BY: HANNAH WEST, STAFF WRITER
Photo from Wikimedia Commons
Finally, women’s lacrosse players will have a big stage to showcase their sport. On Nov.13, 2024, the Premiere Lacrosse League announced that it is adding a women’s side to its league. The Women’s Lacrosse League will grow lacrosse and make strides for women’s sports.
Before this announcement, no professional women’s lacrosse leagues other than one that was offered by Athletes Unlimited. Although this league was technically professional lacrosse, it felt less professional than the men’s PLL, which was the only type of lacrosse that the Premiere Lacrosse League previously offered.
AU women’s lacrosse had a short summer season that shuffled the teams every week. At the end of the season, one player was named AU Champion based on their stats. The WLL will have teams by region, which will elevate professional women’s lacrosse. Hopefully, this will bring more attention to women’s lacrosse holistically. Fans can now root for their team instead of their favorite player.
Women’s professional basketball, the WNBA, has increased its fanbase drastically in the past year. However, women’s basketball players had the foundation, a league to grow. Now that the WLL exists and women’s lacrosse players have a true league, the future is bright.
Women’s lacrosse players can look forward to the 2028 Olympics, where lacrosse will be featured for the first time since 1948. It will take the form of sixes, different from the traditional game that college and the WLL play. Nevertheless, lacrosse, mens and womens alike, will be deservingly featured.
westhe24@bonaventure.edu