NSL – ��ϲ��

��ϲ�� and National Squash League Announce Expanded Partnership

Chris McClintick — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 20:27:40 +0000

��ϲ�� and the National Squash League (NSL) have announced an expanded partnership ahead of the professional team squash league’s fourth season in a joint effort to increase the sport’s visibility and growth leading up to the LA28 Olympics.

Since its inaugural season in 2023, the NSL’s innovative team squash format has showcased the sport’s dynamism, building a new fanbase for the sport throughout the country.

��ϲ�� will recognize the NSL, who will now be headquartered at the Arlen Specter ��ϲ�� Center, as the official Team Squash League of ��ϲ�� and will expand its promotion of the NSL throughout its growing marketing and media network. The NSL will in turn promote ��ϲ��’s efforts to grow the game domestically and inspire a new generation of players.

Additionally, future NSL events will be held alongside ��ϲ�� junior tournaments in an effort to grow excitement for team squash, to further unite and connect the squash community and provide important role models for junior athletes on and off the court.

“The NSL is very excited to be the official Team Squash League of ��ϲ�� as both organizations have aligned goals of growing the sport and expanding community impact nationwide,” said Spencer Lovejoy, NSL CEO. “The NSL’s team format was created with the focus of getting more people excited about watching and playing the sport, which will continue to be our goal leading up to the LA28 Olympics. ��ϲ�� is pushing the sport forward at all levels and we’re thrilled to be a part of the sport’s positive momentum.”

“The NSL has proven over its first three seasons that its electric team squash format has inspired a passionate fanbase from squash lifers to newcomers and everyone in between,” said Mollie Marcoux Samaan, ��ϲ�� CEO. “��ϲ�� is proud to continue elevating and celebrating the NSL movement throughout the country as we enter a transformative two years for the sport. Our collective goal is to get more people to engage with our great game by showcasing the world class players who play in the NSL and providing a fast-paced, family friendly sporting environment for all to enjoy.”

The fourth NSL season is set for a robust calendar of events from the playing field-setting NSL Draft, September 16, to the NSL Playoffs, which will return to the Specter Center, March 5-7.�� View the full calendar of events on .

Lovejoy Retires from PSA Tour; Plans to Take NSL Leadership Role

Chris McClintick — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 19:14:26 +0000

Spencer Lovejoy, a two-time member of Team USA at the World Team Championships and former world No. 64, announced his retirement from competing on the PSA Tour.
Since turning professional following his graduation from Yale University in 2020, Lovejoy has been a core member of the U.S. Men’s National Team, and a National Squash Academy professional training out of the Specter Center.

Lovejoy was a constant fixture on the U.S. junior circuit, reaching the finals of the U13, U15 and U19 divisions and represented Team USA at two World Juniors in 2015 and 2016. He played No. 2 on the U.S. team that achieved a record third place finish in 2016. His senior year of high school Lovejoy was honored with the DeRoy Sportsmanship Award.

At Yale, Lovejoy played No. 1 all four years, captained the team his senior year, and received CSA All-American honors three times. In 2020, he was presented with the Skillman Sportsmanship Award.

Professionally, Lovejoy captured the first title of his career in 2019 at the Mississauga Open in Canada and broke into the world’s top 100 rankings in his first season as a full time professional. He has represented team USA on multiple occasions and was part of the historic 6th place finish at the World Team Championships in New Zealand.Lovejoy plans to take on a new role as the National Squash League (NSL) CEO.

Two years ago, Lovejoy, U.S. teammate Timmy Brownell and Fernando Valdizan founded the NSL, which showcased a new team squash format inspired by other major American team sports. The NSL employs a 3 vs. 3 team match format with substitutions and power players over three periods of timed squash.

The inaugural NSL season in 2024 fielded six men’s teams, and its initial success saw the league expand to nine men’s teams in 2025 and welcomed the inaugural women’s division with four teams. The NSL recently celebrated the conclusion of its second season with an action-packed NSL Finals weekend at the Specter Center.

“My decision to step away from the PSA tour was not an easy one by any means, but I am at a point where I am ready to leave my full-time professional squash career behind and put my energy into growing the NSL,” Lovejoy said. “Playing professional squash was a childhood dream of mine and something I have been working for since I was twelve years old. It had its ups and downs over the last four years, but I am very grateful that I got to play the sport I love at the highest level and for the support I got from my family and ��ϲ�� to do so. Playing for Team USA was always an honor and a privilege, and the source of not only my favorite squash memories, but also life memories. Playing professional squash has shaped me as a person and taught me so many invaluable lessons that I will take with me into my next chapter as the CEO of the National Squash League.”

Philadelphia Freedom and Lightning Conquer NSL Finals

Chris McClintick — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 21:04:27 +0000

The second edition of the National Squash League (NSL) finals saw the Philadelphia Freedom earn the inaugural NSL Women’s title and Philadelphia Freedom celebrate their first season with the franchise’s first NSL title, June 27-29, at the Arlen Specter ��ϲ�� Center in Philadelphia.

The NSL Finals were an exciting culmination of the league’s second season, and featured an expanded finals format take course over the weekend with four men’s and women’s team competing in semifinal rounds to reach Sunday’s finals. Watch all match replays on the .

The inaugural NSL women’s division fielded two thrilling semifinals. The Amanda Sobhy-led DC Inferno recorded a commanding 4-0 win over Sabrina-Sobhy led Lake Erie Beacons to reach the finals, while the Tinne Gilis-led Philadelphia Freedom harnessed home court advantage to defeat the Marina Stefanoni-led SoNo Sharks 3-1. A thrilling women’s final saw the Inferno claw back from losing the first two periods to win the third and force a first-to-three point shootout. The Freedom clinched the title by winning three straight shootout points with all three players–including Gilis, Melissa Alves and Catalina Pelaez–contributing a shootout point.

The men’s finals weekend featured an electric ElShorbagy-brother clash in the semifinals between the Marwan-led Lightning and Mohamed-led Newport Dragons. The Lightning outlasted the Dragons 3-1 to seal their spot in the finals. The Victor Crouin-led Lake Erie Beacons earned their spot in the finals with a dominant 4-0 win over the Miguel Rodriguez-led Atlanta Tornadoes. The Lightning stormed to the men’s NSL title with a shut-out 4-0 final performance to earn Marwan ElShorbagy, Nathan Lake and Mohamed Abouelghar championship rings.

For more coverage visit .

New York Knights Defeat Nashville Crushers to Lift Inaugural NSL Title

Chris McClintick — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 18:06:31 +0000

The Nashville Crushers (Left) and New York Knights (Right)

The New York Knights defeated the Nashville Crushers to claim the inaugural National Squash League (NSL) title Saturday, June 21 at the Arlen Specter ��ϲ�� Center in Philadelphia.

The inaugural NSL season was modeled off a new team and city-based league similar to other major league sports in the United States. Formed in part by American professionals Timmy Brownell and Spencer Lovejoy, the NSL features an innovative 3 vs 3 team match format with substitutions and power players over three periods of timed squash. Four match weeks were held over the course of the spring to determine the two teams vying for the NSL Championship title.

The Knights–the only undefeated team in the league–went in as slight favorites over the Crushers. They made light work of both the Chicago Grizzlies and the Newport Dragons on their way to the finals. The Crushers topped the South division with a dominating win over the Atlanta Tornadoes, but then had a surprise loss against the Derby City Colts. Though the Crushers went 1-1 on the season, they were able to go through on points, being the team with the most periods won in the South Division.

Sebastien “The Flash” Bonmalais, Matias “The Spin Bender” Knudsen, and Rory “The Tartan Trailblazer” represented the Knights, taking on Timmy “Slim Tim” Brownell, Simon “The Ginger Bread Man” Herbert, and Ronald “El Parcero” Palomino, who represented the Crushers in the highly anticipated final match.

The Knights went oﬀ to a blistering start, utilizing their power play specialist, Matias Knudsen, to build an early lead. Timmy Brownell and the other Crusher’s players did their best to diffuse the Knights’ momentum, but the lead was too much to overcome. New York took the first period by a convincing scoreline, 25-16, to go up 1-0.

In the second period, the Crushers came out with more urgency, reversing the scenario from the first period by calling their power play first. Brownell was able to build a 5-point lead, followed by a great shift from Palomino, who continued to build on the lead against Knights’ Bonmalais. The Crushers closed out this period 23-18, leveling out the score at 1-1.

This Championship was poised to be decided in the third and final period–10 minutes longer and worth 2 points. The Knights rocketed oﬀ to a fast start similar to the first period, using both their 1 minute and 2 minute power plays in the first 10 minutes. This put them up 13-5, but meant they would have no power plays to use for the rest of the period, while Nashville still held both of theirs. At this point, Nashville was fighting an uphill battle, but began to claw their way back into the match. With seven minutes remaining, both teams made their last substitutions. It was Brownell vs Bonmalais, with New York leading 24-18, for the final portion of the Championship match. Brownell was forced to press up in order to close the gap with minimal time remaining, as Bonmalais used his rapid movement to retrieve. Brownell began to inch back point-by-point, getting within 1 point of Bonmalais at 25-26, until he lost his balance slightly in the back right corner and his lob squeezed out of court. This was enough for Bonmalais to run out the rest of the clock and secure the First NSL Championship for the New York Knights. Bonmalais’ efforts earned the Frenchman the inaugural MVP accolade following the final.

Presenting Sponsor, Shanin Specter, from the Kline and Specter Law Firm, presented the Championship trophy to team owners Elisabeth Hill and Lu Valdizan. Quoting his father Arlen Specter, “I look at the words up here on the girder next to the scoreboard ‘You’re never too far behind to win, and never too far ahead to lose’ and I’m sure everyone in here felt that way today.”

During the trophy ceremony, League Commissioner Fernando Valdizan announced plans to expand with three new men’s team and four new women’s teams in 2025.

For more information on the NSL visit .

The 2023-2024 New York Knights, (L-R): Rory Stewart, Sam Scherl, Mathias Knudsen, Sebastian Bonmalais

Specter Center to Host Inaugural NSL Finals

Chris McClintick — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 20:29:45 +0000

The Arlen Specter ��ϲ�� Center is set an exciting weekend of National Squash League (NSL) action featuring a women’s exhibition Friday, June 21, and the inaugural NSL Finals Saturday, June 22.

The women’s exhibition will preview the first ever Women’s NSL season in 2025, which will consist of four new expansion cities to be announced in the near future. The match will be streamed simultaneously on the NSL & ��ϲ�� YouTube channels as well as on HomeTeam Live, the new production partner of the NSL. The matchup will feature six of the world’s best female squash players who have agreed to showcase the sport for women and pave the way for the future of the league.��

The Matchup:

TEAM NORTH AMERICA
Sabrina Sobhy (USA, WR #15)
Caroline Fouts (USA, WR #64)
Margot Prow (BAR, WR #99)

TEAM WORLD
Grace Gear (ENG, WR #45)��
Alina Bushma (UKR, WR #77)��
Jana Shiha (EGY, WR #85)

Match Time:��6pm on Friday, June 21

Tickets��are on sale��and start at $30, use promo code��finals25��for 25% off!!

Two teams remain in contention for the inaugural Championship, both of whom would be worthy champions. The New York Knights have been ruthless all season, ripping through the North Division on the back of their superstar roster. The Nashville Crushers on the other hand have had a more tumultuous rout to the finals, dropping their second match against Derby City but advancing on total points won. New York is flashy, talented, and without question the crowd favorite at the Arlen Specter Center in Philadelphia, just a short train ride from the Big Apple.

TEAM ROSTERS:

NY Knights:
Sebastien Bonmalais (FRA, WR #28)
Rory Stewart (SCO, WR #47)
Matias Knudsen (COL, WR #95)

Nashville Crushers:
Timothy Brownell (USA, WR #29)
Simon Herbert��(ENG, WR #56)
Ronald Palomino (COL, WR #130)

MATCH TIME: 5pm on June 22

Tickets��are on sale��and start at $30, use promo code��finals25��for 25% off!!

**All ticket holders will be entered into a raffle to win a��free weekend getaway to the Greenbrier Resort

��ϲ�� and National Squash League Form Strategic Partnership Ahead of Inaugural Season

Chris McClintick — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 20:32:45 +0000

��ϲ��, the national governing body for the sport of squash in the United States, and the National Squash League (NSL), a new team and city-based league similar to other major league sports in the United States, have formed a strategic partnership to grow the sport of squash in the United States.

The partnership will see the two organizations share resources in pursuit of the common goals of increasing the number of players and viewership for the sport of squash.

The NSL—formed in part by American professionals Timmy Brownell and Spencer Lovejoy—employs a 3 vs 3 team match format with substitutions and power players over three periods of timed squash. The NSL held its inaugural draft in February to determine the league’s six teams: Derby City Colts, Atlanta Tornados, Chicago Grizzlies, Newport Dragons, New York City Knights and Nashville Crushers.

The inaugural NSL season will feature six matches, April 27-June 8, which will culminate in the NSL Finals held at the Arlen Specter ��ϲ�� Center Friday, June 21.

“I’m impressed with the initiative Timmy and Spencer have taken in this start-up league,” said Kevin Klipstein, ��ϲ�� President & CEO. “It’s a fun, entertaining way to engage current players and introduce new people to the sport. The NSL is also an exciting new way for the squash community to get engaged. We’re looking forward to supporting their development.”

“We appreciate the support from ��ϲ�� and hope to deliver an exciting new brand of Squash, which will engage current squash fans and bring new fans to the sport.” Fernando Valdizan, NSL Commissioner and Co-Owner.

For more information on the NSL and its upcoming matches, visit .

NSL – ���ϲ�����

���ϲ����� and National Squash League Announce Expanded Partnership