Pursuits

Paul Rabil, Lacrosse's Million-Dollar Man

Paul Rabil is the first lax player to reach a seven-figure payday through endorsements. A look at how he did it

The Boston Cannons’ Paul Rabil (99) carries the ball against the Chesapeake Bayhawks in a Major League Lacrosse gamePhotograph by Winslow Townson/Getty Images

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Scott Soshnick

April 5, 2013 at 1:26 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

BusinessWeek Cover Image (13_15, portrait_2x)

This article is part of the April 8, 2013 issue of businessweek.

The Sport
Lacrosse is riding a wave of popularity. Participation in youth leagues across the U.S. in 2012 was up 11.3 percent from a year earlier. ESPN will air 25 college games on its networks this season, and CBS Sports Network will show 20 Major League Lacrosse games. “Paul’s the guy who’s going to continue to rise with the game,” says SAC Capital Advisors Chief Operating Officer Sol Kumin.

Sponsors
A superhuman, 112-mph shot helped Rabil land endorsement deals for brands such as Red Bull and New Balance’s Warrior sports line. Thanks to lacrosse’s favorable demographics—43 percent of players come from households earning more than $100,000—Rabil’s also backed by upscale brands Polk Audio and Nooka watches, among others. He’ll make “a couple of million dollars” over the next several years, according to his agent, Ira Rainess.