Decoding the Professional Lacrosse Salary: An In-Depth Guide for 2024
For athletes who live and breathe the "fastest game on two feet," the dream of playing professionally is a powerful motivator. But what does a career in professional lacrosse actually look like financially? While salaries may not yet rival those in the NFL or NBA, the sport's rapid growth and expanding opportunities offer a viable and exciting career path.
On average, a professional lacrosse player in a premier league can expect to earn a base salary between $35,000 and $45,000 per season, but this figure is only the beginning of the story. Top-tier players, strategic endorsements, and off-field ventures can significantly elevate a player's total earnings. This guide will break down the salary you can expect and the key factors that influence your financial success in the world of professional lacrosse.
What Does a Professional Lacrosse Player Do?
A professional lacrosse player's job extends far beyond game day. Their responsibilities are those of a dedicated, elite athlete and a public-facing brand ambassador. A typical week involves:
- Intense Training: Rigorous strength and conditioning sessions to maintain peak physical fitness.
- Practice and Strategy: Daily team practices focused on stick skills, drills, strategic plays, and film review to analyze opponents.
- Competition: Traveling to and competing in high-stakes games during the season.
- Recovery and Rehabilitation: Working with athletic trainers and medical staff to prevent and recover from injuries.
- Community and Media Engagement: Participating in team-sponsored community events, youth clinics, and media interviews to promote the team and the sport.
- Personal Branding: Many players actively manage social media accounts, seek endorsements, and run their own camps or clinics, which are crucial for supplemental income.
Most professional lacrosse players hold other jobs, especially in the off-season, as the league salary often serves as a supplemental, rather than a primary, source of income.
Average Professional Lacrosse Salary
Unlike many traditional careers, a professional lacrosse player's salary is highly dependent on the league they play in. The two premier men's professional leagues in North America are the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) and the National Lacrosse League (NLL).
- Premier Lacrosse League (PLL): As the premier outdoor field lacrosse league, the PLL has seen significant growth in player compensation. According to a 2023 report from Sportico, the average player salary in the PLL is approximately $40,000, with a minimum salary of $25,000. Top players can earn significantly more through performance bonuses and enhanced contracts.
- National Lacrosse League (NLL): The NLL is the professional indoor (box) lacrosse league. Salaries here can vary widely. While official figures are not always public, industry reports and player interviews suggest that salaries can range from around $10,000 to over $35,000 per season, with many players earning in the $15,000-$25,000 range.
- Broader Athletic Context: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) groups all professional athletes under the category "Athletes and Sports Competitors." The median annual wage for this category was $94,180 in May 2023. It is crucial to note that this figure is heavily skewed by the multi-million dollar contracts in major sports like basketball, baseball, and football and is not representative of a typical professional lacrosse player's league salary.
The typical salary range for a professional lacrosse player, considering league pay alone, is $25,000 to $50,000. However, the total take-home pay is heavily influenced by the factors below.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
A player's earnings are not a flat number. Several variables determine their financial potential both on and off the field.
### Level of Education
While a specific degree doesn't directly increase a player's league salary, a college education is nearly a prerequisite for a pro lacrosse career. The vast majority of players in the PLL and NLL are graduates of NCAA Division I, II, or III programs. A college degree provides:
- A Pathway to the Pros: The NCAA is the primary feeder system for professional lacrosse drafts.
- Post-Career Opportunities: A degree is essential for transitioning into coaching, sports management, or another career after retiring from play.
- Increased Marketability: A degree from a reputable university can enhance a player's profile for endorsements and business opportunities.
### Years of Experience
Experience is a significant factor in contract negotiations.
- Rookies: First-year players typically earn at or near the league minimum as they prove their value.
- Veterans: Established players with several years of experience and a consistent track record of high performance can command higher salaries. They are often leaders on their teams and have more leverage during contract renewals.
- All-Stars: Players who consistently perform at an elite, All-Star level can negotiate the highest contracts and are often eligible for the largest performance-based bonuses.
### Geographic Location
Unlike traditional jobs where salary is tied to local cost of living, a pro lacrosse player's league salary is standardized and not dependent on their team's city. However, geographic location indirectly impacts earnings through:
- Endorsement Opportunities: Playing in a major media market or a region where lacrosse is popular can lead to more lucrative local sponsorship deals.
- Off-Season Work: The location a player chooses to live in during the off-season can affect their ability to find well-paying jobs or run successful lacrosse camps and clinics.
### League and Level of Play
This is arguably the most direct factor influencing salary.
- League Choice (PLL vs. NLL): As noted above, the PLL currently offers a higher average salary than the NLL. Many athletes play in both leagues to maximize their earnings, as the seasons have minimal overlap.
- Women's Professional Lacrosse: The Athletes Unlimited (AU) women's professional lacrosse league has a unique compensation model. Players earn a base salary plus bonuses based on individual and team performance, with top players earning over $35,000 for the five-week season.
### Area of Specialization (On-Field and Off-Field)
A player's total income is a combination of their on-field role and their off-field business acumen.
- On-Field Performance: A player's position and impact on the game matter. A top-scoring attackman, a lockdown defenseman, or a game-changing goalie is more valuable to a team and can command a higher salary.
- Off-Field Earnings: This is where top players truly maximize their income. These streams include:
- Endorsements: Sponsorships from lacrosse equipment companies (like STX or Warrior) and non-endemic brands (like apparel or nutrition companies).
- Personal Branding: Leveraging social media to build a following, which can be monetized through sponsored posts and partnerships.
- Coaching and Clinics: Running private lessons, youth camps, and clinics is a very common and lucrative source of supplemental income.
- Entrepreneurship: Many players, like PLL co-founder Paul Rabil, have launched their own businesses, media companies, or apparel lines.
Job Outlook
The future for professional lacrosse is bright. According to the BLS, employment for the broader "Athletes and Sports Competitors" category is projected to grow 13 percent from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
This growth is clearly reflected in the world of lacrosse. The PLL has secured a major media rights deal with ESPN, expanded to new cities, and continues to attract more investment and viewership. As the sport's popularity grows, so too will player salaries, resources, and career opportunities.
Conclusion
Pursuing a career as a professional lacrosse player is a journey fueled by passion and dedication. While league salaries are still growing and often require players to have supplemental income, the financial landscape is rapidly improving.
Key Takeaways:
- Diversify Your Income: The most financially successful players combine their league salary with endorsements, coaching, and other business ventures.
- Build Your Brand: Your value extends beyond the field. Cultivating a professional and engaging personal brand is essential for attracting off-field opportunities.
- The Future is Promising: The sport is on a strong upward trajectory, with growing salaries and expanding career paths for those who can compete at the highest level.
For aspiring athletes, a career in professional lacrosse offers the chance to play the sport you love while building a unique and multifaceted career in the burgeoning business of sports.