The Premier Lacrosse League launches its eighth season May 8, courting its biggest campaign yet. Since its 2019 inception, the professional men’s league has been in a state of constant change—a full sprint to grow its viewership, crowds, venues, media deals, and investors.
One thing that has remained is Matty Palumb.
The PLL’s head referee, who leads the officiating crew for nearly every men’s game as the league tours the country, is a star in his own right. His banter with players and coaches is woven into the PLL’s slate of increasingly national broadcasts. Many of Palumb’s interactions have gone viral, spreading outside the growing—but still realistically tight—lacrosse circle.
Across more than 30 years, Palumb has seen the game in many forms: as a three-time NCAA championship-winning goalie at Syracuse, where he played for one of the most widely regarded teams of all time; as a men’s college referee, where he’s officiated multiple Division I national championships; and in the pro game, where he reffed in both Major League Lacrosse and now the PLL.
He knows his main-character energy is not for everyone. But he tells Front Office Sports that the noise simply doesn’t bother him, especially if it helps grow the game. As lacrosse continues to push its perceived limits, Palumb just wants the sport in front of as many people as possible—as fast as possible. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
