Last week, ESPN announced that Peyton Manning and Jamie Horowitz, the co-founders of Omaha Productions, are expanding their sports media empire with a new docuseries focused on lacrosse legend Paul Rabil and the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL).
The series, which is being produced in collaboration with ESPN, marks Omaha’s latest foray into capturing compelling sports narratives. The announcement follows news that Omaha Productions is also developing a wrestling series in partnership with WWE, underscoring the company’s rapid expansion into diverse sports genres.
Rabil, who co-founded the PLL in 2018 with his brother Mike, has been instrumental in reshaping the landscape of professional lacrosse. Known for his on-field dominance and off-field business acumen, Rabil’s journey will be chronicled alongside the league’s ambitious growth, which introduced a touring model and innovative media partnerships to expand the sport’s reach.
The series, titled “Rabil’s Places,” is set to premiere on June 4 on ESPN. Each episode will explore different aspects of lacrosse history and the sport’s evolution, including its Native American roots, expansion into urban communities, and interviews with iconic players and coaches.
Rabil’s transition from player to entrepreneur is woven throughout, offering viewers an inside look at his impact on the sport. The series will feature five episodes, each spotlighting unique stories and key moments in lacrosse:
- Episode 1: Turf Wars (June 4) – Legendary football coach Bill Belichick explains his lifelong affection for lacrosse. Paul is joined by former college lacrosse star turned Super Bowl-champion wide receiver, Chris Hogan, to understand why there’s so much crossover between the sports. PLL teammates Ricky Miezan and Nakeie Montgomery discuss their decision to forgo pro football in favor of lacrosse.
- Episode 2: Slick Sticks (June 11) – Inspired by the signature moves that revolutionized lacrosse, Paul sets out to create a new signature shot. After Gary Gait explains the birth of his iconic “Air Gait” move, Paul turns to Charlotte North, one of the game’s most creative scorers, and former college lacrosse star turned NBA player, Pat Spencer, for inspiration for his new staple move.
- Episode 3: Crab Cakes and Lacrosse (June 18) – Paul returns to his alma mater, Johns Hopkins, to learn how Maryland became a lacrosse hotbed. He’s joined by his former Hopkins teammate Kyle Harrison and visits Kyle’s father, Miles, who teaches Paul about the state’s important HBCU lacrosse history at Morgan State. Paul also visits 3-time Tewaaraton winner Taylor Cummings at Bryn Mawr, where Maryland women’s lax stars are born.
- Episode 4: Crease and Desist (June 25) – Paul pursues a return to the PLL as a goalie but quickly learns why lacrosse goalies are a different breed. Former WWE star (and lax goalie) Mick Foley, Hall of Famer Scott Bacigalupo, and PLL star Blaze Riorden give Paul a crash course on the physical, mental, and technical demands of the toughest position in sports.
- Episode 5: The Creator’s Game (July 2) – Paul seeks out a deeper understanding of the Native American origins of lacrosse and its traditional wooden stick. Greats Jeremy Thompson of Onondaga Nation and Zed Williams of Seneca Nation teach Paul important indigenous traditions of the game. Rising star Trey Deere meets Paul at Alfie Jacques’ legendary woodworking shop before Paul tries his hand at making a wooden stick of his own.
For Omaha Productions, the partnership with Rabil represents another strategic move in its mission to tell stories that resonate beyond the field. Since its inception, Omaha has built a reputation for producing distinctive content that highlights both athletic excellence and personal triumph.
Its slate of successes includes the Emmy-winning “ManningCast,” Netflix’s “Quarterback” and “Receiver” docuseries, and ESPN’s “Full Court Press,” which chronicled women’s college basketball.
RELATED ARTICLES
Jamie Horowitz, who co-founded Omaha with Manning in December 2020, has been a driving force behind the company’s vision. Drawing on his extensive experience in sports media, Horowitz has overseen Omaha’s expansion into a variety of sports and storytelling formats. His strategic insight, combined with Manning’s on-screen charisma and deep connections in the sports world, has propelled Omaha to the forefront of sports entertainment.
“Peyton and I launched Omaha to tell uplifting and unifying stories,” Horowitz said in a recent interview. “Paul Rabil embodies all of that, and we’re thrilled to work with him and ESPN to share his stories of the rise of lacrosse and the people who should be celebrated.”
The series also aligns with ESPN’s broader strategy to diversify its sports content. With lacrosse gaining traction across youth and collegiate levels, ESPN sees the partnership with Omaha and Rabil as an opportunity to reach new audiences. The league’s innovative structure, which includes a nationwide tour instead of traditional home cities, offers unique storytelling opportunities that Omaha Productions is well-positioned to capture.
Omaha’s foray into lacrosse is yet another chapter in its ongoing growth. Founded with a mission to elevate sports storytelling, Omaha has leveraged Manning’s influence and Horowitz’s production expertise to secure high-profile deals, including a first-look agreement with 20th Television and partnerships with Netflix, ESPN, and WWE.
Its recent wrestling project with WWE is slated to be a behind-the-scenes look at the organization’s rising stars, offering viewers a glimpse into the grit and ambition required to succeed in the sport. This dual expansion into wrestling and lacrosse underscores Omaha’s commitment to telling untold stories across diverse sports landscapes.
Omaha’s growth has not gone unnoticed. In 2025, the company secured a major investment from Silver Lake Partners, marking a pivotal moment in its expansion. Egon Durban, Co-CEO of Silver Lake, praised Omaha’s vision, stating, “We believe in the leadership of Peyton and Jamie, and their ability to continue creating compelling sports content that resonates with fans globally.” Patrick Whitesell, who also invested in Omaha through his Silver Lake-backed platform, added, “This partnership represents the next chapter for Omaha as they continue to push the boundaries of sports media. We are thrilled to support their growth.”
Whitesell, a veteran media executive and former Executive Chairman of Endeavor, has been instrumental in forging major partnerships across sports and entertainment. His support of Omaha Productions through Silver Lake is viewed as a significant endorsement of the company’s long-term vision. “Omaha is building something that transcends traditional media. They’re capturing the stories that people want to watch, and they’re doing it with a level of quality that resonates,” Whitesell said in a recent interview.
The investment from Silver Lake, led by Whitesell, is part of a broader strategy to scale Omaha’s ambitions across scripted, unscripted, and live events. As reported by Variety, Whitesell described Omaha as a “model for the future of sports media,” praising Manning and Horowitz for building a company that is “uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between athletes and storytelling.” His confidence in the leadership of Manning and Horowitz is viewed as a key factor in Silver Lake’s decision to back Omaha’s expansion.
As Omaha Productions continues to grow its content slate, Manning and Horowitz remain committed to their founding vision: telling stories that inspire, entertain, and elevate the athletes and communities at the heart of sports. The partnership with Paul Rabil and ESPN is just the latest example of how that vision is coming to life.
