A new lacrosse league being launched this year by native Marylanders will have yet another connection to the Old Line State.

Baltimore-based STX, one of the top lacrosse manufacturers in the U.S., will be the Premier Lacrosse League's official equipment provider when the league begins its inaugural season in June.

We are thrilled to partner with the Premier Lacrosse League and provide the opportunity for the top players in the game to compete in our equipment,” Ed Saunders, vice president of sales and marketing for STX, said in a statement. “The PLL is providing players an opportunity to pursue lacrosse in a full time capacity like never before, and we’re excited to join that movement.”

The partnership will showcase STX-sponsored athletes — including Kyle Harrison, Marcus Holman and Will Manny — competing with the company's equipment during the season. STX will also launch interactive experiences on site at game weekends, giving fans an opportunity to handle the same equipment being used by the players on the field.

As part of the announcement, the PLL and STX released a video showcasing Harrison’s journey to becoming a professional lacrosse star. Harrison, has been an STX athlete since graduating from Johns Hopkins University in 2005. He is also the director of player relations for the PLL. (Click here to view video)

Brothers Paul and Mike Rabil, from Gaithersburg, co-founded the Premier Lacrosse League. Paul, who played lacrosse at Dematha Catholic High School and Johns Hopkins, is one of the sport's biggest stars. Mike played lacrosse at Watkins Mill High School and is now a businessman and CEO of the league.

The league, which will compete with Major League Lacrosse for talent and viewership, is backed an investment group comprised of the Raine Group, Creative Artists Agency, the Chernin Group, and Blum Capital. The league was announced in October, with an exclusive media-rights deal with NBC Sports Group. The season will begin in June with six teams embarking on a 14-week season that concludes with a playoff and league championship game.

By Holden Wilen – Reporter, Baltimore Business Journal