NLL Player Poll: Fight Club Edition
Emerson Clark (Oshawa FireWolves) and Elijah Gash (Toronto Rock)
Just like our annual preseason poll, we checked in with five players from each of the National Lacrosse League’s 14 teams, but instead of hitting them with an array of league-related topics, this one was all about fighting.
The survey was 100% anonymous to ensure we received the players’ most truthful answers.
In addition to the questions and answers you’ll find below, we also asked the players to rank today’s top fighters. Their order can be found in our All-Time & Current Fight Club Rankings here.
So, what do players think about fighting in the NLL in 2026? Keep reading to find out.
Eric Fannell (Philadelphia Wings) and Rhys Blake (Las Vegas Desert Dogs) Photo: Heather Barry
1. Do you think fighting serves a purpose in the NLL today?
Yes – 100%
No – 0%
For those that have watched the league from the start, fighting clearly isn’t what it used to be in today’s NLL, but every player we polled said it still serves a purpose.
Player responses:
“Fighting holds the cowards accountable.”
“It’s not a big part of the game, but it still allows players to police themselves, and doesn’t allow guys to run around like idiots.”
“A well-time fight can absolutely change the momentum in a game.”
“It helps prevent players from taking liberties if they know they’ll have to answer the bell.”
“It keeps guys honest and prevents players from running around and really greasing guys. I remember in Junior when fighting would get you kicked out of the game, and then guys started running around like idiots knowing that nothing was going to happen.”
“It’s a clear advantage of intimidating the other team.”
“The league is full of divers and is super soft. It still serves a purpose but barely in most games.”
Nick Damude (Philadelphia Wings) and Rylan Hartley (Rochester Knighthawks) Photo: Jonathan Tenca
2. Do you think viral NLL fight videos help positively promote the league or hurt its image?
Helps – 93%
Hurts – 0%
Neither – 7%
When The Lax Mag rebooted the brand ahead of the 2022 NLL season, the NLL and its teams had seemingly squashed fight videos on social media. We didn’t. In fact, media from around the league told us they were actually asked to downplay fighting and not promote that aspect of the game. During the Brett Frood era, the league and all teams have gone back to posting fight videos, and their impressions are better for it.
Player response:
“While there will always be people who will be turned off by fighting, it definitely brings more awareness to the general public about the league.”
“Whether the league posts it or not, it’s going to get out there.”
“Fans want entertainment!”
“Any publicity is good publicity.”
“Go back and take a look at when the league was averaging the most fans per game. Fighting was a huge part of the sport.”
“Social media is full for people bitching for the sake of bitching. 99.9% of any complaining online is from soft-ass fans or people that have never been to a game.”
Matt Beers (Vancouver Warriors) and Steve Priolo (Buffalo Bandits) Photo: Caroline Sherman
3. Do you think fighting in the NLL turns off American collegiate player from pursuing a future in the league?
Yes, a lot – 4%
Yes, some – 22%
No – 37%
Who cares – 37%
In and around the 2008 season, the year a record-high five Americans were selected in the first round of the NLL Entry Draft, there was a real push to attract more US collegiate players to the game. The NLL had expanded rapidly and league leadership felt they could not simply rely on Canada’s junior loops to fill their lineups, especially if they were going to continue to grow. Coincidently, it was also around this time that we started seeing fewer enforcers taking up a roster spot, while the number of legit scraps slowly declined as well. Did it work? In 2016, just 13 Americans played in the league that year, by far the lowest number in NLL history. While there has been a slow and steady-ish spike when it comes to Americans in the NLL, they still make up a relatively small percentage of the league today. During the NLL’s first decade of existence, 90% of rosters were Americans, who played a physical, wild, hart-hitting, and even at times violent style of lacrosse in those days. The Americans don’t like fighting math doesn’t really add up, right?
Player responses:
“The difficulty of jumping right into the league with little to no box experience turns away more American collegiate players than fighting does.”
“It weeds out who has the balls to play and who doesn’t. Look at Sowers and how he plays in the PLL. He’s in guy’s faces, chirping after hits around the crease. You don’t see him doing that in the NLL, because he knows someone will grab him in the NLL and make an example.”
“Hey, toughen up buttercup!”
“The league is too technical and specialized now. If you didn’t grow up playing box lacrosse, unlike the early days, today you’re at a major disadvantage. Most Americans just aren’t good enough to play in the NLL now unfortunately. Outside of some teams starting those college leagues, what else has anyone in the NLL done to fix that? Nothing.”
Jackson Suboch (Vancouver Warriors) and Tyler Biles (Rochester Knighthawks) Photo: Jaclyn McKee
4. Have you ever thought less of a teammate for not fighting?
Yes – 22%
No – 78%
“Some guys weren’t made for fighting, which is why enforcers played a role back in the day. Now hardly anyone in the league is a legit fighter, and it shows.”
“It depends on the situation, but I think everyone should answer the bell at some point in their career.”
“There are guys in the league now that run around like dicks, knowing they can get away with it. Teammate or opponent, I hate that shit.”
“If you’re gonna beak, you better have the balls to back it up, but too many guys today don’t.”
Dawson Theede (Oshawa FireWolves) and Ryan Wagner (Philadelphia Wings) Photo: David Pickering
5. Do you think fighting will ever be banned in the NLL?
Yes, soon – 0%
Yes, eventually – 26%
No, never – 74%
With sports and society seemingly getting softer and softer every year, and fewer fights in the NLL than back in the day, we had to ask this question obviously.
“If they banned it, the NLL would turn into a bunch of rats.”
“Fighting is a must in our league.”
“If anything, you’ll see a resurgence. Look at the NHL. Fights have to be up big time in the last few years. NHL might be getting its highest viewership lately too.”
“The entire arena is on their feet when the boys drop their gloves. You’d be removing one of the most exciting parts of the game if you banned fighting.”
“It’s part of the sport’s culture. All their rules and reviews have fucked up the league enough. Leave it alone!”