Lacrosse Unlimited signs six to UNLTD NIL Athletes program

Lacrosse Unlimited has returned to the NIL space for the second year.

The leader in lacrosse retail and apparel has announced its second UNLTD Athletes roster, signing six student-athletes to deals. Focused on highlighting the rising stars in the sport, athletes will have the opportunity to build up their brands through the agreement.

Each will have their own page on Lacrosse Unlimited’s site, giving fans the opportunity to order gear, as well as replica sticks strung the exact way they have theirs. While terms of the agreement were not shared, On3 was able to confirm the athletes have received compensation for the deal.

The six athletes include:

• Georgetown midfielder Graham Bundy Jr.
• Maryland defender Abby Bosco
• Georgetown midfielder Will Bowen
• USC goalie Kait Devir
• Boston College midfielder Kayla Martello
• Brown goalie Connor Thierault

And while each have their own social media profiles, they’ll also receive promotion on Lacrosse Unlimited’s, which has more than 290,000 total followers.

“Partnering with these athletes helps Lacrosse Unlimited stay in touch, authentically, with the sport of lacrosse, its latest trends, and its values,” CEO of Lacrosse Unlimited Joe DeSimone said in a statement. “We get to see what gear these elite stars are gravitating towards, why they chose what they chose, and what’s working for them at the collegiate level. It’s invaluable information for us as we continue to grow our band and serve the needs of our customers.”

NIL continuing to ramp up in college lacrosse

Lacrosse has prominently been known as an “East Coast” sport for years. But men’s and women’s lacrosse are two of the fastest growing sports in the nation. From 2003 to 2018, the NCAA added 235 women’s programs and 320 men’s programs at membership institutions.

This past spring’s national championship game between North Carolina and Boston College averaged 428,000 viewers, more than any other women’s college lacrosse game in history. It was also a game which new Lacrosse Unlimited athlete Kayla Martello played in. She finished the season with 45 goals.

Capitalizing on NIL in lacrosse is not new, either. Ohio State lacrosse player Mitchell Pehlke netted $200,000 in NIL earnings in Year 1 of college athletics’ new era. And USC’s Devir has deals with C4 Energy and Super Coffee.

Lacrosse Unlimited, a Long Island-based company, has over 45 retail outlets nationwide and is the leader of customizable lacrosse equipment. The company initially signed 11 lacrosse athletes back in August 2021.

“It’s an honor to receive this opportunity to support the business side of the sport,” said Abby Bosco, who recently announced her return to Maryland for the 2023 season. “Gear is such an important part of the game and Lacrosse Unlimited gives players the choices and customization options we’re looking for.”