42,960 Speaker 1: to sort of be the the only lacrosse product in 297 00:16:43,120 --> 00:16:45,560 Speaker 1: in a COVID year UM, And so I think that 298 00:16:45,680 --> 00:16:50,120 Speaker 1: increased our our our our presence in the ecosystem. And 299 00:16:50,200 --> 00:16:53,680 Speaker 1: I think the second pieces strategically, we decided to move 300 00:16:54,400 --> 00:16:57,480 Speaker 1: ticket sales and house UM in the first year UM. 301 00:16:57,560 --> 00:17:00,320 Speaker 1: And then also every year, you you make mistakes, you 302 00:17:00,400 --> 00:17:03,080 Speaker 1: learn from decisions you make, and first year we outsourced 303 00:17:03,120 --> 00:17:06,280 Speaker 1: it to an agency, and UM, you know, we ended 304 00:17:06,320 --> 00:17:08,600 Speaker 1: up building that in house and then had to press 305 00:17:08,640 --> 00:17:11,880 Speaker 1: pause obviously, But then we're able to rebuild that quickly 306 00:17:12,119 --> 00:17:16,040 Speaker 1: and take that roadmap that we developed apply to one 307 00:17:16,480 --> 00:17:19,199 Speaker 1: and we're seeing that ticket sales team really execute. And 308 00:17:19,280 --> 00:17:21,879 Speaker 1: so the credit goes to you know, our leaders over there, 309 00:17:22,040 --> 00:17:24,760 Speaker 1: McK davis and Danny cass Boy and Jared Smawley and 310 00:17:24,840 --> 00:17:26,320 Speaker 1: what they've been able to do in the town they've 311 00:17:26,320 --> 00:17:28,160 Speaker 1: been able to track and how quickly they've been able 312 00:17:28,200 --> 00:17:31,000 Speaker 1: to sell tickets as well. Um. I think those are 313 00:17:31,000 --> 00:17:33,520 Speaker 1: the big components. That's what's led to this early success. 314 00:17:33,520 --> 00:17:36,080 Speaker 1: And we have a lot more to do obviously, UM, 315 00:17:36,240 --> 00:17:39,520 Speaker 1: but it's all signs are pointing to it being the 316 00:17:39,520 --> 00:17:42,520 Speaker 1: most successful from the tickets perspective this year. And so, 317 00:17:42,840 --> 00:17:45,560 Speaker 1: pauls as we start to wrap up here a little bit, 318 00:17:45,920 --> 00:17:50,920 Speaker 1: you know, tell me about the this ownership group as 319 00:17:50,960 --> 00:17:54,040 Speaker 1: it has expanded, because one of the elements I find 320 00:17:54,080 --> 00:17:57,400 Speaker 1: fascinating and you both alluded to it earlier, is you've 321 00:17:57,400 --> 00:18:00,919 Speaker 1: got owners across other professional sports who are getting involved 322 00:18:01,000 --> 00:18:05,760 Speaker 1: in this game, who have experienced in the NBA, the NFL, MLS, 323 00:18:05,800 --> 00:18:08,960 Speaker 1: and you know, all the big pro leagues. From both 324 00:18:09,000 --> 00:18:13,800 Speaker 1: an athlete and a an executive perspective, Paul, what do 325 00:18:13,840 --> 00:18:16,520 Speaker 1: you take like, what are some of the lessons that 326 00:18:16,520 --> 00:18:18,879 Speaker 1: that you've already learned or what do you expect to 327 00:18:18,960 --> 00:18:22,439 Speaker 1: learn from some of these folks who are you know, 328 00:18:22,560 --> 00:18:26,080 Speaker 1: dealing with labor issues, who are dealing with all the 329 00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:30,040 Speaker 1: other issues that we've been talking about. Yeah, well, we've 330 00:18:30,119 --> 00:18:32,879 Speaker 1: been really selective and we've been fortunate to be in 331 00:18:32,880 --> 00:18:36,760 Speaker 1: a position where we can add new investors like Arctos 332 00:18:36,800 --> 00:18:42,160 Speaker 1: in the crafts based on improving the big areas of 333 00:18:42,160 --> 00:18:44,400 Speaker 1: of what it takes to build a professional sports league. 334 00:18:44,480 --> 00:18:50,119 Speaker 1: So we talked about before, Jason, but you look at media, sponsorship, tickets, merchandise, youth, 335 00:18:50,320 --> 00:18:52,720 Speaker 1: and then underneath all of it, they all plug in 336 00:18:52,760 --> 00:18:56,800 Speaker 1: the product. So product improvement is something that all of 337 00:18:56,800 --> 00:19:01,520 Speaker 1: our investors trust us as across Native to really like 338 00:19:01,640 --> 00:19:04,480 Speaker 1: continue to improve and focus on and where they add 339 00:19:04,560 --> 00:19:06,879 Speaker 1: value or each of those kind of five buckets that 340 00:19:06,960 --> 00:19:09,720 Speaker 1: I have mentioned. So when you have someone like Joe 341 00:19:09,800 --> 00:19:14,119 Speaker 1: Tie who grew up Flame Lacrosse, who has one of 342 00:19:14,119 --> 00:19:19,800 Speaker 1: the strongest pulses in international um international business through Ali 343 00:19:19,880 --> 00:19:22,639 Speaker 1: Baba and then his ownership with the Brooklyn Nets on 344 00:19:22,680 --> 00:19:25,880 Speaker 1: the NBA side, he's a really unique investor and he's 345 00:19:25,920 --> 00:19:29,480 Speaker 1: on our board. Then you have folks like HBS, you 346 00:19:29,560 --> 00:19:32,399 Speaker 1: have the Craft, you have Rain, you have Churning, and 347 00:19:32,440 --> 00:19:36,080 Speaker 1: there are groups that have not only ownership positioned in 348 00:19:36,160 --> 00:19:38,280 Speaker 1: pro sports leagues that are outside of the Big four, 349 00:19:38,680 --> 00:19:42,080 Speaker 1: but they specialize in new media, which again we we 350 00:19:42,160 --> 00:19:45,600 Speaker 1: view sport as a combination of product and distribution, but 351 00:19:45,680 --> 00:19:48,080 Speaker 1: it's really entertainment and so if you can get distribution 352 00:19:48,119 --> 00:19:52,040 Speaker 1: and media down, which has become pronged out beyond just linear, 353 00:19:52,119 --> 00:19:56,240 Speaker 1: it's how what you're doing on social, email, digital owned 354 00:19:56,240 --> 00:19:59,480 Speaker 1: and operated technology, as Mike had mentioned, mobile apps, things 355 00:19:59,520 --> 00:20:03,879 Speaker 1: that we're continuing to develop, getting into gaming, sports betting. 356 00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:07,440 Speaker 1: That's where we really learned. Something that I continue to 357 00:20:07,520 --> 00:20:10,280 Speaker 1: learn from Mike record release is how often we tap 358 00:20:10,320 --> 00:20:15,840 Speaker 1: into our ownership group for introductions, for advice, for strategy UM. 359 00:20:15,880 --> 00:20:19,080 Speaker 1: And then we have like our Blue Bud lacrosse investors 360 00:20:19,080 --> 00:20:22,960 Speaker 1: like Breutch Jefferson, who um will oh largely a lot 361 00:20:23,040 --> 00:20:27,040 Speaker 1: of his economic prosperity in business and finance to what 362 00:20:27,160 --> 00:20:30,600 Speaker 1: he learned on the lacrosse field. So we UM, we 363 00:20:30,760 --> 00:20:33,720 Speaker 1: we've been lucky and we're really excited about this group. 364 00:20:33,760 --> 00:20:37,359 Speaker 1: It's diverse and uh and so it positions us well 365 00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:41,840 Speaker 1: and and we're always kind of reminding ourselves that, um, 366 00:20:41,880 --> 00:20:43,159 Speaker 1: you know, we don't know what we don't know, and 367 00:20:43,200 --> 00:20:46,280 Speaker 1: there's a lot more to learn and to be innovators, 368 00:20:46,280 --> 00:20:49,399 Speaker 1: to continue to push, we have to be fast, and 369 00:20:49,440 --> 00:20:51,560 Speaker 1: we have to be thoughtful, we have to be intuitive, 370 00:20:51,640 --> 00:20:54,240 Speaker 1: we have to be predicative, UM. And we know that 371 00:20:54,320 --> 00:20:57,840 Speaker 1: in sports, you know, you basically have six months, sometimes 372 00:20:57,880 --> 00:21:00,800 Speaker 1: six weeks in six days to catch up friend, and 373 00:21:00,840 --> 00:21:04,159 Speaker 1: everyone else is going to follow. So we innovate like 374 00:21:04,160 --> 00:21:07,080 Speaker 1: a Mike and helmet. Everyone else is innovating with a 375 00:21:07,080 --> 00:21:09,359 Speaker 1: Mike and helmet the next season or later that season. 376 00:21:09,400 --> 00:21:12,320 Speaker 1: So what's our next thing? And constantly have to be pressing. 377 00:21:12,359 --> 00:21:14,760 Speaker 1: It's an athlete, gene, and we're all athletes that are 378 00:21:14,800 --> 00:21:18,040 Speaker 1: operating this league, which is also unique and fun. But 379 00:21:18,520 --> 00:21:21,560 Speaker 1: but we find those shared values with our investors. Alright, Mike, 380 00:21:21,760 --> 00:21:25,320 Speaker 1: last question to you, and I will fully admit that 381 00:21:25,480 --> 00:21:29,240 Speaker 1: I lifted this question from my lacrosse playing son, uh well, 382 00:21:29,320 --> 00:21:32,200 Speaker 1: because I asked him what I should be asking you guys, 383 00:21:32,240 --> 00:21:34,840 Speaker 1: and and one of the smart questions he gave me 384 00:21:35,359 --> 00:21:38,440 Speaker 1: was actually points back to something Paul was just talking about, 385 00:21:38,480 --> 00:21:40,760 Speaker 1: which is, you know what you learned from the other leagues. 386 00:21:40,800 --> 00:21:42,600 Speaker 1: And one of the things we've seen with the NFL 387 00:21:42,640 --> 00:21:47,680 Speaker 1: and the NBA specifically is it becomes a twelvemonth media season. 388 00:21:48,040 --> 00:21:50,000 Speaker 1: In many ways, you've got all these sort of things, 389 00:21:50,040 --> 00:21:52,720 Speaker 1: whether it's the draft or other things that people get 390 00:21:52,720 --> 00:21:55,800 Speaker 1: excited about. One thing Will was musing a lot about 391 00:21:55,920 --> 00:21:59,359 Speaker 1: is a PLL combine, Like are these the sorts of 392 00:21:59,400 --> 00:22:03,720 Speaker 1: things that you eyes are considering to keep the game 393 00:22:04,040 --> 00:22:08,840 Speaker 1: front of mine throughout the year. Yeah. Now, well, well 394 00:22:09,119 --> 00:22:13,600 Speaker 1: very sharp obviously, uh. And that's something we're we're we're 395 00:22:13,600 --> 00:22:16,440 Speaker 1: starting to really road map against our our our long 396 00:22:16,560 --> 00:22:21,120 Speaker 1: term planning. And I think that as as a as 397 00:22:21,119 --> 00:22:23,760 Speaker 1: a content business, UM, you have to think about you know, 398 00:22:23,800 --> 00:22:26,680 Speaker 1: the twelve twelve months uh in the calendar year, and 399 00:22:27,000 --> 00:22:30,280 Speaker 1: in what you can provide that's new US And so 400 00:22:30,640 --> 00:22:36,000 Speaker 1: there's always a balance, um around sort of building new properties. Um. 401 00:22:36,080 --> 00:22:37,639 Speaker 1: And if you talk to the folks in the NFL, 402 00:22:38,119 --> 00:22:41,920 Speaker 1: you know, the NFL Combine took about twenty years. It's 403 00:22:41,920 --> 00:22:45,480 Speaker 1: actually successful and profitable for them, and early on it 404 00:22:45,560 --> 00:22:48,560 Speaker 1: was it was a massive investment and and sort of 405 00:22:48,680 --> 00:22:52,040 Speaker 1: uh a laws leader for O for other properties. And 406 00:22:52,119 --> 00:22:56,520 Speaker 1: so as we think about developing more content, particularly internationally, 407 00:22:56,680 --> 00:22:58,520 Speaker 1: something that that we're starting to scratch the surface on 408 00:22:58,720 --> 00:23:01,920 Speaker 1: the twenty nine were able to do exhibition, uh tournament 409 00:23:02,080 --> 00:23:05,400 Speaker 1: over in Japan. UM. You know, combine is definitely part 410 00:23:05,400 --> 00:23:07,960 Speaker 1: of the conversation, right. UM, it's always a balance with 411 00:23:08,160 --> 00:23:10,000 Speaker 1: you know, what sort of commercial interest can we bring 412 00:23:10,000 --> 00:23:12,520 Speaker 1: into offset those costs. But I do think it's a 413 00:23:12,520 --> 00:23:17,920 Speaker 1: great opportunity to showcase UM more talented in the lacrosse ecosystem, 414 00:23:18,119 --> 00:23:21,960 Speaker 1: you know, the skill of these players, how great athletes 415 00:23:22,040 --> 00:23:25,360 Speaker 1: they actually are. UM, and then also provide more content 416 00:23:25,840 --> 00:23:30,040 Speaker 1: to will point that's not necessarily just highlights from the season. Right, 417 00:23:30,680 --> 00:23:32,239 Speaker 1: all right, gentlemen, Well, I can talk to you all 418 00:23:32,280 --> 00:23:35,520 Speaker 1: day about LAX and UH look forward to the next time. 419 00:23:35,600 --> 00:23:39,359 Speaker 1: Looking forward to seeing some games uh this season. Mike 420 00:23:39,400 --> 00:23:43,439 Speaker 1: great Bull Paul Rabel, co founders of the Premier Lacrosse League, 421 00:23:43,520 --> 00:23:47,280 Speaker 1: big news today with the new round of investment and 422 00:23:47,760 --> 00:23:50,520 Speaker 1: on the verge of season three. Thank you both so much. 423 00:23:50,840 --> 00:23:53,800 Speaker 1: Thanks awesome. Thanks you've been listening to the blue Birke 424 00:23:53,880 --> 00:23:56,760 Speaker 1: Business of Sports podcast. We're here with you every Monday, 425 00:23:56,800 --> 00:23:59,639 Speaker 1: Wednesday and Thursday, and of course catch our show on 426 00:23:59,720 --> 00:24:04,480 Speaker 1: blue Berg Radio. H