Thursday Night Mowing League 2024: Week 3 -- The League's First Yard Sign

Business is officially heating up for the Thursday Night Mowing League

The blood is starting to pump. The energy is high. The innovation is inspiring. The growth is evident. The brand awareness has never been stronger. The Facebook stats are UP. T-shirt sales are UP. Polo sales ARE UP BIG. 

Growth mode is fully engaged. 

As the birds were finishing up their final chirps last night before heading to bed, I was sitting in the TNML HQ thinking about where the league stands, but more about where we're heading as the league's numbers explode. 

I've never felt more confident that TNML is going to revolutionize residential mowing in the United States. It's in our blood to compete. 

Compete for food. Compete for a partner. Compete for jobs. Compete on the field. Compete to get into elite colleges. Compete for parking spots. Compete to be the first ones on a plane. 

In 2022, the global lawn mower market size was estimated to be worth around $28.2 billion and is expected to be worth $46.6 billion in 2030. An estimated 54 million Americans mow each weekend. 

Thursday Night Mowing League is going to compete for our share of those 54 million Americans, and then we're going to go get our piece of that $46.6 billion pie by 2030. 

How? 

By telling our story week in and week out. Mow by mow. Stripe by stripe. 

By being intriguing to people around the world who have a desire to compete but never knew they could compete in a lawn mowing league. By triggering the dopamine in the head of a guy who used to dread mowing his lawn only to learn there's a world out there for him. 

I hear it week after week: Is this league serious? There's no way this is legit. 

Then the doubters see the passion. They see the positivity from the league and it's contagious. 

"You know I had rather be laughed at than not to be noticed at all," P.T. Barnum once said.   

Commissioner's mowing report

For the second-straight week, I was forced to mow earlier than I would've liked. Last week, it was due to the NFL Draft. This week it was due to my 12U coaching duties. 

But I got it in. My 2024 streak is at three straight. 3-for-3. 

The biggest news from my own operation is that I've ripped out three ornamental grasses, planted 12 arborvitae in a new bed and three boxwoods in another new bed. Now I need to edge the beds – BAD – and edge around sidewalks and the pool – BAD. 

All in all, after the wettest April on record for this area, I can't complain. I didn't miss league night and I haven't had to double mow on the weekend. I'm content.  

TNML National Rankings

It was the yard sign heard 'round the TNML. Diesel Renius, my longtime buddy, debuted a yard sign like parents put out for their softball-playing daughters. 

You're damn right it was enough to get D into the national rankings. The haters will say this is collusion and D made it just because he's my friend. I will remind you that not a single friend of mine made the 2023 TNML Finals. 

In fact, I treat the text group like I treat my kids when I'm coaching their sports teams – I expect even more effort. There will be no daddy ball in the TNML. Diesel actually went out and had the sign made to proudly display. 

When will TNML begin to sell yard signs? I'll revisit the question with T-shirt Manager Olivia G. 

(2024 TNML Week 3 leaderboard: Diesel finds himself in the Top 5 after a performance that has the league buzzing.)

BUY! BUY! BUY! 

The TNML 2024 Polo of the Summer is on fire. I'm told that we've sold "TONS" of polos and there are backorders to the backorder. In other words, BURY THEM with more orders. 

Don't take my word for it that the polo is incredible. Listen to the TNML influencers. 

Or buy something else from the 2024 TNML Collection®.

Mowing Reports from across the United States and beyond

- Adam W. in Nebraska had his team out doing work: 

My 6th grader is on his way to setting some laser straight Diesel edges.

My boys and the neighbor had a good team mow out there tonight.   I took command of the Dale mower and Intimidated the whole block with a solid stripe pattern.

- Mike T. in Idaho writes: 

Greetings from beautiful and cold Eagle, Idaho
Spring is a little late here in the Mountain West, with morning temperatures around freezing and highs in the mid 50s. A little chilly for me, but soon it’ll be 90, that’s how it works in the Rockies.
Lawn is doing as well as possible under the circumstances, but the positive is fire season has been extended!

- Tim G. in the 419 checks in on league night: 

Got in a good 4.5" mow on 2.5 soft acres in the 419 Thursday night. Had a thunderstorm miss just to the north while I was mowing. Still have parts of my back yard and the chicken run that I have not been able to mow because it is just too wet. No worries - we will be complaining about how dry it is in no time.

- Indy Daryl reports: 

A busy day and a work trip to Cincinnati kept me from going full bore but was able to get the front mowed before collapsing on the couch. I know it means a mow tomorrow, but just didn’t have the energy for the full yard. Hope everyone had great  league night!

- Beau in Toledo debuted a couple of flags and mowed two lawns: 

- Benny, a A Yooper in Yukon, OK, writes: 

Good afternoon Joe!!!

Here is my week 3 submission. I don't have Twitter/X, so I'm emailing in my submission. Or do you prefer the Facebook page?

I'm off the 10 day IL after having knee surgery. Got it all in just in time before the rain. Stripes aren't as pronounced as I prefer, and still batting crabgrass and some other weeds.... work in progress. The yard is green though and the summer shandy is cold and tasty!  

And an added league night bonus... I received my TNML polo in the mail!

My rookie season continues ...