Maki Jenner is Making History, and a Name for Herself in the NLL

In a sport traditionally dominated by men, a young up-and-coming female broadcaster is about to take the lacrosse world by storm.

Maki Jenner, a lacrosse communications profession and broadcaster from Victoria, British Columbia, grew up playing and loving the game. She began playing box lacrosse at a young age with the boys and transitioned to the girls’ field game a few years later, consistently showing her knowledge and passion for the game.

Well now, she is set to make history as the first female color analyst during an NLL broadcast when the Halifax Thunderbirds host the Albany FireWolves on December 28 at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax.

“It was honestly just a rush of excitement and pure honor,” said Jenner after learning she’d be stepping into the role as an analyst. “It’s also the feeling to be given the privilege to be able to have that opportunity.”

Joel Feld, the Executive Vice President for Broadcast and Media for the NLL was ecstatic to give Jenner the opportunity to bring her knowledge and passion to the color commentary role.

“Fans who have seen Maki in her role as a reporter know what she brings to every broadcast,” said Feld. “Lacrosse is in her blood which makes her connection to our fans so genuine. She has certainly earned the opportunity to bring her natural talent, knowledge of the game and fresh energy to the analyst role.”

Jenner began her NLL media career with TSN doing weekly ‘Lax Facts’ segments during the TSN Game of the Week. After a season in that role, she spent the 2021-22 season with both the New York Riptide and NLL on TSN. She was then given the opportunity to work for the Halifax Thunderbirds as their Communications Manager.

“I interned with the Victoria Shamrocks Senior ‘A’ team in the summer of 2022 and after the season was over, it was about a week later, when I was on my way to a separate job interview when the digital media person called me and said ‘We have an opening in our communications department, would you want to move to Halifax?’ I just said ‘No brainer, yes I’m in’.”

Since joining the Thunderbirds organization, Jenner has excelled in the lacrosse media industry, doing gameday previews, sideline reporting and multiple interviews of the players and coaches. After spending three seasons with Halifax, Jenner earned a key role at one of the most prestigious lacrosse tournaments in the world, the Canadian Junior ‘A’ Box National Championship: The Minto Cup.

“Growing up and watching the Minto Cup, it’s one of the most sought after championships in lacrosse, if not the most, and it’s one of the hardest to win,” Jenner commented. “When I found out that I was going to be able to go back and be part of this panel and be part of this broadcast team, it was so much fun.”

Being a member of the game broadcast and studio intermission crew was just the first step in Jenner’s history-making week. Maki was everywhere: at the desk during the intermissions, analyzing the games and carrying out sideline interviews and reports throughout the tournament. Assigned to call the Semi-Final game alongside Jake Elliott, broadcaster for the Vancouver Warriors, Jenner moved the needle for women in sport.

“I had no idea that I was the first female to call a game until Jake Elliot said so on the broadcast,” Jenner said surprisingly. “I was so nervous, and I was so invested in the moment of what was going on that it took me until, after the game, to really realize what that meant, and to have Cheryl Pounder and Daniella Ponticelli tweet and reach out and offer their congratulations. This is a huge milestone and huge step for women in the lacrosse world and it took kind of a while to sink in.”

Another recent milestone for Jenner was calling Canada’s inaugural game at the Women’s World Lacrosse Box Championships in Utica, New York.

“We’re on such a trend of positives in that female sports realm that I’m so lucky to just be kind of a part of that history. And I just have so much respect for what these women have accomplished in order to help get this sport to that point.”

Jenner has always been a huge advocate for women’s lacrosse and women breaking barriers. Now that she has opened the doors for so many more women after her incredible summer, she wants to continue that trend in Halifax.

“As a young female, to have someone that they can look up to is huge. And I think to be a positive role model for these young women is great,” Jenner said proudly. “I’ve been lucky enough to coach now for two seasons in the Halifax region for box and being able to start a field program is great too. And for the girls to be able to, send me my clips on Instagram of me doing my game day previews, and they’re like, ‘That’s our coach’. It’s pretty cool to see that.”

When the FireWolves visit Halifax to take on the Thunderbirds, Jenner will try to honor her mentors in the business by being prepared and passionate.

“I have to fill the shoes of Pat Gregoire. That is going to be so difficult,” said Jenner nervously. “I’ve been talking to Pat. He’s one of the best minds when it comes to color commentating and analyzing lacrosse, and so I’ve really appreciated him taking me under his wing, and we’ve had a few meetings and got to talk about it, and learning some different tips from him and getting feedback.”

Gregoire, an analyst for the NLL on TSN, had nothing short of great sights for Maki Jenner’s future within the lacrosse world.

“To compare Maki’s journey to lacrosse, I think we’re just in the second quarter,” he stated. “Maki’s dedication to the sport, her craft and her fans will continue to propel her forward, and it’s clear that we’ve only just begun to see the full extent of her impact on the lacrosse world. As her career evolves, there’s no doubt that Maki will continue to break new ground, inspire others, and help shape the future of lacrosse broadcasting.”

Jenner’s uncle and longtime NLL broadcaster, Teddy Jenner, praised his niece on the significance of what this will mean for women in lacrosse and on-air talent.

“It’s just another mountain that she has been able to climb on her journey,” [Teddy] Jenner proudly stated. “Having become the first female to do a lot of things in the lacrosse world over the past few years, it’s not surprising that she’s getting this opportunity.”

One of Maki Jenner’s strengths is her storytelling ability. Jenner connects with players, coaches and fans in a way which brings the game to life.

“Having been around the game of lacrosse since she was born, speaking to it comes naturally to her and that resonates with the fans so very well,” Jenner said complementing his niece. “Her knowledge of the intricate details gives her the ability to break it all down seamlessly and accurately.”

President and CEO of the Thunderbirds, John Catalano, characterized Jenner’s journey to the NLL and this moment for women in lacrosse.

“Maki has been a fantastic addition to our Thunderbirds family and has made a positive impact since she arrived. She has worked hard to grow the Thunderbirds’ presence in the community along with strengthening our youth academy programming.”

Jenner is looking forward to her history-making night when Halifax hosts Albany on Saturday, December 28 at 6:00pm EST. The game will be streamed on ESPN+, TSN+ and NLL+.