1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:03,560 Speaker 1: This is the business of sports, where in the situation 2 00:00:03,640 --> 00:00:06,400 Speaker 1: that we haven't dealt with in modern times, pandemic here 3 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:10,479 Speaker 1: has really accelerated the investments that we've been advocating for 4 00:00:10,480 --> 00:00:13,280 Speaker 1: for years. Almost everyone else there is hoping that there's 5 00:00:13,320 --> 00:00:16,759 Speaker 1: some kind of return to normal by August September. In 6 00:00:16,880 --> 00:00:20,200 Speaker 1: depth conversations with the leaders in the sports industry, who 7 00:00:20,200 --> 00:00:22,800 Speaker 1: wants to be the sacrificial lambs that shows up at 8 00:00:22,840 --> 00:00:25,640 Speaker 1: the first big major sporting events. Were part of something 9 00:00:25,720 --> 00:00:28,160 Speaker 1: much bigger than sports right now, and the health and 10 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:31,080 Speaker 1: pasty of our stakeholders are both more important every moment. 11 00:00:31,280 --> 00:00:33,760 Speaker 1: I think we're all from business respective thinking about the 12 00:00:33,800 --> 00:00:37,080 Speaker 1: impact that the virus is having across the country. Bloomberg 13 00:00:37,200 --> 00:00:41,120 Speaker 1: Business of Sports from Bloomberg Radio. Hello, I'm Jason Kelly, 14 00:00:41,440 --> 00:00:44,520 Speaker 1: and I'm Mike Lynch and Michael Barr. Over the next hour, 15 00:00:44,680 --> 00:00:46,760 Speaker 1: we will explore the big many issues in the world 16 00:00:46,800 --> 00:00:48,800 Speaker 1: of sports and talk to some of the biggest players 17 00:00:48,880 --> 00:00:53,120 Speaker 1: in the industry. Sports are getting back to business and today. 18 00:00:53,240 --> 00:00:54,840 Speaker 1: Later on to the show, we're gonna sit down with 19 00:00:54,840 --> 00:00:57,080 Speaker 1: Paul Rabel. He is, of course co founder of the 20 00:00:57,160 --> 00:01:00,440 Speaker 1: Premier Lacrosse League. He's also going to be played. So 21 00:01:00,520 --> 00:01:03,080 Speaker 1: we're gonna talk all about that, But first, guys, we 22 00:01:03,160 --> 00:01:05,679 Speaker 1: gotta look at some of the top stories of the week. 23 00:01:05,959 --> 00:01:09,000 Speaker 1: It feels like the top top story in many ways 24 00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:13,040 Speaker 1: is are we actually going to be playing sports? We've 25 00:01:13,040 --> 00:01:16,760 Speaker 1: seen a little bit of actual play, but some of 26 00:01:16,760 --> 00:01:19,560 Speaker 1: the big professional leagues here in the United States, it 27 00:01:19,680 --> 00:01:23,240 Speaker 1: feels like they are under threat here. Mike Lynch, what 28 00:01:23,280 --> 00:01:26,040 Speaker 1: do you make of it? Well, I I feel the 29 00:01:26,080 --> 00:01:28,440 Speaker 1: same way. I feel there's an awful lot of pressure here. 30 00:01:28,480 --> 00:01:31,240 Speaker 1: But I also feel that there's a danger lurking. There's 31 00:01:31,280 --> 00:01:34,479 Speaker 1: a dark cloud as a storm cloud coming in somewhere, 32 00:01:34,959 --> 00:01:38,720 Speaker 1: and I don't see how basketball is gonna make it. 33 00:01:38,880 --> 00:01:41,280 Speaker 1: I don't see how football is gonna make it. I 34 00:01:41,319 --> 00:01:44,800 Speaker 1: think the four major teams, I think baseball has an 35 00:01:44,800 --> 00:01:49,080 Speaker 1: outside chance, but they're the thing that will threaten baseball 36 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:51,120 Speaker 1: is that they're not staying in a bubble. They get 37 00:01:51,160 --> 00:01:52,920 Speaker 1: to go wherever they want to go when they leave 38 00:01:52,960 --> 00:01:57,000 Speaker 1: practice and when they leave a home game, um, and 39 00:01:57,080 --> 00:01:58,800 Speaker 1: they can go out and wherever they want to go, 40 00:01:58,840 --> 00:02:00,760 Speaker 1: and they can come back in the club. Wilson infects 41 00:02:00,760 --> 00:02:04,080 Speaker 1: somebody in a day. Yeah, that to me is the 42 00:02:04,120 --> 00:02:07,520 Speaker 1: big key. Uh, Bar. I mean, I'm a little bit 43 00:02:07,520 --> 00:02:10,760 Speaker 1: more optimistic about the NBA maybe than than Lynch is. 44 00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:13,120 Speaker 1: What do you make of it? Well, the NBA, they 45 00:02:13,160 --> 00:02:16,560 Speaker 1: already had a landline. Russell Westbrook, he came in with 46 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:21,280 Speaker 1: COVID nineteen. Now he says he's isolating, obviously, but he 47 00:02:21,360 --> 00:02:24,800 Speaker 1: came into the bubble with it. So that's all it takes. 48 00:02:25,360 --> 00:02:29,080 Speaker 1: And if this thing runs rampant, who knows what the 49 00:02:29,080 --> 00:02:31,400 Speaker 1: heck is going to happen. Now. Gary Bettman with the NHL, 50 00:02:31,840 --> 00:02:33,720 Speaker 1: he says the bubble is going to be fine and 51 00:02:33,840 --> 00:02:36,919 Speaker 1: will be good to go. I hope he is right 52 00:02:37,040 --> 00:02:41,200 Speaker 1: because I love to see sports, But I just don't 53 00:02:41,240 --> 00:02:44,680 Speaker 1: see how the teams are going to avoid any of 54 00:02:44,720 --> 00:02:48,920 Speaker 1: this with COVID nineteen running rampant out there, I have 55 00:02:49,040 --> 00:02:50,680 Speaker 1: to say. I mean, I caught up with the CEO 56 00:02:50,720 --> 00:02:54,360 Speaker 1: of Bundesligua International earlier this week for a TV specialty 57 00:02:54,360 --> 00:02:58,240 Speaker 1: tearing this weekend quick plug on Bloomberg Television. Um, but 58 00:02:59,280 --> 00:03:01,640 Speaker 1: you know, it was interesting to me to hear from 59 00:03:01,880 --> 00:03:05,400 Speaker 1: this guy, Robert Klein. Basically, the Bundesliga they did it. 60 00:03:05,480 --> 00:03:08,640 Speaker 1: They pulled it off, no fans, They had teams, you know, 61 00:03:08,720 --> 00:03:13,560 Speaker 1: play in their home stadia, so check check. Uh. They 62 00:03:13,600 --> 00:03:16,760 Speaker 1: did get some positive positive tests, I believe along the 63 00:03:16,760 --> 00:03:19,280 Speaker 1: way they also had a few people who had to isolate. 64 00:03:19,280 --> 00:03:21,280 Speaker 1: They had one coach, You guys will get a kick 65 00:03:21,320 --> 00:03:24,480 Speaker 1: out of this, so everybody is you know, kind of 66 00:03:24,520 --> 00:03:28,000 Speaker 1: bubbled in in their home markets. But he left his 67 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:30,280 Speaker 1: hotel to get some toothpaste and then came back and 68 00:03:30,320 --> 00:03:34,280 Speaker 1: had self isolated. Um. But it's just these sorts of 69 00:03:34,320 --> 00:03:37,400 Speaker 1: things that you don't really think about that that are unanticipated. 70 00:03:38,160 --> 00:03:42,280 Speaker 1: I think the United States, though Lynchy is just in 71 00:03:43,320 --> 00:03:47,520 Speaker 1: we're in a different place when it comes to the virus. Well, 72 00:03:47,520 --> 00:03:51,120 Speaker 1: it's the numbers come in and they're staggering every single day. 73 00:03:51,240 --> 00:03:56,080 Speaker 1: States with the new highs California, Florida, Arizona. I think 74 00:03:56,080 --> 00:03:59,480 Speaker 1: about basketball now, now we all know that the virus 75 00:03:59,520 --> 00:04:02,680 Speaker 1: is spread droplets. There's a lot of talking in basketball. 76 00:04:02,800 --> 00:04:04,240 Speaker 1: Watch off of the pick, watch off of the pick, 77 00:04:04,320 --> 00:04:06,360 Speaker 1: week side week side, there's a lot of you talk 78 00:04:06,400 --> 00:04:09,000 Speaker 1: a lot while you're playing. You don't just keep your 79 00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:12,800 Speaker 1: mouth shut and play basketball. There's a lot of verbal communication, 80 00:04:13,200 --> 00:04:15,960 Speaker 1: especially when you're playing defense. And so how do you 81 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:18,560 Speaker 1: stop the droplets from coming out? And you know, my 82 00:04:18,640 --> 00:04:21,200 Speaker 1: dad was my high school basketball coach, and we always 83 00:04:21,240 --> 00:04:24,320 Speaker 1: played man to man defense, and he'd say to us, guys, 84 00:04:24,440 --> 00:04:26,320 Speaker 1: I want to know what type of cologne your gut 85 00:04:26,560 --> 00:04:29,520 Speaker 1: the type of cologne the guys wearing that you're covering. 86 00:04:29,560 --> 00:04:31,240 Speaker 1: By the end of the first quarter, that's all close, 87 00:04:31,320 --> 00:04:33,159 Speaker 1: I wanted to him. And then then the same as 88 00:04:33,200 --> 00:04:35,200 Speaker 1: applying right now to the NBA. I just don't see 89 00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:37,560 Speaker 1: how they're gonna pull it off. All right, So Bart, 90 00:04:37,640 --> 00:04:41,120 Speaker 1: talk to me about the NFL. You're a huge Detroit 91 00:04:41,200 --> 00:04:45,200 Speaker 1: Lions fan. How confident are you about pro football? Because 92 00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:47,679 Speaker 1: as of right now, and keep me honest to your guys, 93 00:04:47,760 --> 00:04:50,920 Speaker 1: a couple of preseason games have been canceled, but at 94 00:04:51,000 --> 00:04:54,840 Speaker 1: least on paper and at least publicly, they're saying season 95 00:04:54,920 --> 00:04:58,040 Speaker 1: is going to go on. Probably no fans, but maybe 96 00:04:58,440 --> 00:05:02,640 Speaker 1: uh playing an individual Mark gets all systems go. I 97 00:05:03,360 --> 00:05:06,320 Speaker 1: don't see how that happens. Well, they're dancing with all 98 00:05:06,440 --> 00:05:10,200 Speaker 1: kinds of ideas. Some of the stadiums they're saying, Okay, 99 00:05:10,279 --> 00:05:12,680 Speaker 1: we're gonna have a game. We can space it out 100 00:05:13,160 --> 00:05:16,880 Speaker 1: to where we had a sixty seat stadium, only fifteen 101 00:05:16,880 --> 00:05:20,960 Speaker 1: thousand will be there for a capacity that's good if 102 00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:23,440 Speaker 1: they can be there. First of all, we got to 103 00:05:23,480 --> 00:05:25,400 Speaker 1: see how they can play the game. Again, this is 104 00:05:25,440 --> 00:05:28,880 Speaker 1: the same problem with the NBA. When you're talking about 105 00:05:28,880 --> 00:05:33,000 Speaker 1: a contact sport like that, the ultimate contact sport, and 106 00:05:33,200 --> 00:05:35,560 Speaker 1: especially when you're on the old line, you got guys 107 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:39,680 Speaker 1: just banging into each other. I want to see. I 108 00:05:39,720 --> 00:05:42,440 Speaker 1: just don't see how this is going to happen. Of course, again, 109 00:05:42,520 --> 00:05:45,880 Speaker 1: I have got my fingers crossed and I'm rooting for it, 110 00:05:45,920 --> 00:05:48,919 Speaker 1: but I just don't see it. Well, every sport it 111 00:05:48,960 --> 00:05:51,600 Speaker 1: feels like Lynchy is moving towards this. You know, how 112 00:05:51,600 --> 00:05:54,039 Speaker 1: do you shield the helmet? We're gonna talk with Paul 113 00:05:54,120 --> 00:05:56,240 Speaker 1: Rabel about that. I'm guessing because I know lacrosse is 114 00:05:56,279 --> 00:05:58,880 Speaker 1: thinking about this and the NFL is thinking about it 115 00:05:58,920 --> 00:06:02,200 Speaker 1: as well. Basically to combat exactly what you were talking 116 00:06:02,200 --> 00:06:07,000 Speaker 1: about a minute ago with basketball, just the droplets. Well, 117 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:09,800 Speaker 1: Oakley already makes the shields that come down halfway down 118 00:06:09,839 --> 00:06:12,200 Speaker 1: to the face masks. They meet the top of the 119 00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:14,480 Speaker 1: face masks right around the nose area. Now they're gonna 120 00:06:14,520 --> 00:06:17,919 Speaker 1: make one that goes down below the lips, right to 121 00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:20,000 Speaker 1: the bottom of the chin. And they said they have 122 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:24,719 Speaker 1: some some special plastic slits that allowed the players to breathe, 123 00:06:24,800 --> 00:06:29,560 Speaker 1: but don't allow droplets to escape. Um. That would be 124 00:06:29,760 --> 00:06:31,560 Speaker 1: kind of a big step. But you know, in football, 125 00:06:31,760 --> 00:06:33,839 Speaker 1: save for the quarterback if he doesn't get sacked, and 126 00:06:33,880 --> 00:06:36,320 Speaker 1: maybe a couple of wide receivers and a safety, you're 127 00:06:36,320 --> 00:06:39,040 Speaker 1: probably looking at sixteen people that are in a wrestling 128 00:06:39,040 --> 00:06:42,200 Speaker 1: match every single play. And guys are talking a lot. 129 00:06:42,320 --> 00:06:44,880 Speaker 1: Especially there's always this The center talks a lot. He's 130 00:06:44,880 --> 00:06:48,160 Speaker 1: always yelling out, you know what the defense is, you know, 131 00:06:48,320 --> 00:06:50,800 Speaker 1: and where's the mic? Was the same, where's the willie? 132 00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:53,680 Speaker 1: And uh, you know you me block and and you 133 00:06:53,720 --> 00:06:56,640 Speaker 1: know there's a lot of verbal communication in football as well, 134 00:06:56,720 --> 00:07:00,760 Speaker 1: especially the quarterback. He's he's standing. Oh, if he's founder center, 135 00:07:01,440 --> 00:07:04,719 Speaker 1: you know he is yelling in in sending droplets out 136 00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:07,520 Speaker 1: right to the nose. The nose guards gotta be what 137 00:07:07,920 --> 00:07:10,840 Speaker 1: two yards away from you. Yeah, So you know there's 138 00:07:10,880 --> 00:07:13,760 Speaker 1: there's a problem here. Football has a luxury of time here. 139 00:07:13,920 --> 00:07:15,480 Speaker 1: They have a luxury of time. They can wait till 140 00:07:15,480 --> 00:07:18,960 Speaker 1: the very very last minute before they pull the trigger 141 00:07:19,040 --> 00:07:21,680 Speaker 1: or make any type of adjustment in schedule, just because 142 00:07:21,680 --> 00:07:24,320 Speaker 1: of the timing of this pandemic. Well, and who knows, 143 00:07:24,320 --> 00:07:26,280 Speaker 1: maybe we'll see spring foot publica. As we know, there's 144 00:07:26,320 --> 00:07:29,080 Speaker 1: no XFL anymore. All right, Lynchy, last word to you. 145 00:07:29,560 --> 00:07:32,640 Speaker 1: Um I never thought that I would say these words 146 00:07:32,640 --> 00:07:36,680 Speaker 1: in this order. Bill Belichick in a subway sandwich commercial. 147 00:07:36,880 --> 00:07:44,320 Speaker 1: What oh. I've known him since he was here the 148 00:07:44,400 --> 00:07:47,760 Speaker 1: first time when Bill Parcels was coaching, UM, I did 149 00:07:47,760 --> 00:07:51,680 Speaker 1: a show with him for about thirteen years. Never saw 150 00:07:51,720 --> 00:07:54,240 Speaker 1: him do any type of commercial whatsoever. He did a 151 00:07:54,240 --> 00:07:57,640 Speaker 1: peanut butter and jelly uh uh show when he was 152 00:07:57,680 --> 00:08:00,120 Speaker 1: coaching in Cleveland Browns. He showed how his mother made 153 00:08:00,160 --> 00:08:02,360 Speaker 1: of peanut butter and jelly sandwich for him. And that's 154 00:08:02,360 --> 00:08:04,960 Speaker 1: the only time I've ever seen him do anything other 155 00:08:05,000 --> 00:08:08,560 Speaker 1: than football. This is hilarious. The video is hilarious. The 156 00:08:08,680 --> 00:08:10,840 Speaker 1: still shots hilarious. There is a side by side with 157 00:08:10,920 --> 00:08:14,440 Speaker 1: Forrest Gump sitting on a bench and I'm dying to 158 00:08:14,480 --> 00:08:16,000 Speaker 1: find out what the angle of this is and what 159 00:08:16,080 --> 00:08:19,480 Speaker 1: the punch line is. Subway eat Fresh, but we won't 160 00:08:19,520 --> 00:08:22,160 Speaker 1: tell you where the subway locations are because we eat 161 00:08:22,160 --> 00:08:26,840 Speaker 1: everything underhat with the Patriots exactly exactly. There's so many 162 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:29,000 Speaker 1: there's so many jokes that are going to come out 163 00:08:29,040 --> 00:08:33,199 Speaker 1: around this. I can't wait all right. Next on the show, 164 00:08:33,760 --> 00:08:36,079 Speaker 1: we speak with co founder of the Premier the Cross 165 00:08:36,200 --> 00:08:38,400 Speaker 1: League straight Ahead on Bloomberg Business of Stords. You can 166 00:08:38,400 --> 00:08:41,480 Speaker 1: follow me on Twitter at Big Bar Sports, and I'm 167 00:08:41,520 --> 00:08:43,800 Speaker 1: Mike Lynch. You can find me at Lynch w CVB, 168 00:08:44,240 --> 00:08:46,560 Speaker 1: and I'm Jason Kelly. Can follow me at Jason Kelly News. 169 00:08:46,559 --> 00:08:50,040 Speaker 1: We're here every week at this time and also via podcast. 170 00:08:50,080 --> 00:08:52,640 Speaker 1: He can catch those when they drop on Monday's, Wednesdays 171 00:08:52,760 --> 00:08:57,120 Speaker 1: and Thursdays. You are listening to Bloomberg Business of Sports 172 00:08:57,120 --> 00:09:00,800 Speaker 1: from Bloomberg Radio around the world. Well, thanks so much 173 00:09:00,840 --> 00:09:02,800 Speaker 1: for joining us. We're here each and every week for 174 00:09:02,880 --> 00:09:05,160 Speaker 1: you at the same time, talking to the biggest names 175 00:09:05,200 --> 00:09:08,120 Speaker 1: in sports. I'm Jason Kelly along with Mike Lynch and 176 00:09:08,200 --> 00:09:11,040 Speaker 1: Michael Barr. And today we're speaking with a friend of 177 00:09:11,080 --> 00:09:13,480 Speaker 1: the show, a friend of mine for sure, Paul Rabel, 178 00:09:13,800 --> 00:09:17,439 Speaker 1: co founder of the Premier Lacrosse League. Arguably, I think 179 00:09:17,440 --> 00:09:20,640 Speaker 1: it's almost not a debate at this point. The best 180 00:09:20,679 --> 00:09:24,080 Speaker 1: known lacrosse player in the world has popularized the sport 181 00:09:24,160 --> 00:09:27,680 Speaker 1: in a really meaningful way. Also a very serious businessman, 182 00:09:27,840 --> 00:09:30,720 Speaker 1: he and his brother Mike have stood up this league 183 00:09:30,800 --> 00:09:34,320 Speaker 1: and they are headed back to play a special tournament 184 00:09:34,520 --> 00:09:38,080 Speaker 1: next week in Utah. That's where we find Paul here 185 00:09:38,400 --> 00:09:40,920 Speaker 1: and pr It's great to hear your voice. I said 186 00:09:40,920 --> 00:09:42,800 Speaker 1: that when you first came on the line. How are 187 00:09:42,840 --> 00:09:46,720 Speaker 1: you what's going on? Yeah, I appreciate that generous intro. 188 00:09:46,840 --> 00:09:48,800 Speaker 1: As always, Jason, you don't have to do the hand 189 00:09:49,160 --> 00:09:51,080 Speaker 1: and a load of the mics on the other side. 190 00:09:51,160 --> 00:09:54,800 Speaker 1: It's uh, you know, I consider Bloomberg kind of our 191 00:09:54,880 --> 00:09:58,040 Speaker 1: our family of origin, at least when it comes to 192 00:09:58,080 --> 00:10:00,160 Speaker 1: the PLI we made our our first and now it's 193 00:10:00,200 --> 00:10:03,880 Speaker 1: men back in UH in October of two thousand and eighteen, 194 00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:08,160 Speaker 1: and then you know, subsequently went on air, television, radio, 195 00:10:08,200 --> 00:10:11,200 Speaker 1: We've talked podcasts and and everything about in the league 196 00:10:11,240 --> 00:10:14,440 Speaker 1: and it's it's it's kind of a core ingredient for 197 00:10:14,600 --> 00:10:19,120 Speaker 1: myself and my co founders, my owner brother Mike of Transparency. 198 00:10:19,240 --> 00:10:22,320 Speaker 1: We think it's unique and part of this romanticism of 199 00:10:22,320 --> 00:10:26,080 Speaker 1: of entrepreneurship. Since the Shark Tank age and um we 200 00:10:26,080 --> 00:10:29,679 Speaker 1: we we've seen some positive results. UM. So I appreciate 201 00:10:29,679 --> 00:10:32,520 Speaker 1: you having us on and uh and continuing to talk 202 00:10:32,520 --> 00:10:36,400 Speaker 1: about this. I'm doing well. Um we'll find out how 203 00:10:36,440 --> 00:10:38,960 Speaker 1: well everyone's doing. Actually see it's it's it's a good 204 00:10:38,960 --> 00:10:43,520 Speaker 1: time because I'm in Utah. Are training camp begins this weekend. 205 00:10:44,480 --> 00:10:47,280 Speaker 1: All of the players on each of the seven teams 206 00:10:47,280 --> 00:10:50,959 Speaker 1: have now completed their first stage of COVID testing from 207 00:10:50,960 --> 00:10:54,079 Speaker 1: home using telemedicine, and all of our ops team as 208 00:10:54,080 --> 00:10:57,319 Speaker 1: well as NBC's production has finished theirs as of yesterday, 209 00:10:57,920 --> 00:11:00,760 Speaker 1: our ops team that has arrived to a to begin 210 00:11:00,880 --> 00:11:05,080 Speaker 1: set up um at Rail Salt Lakes facilities. They were, 211 00:11:05,880 --> 00:11:09,680 Speaker 1: at least the internal ops team were a fifteen of fifteen. 212 00:11:10,040 --> 00:11:13,720 Speaker 1: We haven't disclosed that yet, but on all negative tests, 213 00:11:13,720 --> 00:11:16,920 Speaker 1: so that was a good indicator. We're we're like all 214 00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:21,000 Speaker 1: leagues and I think businesses that are that are approaching 215 00:11:21,520 --> 00:11:25,240 Speaker 1: a resume to play or resumed to business and uh 216 00:11:25,720 --> 00:11:28,920 Speaker 1: under the assumption that there will be positive tests. Um 217 00:11:28,960 --> 00:11:32,200 Speaker 1: So we built out dozens of different scenario plans around it. 218 00:11:32,320 --> 00:11:34,680 Speaker 1: So it's it's an uneasy time, but I'm thankful for 219 00:11:34,679 --> 00:11:39,080 Speaker 1: good health. Are you guys using the bubble format like 220 00:11:39,160 --> 00:11:41,840 Speaker 1: the the n B A Is that something you guys 221 00:11:41,840 --> 00:11:46,520 Speaker 1: are looking at? I think sure that the bubble as 222 00:11:46,640 --> 00:11:48,920 Speaker 1: as has been popularized. I think it's it's a it's 223 00:11:48,920 --> 00:11:51,840 Speaker 1: an easy way to digest what the leagues are doing. 224 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:55,160 Speaker 1: So we uh we on May five, I believe it 225 00:11:55,280 --> 00:11:57,360 Speaker 1: was maybe it was May sixth, I went on the 226 00:11:57,360 --> 00:12:00,320 Speaker 1: Today Show, which I was shaking in my boot. Uh 227 00:12:00,400 --> 00:12:03,520 Speaker 1: as we were the first teams team sports league to 228 00:12:03,559 --> 00:12:07,960 Speaker 1: make the announcement of a quarantine fanless solution. We didn't 229 00:12:08,040 --> 00:12:11,440 Speaker 1: use the terminology bubble but and and we're also not 230 00:12:11,800 --> 00:12:14,240 Speaker 1: you know, sitting here saying that we were the we're 231 00:12:14,240 --> 00:12:15,840 Speaker 1: the only ones to come up with this concept. We 232 00:12:15,840 --> 00:12:17,760 Speaker 1: were just best positioned too. And that's why I refers 233 00:12:17,800 --> 00:12:21,160 Speaker 1: to announce it Michael um a couple of months ago. 234 00:12:21,559 --> 00:12:24,680 Speaker 1: Because of our advantage and having fewer numbers, so we 235 00:12:24,720 --> 00:12:27,400 Speaker 1: have seven teams, we expanded to a seventh after a 236 00:12:27,440 --> 00:12:31,400 Speaker 1: successful first year with our original six and uh and 237 00:12:31,400 --> 00:12:33,760 Speaker 1: and we felt like are all in number at three 238 00:12:33,800 --> 00:12:37,200 Speaker 1: hundred presented unique opportunities for us to identify campuses around 239 00:12:37,240 --> 00:12:39,120 Speaker 1: the country that we could do a full on takeover 240 00:12:39,520 --> 00:12:42,920 Speaker 1: where everyone enters the site at the same time. In 241 00:12:43,000 --> 00:12:46,120 Speaker 1: our case, you have to pass to COVID tests, so 242 00:12:46,160 --> 00:12:49,240 Speaker 1: one before you travel. We've chartered planes for players all 243 00:12:49,280 --> 00:12:52,040 Speaker 1: over the country so they do their telemedicine test with 244 00:12:52,080 --> 00:12:54,040 Speaker 1: a doctor on the on the other side of the screen. 245 00:12:54,520 --> 00:12:57,320 Speaker 1: If that passes, which we have a seventy to our turnaround. 246 00:12:57,400 --> 00:13:01,040 Speaker 1: We're actually using the same um analysis group in Salt 247 00:13:01,080 --> 00:13:03,199 Speaker 1: Lake City as the MLB is, which is helpful for 248 00:13:03,280 --> 00:13:05,079 Speaker 1: us because we're playing in utass. We get a quicker 249 00:13:05,080 --> 00:13:07,520 Speaker 1: turn when we do tests on site and then when 250 00:13:07,520 --> 00:13:11,760 Speaker 1: everyone passes that and moves through travel. When you arrive, 251 00:13:12,280 --> 00:13:15,120 Speaker 1: we have what's called seven team social groups, but it's 252 00:13:15,200 --> 00:13:18,560 Speaker 1: essentially a social group as a team or another group 253 00:13:18,559 --> 00:13:22,040 Speaker 1: of responsibility from an off standpoint, and they they are 254 00:13:22,120 --> 00:13:26,520 Speaker 1: then basically sectioned off and tested uniquely and quarantined uniquely 255 00:13:26,559 --> 00:13:30,000 Speaker 1: for that second test turnaround. Once that takes place, to 256 00:13:30,080 --> 00:13:33,880 Speaker 1: your question, Michael, everyone enters the bubble. It's basically sealed. 257 00:13:34,040 --> 00:13:35,960 Speaker 1: No one else is allowed in, no one's allowed out. 258 00:13:36,720 --> 00:13:39,400 Speaker 1: There are two more tests to take place just to 259 00:13:39,520 --> 00:13:44,680 Speaker 1: identify the low possibility that someone could have contracted the 260 00:13:44,760 --> 00:13:48,400 Speaker 1: virus during travel and passed the first two. Just because 261 00:13:48,440 --> 00:13:51,559 Speaker 1: this thing is so cryptic and and the science is 262 00:13:51,600 --> 00:13:54,760 Speaker 1: imperfect around COVID testing in medical protocol, but we felt 263 00:13:54,800 --> 00:13:57,000 Speaker 1: like we got it right. Paul, let me ask you 264 00:13:57,040 --> 00:13:59,480 Speaker 1: about this is a great opportunity for for you and 265 00:13:59,559 --> 00:14:02,480 Speaker 1: this this whole concept in this league because obviously the 266 00:14:02,559 --> 00:14:06,920 Speaker 1: Olympics aren't being held this summer and NBC has partnered 267 00:14:06,960 --> 00:14:08,719 Speaker 1: up with you and they've got a great platform with 268 00:14:08,840 --> 00:14:12,200 Speaker 1: NBC Sports Networks, I think, really great, a huge boost 269 00:14:12,200 --> 00:14:14,720 Speaker 1: to the National Hockey League when when when that platform 270 00:14:14,800 --> 00:14:16,680 Speaker 1: was launched, do you see this as the same type 271 00:14:16,679 --> 00:14:19,960 Speaker 1: of opportunity for yourself in the Premier League? Definitely, Michael. 272 00:14:19,960 --> 00:14:23,120 Speaker 1: So we were out building the business back in seen 273 00:14:23,160 --> 00:14:25,400 Speaker 1: and having conversations with all of the major networks and 274 00:14:25,440 --> 00:14:28,200 Speaker 1: even the tech platforms as we weren't sure what Amazon, Apple, Facebook, 275 00:14:28,200 --> 00:14:30,280 Speaker 1: and Google we're gonna do with sports rights. But the 276 00:14:30,920 --> 00:14:34,000 Speaker 1: three that we were starting between we're NBC, ESPN, and 277 00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:39,880 Speaker 1: Amazon UM and NBC has a great reputation and track 278 00:14:39,920 --> 00:14:44,400 Speaker 1: record for taking either Nathan stage sports properties or you know, 279 00:14:44,560 --> 00:14:49,600 Speaker 1: reintroducing and revitalizing legacy leagues like the NHL UM and 280 00:14:49,640 --> 00:14:52,520 Speaker 1: so sitting with pepav Acuos, the president of NBC Sports, 281 00:14:52,520 --> 00:14:55,000 Speaker 1: and John Miller and the entire production team there, it 282 00:14:55,040 --> 00:14:56,520 Speaker 1: felt like a great fit at the time, and we 283 00:14:56,520 --> 00:14:59,520 Speaker 1: had a successful first year and then to your call out, 284 00:14:59,760 --> 00:15:04,040 Speaker 1: as we were trying to develop a solution that stood 285 00:15:04,040 --> 00:15:06,720 Speaker 1: in front of having to cancel the season, which is frankly, 286 00:15:06,760 --> 00:15:09,440 Speaker 1: in April, most of our leagues were looking at the 287 00:15:09,440 --> 00:15:13,200 Speaker 1: prime possibility of such. We were looking at the quarantine model, 288 00:15:13,280 --> 00:15:14,800 Speaker 1: we're looking at the health and safety, and then we 289 00:15:14,800 --> 00:15:17,040 Speaker 1: were looking at the time. And so end of July 290 00:15:17,080 --> 00:15:19,880 Speaker 1: in early August worked for two reasons. One, we knew 291 00:15:19,920 --> 00:15:23,080 Speaker 1: through the government relations team at the White House that 292 00:15:23,120 --> 00:15:25,960 Speaker 1: there would be point of care testing available nationwide by 293 00:15:25,960 --> 00:15:29,520 Speaker 1: the time middle of June came. We're continuing to see 294 00:15:29,680 --> 00:15:32,440 Speaker 1: testing improve on a day to day and the hundreds 295 00:15:32,440 --> 00:15:35,440 Speaker 1: of thousands, So that was helpful because no league wanted 296 00:15:35,480 --> 00:15:40,000 Speaker 1: to take tests for a symptomatic kind of protocol away 297 00:15:40,040 --> 00:15:42,920 Speaker 1: from symptomatic citizens in the country. So that was one. 298 00:15:42,960 --> 00:15:45,920 Speaker 1: And then two is that the Olympics were postponed one 299 00:15:46,000 --> 00:15:48,200 Speaker 1: and that same windows where we've landed, which was July 300 00:15:48,840 --> 00:15:52,240 Speaker 1: August nine. So we went proactively to Pete Pavacua and 301 00:15:52,320 --> 00:15:54,440 Speaker 1: his team and said, hey, if we can be the 302 00:15:54,440 --> 00:15:56,200 Speaker 1: first to call with the solution as you guys wait 303 00:15:56,240 --> 00:15:58,680 Speaker 1: for NASCAR and the NHL and the PGA Tour, can 304 00:15:58,720 --> 00:16:01,440 Speaker 1: you give us these windows and we'd basically like to 305 00:16:01,440 --> 00:16:04,880 Speaker 1: to shift our our June through September into that compact space. 306 00:16:04,920 --> 00:16:07,440 Speaker 1: So they did, and what we have is twenty games 307 00:16:07,440 --> 00:16:11,160 Speaker 1: in sixteen days. Fourteen of the twenty games are on television, 308 00:16:11,200 --> 00:16:14,040 Speaker 1: our first eight, our first two are on NBC, the 309 00:16:14,120 --> 00:16:17,160 Speaker 1: mother ship, the broadcast network. And so I know you 310 00:16:17,200 --> 00:16:19,800 Speaker 1: guys have talked about this a lot with reviewing startup 311 00:16:19,840 --> 00:16:21,840 Speaker 1: leaves like the XFL and a F and how the 312 00:16:21,920 --> 00:16:24,400 Speaker 1: ratings really boom when you're on broadcast network and back 313 00:16:24,440 --> 00:16:27,320 Speaker 1: to back games, and that's what we have in a 314 00:16:27,400 --> 00:16:30,840 Speaker 1: in a really concentrated model. All Right, We're going to 315 00:16:30,920 --> 00:16:34,760 Speaker 1: continue our conversation with Premier Lacrosse League co founder Paul 316 00:16:34,920 --> 00:16:37,800 Speaker 1: Rabel much more on what it's gonna be like in 317 00:16:37,840 --> 00:16:40,720 Speaker 1: the bubble, the implications as we've been talking about for 318 00:16:40,920 --> 00:16:44,040 Speaker 1: the sport of lacrosse. It's a pivotal moment in many ways. 319 00:16:44,080 --> 00:16:46,600 Speaker 1: That's all straight ahead on Bloomberg Business of Sports. I'm 320 00:16:46,680 --> 00:16:49,160 Speaker 1: Jason Kelly. Find me on Twitter at Jason Kelly News 321 00:16:49,440 --> 00:16:53,040 Speaker 1: and Michael Barr on Twitter at Big Bar Sports and 322 00:16:53,280 --> 00:16:55,320 Speaker 1: Mike Lynch you can find me at Lynch e w 323 00:16:55,560 --> 00:16:58,520 Speaker 1: CVB and download the show to here even more of 324 00:16:58,520 --> 00:17:01,320 Speaker 1: this interview with Paul Rabel. It's our extended version. Catch 325 00:17:01,360 --> 00:17:03,520 Speaker 1: that wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks so much for 326 00:17:03,600 --> 00:17:05,800 Speaker 1: joining us. I'm Jason Kelly. We're here each and every 327 00:17:05,840 --> 00:17:08,159 Speaker 1: week for you. At the same time talking to the 328 00:17:08,160 --> 00:17:11,879 Speaker 1: biggest names in sports alongside me, Mike Lynch and Michael 329 00:17:11,920 --> 00:17:17,199 Speaker 1: Barr and via phone in Utah getting ready for the 330 00:17:17,240 --> 00:17:19,960 Speaker 1: tournament that starts next week into training camp Paul Rabel, 331 00:17:20,040 --> 00:17:23,320 Speaker 1: co founder of the Premier Lacrosse League. So, Paul, I 332 00:17:23,359 --> 00:17:26,960 Speaker 1: feel like every time we talk, every time I check 333 00:17:27,000 --> 00:17:30,360 Speaker 1: you out on Twitter, you've got a deal and uh 334 00:17:30,400 --> 00:17:34,600 Speaker 1: a deal announced today. We're speaking on Thursday, ahead of 335 00:17:34,600 --> 00:17:40,000 Speaker 1: the weekend DraftKings. Right. Yeah, we're really excited about this 336 00:17:40,080 --> 00:17:42,720 Speaker 1: partnership for a couple of reasons. One, when we set 337 00:17:42,720 --> 00:17:45,080 Speaker 1: out and built the league, we knew that it would 338 00:17:45,080 --> 00:17:47,119 Speaker 1: be paramount that we capture a network deal, which we 339 00:17:47,160 --> 00:17:50,040 Speaker 1: talked about in the previous segment with NBC, and that too, 340 00:17:50,160 --> 00:17:53,280 Speaker 1: when you think about commercialization and even just kind of 341 00:17:53,280 --> 00:17:55,480 Speaker 1: like the ability to capture net new fans, it comes 342 00:17:55,480 --> 00:17:57,320 Speaker 1: down to sports betting. We've seen it in Europe for 343 00:17:57,400 --> 00:17:59,560 Speaker 1: decades and now we're seeing it more in the US 344 00:17:59,680 --> 00:18:02,200 Speaker 1: as national governance has been pushed over to the state 345 00:18:02,359 --> 00:18:04,520 Speaker 1: from the legislation level, and we have twenty two states 346 00:18:04,520 --> 00:18:06,919 Speaker 1: that have legalized it, another dozen that are continuing to 347 00:18:06,960 --> 00:18:09,800 Speaker 1: push try to push bills through, so out of the 348 00:18:09,840 --> 00:18:11,879 Speaker 1: gates before we've been played our first season, we were 349 00:18:11,880 --> 00:18:15,840 Speaker 1: sitting down with regulators um in gaming regulators to try 350 00:18:15,880 --> 00:18:18,560 Speaker 1: to figure out the process, and we brought on Sarah Slane. 351 00:18:18,640 --> 00:18:22,080 Speaker 1: Sarah Slane, who's um you know in a well known 352 00:18:22,119 --> 00:18:25,280 Speaker 1: advisor in in UH in the betting community, and we 353 00:18:25,320 --> 00:18:26,920 Speaker 1: were able to turn it on this offseason and I 354 00:18:26,960 --> 00:18:29,439 Speaker 1: think it was a biproduct or silver lining even of 355 00:18:29,600 --> 00:18:32,560 Speaker 1: the global pandemic where all sports were shut down and 356 00:18:32,680 --> 00:18:35,160 Speaker 1: all of a sudden, you're gaming operators didn't have anything 357 00:18:35,240 --> 00:18:38,040 Speaker 1: to play in market, so they are more receptive to 358 00:18:38,080 --> 00:18:41,640 Speaker 1: having expedited conversations. We flipped it on in May. Then 359 00:18:41,680 --> 00:18:45,200 Speaker 1: we began the conversations around the official sports setting partner. 360 00:18:45,520 --> 00:18:47,879 Speaker 1: DraftKings was a great fit for us because they have 361 00:18:48,560 --> 00:18:51,800 Speaker 1: the market share over all the competitors. I love the 362 00:18:52,160 --> 00:18:55,439 Speaker 1: technology um they have the ability to not only offer 363 00:18:55,920 --> 00:18:59,680 Speaker 1: live markets, the big three markets, prop markets, but also 364 00:18:59,720 --> 00:19:02,119 Speaker 1: that the early fantasy, so as we continue to build 365 00:19:02,119 --> 00:19:06,240 Speaker 1: our relationship with DraftKings beyond year one. Um, I would 366 00:19:06,240 --> 00:19:08,840 Speaker 1: look for the plow to really stand out, and I 367 00:19:08,880 --> 00:19:12,320 Speaker 1: think this initiative help us capture more fans. No, you 368 00:19:12,359 --> 00:19:14,320 Speaker 1: know how I feel about gambling. It was one of 369 00:19:14,320 --> 00:19:21,880 Speaker 1: my major food groups, so it must be something special 370 00:19:21,960 --> 00:19:25,879 Speaker 1: because I think outside of baseball, you guys are going 371 00:19:25,920 --> 00:19:28,680 Speaker 1: to be yet and uh, and you guys pretty much 372 00:19:28,720 --> 00:19:33,080 Speaker 1: have the market. Uh, we're trying to get people to gambla. 373 00:19:33,160 --> 00:19:36,600 Speaker 1: I'm sure a lot of casinos are happy about that too, 374 00:19:36,640 --> 00:19:39,359 Speaker 1: because they've been losing money in the past. So you 375 00:19:39,359 --> 00:19:41,080 Speaker 1: guys kind of have an open field here if you 376 00:19:41,080 --> 00:19:44,640 Speaker 1: give the punt. Yeah, yeah, that's a great fun. Uh. 377 00:19:44,680 --> 00:19:46,639 Speaker 1: You know that the number of the sport that was 378 00:19:46,680 --> 00:19:49,080 Speaker 1: being bet on the most um in April and May 379 00:19:49,240 --> 00:19:51,800 Speaker 1: was like Russian ping pong, I believe was something like that. 380 00:19:51,960 --> 00:19:54,800 Speaker 1: So um yeah, people are always fine, and they were 381 00:19:54,840 --> 00:19:57,240 Speaker 1: betting on the sports, and people are always trying to 382 00:19:57,240 --> 00:20:01,520 Speaker 1: find a way to incentivize their life. Agramming viewership. You know, 383 00:20:01,800 --> 00:20:05,199 Speaker 1: a comedians historically have said if you can't bet on it, 384 00:20:05,200 --> 00:20:07,840 Speaker 1: it's not a sport. So I remember us thinking about 385 00:20:07,840 --> 00:20:10,760 Speaker 1: that quite regularly, and uh, and I believe in some 386 00:20:10,800 --> 00:20:13,560 Speaker 1: cases there's some truth to your kind of your your 387 00:20:13,640 --> 00:20:16,200 Speaker 1: your general sports fan who may be more passive around 388 00:20:16,200 --> 00:20:19,480 Speaker 1: allegiance to a particular game. So we're excited about it. 389 00:20:19,520 --> 00:20:22,080 Speaker 1: And I think it actually works really well with this model, 390 00:20:22,160 --> 00:20:25,000 Speaker 1: given that we have a tournament. So our style of 391 00:20:25,040 --> 00:20:27,359 Speaker 1: tournament is much like a World Cup, where the first 392 00:20:27,359 --> 00:20:30,760 Speaker 1: week is group play, each team plays each other for seating, 393 00:20:30,800 --> 00:20:33,600 Speaker 1: and then the second week is single elimination tournament, so 394 00:20:33,800 --> 00:20:36,840 Speaker 1: much like a March Madness, twenty games in sixteen days. 395 00:20:37,119 --> 00:20:39,720 Speaker 1: You're jumping in it your following day to day, so 396 00:20:39,800 --> 00:20:41,800 Speaker 1: you're more likely to quickly learn as you bet. And 397 00:20:41,840 --> 00:20:44,919 Speaker 1: I think it's it's a perfect match. Well, you have 398 00:20:45,000 --> 00:20:48,040 Speaker 1: the dual role of being a player and also the 399 00:20:48,200 --> 00:20:50,320 Speaker 1: co founder of the league. For lack of a better term, 400 00:20:50,359 --> 00:20:52,639 Speaker 1: I'm gonna call you the commissioner of the league, as 401 00:20:54,880 --> 00:20:59,640 Speaker 1: I'm trying to across. Would argue with that, but yeah, 402 00:20:59,720 --> 00:21:03,240 Speaker 1: that's I'm trying to visualize Roger Goodell playing like middle 403 00:21:03,280 --> 00:21:06,000 Speaker 1: linebacker for the Green Bay Packers and also being commissioner 404 00:21:06,040 --> 00:21:09,240 Speaker 1: of the National Football League. How do you how do 405 00:21:09,280 --> 00:21:12,840 Speaker 1: you split your time stay in shape. Uh, stay at 406 00:21:12,840 --> 00:21:15,600 Speaker 1: the top of the level of your performance and also 407 00:21:16,320 --> 00:21:19,360 Speaker 1: run the league. Yeah, well you have to be robotic, 408 00:21:19,480 --> 00:21:23,600 Speaker 1: which uh, you know can be unhealthy personally. UM, but 409 00:21:23,800 --> 00:21:25,720 Speaker 1: you know this is uh. I'm in the middle of 410 00:21:25,760 --> 00:21:28,479 Speaker 1: a kind of I suppose middle aged sprint in my career, 411 00:21:28,800 --> 00:21:32,800 Speaker 1: and I enjoy thoroughly the business side as I do 412 00:21:33,000 --> 00:21:36,480 Speaker 1: the the competitive side. UM. I think a lot about 413 00:21:36,800 --> 00:21:40,920 Speaker 1: kind of the sport that has successfully commercialized and professionalized 414 00:21:40,920 --> 00:21:43,280 Speaker 1: outside of the Big Four of the last fifteen years, 415 00:21:43,280 --> 00:21:46,240 Speaker 1: and it's UFC. And when people often ask me like, hey, 416 00:21:46,280 --> 00:21:49,480 Speaker 1: what are you trying to do with the PLLO, I go, 417 00:21:49,600 --> 00:21:51,640 Speaker 1: exactly what the UFC did to m m A. They 418 00:21:51,680 --> 00:21:54,679 Speaker 1: professionalized and commercialized that these new tech, new media, They 419 00:21:54,680 --> 00:21:56,480 Speaker 1: told the stories of their athletes, and they built a 420 00:21:56,480 --> 00:21:58,520 Speaker 1: major business. And that's what we're trying to do with across. 421 00:21:58,560 --> 00:22:01,520 Speaker 1: It's been around for centuries, played by Native Americans, and 422 00:22:01,960 --> 00:22:04,320 Speaker 1: I think as it's as it's made its way through 423 00:22:04,359 --> 00:22:06,480 Speaker 1: the n C Double A and now internationally with sixty 424 00:22:06,520 --> 00:22:09,119 Speaker 1: three countries, like this sport has product market fit. It 425 00:22:09,240 --> 00:22:13,000 Speaker 1: just needed professionalism and the commercial opportunity that that's brought 426 00:22:13,000 --> 00:22:16,840 Speaker 1: to market by hard operators. Now for me, we have 427 00:22:16,960 --> 00:22:19,879 Speaker 1: a number of policies in place, so we have bifurcated 428 00:22:19,880 --> 00:22:22,040 Speaker 1: the organization. We have our lacrosse Ops. So I mentioned 429 00:22:22,080 --> 00:22:25,760 Speaker 1: our VP of Ops and VP of Lacrosse Ops, Rob Sanzilo. 430 00:22:25,880 --> 00:22:29,080 Speaker 1: He basically runs all player relations and the ins and 431 00:22:29,080 --> 00:22:32,000 Speaker 1: outs of leaves overseas officials. And as part of our 432 00:22:32,080 --> 00:22:36,080 Speaker 1: betting relationship, not only as I mentioned regulators, but a 433 00:22:36,200 --> 00:22:37,760 Speaker 1: g O s as, we had to work with an 434 00:22:37,760 --> 00:22:41,360 Speaker 1: integrity services provider so that they felt confident in green 435 00:22:41,440 --> 00:22:45,200 Speaker 1: lighting a partnership, and that is Genius Sports. So integrity 436 00:22:45,240 --> 00:22:49,120 Speaker 1: services hover over me. Um are our lacrosse ops team 437 00:22:49,160 --> 00:22:51,840 Speaker 1: hovers over me. I try to break off every day 438 00:22:51,840 --> 00:22:54,160 Speaker 1: for a couple of hours to train. And I think, 439 00:22:54,400 --> 00:22:57,480 Speaker 1: going back to UFC analogy, what Dana White has done 440 00:22:57,520 --> 00:22:59,840 Speaker 1: as the face of the UFC, much like Joe Rogan, 441 00:23:00,040 --> 00:23:02,879 Speaker 1: to drive attention. The only difference is I try to 442 00:23:02,880 --> 00:23:05,080 Speaker 1: think about social the way they do. The only difference 443 00:23:05,119 --> 00:23:09,320 Speaker 1: in outside of the way we perhaps communicate UH is 444 00:23:09,320 --> 00:23:11,119 Speaker 1: is that they're not in the afaghon and I'm on 445 00:23:11,160 --> 00:23:13,480 Speaker 1: the field. But I think we're seeing a modern age 446 00:23:13,520 --> 00:23:16,320 Speaker 1: of like the entrepreneurs just being in front of the 447 00:23:16,359 --> 00:23:18,960 Speaker 1: camera as much as the talent or athletes. We're gonna 448 00:23:18,960 --> 00:23:22,120 Speaker 1: continue this conversation with Paul Rabel, of course, Premier Lacrosse 449 00:23:22,200 --> 00:23:24,560 Speaker 1: League co founder and as Lynch you just pointed out, 450 00:23:24,600 --> 00:23:27,439 Speaker 1: also one of the league's top players straight ahead on 451 00:23:27,480 --> 00:23:30,520 Speaker 1: Bloomberg Business of Sports. I'm Jason Kelly on Twitter at 452 00:23:30,600 --> 00:23:34,360 Speaker 1: Jason Kelly News, Michael Barr on Twitter at Big Bar Sports, 453 00:23:34,880 --> 00:23:36,560 Speaker 1: and now Mike Lynch. You can find me at Lynch 454 00:23:36,800 --> 00:23:39,600 Speaker 1: w CVB and download the show to here even more 455 00:23:39,640 --> 00:23:42,639 Speaker 1: of this interview, it's our extended version. Catch that wherever 456 00:23:42,640 --> 00:23:44,840 Speaker 1: you get your podcast. Thanks so much for joining us. 457 00:23:44,880 --> 00:23:47,400 Speaker 1: I'm Jason Kelly along with Mike Lynch and Michael bart 458 00:23:47,520 --> 00:23:51,280 Speaker 1: Let's continue our conversation with Premier Lacrosse League co founder 459 00:23:51,680 --> 00:23:56,200 Speaker 1: and player Paul Rabel. So pr you know, it's interesting 460 00:23:56,280 --> 00:23:59,600 Speaker 1: you mentioned in an earlier part of our conversation the 461 00:23:59,680 --> 00:24:04,440 Speaker 1: social strategy. I feel like anybody who is watching your 462 00:24:04,520 --> 00:24:07,520 Speaker 1: league and has watched it either through the eyes of 463 00:24:07,800 --> 00:24:11,679 Speaker 1: a journalist, through the eyes of a business person, and 464 00:24:11,760 --> 00:24:14,800 Speaker 1: maybe most importantly, through the eyes of a fan, your 465 00:24:15,480 --> 00:24:19,480 Speaker 1: social strategy has been comprehensive, to say the least. I've 466 00:24:19,480 --> 00:24:21,840 Speaker 1: had the pleasure of going to your office. Is I 467 00:24:21,840 --> 00:24:24,040 Speaker 1: mean you have teams and teams and teams of people 468 00:24:24,600 --> 00:24:30,560 Speaker 1: who are really focused on that. Why what have you 469 00:24:30,680 --> 00:24:34,159 Speaker 1: learned about social media in terms of driving the narrative 470 00:24:34,200 --> 00:24:37,040 Speaker 1: around this league? Yeah? Well I think this is the 471 00:24:37,040 --> 00:24:42,680 Speaker 1: longer segment, right, So, yeah, a lot of discuss I 472 00:24:43,119 --> 00:24:45,720 Speaker 1: think at a at a macro level, though, the reason 473 00:24:45,760 --> 00:24:51,440 Speaker 1: why we're seeing more intelligent and kind of robust capital 474 00:24:51,520 --> 00:24:56,280 Speaker 1: poor into sport is that decades ago it was widely 475 00:24:56,280 --> 00:25:00,320 Speaker 1: considered a vanity play for retired billionaires. Now we're seeing 476 00:25:01,280 --> 00:25:05,720 Speaker 1: venture capitalists and private equity shops starting to come into 477 00:25:05,760 --> 00:25:08,679 Speaker 1: sports because of its enterprise value. And what I was 478 00:25:08,680 --> 00:25:12,560 Speaker 1: thinking through recently Jason is um you know, as we've 479 00:25:12,640 --> 00:25:17,000 Speaker 1: seen the proliferation of social media, and I think the 480 00:25:18,000 --> 00:25:20,879 Speaker 1: role reversal of how to view a publicly traded company 481 00:25:20,960 --> 00:25:23,440 Speaker 1: due to what Amazon has done and taking their profits 482 00:25:23,440 --> 00:25:27,280 Speaker 1: and reinvesting them into further growth, and that's shifting kind 483 00:25:27,320 --> 00:25:30,600 Speaker 1: of the dividend structure of what traditional shareholders look for 484 00:25:30,800 --> 00:25:35,679 Speaker 1: yet still seeing skyrocketing valuations. Is that a lot of 485 00:25:35,680 --> 00:25:39,720 Speaker 1: people are trading on attention, and attention is the most 486 00:25:39,760 --> 00:25:42,800 Speaker 1: important thing that a business can capture. We used to 487 00:25:42,880 --> 00:25:46,400 Speaker 1: build products first and then go find the audience. Now 488 00:25:46,400 --> 00:25:49,480 Speaker 1: we create an audience and then sell a product. And 489 00:25:49,520 --> 00:25:53,720 Speaker 1: in sports, there's no better way to build fandom and 490 00:25:53,800 --> 00:25:58,000 Speaker 1: community than than competitive play that has been around for 491 00:25:58,200 --> 00:26:01,919 Speaker 1: centuries and going back to the way that you engage 492 00:26:01,920 --> 00:26:05,439 Speaker 1: your audience and I think with modern tools like social media. 493 00:26:05,520 --> 00:26:09,280 Speaker 1: When we accepted the p L, it was very much 494 00:26:09,320 --> 00:26:12,400 Speaker 1: around the lines of, Hey, the most important thing is 495 00:26:12,400 --> 00:26:14,960 Speaker 1: is our public calms, and that's going to live in 496 00:26:14,960 --> 00:26:17,320 Speaker 1: in three areas. It's gonna it's going to be your 497 00:26:17,359 --> 00:26:20,280 Speaker 1: traditional calm. So how are we approaching press, how are 498 00:26:20,280 --> 00:26:22,919 Speaker 1: we telling our story. It's going to be in the 499 00:26:23,000 --> 00:26:25,600 Speaker 1: distribution of our games with our network partner like NBC, 500 00:26:25,760 --> 00:26:29,440 Speaker 1: and then regularly up to our control, in our direction 501 00:26:29,480 --> 00:26:32,720 Speaker 1: and our strategic and sophisticated insight. How we're going to 502 00:26:32,800 --> 00:26:37,000 Speaker 1: communicate through all social media platforms with our fans, and 503 00:26:37,000 --> 00:26:39,920 Speaker 1: how are we going to grow that audience and all 504 00:26:39,960 --> 00:26:42,080 Speaker 1: of the business and the revenue streams we've talked about 505 00:26:42,080 --> 00:26:44,840 Speaker 1: and we can continue to talk about. I think come 506 00:26:44,920 --> 00:26:48,119 Speaker 1: back to your content and why we're living in this 507 00:26:48,240 --> 00:26:51,480 Speaker 1: content to commerce age, and that's why it's so important 508 00:26:51,520 --> 00:26:53,600 Speaker 1: to us, and I think it's equally as important to 509 00:26:53,640 --> 00:26:56,760 Speaker 1: the fan that they get action packed content on their 510 00:26:56,760 --> 00:27:00,399 Speaker 1: mobile device. So it's it's very, uh, very centered a stick. 511 00:27:01,600 --> 00:27:05,240 Speaker 1: One thing I worry about in this COVID nineteen world 512 00:27:05,359 --> 00:27:10,400 Speaker 1: that we're in today involves youth participation and youth sports. 513 00:27:11,359 --> 00:27:15,680 Speaker 1: How do we navigate through something like this to encourage 514 00:27:16,119 --> 00:27:20,080 Speaker 1: more youth players into lacrosse or any other sport for 515 00:27:20,080 --> 00:27:24,000 Speaker 1: that matter. Yeah, that's that's a great question, Michael. So 516 00:27:24,160 --> 00:27:28,920 Speaker 1: I think about lacrosse and the barriers to enter and 517 00:27:29,240 --> 00:27:31,359 Speaker 1: when I was first introduced to the game, when I 518 00:27:31,359 --> 00:27:33,760 Speaker 1: was twelve years old, I was playing rep sports and 519 00:27:33,840 --> 00:27:36,480 Speaker 1: my neighbor gave me his backup stick, and then we 520 00:27:36,480 --> 00:27:38,520 Speaker 1: were able to get back up equipment for my cousin 521 00:27:38,640 --> 00:27:40,440 Speaker 1: who had walked onto a team and he was much 522 00:27:40,440 --> 00:27:43,240 Speaker 1: older than me, and we would go to play it 523 00:27:43,240 --> 00:27:45,679 Speaker 1: against sports and that's how I was because much like 524 00:27:45,760 --> 00:27:48,000 Speaker 1: hockey and golf, it's it's an expensive sport to play 525 00:27:48,040 --> 00:27:50,480 Speaker 1: with all the equipment. And then I think about football 526 00:27:50,720 --> 00:27:53,399 Speaker 1: and footballs and equipment sports. So so why did that 527 00:27:53,440 --> 00:27:56,840 Speaker 1: take off at the youth level, and because the equipment 528 00:27:56,880 --> 00:27:59,840 Speaker 1: was subsidized locally and and I think even at a 529 00:28:00,280 --> 00:28:05,120 Speaker 1: and state level depending on the jurisdiction for wreck football, 530 00:28:05,560 --> 00:28:07,919 Speaker 1: and that hasn't been the kids through their sports. And 531 00:28:07,680 --> 00:28:10,560 Speaker 1: I thought about it with our strategy team around how 532 00:28:10,600 --> 00:28:12,760 Speaker 1: we can engage not only our m g B, which 533 00:28:12,760 --> 00:28:15,480 Speaker 1: is the US Lacrosse and even the U s o 534 00:28:15,560 --> 00:28:17,800 Speaker 1: C now that we have provisional recognition and others to 535 00:28:17,920 --> 00:28:22,359 Speaker 1: think about youth participation differently. Um. Now there there's like 536 00:28:22,400 --> 00:28:25,240 Speaker 1: health and safety around youth equipment and such, and especially 537 00:28:25,400 --> 00:28:28,560 Speaker 1: as we see this global pandemic around the spread of germs. 538 00:28:28,600 --> 00:28:31,480 Speaker 1: But um, you know the biggest barriers for for youth 539 00:28:31,520 --> 00:28:34,560 Speaker 1: participation in an equipment sport, it's the cost of goods. 540 00:28:34,600 --> 00:28:37,560 Speaker 1: So so that's number one. And then number two I 541 00:28:37,600 --> 00:28:41,880 Speaker 1: think is prevalent for all sports is coaching. And we've 542 00:28:41,920 --> 00:28:46,480 Speaker 1: seen a slow rise that and I say slow and 543 00:28:46,560 --> 00:28:48,440 Speaker 1: some of us make think it as fast. Of the MLS, 544 00:28:48,520 --> 00:28:50,840 Speaker 1: they've been around for twenty cross plus years. They have 545 00:28:50,960 --> 00:28:53,800 Speaker 1: the back of the of the global game in the 546 00:28:53,800 --> 00:28:56,560 Speaker 1: World Cup in particular, which was the canary in the 547 00:28:56,600 --> 00:28:59,600 Speaker 1: coal mine opportunity for some in a positive way when 548 00:28:59,600 --> 00:29:02,280 Speaker 1: they are the rights of the World Cup. Um, and 549 00:29:02,760 --> 00:29:06,480 Speaker 1: for domestic rights and broadcast rights, and that game is huge, right, 550 00:29:06,480 --> 00:29:10,280 Speaker 1: There's four billion people that play soccer. But the coaching 551 00:29:10,320 --> 00:29:13,960 Speaker 1: in the US, despite our athletes, has widely been considered 552 00:29:14,000 --> 00:29:17,320 Speaker 1: the deficit in competition at the international level. So there's 553 00:29:17,360 --> 00:29:19,720 Speaker 1: coaching that can help, not only from a skill acquisition 554 00:29:19,800 --> 00:29:22,800 Speaker 1: but coaching from a mentorship standpoint. And I think is 555 00:29:22,840 --> 00:29:27,520 Speaker 1: as as we see not only the the uh kind 556 00:29:27,520 --> 00:29:30,000 Speaker 1: of the other kind of larger I think more important 557 00:29:30,560 --> 00:29:33,440 Speaker 1: UH takeaway from the last three and a half months 558 00:29:33,520 --> 00:29:38,120 Speaker 1: around the Black Lives Matter movement and social good and 559 00:29:38,160 --> 00:29:41,320 Speaker 1: facing social injustices and looking at sport as a vehicle 560 00:29:41,400 --> 00:29:45,240 Speaker 1: to uh talk about but also educate and and and 561 00:29:45,480 --> 00:29:49,080 Speaker 1: lead to further change. As Nelson Mandela would often say, Uh, 562 00:29:49,120 --> 00:29:51,680 Speaker 1: it starts with good coaching. So coaching is not only 563 00:29:51,720 --> 00:29:54,640 Speaker 1: just about skill acquisition, but it's also about good mentorship 564 00:29:54,680 --> 00:29:57,480 Speaker 1: and leadership outside the home. UM. So when I think 565 00:29:57,480 --> 00:29:59,480 Speaker 1: about you sports, that that those are the two things 566 00:29:59,480 --> 00:30:01,720 Speaker 1: that come to my in ways that the PLO hopefully 567 00:30:01,720 --> 00:30:05,120 Speaker 1: can can further impact our game. Tell me about your 568 00:30:05,160 --> 00:30:08,080 Speaker 1: foundation and where where are the tentacles of this foundation 569 00:30:08,320 --> 00:30:14,880 Speaker 1: uh most prevalent? Yeah, So I started the Rabel Foundation 570 00:30:15,120 --> 00:30:18,520 Speaker 1: back in two thousand eleven, and it was when I 571 00:30:18,600 --> 00:30:22,200 Speaker 1: was really excelling in my career professionally and building a 572 00:30:22,280 --> 00:30:25,800 Speaker 1: number of social media platforms that were generating audiences that 573 00:30:25,880 --> 00:30:28,360 Speaker 1: I could communicate with and share my story with. And 574 00:30:28,720 --> 00:30:30,880 Speaker 1: that story was that I grew up with learning differences. 575 00:30:30,920 --> 00:30:33,600 Speaker 1: Sport was really impactful for me to help me get 576 00:30:33,640 --> 00:30:37,520 Speaker 1: through lower confidence thresholds in the classroom, UM and and 577 00:30:37,560 --> 00:30:40,320 Speaker 1: teach me a lot of life lessons. And as I 578 00:30:40,400 --> 00:30:42,800 Speaker 1: kind of reflected back through my life and the life 579 00:30:42,800 --> 00:30:45,160 Speaker 1: of those that are close to me that also experienced 580 00:30:45,200 --> 00:30:49,480 Speaker 1: similar learning difference challenges, is that, UM, you know, without Sport, 581 00:30:50,400 --> 00:30:53,240 Speaker 1: I'm not sure where I would be. So we first 582 00:30:53,240 --> 00:30:58,480 Speaker 1: started the foundation to help assist students with specific learning differences, 583 00:30:58,520 --> 00:31:02,320 Speaker 1: in particular dyslexia. UM. And there's some nuance there because 584 00:31:02,400 --> 00:31:06,160 Speaker 1: it's it's legislated again at the state level of public 585 00:31:06,240 --> 00:31:13,240 Speaker 1: school education that can UH specifically tutor UH different learning 586 00:31:13,280 --> 00:31:16,880 Speaker 1: differences and and actually like shifted the classroom model based 587 00:31:16,880 --> 00:31:19,360 Speaker 1: on the learning difference versus just putting all learning learning 588 00:31:19,360 --> 00:31:22,080 Speaker 1: difference students in one classroom. So what that often leads 589 00:31:22,120 --> 00:31:26,320 Speaker 1: to is families having to seek private education that helps 590 00:31:26,360 --> 00:31:29,800 Speaker 1: with a bespoke learning model due to something like dyslexia. 591 00:31:30,120 --> 00:31:33,800 Speaker 1: So we started a scholarship fund to aid in that process. 592 00:31:33,880 --> 00:31:35,640 Speaker 1: And then off the back of it was my personal 593 00:31:35,680 --> 00:31:39,680 Speaker 1: experience in lacrosse, so we helped build a cross programs there. Um, 594 00:31:39,760 --> 00:31:42,280 Speaker 1: you know, kind of the interesting tie in and back 595 00:31:42,280 --> 00:31:46,320 Speaker 1: to the polls. Annually we host a fundraiser which generates 596 00:31:46,360 --> 00:31:49,520 Speaker 1: most of our proceeds that go back to our school partners. Uh. 597 00:31:49,640 --> 00:31:54,080 Speaker 1: That was scheduled from March twelve, and on March eleventh, 598 00:31:54,240 --> 00:31:57,760 Speaker 1: I believe the World Health Organization announced the global pandemic 599 00:31:58,120 --> 00:31:59,640 Speaker 1: that's in the n C double A cancel the spring 600 00:31:59,680 --> 00:32:02,880 Speaker 1: season in the NBA and definitely canceled their season. Um, 601 00:32:02,960 --> 00:32:05,120 Speaker 1: and we had to then postpone our event, and I 602 00:32:05,160 --> 00:32:06,960 Speaker 1: was caught in New York. I've put my flight to 603 00:32:07,080 --> 00:32:10,040 Speaker 1: l A and I've been in l A since rebuilding 604 00:32:10,080 --> 00:32:14,720 Speaker 1: the PLS model. And so, Paul, I do wonder, you know, 605 00:32:14,760 --> 00:32:18,440 Speaker 1: as we wrap up this conversation from a personal perspective, 606 00:32:18,640 --> 00:32:21,360 Speaker 1: you know, as an athlete, as an entrepreneur, I mean, 607 00:32:21,480 --> 00:32:24,560 Speaker 1: how has this all been for you? And I asked 608 00:32:24,600 --> 00:32:28,040 Speaker 1: it in from two fronts. I mean one, as you know, 609 00:32:28,120 --> 00:32:31,400 Speaker 1: someone who is running a league, helping helping run a 610 00:32:31,480 --> 00:32:35,400 Speaker 1: league amid a global pandemic. But I also know from 611 00:32:35,400 --> 00:32:38,840 Speaker 1: getting to know you over the years, you are extremely 612 00:32:40,360 --> 00:32:44,320 Speaker 1: it is extremely important big issues around social justice. As 613 00:32:44,400 --> 00:32:48,360 Speaker 1: you've alluded to, I do wonder, uh, what you've been 614 00:32:48,360 --> 00:32:52,440 Speaker 1: thinking and feeling over the last couple of months. Yeah, well, 615 00:32:52,440 --> 00:32:56,560 Speaker 1: it's really hard. It's it's fulfilling to be able to 616 00:32:56,600 --> 00:33:00,480 Speaker 1: work alongside someone as uh as talent did as my 617 00:33:00,520 --> 00:33:03,160 Speaker 1: older brothers our CEO, and has as much experience as 618 00:33:03,200 --> 00:33:07,400 Speaker 1: he does. Because I feel myself growing with my business 619 00:33:07,440 --> 00:33:10,720 Speaker 1: experience and business acumen on a day to day and 620 00:33:10,720 --> 00:33:14,560 Speaker 1: and that and that kind of leans toward business management 621 00:33:14,560 --> 00:33:18,600 Speaker 1: and quality process management. And that's exciting because that's very 622 00:33:18,600 --> 00:33:23,360 Speaker 1: similar to sport coaching and leadership. Um And I mentioned 623 00:33:23,360 --> 00:33:26,160 Speaker 1: Nelson Mandela earlier, who's you know, kind of famously one 624 00:33:26,160 --> 00:33:28,120 Speaker 1: of my favorite quotes. Sports has the power to change 625 00:33:28,160 --> 00:33:31,760 Speaker 1: the world. Um. As we've talked about social media and 626 00:33:31,840 --> 00:33:34,480 Speaker 1: kind of the growth of the athlete brand uniquely in 627 00:33:34,520 --> 00:33:37,960 Speaker 1: the voice of the athlete being recognized far beyond shut 628 00:33:38,040 --> 00:33:41,240 Speaker 1: up in tribble? Is uh, is that worth at this 629 00:33:41,520 --> 00:33:44,640 Speaker 1: really unique intersection that that Nelson Mandel, I think would 630 00:33:44,680 --> 00:33:49,680 Speaker 1: have appreciated even more and that sport can influence change, 631 00:33:49,880 --> 00:33:52,920 Speaker 1: and sport and athletes should be able to stand for 632 00:33:52,960 --> 00:33:57,320 Speaker 1: what they believe in and uh, fans should be able 633 00:33:57,360 --> 00:34:00,920 Speaker 1: to bifurcate that should they want to and just focus 634 00:34:00,960 --> 00:34:04,280 Speaker 1: on watching competitive play or also feel inspired to listen 635 00:34:04,520 --> 00:34:07,920 Speaker 1: or even dissent. And I think for a long time, 636 00:34:07,960 --> 00:34:11,239 Speaker 1: sport has been uh kind of proportioned as as a 637 00:34:11,280 --> 00:34:14,719 Speaker 1: circus or like kind of entertainment theater and uh and 638 00:34:14,840 --> 00:34:17,200 Speaker 1: just like we're saying an entertainment seeing an entertainment theater 639 00:34:17,320 --> 00:34:20,520 Speaker 1: and celebrities around the world is like they have platforms 640 00:34:20,560 --> 00:34:22,440 Speaker 1: and there are people to that want to talk about 641 00:34:22,440 --> 00:34:25,120 Speaker 1: things that are important to them. And for us having 642 00:34:25,280 --> 00:34:27,560 Speaker 1: black players in our league, having a lot of black 643 00:34:27,640 --> 00:34:30,480 Speaker 1: lacrosse players across the world, and black athletes and the 644 00:34:30,480 --> 00:34:33,760 Speaker 1: black communities, I think it's really important that as leaders 645 00:34:33,840 --> 00:34:38,720 Speaker 1: in sport that we acknowledge, um, not only the movement 646 00:34:38,760 --> 00:34:41,560 Speaker 1: that has taken place, but uh, you know, kind of 647 00:34:41,560 --> 00:34:43,920 Speaker 1: the gut wrenching moments that have existed in our country 648 00:34:43,960 --> 00:34:47,640 Speaker 1: for over four hundred for four centuries and uh, and 649 00:34:47,719 --> 00:34:52,239 Speaker 1: I think the ability to build a voice and have 650 00:34:52,320 --> 00:34:55,440 Speaker 1: a platform and communicate with an audience. Also means that 651 00:34:55,520 --> 00:34:59,640 Speaker 1: you should do so respectfully and with courage and UM, 652 00:34:59,760 --> 00:35:02,960 Speaker 1: and I think be comfortable and allowed to to speak 653 00:35:02,960 --> 00:35:05,520 Speaker 1: your truth. Now, going back to the last thing I'll 654 00:35:05,520 --> 00:35:08,960 Speaker 1: say is going back to our our conversation around me 655 00:35:09,040 --> 00:35:11,480 Speaker 1: being a co founder and an athlete. Is one thing 656 00:35:11,480 --> 00:35:15,400 Speaker 1: that I struggle with is I have personal views and 657 00:35:15,640 --> 00:35:20,120 Speaker 1: I share those often on my social um and a 658 00:35:20,200 --> 00:35:23,240 Speaker 1: lot of and that's unique because there's no other sports 659 00:35:23,320 --> 00:35:26,759 Speaker 1: league that that athletes also is a co founder in 660 00:35:26,760 --> 00:35:29,279 Speaker 1: the league. Like you don't see Adam Silver or Roger 661 00:35:29,320 --> 00:35:33,239 Speaker 1: Goodell tweeting or posting on Instagram about black lives matter 662 00:35:33,719 --> 00:35:37,400 Speaker 1: and uh, and I think like the that impacts the 663 00:35:37,440 --> 00:35:40,879 Speaker 1: public perception from a number of ways, and a lot 664 00:35:40,920 --> 00:35:43,640 Speaker 1: of this is largely out of our control. So what 665 00:35:43,680 --> 00:35:46,080 Speaker 1: I try to remind myself is like, fallback on your 666 00:35:46,080 --> 00:35:48,520 Speaker 1: core values, what's important to you. And I bring that 667 00:35:48,600 --> 00:35:50,799 Speaker 1: up because our league position and we said this six 668 00:35:50,880 --> 00:35:52,839 Speaker 1: weeks ago, and we put our first press release out 669 00:35:53,040 --> 00:35:56,240 Speaker 1: after the George Floyd Moore murder was it black Lives Matter, 670 00:35:56,440 --> 00:35:58,120 Speaker 1: and we were sad and and this is what we're 671 00:35:58,120 --> 00:36:00,680 Speaker 1: gonna do. Two weeks after we put together our action steps. 672 00:36:00,719 --> 00:36:03,760 Speaker 1: What we were instituted for the p lll acknowledging voting 673 00:36:03,840 --> 00:36:07,080 Speaker 1: days nationally and locally as holidays for employees, acknowledge June 674 00:36:07,120 --> 00:36:09,399 Speaker 1: tenth as a holiday. And then we're going to give 675 00:36:09,440 --> 00:36:12,600 Speaker 1: our our players the ability to peacefully protests and demonstrate 676 00:36:12,600 --> 00:36:16,480 Speaker 1: their support of BLM, the movement, the humanitarian movement. It's 677 00:36:16,520 --> 00:36:20,640 Speaker 1: been highly politicized since unfortunately. UM. But as number of 678 00:36:20,719 --> 00:36:23,960 Speaker 1: leagues and athletes and entertainers and businesses have said, is 679 00:36:24,000 --> 00:36:26,640 Speaker 1: that like we have to have the courage to be 680 00:36:26,760 --> 00:36:32,760 Speaker 1: able to delineate certain political issues like government funding towards 681 00:36:32,800 --> 00:36:36,440 Speaker 1: police department, whether you're for or against it, or somewhere 682 00:36:36,440 --> 00:36:39,880 Speaker 1: in between, which I think in in all issues there's 683 00:36:39,960 --> 00:36:43,239 Speaker 1: there should be more in between. UM. Is that at 684 00:36:43,280 --> 00:36:47,640 Speaker 1: the core of this is Black Lives Matter, is about 685 00:36:47,719 --> 00:36:53,080 Speaker 1: Black people mattering in this world where they have unfortunately 686 00:36:53,200 --> 00:36:57,480 Speaker 1: been subjucated to more than any other group of people 687 00:36:57,640 --> 00:37:00,920 Speaker 1: in the United States and UH, and they need to 688 00:37:01,000 --> 00:37:05,040 Speaker 1: be mattered exclusively and focused on exclusively in this moment. 689 00:37:05,280 --> 00:37:07,960 Speaker 1: Ten years ago, the Monitor, UH may maybe a little 690 00:37:07,960 --> 00:37:12,280 Speaker 1: bit longer with UEFA was end racism. Racism connotates all colors, 691 00:37:12,719 --> 00:37:15,920 Speaker 1: and like, right now, all colors matter, all lives matter. 692 00:37:16,040 --> 00:37:18,920 Speaker 1: We're not saying they don't, but like, this is about 693 00:37:18,960 --> 00:37:21,719 Speaker 1: the black community, and that's why I believe and why 694 00:37:21,760 --> 00:37:25,520 Speaker 1: our league stands with the Black Lives Matter movement, as 695 00:37:25,560 --> 00:37:27,720 Speaker 1: do a lot of leagues right now, and just again 696 00:37:27,760 --> 00:37:31,279 Speaker 1: having to be very focused in articulate around what we 697 00:37:31,320 --> 00:37:35,520 Speaker 1: stand for when we say that. Paul Rabel always good 698 00:37:35,560 --> 00:37:38,640 Speaker 1: to talk to you. You're always so thoughtful, and I 699 00:37:38,840 --> 00:37:42,880 Speaker 1: really I will say here publicly, I really admire what 700 00:37:42,960 --> 00:37:45,400 Speaker 1: you've done. It's been a real pleasure for me to 701 00:37:45,400 --> 00:37:47,479 Speaker 1: get to know you over the years and to watch 702 00:37:47,560 --> 00:37:51,560 Speaker 1: this grow. Best of luck as you get into this 703 00:37:52,040 --> 00:37:54,840 Speaker 1: unprecedented tournament. I mean, nobody thought we were going to 704 00:37:54,920 --> 00:37:57,840 Speaker 1: be here for sure, so we know you're going to 705 00:37:57,920 --> 00:38:00,760 Speaker 1: be playing. We know you're gonna be the whole show 706 00:38:00,840 --> 00:38:03,279 Speaker 1: with your team, So good luck. It's nice to hear 707 00:38:03,320 --> 00:38:06,600 Speaker 1: your voice. Thanks again for having me, Jason, It's great 708 00:38:06,640 --> 00:38:08,640 Speaker 1: to hear you, guys, and thanks to both Mike's. It's 709 00:38:08,880 --> 00:38:11,480 Speaker 1: it's really meaningful that that I get the opportunity to 710 00:38:12,040 --> 00:38:14,160 Speaker 1: share our message on on the platform you guys have 711 00:38:14,200 --> 00:38:17,200 Speaker 1: built for a long time, so before they're talking again soon. Alright, 712 00:38:17,280 --> 00:38:20,440 Speaker 1: good Paul, Thank you, buddy, Thank thank you, Paul. Appreciate 713 00:38:20,480 --> 00:38:24,600 Speaker 1: it so quick takeaway, guys. I mean, obviously I showed 714 00:38:24,640 --> 00:38:27,239 Speaker 1: my biases there. I'm a Paul Rabel fan. I mean, 715 00:38:27,280 --> 00:38:29,680 Speaker 1: I just I really have a lot of admiration for 716 00:38:29,680 --> 00:38:31,840 Speaker 1: for what he's done. He's a real guy. He's a 717 00:38:31,880 --> 00:38:36,279 Speaker 1: serious athlete, and I think has stood himself up as 718 00:38:36,760 --> 00:38:40,720 Speaker 1: a real businessman too. I was going to talk about 719 00:38:41,080 --> 00:38:44,160 Speaker 1: the sport angle of the sports betting, but then in 720 00:38:44,239 --> 00:38:48,719 Speaker 1: the last segment he had very close to home when 721 00:38:48,719 --> 00:38:53,560 Speaker 1: he talked about the movements that's going on today, uh 722 00:38:53,719 --> 00:38:56,839 Speaker 1: in around the world for that matter, not just here 723 00:38:56,840 --> 00:39:00,960 Speaker 1: in the United States with the George Floyd death and 724 00:39:00,960 --> 00:39:05,799 Speaker 1: and others, and uh, it just hits home. And uh, 725 00:39:06,360 --> 00:39:11,080 Speaker 1: you know, there's the newsman side of me where obviously 726 00:39:11,360 --> 00:39:14,960 Speaker 1: when I'm on the air, I'm talking about the news 727 00:39:15,160 --> 00:39:19,279 Speaker 1: and we bring all sides. When the microphones are off 728 00:39:19,360 --> 00:39:21,560 Speaker 1: and I am just sitting on the couch and I'm 729 00:39:21,800 --> 00:39:25,799 Speaker 1: I'm having a beer, it all rattles in my head 730 00:39:25,920 --> 00:39:28,520 Speaker 1: and and and Paul Rabel just kind of brought it 731 00:39:28,560 --> 00:39:31,560 Speaker 1: home from me. I'll tell you what. It's one of 732 00:39:31,560 --> 00:39:35,360 Speaker 1: the most intelligent, well rounded interviews I've ever listened to 733 00:39:35,440 --> 00:39:38,520 Speaker 1: or participated in. Um. Where do I start with the takeaways? 734 00:39:38,520 --> 00:39:41,160 Speaker 1: How about the whole thing? Um? But I thought that 735 00:39:41,239 --> 00:39:45,200 Speaker 1: the part where he was talking about his foundation and 736 00:39:45,239 --> 00:39:47,640 Speaker 1: getting equipment for some kids that can't afford it, and 737 00:39:47,680 --> 00:39:51,200 Speaker 1: also giving scholarships to kids with special needs. Now, he 738 00:39:51,280 --> 00:39:54,759 Speaker 1: told us that he had a learning disability which affected 739 00:39:54,800 --> 00:39:58,160 Speaker 1: his self confidence when he was a youngster, and sports 740 00:39:58,239 --> 00:40:00,279 Speaker 1: helped him crawl out of that shell and him a 741 00:40:00,280 --> 00:40:03,239 Speaker 1: little sense of self worth and self confidence. And he 742 00:40:03,320 --> 00:40:05,680 Speaker 1: started this foundation while he was playing I think for 743 00:40:05,760 --> 00:40:08,120 Speaker 1: the for the Boston Cannon. So a lot of young 744 00:40:08,160 --> 00:40:10,600 Speaker 1: people are so absorbed in themselves they just can't see 745 00:40:10,640 --> 00:40:14,120 Speaker 1: beyond their own lives. And to me, that that impressed 746 00:40:14,120 --> 00:40:15,560 Speaker 1: me the most, that he could see that there was 747 00:40:16,400 --> 00:40:18,120 Speaker 1: people out there that he could help and he could 748 00:40:18,120 --> 00:40:21,440 Speaker 1: affect in and he could change their lives. Yeah, he's 749 00:40:21,480 --> 00:40:24,360 Speaker 1: a special guy for sure. I've been to an event 750 00:40:24,840 --> 00:40:28,680 Speaker 1: for his foundation here in New York, and you see 751 00:40:28,680 --> 00:40:30,440 Speaker 1: this whole different side of him. You see him with 752 00:40:30,480 --> 00:40:34,200 Speaker 1: his parents and his brother and the whole community that 753 00:40:34,200 --> 00:40:37,319 Speaker 1: that he has affected. And I think it is. It's 754 00:40:37,440 --> 00:40:42,640 Speaker 1: hard to overstate for people who follow lacrosse how big 755 00:40:42,680 --> 00:40:44,840 Speaker 1: this guy is. You know, if you are in the 756 00:40:44,880 --> 00:40:49,560 Speaker 1: world of lacrosse, he is He's Michael Jordan's I mean 757 00:40:49,640 --> 00:40:53,399 Speaker 1: straight up in many ways. Um, I mean he's he's 758 00:40:53,440 --> 00:40:58,440 Speaker 1: almost this interesting combination of like Jordan's and Ali to 759 00:40:58,560 --> 00:41:01,440 Speaker 1: some extent, because he is very as you just heard, 760 00:41:02,200 --> 00:41:05,120 Speaker 1: very socially conscious. He thinks about this stuff all the 761 00:41:05,160 --> 00:41:08,160 Speaker 1: time and Lynch, as you pointed out, and by the way, 762 00:41:08,200 --> 00:41:11,600 Speaker 1: he started the league, so you know, and he's got 763 00:41:11,680 --> 00:41:13,919 Speaker 1: so you know, the Dana White comparison too. So it's 764 00:41:13,920 --> 00:41:16,960 Speaker 1: like he's just this that you almost have to describe 765 00:41:17,000 --> 00:41:19,680 Speaker 1: him in these Hollywood terms of you know, he's this 766 00:41:19,800 --> 00:41:23,680 Speaker 1: meets this, meets this. So um, really interesting conversation. I'm 767 00:41:23,719 --> 00:41:26,960 Speaker 1: glad we were all able to do it together. Absolutely. 768 00:41:27,200 --> 00:41:29,760 Speaker 1: I was absolutely thrilled and very much impressed. I remember 769 00:41:29,840 --> 00:41:31,720 Speaker 1: him when he played here in Boston for the Cannons, 770 00:41:31,680 --> 00:41:34,960 Speaker 1: who was a spectacular player and and a great goal scorer. 771 00:41:35,000 --> 00:41:36,960 Speaker 1: I knew he was a great player at Johns Hopkins. 772 00:41:37,120 --> 00:41:40,400 Speaker 1: I just didn't know him, uh that well as the person, 773 00:41:41,000 --> 00:41:44,879 Speaker 1: and today I did, and and I'm uh only one 774 00:41:44,880 --> 00:41:50,319 Speaker 1: wore a w o w Wowndros. It feels better to 775 00:41:50,320 --> 00:41:51,960 Speaker 1: be a number one than number five. I'll wear a 776 00:41:52,040 --> 00:41:53,759 Speaker 1: number because of Mike. We have a chance to go 777 00:41:53,800 --> 00:41:55,640 Speaker 1: for three in a row, because numbers in a good time. 778 00:41:55,640 --> 00:41:57,799 Speaker 1: When I first started wearing the number, I would just 779 00:41:57,800 --> 00:42:02,719 Speaker 1: have the bloomberg business of sports. The number of the week. Well, 780 00:42:02,880 --> 00:42:06,160 Speaker 1: I know you guys have for this. It's tall for 781 00:42:06,239 --> 00:42:11,000 Speaker 1: the number of the week. All right. I embarrassed myself 782 00:42:11,080 --> 00:42:13,160 Speaker 1: last week, so I hopefully I can get better at 783 00:42:13,200 --> 00:42:15,440 Speaker 1: this time. Tell me all right, yeah, I was laughing 784 00:42:15,520 --> 00:42:18,640 Speaker 1: last week, and this week it is. I'm gonna put 785 00:42:18,680 --> 00:42:22,520 Speaker 1: it this way. Up to thirty thousand, Up to thirty 786 00:42:23,440 --> 00:42:29,680 Speaker 1: um oh? Was this the number of fans who were 787 00:42:29,680 --> 00:42:34,840 Speaker 1: allowed to watch the NASCAR race? Ding ding ding ding ding? Man, 788 00:42:34,400 --> 00:42:39,960 Speaker 1: what a comeback? What back Lynch? That is the comeback 789 00:42:40,000 --> 00:42:42,800 Speaker 1: of the year. First of all, it's took guts to 790 00:42:42,840 --> 00:42:46,160 Speaker 1: go out on the limb and be first. Yeah, you see. 791 00:42:46,160 --> 00:42:48,680 Speaker 1: The strategy here is to let the other guy go first, right, 792 00:42:48,920 --> 00:42:50,960 Speaker 1: that's right, you know, and make a fool of himself 793 00:42:51,080 --> 00:42:53,880 Speaker 1: and then jump in with something you know, sensible. Anybody 794 00:42:53,880 --> 00:42:55,799 Speaker 1: who wants to see that in actually can just listen 795 00:42:55,800 --> 00:42:57,880 Speaker 1: to our podcast from last week when we talked about 796 00:42:57,880 --> 00:43:00,239 Speaker 1: shares of the praise. Yeah, alright, so this is a deal. 797 00:43:00,280 --> 00:43:03,319 Speaker 1: These were fans actually watching an Actually this was yes, 798 00:43:03,600 --> 00:43:06,360 Speaker 1: very big deal because this was the largest crowd since 799 00:43:06,800 --> 00:43:11,160 Speaker 1: the pandemic, uh that was allowed to see a sporting 800 00:43:11,200 --> 00:43:13,879 Speaker 1: event here in the United States. And it was at 801 00:43:14,080 --> 00:43:18,040 Speaker 1: the Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. Usually the All 802 00:43:18,080 --> 00:43:21,359 Speaker 1: Star event is held at Charlotte, but this year they 803 00:43:21,360 --> 00:43:24,200 Speaker 1: held it at Bristol, and the fans were spaced out 804 00:43:24,440 --> 00:43:26,440 Speaker 1: in the crowd. You could see it if you if 805 00:43:26,440 --> 00:43:29,719 Speaker 1: you looked at it and uh, we're gonna see what's 806 00:43:29,719 --> 00:43:33,280 Speaker 1: gonna happen. It's I hope. Uh, this is a big plus. 807 00:43:33,320 --> 00:43:35,959 Speaker 1: But cross your fingers, guys. You know I was gonna 808 00:43:36,000 --> 00:43:38,120 Speaker 1: say it was the number of attempts to implode the 809 00:43:38,160 --> 00:43:42,360 Speaker 1: Silver Dome back lit Bars hometown. I was so proud 810 00:43:42,360 --> 00:43:44,160 Speaker 1: of the Silver Dome for standing up. We would have 811 00:43:44,280 --> 00:43:46,680 Speaker 1: had four Super Bowls by now. Man, if that, if 812 00:43:47,000 --> 00:43:49,680 Speaker 1: the Lions had that much spirit, then the Silver Dome. 813 00:43:49,920 --> 00:43:54,440 Speaker 1: It took three implosions to get that thing down. It's 814 00:43:54,440 --> 00:43:56,560 Speaker 1: funny to think about. It's like be more like the 815 00:43:56,640 --> 00:43:59,319 Speaker 1: silver Dome. Why can't you be strong like the silver? 816 00:43:59,520 --> 00:44:02,520 Speaker 1: It doesn't white. I can't really see Drew Free sort 817 00:44:02,520 --> 00:44:06,200 Speaker 1: of integrating that into one of his chants down down 818 00:44:06,200 --> 00:44:08,520 Speaker 1: in New Orleans. Alright, good number the way I'm gonna 819 00:44:08,680 --> 00:44:11,759 Speaker 1: I'm just gonna do a victory lab here in Westchester 820 00:44:11,800 --> 00:44:13,960 Speaker 1: County around my big win on number of the weak. 821 00:44:14,000 --> 00:44:16,880 Speaker 1: I feel good about that. Well, it'll stand up for 822 00:44:16,880 --> 00:44:19,719 Speaker 1: at least a week, exactly exactly until the next one, 823 00:44:19,840 --> 00:44:23,680 Speaker 1: till I bit the next one. Don't worry, I'll include 824 00:44:23,719 --> 00:44:29,560 Speaker 1: pie in the next time. You've been listening to Bloomberg 825 00:44:29,600 --> 00:44:32,080 Speaker 1: Business of Sports. We are here each and every week 826 00:44:32,120 --> 00:44:34,760 Speaker 1: at the same time, plus online wherever you get your podcast, 827 00:44:34,840 --> 00:44:38,880 Speaker 1: you can catch those Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. I'm Michael 828 00:44:38,880 --> 00:44:41,719 Speaker 1: Barrow on Twitter at Big Bar Sports, and I'm Mike Lynch. 829 00:44:41,760 --> 00:44:44,480 Speaker 1: You can find me at Lynch e w CBB, and 830 00:44:44,520 --> 00:44:47,080 Speaker 1: I'm Jason Kelly. Find me on Twitter at Jason Kelly News. 831 00:44:47,120 --> 00:44:49,160 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for joining us. Tune in next week 832 00:44:49,520 --> 00:44:52,319 Speaker 1: when we speak with another of the biggest names the 833 00:44:52,360 --> 00:44:55,560 Speaker 1: world of money in sports. You're listening to Bloomberg Business 834 00:44:55,600 --> 00:45:02,200 Speaker 1: of Sports from Bloomberg Radio around the world. Oh,