Paul Rabil Bio
Paul Rabil is an American sports executive and retired professional lacrosse player, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Born on December 14, 1985, in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Rabil built a record-breaking career across Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the National Lacrosse League (NLL), and the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). Beyond his playing days, he co-founded the PLL with his brother Mike Rabil and serves as the league’s president. He also leads multiple business ventures focused on growing the sport and supporting athletes.
Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and competing at around 220 pounds, Rabil played the game as a powerful right-handed midfielder with rare speed and shooting ability. His achievements on the field, combined with his work as an executive and philanthropist, have shaped the modern landscape of professional lacrosse in the United States.
Early Life and Background
Paul Rabil was born on December 14, 1985, in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and raised in nearby Montgomery Village. He is the son of Allan Rabil, who worked in sales for a printing company, and Jean Anne Rabil, a Catholic school art teacher. His parents encouraged him to try many sports during his childhood, and he explored basketball, soccer, and swimming while also learning several musical instruments. His mother insisted that he stick with lacrosse, a decision that helped shape the rest of his life.
Rabil attended Watkins Mill High School, where he earned a starting spot on the varsity team as a freshman. He later transferred to DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, after playing in a summer tournament with the school’s squad. Over three seasons at DeMatha, he led the team to three Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championships, compiling 288 career points. He was twice named an All-American, a two-time All-State selection, and ranked as the number four prospect in the high school class of 2004.
Diagnosed as a child with auditory processing disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Rabil later credited sport, structure, and family support with helping him manage these learning challenges. Following his senior season, he committed to Johns Hopkins University, drawn by the program’s championship tradition and the leadership of Coach Dave Pietramala.
Path to Lacrosse
Rabil enrolled at Johns Hopkins University in the fall of 2004 and adjusted to the demands of a prestigious academic environment while carrying a diagnosis of auditory processing disorder. His collegiate career began in the spring of 2005, when he tallied 37 points as a freshman and helped the Blue Jays win a national championship. The performance earned him Third Team All-American honors and signaled his arrival as a future star.
As a sophomore in 2006, Rabil scored 25 goals and added 13 assists, securing First Team All-American recognition and a spot as a finalist for the Tewaaraton Award. In his junior season, he recorded 27 goals and 26 assists, won the McLaughlin Award as the nation’s best midfielder, and led Johns Hopkins to a ninth national title with a 12–11 victory over Duke University. In his senior year, he posted 36 goals and 14 assists, earned First Team All-American honors for the third consecutive season, and graduated with a degree in political science and a minor in entrepreneurship and management.
Rabil’s college résumé included All-American honors in each of his four seasons, two national championships, and the McLaughlin Award, making him one of the most decorated players in Johns Hopkins history. He was inducted into the Johns Hopkins Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022. His senior year drew attention from professional clubs in both the MLL and NLL, setting the stage for a historic draft in 2008.
Paul Rabil Career
Early Career (2008–2010)
Rabil entered the professional ranks in 2008 as the number one overall pick in the MLL Collegiate Draft by the Boston Cannons and the second overall pick in the NLL Entry Draft by the San Jose Stealth. He made an immediate impact with the Cannons, earning a selection to the MLL All-Star Game during his rookie season. In the NLL, he posted 16 goals and 18 assists and was named to the 2009 All-Rookie Team.
In 2009, Rabil was named MLL Most Valuable Player and MLL Offensive Player of the Year, establishing himself as the league’s top talent. He returned to the All-Star Game and continued to develop his reputation as a versatile midfielder. By 2010, he was selected to the First Team All-Pro MLL Team and recorded an 11-goal, 26-assist season with the Washington Stealth, helping the franchise capture an NLL Championship.
MLL Breakthrough (2011–2018)
In 2011, Rabil won his second MLL MVP award and second Offensive Player of the Year honor, leading the Boston Cannons to their first MLL Championship in franchise history. The following season, he broke the all-time single-season points record with 72 points, earned his third Offensive Player of the Year award, and continued to set new standards for offensive production in the league.
During 2014, Rabil extended his run with a seventh consecutive All-Star Game appearance and a sixth consecutive First Team All-Pro selection. In 2015, he was traded to the New York Lizards in a package deal and went on to win his second MLL Championship that same year, earning Playoff MVP honors. He finished his MLL career with the Lizards before departing the league in 2018 to focus on building a new professional organization.
NLL Stint (2008–2013)
Rabil’s indoor career began with the San Jose Stealth, who relocated to Washington State in 2009 and became the Washington Stealth. In 2010, he helped the Washington Stealth win the NLL Championship. He was later traded to the Edmonton Rush in 2012, then to the Rochester Knighthawks, and finally to the Philadelphia Wings, though he sat out portions of those seasons while choosing to remain near his Maryland home. In 2013, he closed out his NLL career with the Philadelphia Wings, recording 17 goals and 21 assists.
Premier Lacrosse League (2019–2021)
Following his MLL tenure, Rabil co-founded the Premier Lacrosse League in 2018 with his brother Mike Rabil. Backed by investors including Joe Tsai Sports, The Chernin Group, Arctos Partners, Brett Jefferson Holdings, and The Raine Group, the PLL launched on June 1, 2019, with six teams competing in a tour-based format. Rabil played for the Atlas Lacrosse Club before being traded to the Boston Cannons in 2021, where he finished his final season before retiring as a player.
Rabil has since transitioned fully into his role as PLL president, focusing on league operations, player compensation, and the growth of the sport. He remains central to the league’s expansion efforts and player-focused initiatives.
Notable Events and Milestones
Rabil previously held the record for the world’s fastest lacrosse shot at 111 mph before Zak Dorn surpassed the mark in 2014. He retired as the all-time leader in career points in professional lacrosse, finishing with 657 points across 14 seasons. In 2025, he was inducted into both the Pro Lacrosse Hall of Fame and the USA Lacrosse Hall of Fame, cementing his place among the sport’s all-time greats.
Paul Rabil Career Wins
Across his professional career, Paul Rabil compiled an impressive list of championships and individual honors. He won two MLL Championships, in 2011 with the Boston Cannons and in 2015 with the New York Lizards, along with an NLL Championship in 2010 with the Washington Stealth. He captured two MLL MVP Awards, three MLL Offensive Player of the Year Awards, and was a First Team All-Pro MLL selection in 2021.
MLL Highlights
Rabil’s first MLL title came in 2011, when he led the Boston Cannons to a championship in his fourth professional season. He added a second MLL title in 2015 with the New York Lizards, earning Playoff MVP honors after being acquired in a midseason trade. He retired as the all-time leader in career points in professional lacrosse, with 657 points across 14 seasons.
NLL and Other Wins
Rabil won the 2010 NLL Championship with the Washington Stealth and was named to the NLL All-Rookie Team in 2009. He also helped lead Johns Hopkins to NCAA national championships in 2005 and 2007, completing one of the most decorated careers in collegiate lacrosse history.
Paul Rabil Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Paul Rabil comes from a supportive family rooted in the Gaithersburg, Maryland, area. His father, Allan Rabil, worked in sales for a printing company, while his mother, Jean Anne Rabil, was a Catholic school art teacher. His brother, Mike Rabil, has been a central figure throughout his career, co-founding the Premier Lacrosse League and Rabil Ventures alongside him.
Personal Life
Rabil was previously married to former lacrosse player Kelly Berger from 2014 to 2017. Since 2022, he has been in a relationship with British actress Vanessa Kirby. Diagnosed as a child with auditory processing disorder and ADHD, Rabil has used his platform to support children with learning differences through the Paul Rabil Foundation, which he launched in 2011 with his brother, parents, and broader family network.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks a milestone year for Paul Rabil, as he was inducted into both the Pro Lacrosse Hall of Fame and the USA Lacrosse Hall of Fame in January 2025. These honors recognize his historic on-field achievements, including his record-setting professional career and his role in elevating the visibility of lacrosse in the United States. As president of the Premier Lacrosse League, Rabil has continued to guide the league’s strategic direction, focusing on player compensation, broadcast partnerships, and league expansion.
Under his leadership, the PLL has continued to grow its fan base and refine its tour-based competition model, with the league’s investment groups supporting long-term sustainability. Rabil’s dual role as a former player and league executive has positioned him as a key voice in shaping labor standards and competitive structure across professional lacrosse.
Looking ahead, Rabil remains focused on expanding the sport’s footprint, including his co-founding of the Women’s Lacrosse League in 2024 and his philanthropic efforts to grow access to lacrosse nationwide. The 2025 Hall of Fame inductions underscore his lasting impact on the game, both as one of its all-time greatest players and as a builder of the modern professional lacrosse landscape.