On the latest audio edition of “Listen In With KNN” sports talk radio show and podcast host and multi-award winning journalist, Kelsey Nelson welcomed the CEO of the National Squash League, Spencer Lovejoy, to the show to provide insight of the growing league.
The National Squash League (NSL), is a professional squash league founded in 2023 that features 3-on-3 team three period matches that features nine men’s teams and six women’s teams across 12 cities.
Lovejoy, is a former NSL player for the Newport Dragons, earning three national titles and was ranked No. 64 in the world at one time.
“I started playing squash when I was eight-years-old, and every single chance I got to get on court with a pro ranked player was an unforgettable experience for me,” Lovejoy said. “I learned so much from it, and it was inspiring and it was one of the reasons why I continued to play squash.”
As his playing days are over, he hopes to bring impact to the league.
“We started the NSL to try and bring more attention to squash here in the US and make squash more like other major American league sports that we know and love,” Lovejoy said.
Traditionally an individual sport, Lovejoy said the league is putting a new spin on squash by making it a team sport.
The sport features a tour of tournaments where athletes compete all around the world, featuring international and national players as the league covers their travel expenses.
Lovejoy said the league has a draft and recruits players to play in the U.S. league that are notable.
“Players apply to play in our league each year,” Lovejoy said. “Each year the players join the draft and our team owners get to choose from these players to represent their teams each year.”
Top players in the NSL include New York Knights English star Mohamed Elshorbagy, Greenwich Panthers and No. 1 ranked Mostafa Asal, no. 4 ranked Olivia Weaver, and five-time national champion Amanda Sobhy.
Lovejoy added that there is a pay scale based on PSA rankings of players on their performances in tournaments, making the highest ranked players earning the highest salaries.
“The players get paid to play in our league based on their ranking at the world stage. The players really get rewarded for their level of play,” Lovejoy said. “A top-10 player would get paid more than, say, a top 20 player, a top 20 player would get paid more than a top-30 player.”
Furthermore, Lovejoy emphasized equal pay between men and women and equally promoted the teams on social media.
“That was always something that was very important to the core equity holders in the NSL,” Lovejoy said. “We need to have equity amongst the men’s side and the women’s side.”
In the first season, the NSL featured six men’s teams and by year two, the league implemented four women’s teams, including finals runner-up, the District Inferno, showcasing the inclusive expansion.
“We’re continuing to expand on the women’s side, bringing on two more women’s teams this year and looking to keep developing that portion of the NSL,” Lovejoy said.
Squash will also make its Olympic debut in Summer 2028 in Los Angeles, bringing the spotlight in global sports and hoping to put on a show for the crowds.
With the current league, Lovejoy believes that currently the teams treat players well and want to create a memorable experience including the fans.
“Our players really do get ingrained in the cultures and the communities that they come to when they come here and is a great way to give back to the squash community and grow their fan bases,” Lovejoy said.
He added that it is not every day that the squash communities around the country get professional athletes coming into town and playing right in front of the fans.
Fans get the opportunity to ask questions to the athletes as Lovejoy emphasizes the importance of having younger individuals involved in the sport.
“I’m really enjoying getting to provide a new avenue for income for these players and a new way for fans to enjoy the game,” Lovejoy said. “We’re trying to inspire the next generation of players and continue growing the sport.”
Fans can check out the NSL on Instagram @nslsports_official and YouTube @NSLSportsOfficial.
Listen to the complete interview down below on Spotify.
