(WASHINGTON, D.C.)—The National Lacrosse League Players’ Association (NLLPA) announced - which includes Players with the Champion Buffalo Bandits, it is formally affiliating with the National AFL-CIO, becoming the ninth Professional Sports Union in the AFL-CIO Sports Council.

The NLLPA represents approximately 400 Professional Lacrosse Players across 14 Teams in the National Lacrosse League (NLL).

Its affiliation brings the total number of Unions comprising the Nation’s largest Labor Federation to 64, representing nearly 15 million Workers.

National AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler sad: “Lacrosse Players are incredible Athletes who put their bodies, their passion and their expertise into a sport that is skyrocketing in popularity, and they deserve a Union that has their backs every step of the way. By joining the AFL-CIO and our Sports Council, NLLPA Members are helping grow a powerful movement of Athlete-Workers who are standing up for fairness, respect and a safe workplace. The future of professional sports is Union strong and Lacrosse Players are stepping onto the field leading that charge.”

NLLPA Vice President and Executive Director Reid Reinholdt said: “Joining the AFL-CIO and its Sports Council is an exciting step forward for our Players and our Union. This affiliation connects us with a powerful network of Athlete-Workers who share our commitment to fairness, respect and progress across Professional Sports. Together, we’ll learn from one another, strengthen our collective voice and ensure our Members have the knowledge and support to meet the evolving challenges of sports. It’s an honor to stand alongside Unions that are setting the standard for what representation in sports can and should be.”

The AFL-CIO Sports Council was formed in 2022 to build power across Unions in Professional Sports, amplify the voices of Athletes and shine a light on the challenges they face as Workers.

It also aligns the interests of Athletes with those of Service, Hospitality and other Workers who support the Professional Sports Industries.

The Sports Council Unions include: The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA); the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA); The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA); the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) and Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA); the Major League Soccer Players Association (MLSPA); the NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA); and the USL Players Association-Communications Workers of America (USLPA-CWA).

To Directly Access This Labor News Story, Go To: National Lacrosse League Players’ Association Joins the AFL-CIO | AFL-CIO