Spencer Lovejoy on Reinventing Squash Through the National Squash League

Speaking at Maspeth Squash after an outdoor match against Timmy Brownell — a matchup that, according to both players, always goes to five games — Spencer Lovejoy, CEO of the National Squash League (NSL), sat down with James Green to discuss his journey from professional squash player to league founder and CEO.

From “Basement Courts” to the World Stage

Lovejoy first picked up a squash racquet at around eight years old, playing with his dad on the “basement courts” of the New Haven Lawn Club in Connecticut. Comparing those early days to the outdoor court in Maspeth, he jokes about the difference:

“From the first time that we played, I loved it.”

He began lessons with Lynn Leong, the local pro who would go on to coach him at Yale and become, as Lovejoy puts it, his “squash mentor” throughout his junior career. During those years, he ranked among the top players in his age group.

College Squash and Beyond

“It was never my goal to end up at Yale — I think it just kind of happened,” Lovejoy admits. College wasn’t initially part of his plan; he simply loved playing and dreamed of going pro. But thanks to a few older friends on the Yale team, college squash became an attractive path.

“College squash is a very unique experience, and I think anyone who’s a player should do it.”

Lovejoy went on to compete professionally for five years, reaching a career-high ranking of World No. 64. But despite his success, he felt the sport needed something more — a spark to make it more dynamic and engaging. That vision ultimately inspired him to retire from the tour and launch the National Squash League.

Building the National Squash League

Lovejoy co-founded the NSL alongside Timmy Brownell, starting as both a player and a founder before stepping into the CEO role. Drawing inspiration from North American professional sports like the NBA, NFL, and MLB, Lovejoy wants to bring that same sense of drama, storytelling, and fan engagement to squash.

“We love the drama between the players and learning what they do off the court.”

How the NSL Works

For those unfamiliar with the NSL format, here’s how matches are structured:

• Team Roster: Each team has six players. Three are chosen to compete in each match in the #1, #2, and #3 positions.
• Match Format: Matches consist of three timed periods — two 20-minute periods and one 30-minute period.
• Substitutions: Teams are allowed two substitutions in each of the first two periods, and three in the third, tagging in teammates from any position.
• Power Play: Each team gets a two-minute Power Play per period, during which only the Power Play player can score points.
• Scoring: The first two periods are worth one point each, while the third is worth two points — meaning a team trailing 2-0 can still tie the match 2-2.
• Penalty Shootout: If the score is tied 2-2, the match is decided by a penalty shootout — a best-of-five, single-point format between corresponding players.

“It’s extremely high-stakes, and everyone loves to see a match go down to a penalty shootout. Some of our most exciting matches last season were decided that way,” Lovejoy says.

Embracing Change and New Rules

While the format may feel unfamiliar at first, Lovejoy is confident that fans quickly catch on:

“The rules are different from what people think of as traditional squash, but once you sit down and watch a match, it usually doesn’t take very long to understand what’s going on. At the end of the day, the players are still playing squash — the rules of the game are the same.”

This season, the league is trialing a new refereeing rule: players will now call “let” or “stroke” themselves, and referees will make decisions based on what was called — a change explained in detail by Timmy Brownell.

Beyond the Court: Building Community

One of the NSL’s core principles is creating a deeper connection between players and fans.

“From my own experiences on tour, I think there’s a missing piece in squash where players don’t get to connect with the community,” Lovejoy says.

To address that, the league regularly hosts doubles exhibitions, community events, and meet-and-greets — all of which are now integral parts of the NSL experience.

Looking Ahead: Expansion and Growth

One of the most exciting developments this season is the growth of women’s teams, including the newly formed New York Queens, who will be hosted by Open Squash. The league is also shifting its schedule to run from January through May, aligning more closely with the traditional squash season.

The National Squash League is changing the game — literally. As the new season approaches, with expanded women’s teams and a fresh January–May schedule, fans can expect more intensity, more personality, and more reasons to fall in love with squash.

🎥 Watch the full interview with Spencer Lovejoy and explore more Boast About It stories to see how players and leaders are shaping the future of the sport.