With the NLL Cup in the studio and the 2026-27 season just weeks away, FloSports CEO Mark Floreani and National Lacrosse League (NLL) Commissioner Brett Frood came together Thursday to discuss the future of lacrosse on FloLacrosse.
The Nov. 5 press conference marked the launch of FloLacrosse and brought together FloCollege lead Content Manager Leanza Pieroni, FloLacrosse lead creator Zak Raymond and Buffalo Bandits star Dhane Smith. The group discussed the NLL’s new streaming home, support for players and the sport’s growth.
- Subscribe To FloLacrosse To Watch The NLL
- How To Watch The NLL On FloLacrosse In 2026-27
- Zak Raymond Joins FloLacrosse As Lead Content Creator
For Floreani, the partnership’s success depends on everyone involved.
“Well, we know, for this to really work, it’s gotta work for the NLL, it’s gotta work for the team owners, it’s gotta work for Flo but also it’s gotta work for the athletes,” Floreani said.
From a new player award program to an expanded investment in college lacrosse, here are six takeaways from the NLL and FloLacrosse press conference.
1. Why The NLL Chose FloSports
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) spent roughly the past year evaluating its next media rights partnership, according to Frood. As the league considered its options, FloSports’ approach to building communities around the sports it covers stood out.
“This is an organization that goes all in,” Frood said. “We’ve seen it with their sports, they’re a builder. They build community around their sports.”
For Floreani, lacrosse’s passionate audience and the number of games fans are already watching made the sport a fit for FloSports.
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) and FloSports announced their exclusive multiyear global streaming partnership in October, bringing the league’s complete regular season and playoffs to FloLacrosse beginning in 2026-27.
2. What The Partnership Means For NLL Fans
Every NLL regular-season and playoff game will be available on FloLacrosse and through the FloSports app, giving fans a way to follow all 12 teams throughout the 2026-27 season.
Frood said the league wanted a partner that could help it invest in lacrosse while creating opportunities for fans to watch.
“I think we’re gonna have a healthy balance of being able to invest in our sport, and then in parallel to that have access points to our consumers,” Frood said. “As we have mentioned, every game will be on FloSports.”
Floreani also addressed what fans can expect from game broadcasts, saying FloSports is working with the existing NLL production team to maintain the level of production fans expect.
Dhane Smith, a three-time (NLL) champion with Buffalo, welcomed the partnership and what it could mean for the sport’s growth.
“I feel like it’s great to have a media partner that’s invested in us,” Smith said. “I might be biased but lacrosse is an amazing sport to watch live but also on television.”
3. FloSports Announces A $25,000 Player Award Program
Floreani announced the FloLacrosse Impact Player of the Month Program, a $25,000 initiative recognizing NLL players.
The program will award $3,000 to an Impact Player of the Month and an additional $10,000 to an Impact Player of the Year at the end of the season, Floreani said.
“We need to be growing the sport, and putting more money back into the sport,” Floreani said.
He also expressed hope that as more fans watch and subscribe, FloSports will be able to make further investments in the years ahead.
“We want to make sure everyone wins, including the athletes, but also the fans, the team owners, the league and ourselves,” Floreani said.
Asked by Zak Raymond about the program, Smith said it recognizes what NLL athletes do on the floor and gives them another opportunity to be seen.
“I feel like we can express ourselves in so many different ways, whether it be what we wear or how the game is played,” Smith said. “It’s an amazing sport and needs to be shown.”
4. FloSports Announces Corrigan Sports Partnership
The National Lacrosse League isn’t the only part of FloSports’ growing investment in lacrosse.
Floreani announced a partnership with Corrigan Sports, which hosts college lacrosse events across NCAA Divisions I, II and III. He mentioned Johns Hopkins, Duke, North Carolina and Michigan among the teams associated with games coming in March.
“When we go into a sport, we are always trying to invest, and so today we are happy to announce our partnership with Corrigan Sports,” Floreani said.
Floreani said the partnership is part of FloSports’ broader commitment to the sport and its fans.
“This is just the beginning of our investment in lacrosse,” Floreani said. “And so we are going to continue to add more content, we’re gonna add more content because we want to make sure the community and customers are happy.”
5. FloLacrosse Plans To Tell Stories All Year
For Floreani, building a home for lacrosse means giving fans reasons to care about the sport between games, too.
“It’s not about the 2 and a half to 3 hours the live game is on, it’s about the other 21 hours,” Floreani said. “What are we doing in the other 21 hours to build up the storylines, the athletes, to get people to care about the live content.”
That work will continue throughout the year, with Raymond helping lead the way as FloLacrosse’s lead content creator.
“We’ll be doing that 365... we’ve hired Zak on, it’s day four, give him some love,” Floreani said.
Raymond spoke about his background in the sport and his desire to help build the game. He said he wants to get to games, create content featuring teams and athletes, and highlight the matchups and competition that make the NLL compelling.
6. The Countdown To NLL Faceoff Weekend Is On
With the new season approaching, the conversation turned to the storylines fans can follow when teams return to the floor.
The 2026-27 NLL season begins Nov. 27, when the Saskatchewan Rush visit the Oshawa Firewolves. The following day, the defending champion Toronto Rock will raise their championship banner before opening at home against the San Diego Seals.
Frood said he’s eager to see whether Toronto can repeat, while Raymond pointed to the new players across the league as another reason to watch.
Smith, meanwhile, reflected on his place with the Bandits. After arriving in Buffalo as a 19-year-old, he has become one of the veterans helping lead the team into another season.
He also praised the fans in Banditland, calling them the team’s “sixth man.” The atmosphere caught Floreani’s attention, too: After hearing about Buffalo’s crowds, Mark joked that he might already be a Bandits fan.
Watch The NLL And FloLacrosse Press Conference Replay
Welcome To The Next Chapter Of Lacrosse
FloLacrosse officially launched Nov. 5, 2026, and the countdown to the NLL season opener on Nov. 27 is already underway.
Fans can subscribe to FloLacrosse to watch the complete NLL regular season and playoffs, with games also available through the FloSports app. Along with the NLL, FloLacrosse will stream the ALL, MSL and even college lacrosse.
We're excited about what's ahead, and we're even more excited to have you along for the ride.
This is just the beginning. Welcome to FloLacrosse. We're glad you're here.
Join The Lacrosse Conversation On Social
- Follow us on X @flolacrosse.
- Follow us on Instagram @flolacrossetv.
- Watch Us On YouTube.
- Like us on Facebook.