Buying Sandlot: The Business of Youth Sports

TeamSnap Surpasses $20M Given Back in Branded Sponsorship

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

TeamSnap CEO Pete Frintzilas and SVP of Brand Solutions Nicole McCormack come on the show to talk about surpassing $20 million given back to grassroots organizations through sponsorship. We talk about the LeagueSide acquisition helping the platform achieve this incredible milestone, why brands value youth sports in their marketing strategy, the future of sponsorship, and how TeamSnap One will deliver even more value for sponsors in the future in a forecasted $10 billion streaming market.

0:00 - Buying Sandlot Summit is in TWO Weeks

1:10 - TeamSnap Surpasses $20M Given Back to Orgs

3:19 - How the LeagueSide Acquisition Helped

5:32 - Successful Sponsorship Campaigns

7:21 - How TeamSnap Unlocked Value for Brands

11:43 - TeamSnap One Plans to Unlock More Brand Power

14:44 - Balancing Profit & Community Impact

17:22 - The Future of Youth Sports Sponsorship

19:05 - Are Brands Targeting Specific Clubs or Networks?

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

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The NIL Platform Trusted By IMG Academy

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:00:00 -0400

Advance NIL is an NIL education, athlete protection, and development platform ocused on helping athletes and the organizations around them navigate Name, Image, & Likeness. Working with over 50,000 athletes and families through structured programming and digital education tools, we talk about their NIL PreCheck platform, the complex and changing landscape, and educating elite athletes at IMG Academy to avoid scams.

0:00 - Two Weeks to Get Buying Sandlot Summit Tix!

1:25 - How Advance NIL Helps Athletes Navigate NIL

3:47 - Curriculum & Educational Offerings

6:51 - Navigating the Evolving NIL Landscape

10:05 - What Laws Should Parents Be Aware Of?

13:55 - The Future of NIL in High School Sports

18:26 - NIL Opportunities Outside of Social Media

20:41 - Scams, Red Flags, & NIL PreCheck

27:00 - Advance NIL's Next Move

29:23 - International Athletes & NIL

33:27 - Revenue Share, NIL, & Title IX's Future

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

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The All-In-One Facility in Hooptown, USA: MØDE Sports

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:30:00 -0400

MØDE Sports’ VP Scott Reid comes on to talk about the one of a kind 500,000 square foot facility they’re building in Spokane, WA that will include Liberty Launch Academy, 30+ courts, and a football field all attached to the already existing community center. We talk to Scott about the academy launch, being the first to market in the region, tournament and event economics, the brand partner and sponsor strategy, and how they plan to maximize 500,000 square feet during dead periods.

0:00 - Buying Sandlot Summit Agenda Announced

00:30 - The vision of transforming community sports and education

01:55 - The Vision of MØDE Sports & Liberty Launch Academy

7:22 - The One of a Kind School Curriculum

9:58 - Maximizing a 500,000 Square Foot Facility

12:15 - Pros & Cons of Being First to Market in Pacific Northwest

15:43 - The Diverse Athlete Recruitment & Unreal Basketball House

17:30 - Expanding Sports & Programs

21:50 - Economics of Tournaments & Events

25:24 - Football Facilities & Other Amenities

28:30 - Naming Rights, Brands, and Partnerships

33:42 - Content Strategy & Media Partners

38:50 - Scott's Buying Sandlot Summit Testimony

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

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IMG Academy’s Business Model: Data, Development, and the Future

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

IMG Academy's COO Mike Milliron sits down with Kyle Pagan to discuss the one of a kind student model, developing athletes for the changing college landscape, the importance of brand partners, and the future of elite youth sports academies.

0:00 - One of a Kind Student Model

0:50 - How to Decide What to Build Next

1:40 - Importance of Partners: Gatorade & Under Armour

2:36 - A Holistic Approach to Education

5:10 - Dealing With the Transfer Portal

6:41 - The Content Strategy of Elite Academies

8:55 - The Future of Elite Youth Sports

9:46 - Is IMG Ready for the AI Disruption?

10:42 - The #AddMoreAthletes Campaign to Grow College Athletics

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

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Perfect Game Unveils New Individual Player Entry System

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 17:30:00 -0400

Kyle and Kyle discuss GameChanger's new multi-angle broadcast system at an Unrivaled Sports park, vibe coding platform features, and what they're bullish on in the facilities space amid chaos in Kansas City. Later, Gary Wilson from Perfect Game comes on to talk about their new Individual Player Entry system for elite baseball players.

0:00 - Buying Sandlot Summit Agenda Announced

5:33 - GameChanger Rolls Out New Multi-Camera System

10:30 - Vibe Coding & Youth Sports

13:22 - The Vibe Coding Race to the Bottom

21:49 - The Facilities Arms Race: Dome Drama

24:45 - Improving Infrastructure For Club Facilities

34:20 - Perfect Game's New Individual Player Entry

41:54 - The Long Term "Team PG" Opportunity

46:31 - How Perfect Game Builds the Team

48:06 - The Content Strategy Around IPE

50:35 - Expanding the PG Experience

52:36 - Inside the IPE Platform

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

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The Company Building LinkedIn for College Sports Recruiting

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 17:30:00 -0400

Kyle & Kyle talk to Brian Cruver, CEO of Scorability, about building the LinkedIn for college sports recruiting.

0:00 - Buying Sandlot Summit Panel Reveal

3:40 - How a Recruiting Experience Lead to Scorability

6:39 - The LinkedIn for College Sports Recruiting

14:21 - How Acquisition Created a Powerful Platform

19:20 - How Scorability's Platform Expands Cross-Sport

22:35 - Creating the Complete Picture of Recruits

24:49 - Adding the Coach Back Into the Recruiting Process

28:56 - Who Are Scorability's Competitors?

32:17 - Interoperability & the Future Market Potential

36:49 - Navigating Data Privacy in Youth Sports Tech

39:33 - Raising over $50 MILLION in Funding

43:51 - The Role of Camps in College Sports Recruiting

Thank you to our friends at EventConnect: the operating system for youth sports for sponsoring the show. Run your entire tournament or connect the tools you already use to their operating system to reduce spreadsheet chaos, help with tournament registration, and grow hotel spend. Support EventConnect who helps power the show and allows us to continue to show up in your inboxes and podcast feeds at https://eventconnectsports.com/

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

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The Bull Case For Youth Sports

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:00:00 -0400

Kyle and Kyle break down Chamath Palihapitiya's X article "The Collapse Of Terminal Value - What Happens If AI Makes Every Moat Temporary?" from a business of youth sports angle. How will AI disrupt youth sports? Would AI disruption lead to interoperability? Are youth sports recession-proof? They then react to a mainstream outlet covering the space like never before, a kid who was benched for his parents not volunteering, England's silence on the sidelines, and Rush Soccer's unique brand integration.

0:00 - Buying Sandlot Attendance & Agenda Update

3:11 - The Collapse of Youth Sports Terminal Value

9:07 - The Importance of Trust Networks

12:24 - Would AI Disruption Open up Interoperability?

15:13 - Public Investment in Place of Private

17:13 - Are Youth Sports Recession-Proof?

25:41 - Is Mainstream Coverage of Youth Sports Changing?

31:02 - Can Anyone Disrupt the DICK's Sporting Goods Market?

37:08 - Benched for Parents Not Volunteering

43:21 - England's Silence on the Sidelines

45:33 - Rush Soccer's Unique Brand Integration

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

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New Study Pushes Back on Sports Specialization

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 17:30:00 -0400

A new study from the ECNL pushes back on sports specialization and not everyone agrees with the findings. They also discuss GameChanger's outlook after the DICK's Sporting Goods earnings call. Lastly, Justin Honeysuckle talks about TendedBar and they're pivot to youth sports. He discusses their journey from NFL stadiums to tournaments, the business model, mixing alcohol and youth sports parents, and their tech behind transaction efficiency, age verification, and alcohol compliance.

0:00 - The Buying Sandlot Summit

5:31 - New Study Pushes Back on Sports Specialization

17:48 - GameChanger's Outlook After DICK's Sporting Goods Earnings

27:15 - TendedBar Shifts to Youth Sports

36:40 - The Tech Behind Age Verification & Transaction Times

41:35 - TendedBar's Business Model & Price Point

44:26 - Mixing Alcohol & Youth Sports Parents

47:57 - Expansion & Franchising

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

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CaaS Partnerships, Data Privacy, and LeagueApps CEO Brian Litvack

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 17:00:00 -0400

Kyle and Kyle discuss GameChanger and GoPro's partnership, the CaaS market, and streamers in the era of data privacy after a youth sports company gets dinged. Later, CEO of LeagueApps, Brian Litvack, joins to talk about the platforms three new features (TeamBuilder, Evaluations, and Global Schedule). We also talk about how these features will solve operator problems, how LeagueApps is using AI to solve more challenges and needs faster and more efficiently, and the before, during, and after game solutions.

0:00 - Announcing Summit Sponsors & More Speakers

4:35 - How Companies Are Using CaaS

13:08 - Streamers in the Data Privacy Era

21:17 - How LeagueApps' TeamBuilder and Evaluations Will Help Operators

34:05 - Using AI to Solve Operator Problems and Needs

36:13 - Before, During, and After Game Solutions

37:49 - LeagueApps CEO Reveals New Feature

42:09 - Will Newer Features Be Built In House?

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

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IMG Academy’s Manifest Destiny and HUDL Leads Through Sponsorship

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 17:30:00 -0400

IMG Academy introduced its Elevate by IMG education and performance platform. Kyle and Kyle give their commentary on what they think this means for expansion and future elite sports academies around the country as private education and elite sports continue to popularize. Buckle up! This one has a lot of layers! Later, they discuss the new DICK’s Sporting Goods trade-in partnership with SidelineSwap, a Savannah Bananas knockoff, and a 9U football player entering the transfer portal (and why they don’t hate it). Lastly, Adam Gouttiere, VP of Media at HUDL, comes on to talk about the new partnership with Chase, financial literacy around NIL deals, preventing NIL scams, how clubs can empower major and local brands, and unlocking scale.

0:00 - The Buying Sandlot Summit Sizzle

5:16 - IMG Academy's Manifest Destiny

14:43 - The Blending of Academics & Athletics

19:15 - DICK's and SidelineSwap Launch Trade-In Program

22:33 - A Savannah Bananas Knockoff

26:38 - 9U Football Player Enters the Transfer Portal

30:30 - Adam Gouttiere VP of Media, HUDL

34:23 - How Partnership Helps Families with NIL

36:46 - Do Major Brands Have Interest in Youth Sports?

38:58 - How to Make Partnerships Not Feel Like an Ad

40:30 - How to Marry the Physical & Digital to Unlock Scale

42:59 - Empowering Local Brands in Youth Sports

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

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An Elite Sports Academy Without Teams and A State of Youth Sports Rant

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:00:00 -0400

Kyle Scott and Kyle Pagan discuss the elite Pathway Schools soccer academy that doesn't have a soccer team. They talk about the continued trend of combining elite education and sports and the innovative approach to development. Later Tyler Kreitz, CEO of Focus on the Field, comes on to talk about his LinkedIn rant against the current state of the youth sports industry, breakdown his observations, and the importance of trust and ownership when you're developing a product or are an operator in the industry.

0:00 - Intro

0:52 - The Elite Soccer Academy With No Soccer Teams

10:53 - Sportico Op-Ed Throws Cold Water on the Industry

19:03 - A State of Youth Sports Rant

32:14 - Could There Be More Local Investment?

40:16 - The Importance of Trust & Ownership

45:48 - Playing Youth Sports Czar

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

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The SaaS Disruption

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 22:30:00 -0400

Kyle & Kyle talk about the importance of the collection, input, and verifiability of data as the SaaS disruption of youth sports continues. Plus they talk about how AI can help interoperability between platform market leaders and breakdown a football prospect's AI highlight video that's going viral and it's effect on the industry. Later an interview with Greg Manarik, CEO of Koomba, talks about his platform that connects youth athletes with sports psychologists and performance coaches. The conversation highlights the trends he sees in youth athlete mental performance, retention from investment, data sharing to reduce burnout, and the technology used to enhance athlete performance.

0:00 - Intro

6:07 - How Koomba is Helping Youth Athlete Mental Performance

15:15 - The SaaS Disruption!

26:47 - How AI Can Help Interoperability

32:10 - A High School Recruit's Viral AI Highlights

38:11 - Koomba Partnership Gives Access to 30k New Customers

41:21 - Koomba's Goal for Athlete's Mental Performance

45:20 - What Sports Does Koomba's Athletes Play?

46:28 - Difference Between Mental Skills & Sports Psychology

48:11 - Clubs That Invest in Mental Performance See Retention

49:29 - Koomba's Business Model

53:47 - Thoughts on Expanding Customer Focus

55:44 - The Future of Koomba

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

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The Texas Commodities Trader Who Built an Elite Baseball Academy

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 17:00:00 -0400

Brandi Dowell Co-Founded The Bennett School, an elite baseball academy in Texas, because she was tired of the archaic school system. Using The Alpha School's 2 Hour Learning Model TBS utilizes AI-powered curriculum so student athletes don't have to spend six hours a day in the classroom. Instead they develop their baseball skills most of the day and get dinners with family back. We talk to Dowell about the AI curriculum that has student-athletes learning 6x faster than peers, student's day-to-day, the baseball facilities, self-funding the school, and tech they’re using to track verifiable data for the next level. Stick around after the interview as we react to the cutting edge ideas the mom and Texas commodities trader discussed.

0:00 - Welcome to Buying Sandlot

1:10 - How Students Only Need to Learn 2 Hours a Day

6:25 - What is The Bennett School's Objective

9:59 - Student's Day-to-Day

11:28 - Students are Learning 6x Faster Than Peers

14:10 - How Sports Fills the Gaps

16:34 - How the AI Curriculum Challenges Students

18:28 - The Baseball Facilities

21:11 - How They Track Player Data for Scouts/Coaches

22:59 - What's the Future of The Bennett School?

25:15 -An Elite SELF-FUNDED Baseball Academy + Tuition Costs

28:33 - Reactions to Interview + IMG Academy

35:18 - IMG Academy's Focus on School

37:50 - How The Bennett School is Capitalizing on Youth Sports Trends

41:16 - Reacting to the Learning Development Approach

44:17 - The Consolidation of Sports Academies Will be WILD!

46:40 - Examining a Company Vertically Integrating from Youth to Pro

50:20 - Parents Continue to Take Youth Sports Back

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

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How ESPN Can Scale Softball: Interview with Former Cooperstown Village CEO Rick Abbott

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Rick Abbott has over 25 years working for the most iconic brands in sports like ESPN, NBC, and Formula 1 and is a former CEO of Cooperstown All-Star Village with Unrivaled Sports. A certified stick and ball guy Rick tells us why he's bullish on softball and the impact of major networks like ESPN on youth sports. We also talk about the Savannah Bananas youth approach, the needs for major brands to reinvest in grassroot sports, and the gives his thoughts on the recently popular "Norway Model".

0:00 - Intro

3:38 - Why Rick is Bullish on Softball

13:34 - How ESPN can Make Softball a Valuable Property

14:32 - ESPN and LLWS Relationship

16:40 - Streamers Future in Youth Sports

21:16 - The Concerns Around Youth Gambling

24:16 - The Softball Facility Conundrum

25:50 - Banana Ball or Little League Ball?

37:34 - The Mental Toll on Youth Baseball Players

40:47 - How NIL is Transforming High School Recruiting

44:10 - Do Youth Sports Parents Get a Bad Rap?

47:47 - Can the Norway Model Work in the U.S.?

53:23 - The Importance of Major Brand Sponsorships

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

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Lessons From a Youth Hockey Tragedy, Video Rights, and SportsEngine Loses Volleyball

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 17:00:00 -0400

Kyle Pagan, Kyle Scott, and James Kratch discuss tech and businesses improving safety protocols following a tragic shooting at a youth hockey game, LiveBarn's complex case of video copyright, and USA Volleyball ending it's deal with SportsEngine, which brings out the Sale-O-Meter.

0:00 - Intro: Grab Tix to the Buying Sandlot Summit

1:59 - The Business Case for Improving Safety after a Youth Hockey Tragedy

12:20 - LiveBarn's Complex Video Copyright Case

26:35 - USA Volleyball Ends Deal with SportsEngine

28:32 - The SportsEngine Sale-O-Meter Update

29:45 - Who Will Replace SportsEngine at USA Volleyball?

33:00 ...breaking news about the breaking news

36:58 - The Future of Streaming

40:55 - We'll be at the Flag World Championships in Orlando

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

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Norway's Winning Youth Sports Model

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Norway is dominating the Winter Olympics again, which has people lamenting their youth sports model. Norway emphasizes participation, joy, and multi-sport play, compared to the US system that is focused on competition and elite athletes. Kyle and Kyle argue against the comp while agreeing the US could adopt some of its philosophies. They then shift to Adam Silver's comments on AI's potential to hyper-personalize the sports experiences and argue for live sports experiences piggy-backing off of Barack Obama's comments about sports reminding us about our common humanity.

0:00 - The Norway Model

1:48 - Should the US adopt the Norway Youth Sports Model?

17:55 - Adam Silver Thinks AI Will Hyper-Personalize Broadcasts

23:30 - Obama's Reminds Us How Big the Sports Opportunity Is

25:20 - The Future of AI Broadcasts

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

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New Club Baseball Platform's 'Super' Plan and Tiger Woods Gets Into Flag Football

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 17:00:00 -0400

CURVE Sports enters the youth sports space with a major plan to build "super clubs" and own the baseball player development. More major brands enter the space as HUDL partners with NIKE and further proves that tech and media are starting to intersect. Finally, the NFL taps Tiger Woods' TMRW Ventures to operate their professional men's and women's pro flag football league.

0:00 - New Club Baseball's "Super" Plan

18:59 - Big Brands Continue to Partner with the Industry

22:12 - Youth Sports Tech 2.0

29:08 - NFL Picks Pro Flag Leagues Partner

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

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The Acquisition Market Heats Up and GameChanger's Massive Streaming Numbers

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 17:00:00 -0400

Another day another youth sports business up for sale. This time it's D1 Training who bolsters 175+ facilities, 100,000 scholastic athletes, and over 5 million visitors in the last year. Kyle and Kyle discuss the run of youth sports sales in the last month, where D1's sale fits in the market, and the unbelievable $154.5 Billion youth sports market projection in 2032 (!!!). They then get into GameChanger's massive live-streaming numbers and breakdown HUDL's partnership with Lee Enterprises. Finally, we have a interview with PA Senator Joe Picozzi talking about his $3,000 youth sports tax credit proposal.

0:00 - D1 Training is For Sale

6:34 - The $154 BILLION Youth Sports Market(!!!)

11:22 - Discussing the Viral "Something Big is Happening" X Article

13:35 - D1 Training's Position in the Market

22:28 - GameChanger's MASSIVE Live-Streaming Numbers

30:46 - The Future of Youth Sports Live-Streaming

35:10 - HUDL Partners with the Papers

38:51 - Apollo's $6 Billion Sports Investment Blitz

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

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GameChanger’s Big Update: Interview with President Sameer Ahuja

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Sameer Ahuja, President of GameChanger, joins Buying Sandlot's Kyle Scott to talk about the company's latest product release, adding broadcast features, the future of live-streaming, and they company's expansion into new sports. They also talk about the balance between accessibility and profitability, what the height of the youth sports market cap looks like, and the significance of sponsorship.

0:00 - How GameChanger Has Evolved

6:30 - Details of GameChanger’s New Product: Video, Broadcast, AI and More

12:12 - Expanding into New Sports

16:10 - Balancing Accessibility and Profitability

18:33 - Unifying the Sports Experience

23:40 - Thoughts on Platform Consolidation

26:06 - GameChanger's Livestreaming Opportunity

31:10 - GameChanger's Long-Term Goals

33:38 - How GameChanger Leverages Content

38:00 - The Future of Sponsorship in Youth Sports

43:10 - Driving Accessibility in Youth Sports

46:36 - How Big Can the Youth Sports Market Get?

49:51 - Trends and Innovations in Youth Sports

Thanks to EventConnect for sponsoring the episode. Run your entire tournament on one operating system — or connect the tools you already use. Grow room nights, end spreadsheet chaos, and keep every datapoint in one place with live pace for hotels, impact for CVBs, and a smoother path for families. Check out the Operating System of Youth Sports at https://eventconnectsports.com/

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The Baseball Tournament Parents and Kids are OBSESSED With

Sat, 07 Feb 2026 08:30:00 -0400

Daniel Himel is the founder of "Happy Baseball" or as it's called on his tax returns - Middle School Matchup. MSM is a unique weekend tournament for middle school baseball players in areas that do not have formal middle school teams. Over 50,000 kids in 300 cities have participated and it's getting bigger and bigger each year. We talk to Dan why they only play twice a year, how do they spot good locations, his franchise model, the Savannah Bananas recent news, and if he's expanding into other sports.

Check out Middle School Matchup here: https://www.middleschoolmatchup.com/

0:00 - Brand New Speakers Announced for the Buying Sandlot Summit

5:20 - Kyle & Kyle's Thoughts on Middle School Matchup

17:22 - What is Middle School Matchup?

20:30 - How does MSM spot good locations?

21:28 - How does MSM Decide When to Schedule Tourneys?

23:28 - What is MSM's Franchise Model look like?

28:43 - Why they can't have more tournaments...

30:11 - Will MSM have to compete with the Savannah Bananas?

32:59 - Will they expand into other sports?

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

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A Major Shift in Youth Sponsorship and the Campaign Increasing Participation for Girls

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 15:00:00 -0400

Parents pay 1.5 times more attention to brands that sponsor their child’s youth team than to brands sponsoring professional sports teams. - YouGov Sport and Priority Partnerships Report

We talk about the developing landscape of youth sports sponsorship as some major brands are pivoting from advertising in pro sports. We also touch on how teams, tech platforms, and leagues are taking advantage of it, how it will effect the cost of clubs, and how major brands could utilize it to their advantage. Later Madison Gates, VP of Marketing at I9 Sports, discusses the "Gains are for the Girls" campaign, the impact of NIL and Title IX, and the challenges of maintaining participation as girls transition into their teenage years.

0:00 - Researcher Unlocks Future Gold Medal Winners?

4:50 - The Major Shift in Youth Sports Sponsorships

9:42 - Youth Sponsorship with Club Teams

14:22 - Youth Sponsorship with Tech Platforms

21:05 - Youth Sponsorships with Major Brands

22:44 - "Gains are for the Girls" campaign w/ Madison Gates from i9 Sports

26:57 - The Impact of NIL and Title IX

29:03 - The Role of Coaches and Role Models Play

30:31 - How i9 Helps Drive the USA's Youth Participation Goals

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

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Everyone Is Talking About The Savannah Bananas and Private Equity Needs PR

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Kyle Scott and Kyle Pagan discuss the industry's reaction to The Savannah Bananas' "new frontier", youth baseball and speculate what that launch will entail. They then talk about Joon Lee's video, "The $40 Billion Industry Built on 8-Year Olds" breaking down the impact of private equity on youth sports and discuss the narratives the media sometimes cherrypicks while acknowledging the challenges parents face to give their kids the best opportunities and experiences possible.

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

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How To Run a World Class Youth Baseball Club

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Frank Decembrino is the CEO of Clubhouse Partners Inc., a platform that owns, finances, operates, and supports elite youth baseball and softball programs. In this episode, Frank talks about how they grow clubs they invest in alongside talented operators, baseball's facility needs, different approaches to specialization, and how an MLB Strike would effect youth baseball.

0:00 - Frank's journey from facilities to club operator

7:21 - How Clubhouse Partners invests in clubs and operators

14:41 - Are parents evolving with specialization?

19:06 - The future of data in baseball recruiting

33:47 - Monetizing the sports facility model in a different way

56:26 - MLB Strike's impact on youth sports

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

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Savannah Bananas Youth Sports Launch, Perfect Game's International Plan, and Rumors Surround Streamer

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 15:00:00 -0400

Kyle Scott and Kyle Pagan discuss the Savannah Banana's owner Jesse Cole announcing the organization's launch into youth sports and the goal of 1 million youth athletes. Perfect Game's Chairman, Rick Thurman, provides an inside look at their international expansion plan. Finally, GTCR LLC is rumored to be acquiring LiveBarn for $400 million. Will this be able to compete with GameChanger? What would the sale mean for SportsEngine's price tag?

00:00: The Savannah Bananas youth sports launch

09:46: Inside Perfect Game's international expansion

19:37: LiveBarn's rumored acquisition: What does it mean for SportsEngine?

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

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Flag Football's Massive Win, Tech Platform Wars are Here, and PlayerData CCO Jess Brodsky

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 16:00:00 -0400

Flag football nabbed a massive win when the NCAA added women’s flag football to the Emerging Sports for Women program. Kyle Pagan makes a prediction based off of this news and the guys discuss what the future for flag may hold. OttoSport AI launches to much fanfare and Kyle Scott gives his thoughts on how the platform fresh off of $16.5 seed round will fare vs. others. Finally, PlayerData CCO, Jess Brodsky, talks with Pagan to discuss the new PlayerData x MITRE partnership and creating the first ever GPS-enabled connected soccer ball.

0:00 - Flag football's massive win

22:19 - OttoSport AI enters the Tech platform wars

35:00 - Interview w/ PlayerData CCO - Jess Brodsky

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026 Follow Us: Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.buyingsandlot.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/buying-sandlot/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buyingsandlot TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@buyingsandlot

2026 Youth Sports Industry Predictions

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 19:00:00 -0400

"Parent pushback on specialization will increase."

"Youth sports tech companies will expand internationally."

"Sportstainment is set to grow."

Kyle Pagan and Kyle Scott are joined by Buying Sandlot contributor, James Kratch, to go over their 2026 youth sports predictions. The crew predict youth sports tech companies will expand internationally, an elite high school football platform will be launched, governments will start tackling the accessibility and affordability issue, the trend of organized pickup competition heats up, parents pushback against specialization, and the Supreme Court will hear a Title IX case where the outcome will benefit some sports losing youth participation. They finish with their predictions in sportstainment, the potential for youth sports credit cards for parents, and athlete wallets that could revolutionize the industry.

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

0:00 - Youth Sports Predictions 2026

3:11 - Youth Sports Expand Internationally

6:11 - An Elite High School Football Platform Launches

10:11 - Governments Will Tackle Accessibility and Affordability

14:20 - Organized Pickup Competition Becomes a Hot Trend

21:57 - Parents Begin to Pushback on Specialization

26:42 - The Supreme Court Will Hear a Title IX-based Challenge to the House Settlement

35:23 - Sportstainment Grows

46:40 - Congress Will Pass at Least One Piece of Youth Sports-related Legislation

48:40 - Flag Football and Volleyball Infrastructure Increase

51:20 - Versant Will Partially Sell SportsEngine

58:45 - A Youth Sports Credit Card and Athlete Wallets Will be Introduced

Is Youth Golf Growing Faster Than Flag Football?

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Kyle Pagan and Kyle Scott dive into the latest study that youth golf participation is surging compared to flag football, companies and politicians are trying to increase sports equipment accessibility, and they react to a viral youth hockey brawl at the Hershey Bears game.

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

0:00 - Youth Golf Participation is surging

8:46 - Companies are trying to end the Youth Sports equipment access problem

17:25 - Viral Mites on Ice Brawl

A Popular Trend is Driving the Industry in 2026 While the Sports Facilities Arms Race Heats Up!

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Kyle Scott starts off with something that's been bothering him about business leaders in youth sports and their use of AI. They then dive into the merger of two youth baseball organizations, Prep Baseball and Bullpen Tournaments, and wonder if consolidation will be a youth sports trend in 2026? They then discuss the sports facilities arms race heating up, the larger than life economics, and what the outcome of boom will result in down the line. They also delve into the report from Bloomberg of KKR's acquisition of Arctos Partners apparently being inaccurate and finish with the importance of branding in the youth sports sector.

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

0:00 - Introduction to Youth Sports Business Trends

6:10 - Kyle's Gripe with Youth Sports Business Leaders and AI

11:55 - Is there a trend in 2026 for consolidation in Youth Sports?

18:57 - The Youth Sports Facilities Arms Race is heating up!

27:40 - KKR acquires Arctos Partners...or do they?

How The Perfect Game Plans to Become the Next Jordan Brand!

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Rob Ponger, CEO of Perfect Game, wants the company to be the next Jordan Brand! He discusses the evolution of the company from a tournament-focused organization to a comprehensive brand that includes media properties like PerfectGame.tv, merchandise collabs with Adidas and Bruce Bolt, and data analytics on their DiamondKast platform. He emphasizes the importance of creating elite experiences for all players and the growing opportunities for sponsorship in youth sports. The conversation also touches on cultural shifts in youth baseball, the role of data in player development, and the potential for international expansion. Ponger shares insights on the future of youth sports and the importance of providing a great experience for families.

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

0:00: Introduction to Perfect Game and CEO Rob Ponger

2:44: Evolution of Perfect Game: From Tournaments to Media

5:37: Challenges in Evolving the Perfect Game Brand

8:46: Creating Elite Experiences for All Players

11:38: The Intersection of Media and Brand Building

14:36: Sponsorship Opportunities in Youth Sports

17:41: The Role of Data and Analytics in Player Development

20:11: Cultural Shifts in Youth Baseball

23:07: The Future of Scouting and Player Metrics

26:01: International Expansion and Opportunities

28:51: The Importance of Experience in Youth Sports

31:56: Future Trends in Youth Sports

34:57: Conclusion and Future Aspirations

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GameChanger's HUGE Basketball Move and How Versant's Stock Price Effects SportsEngine!

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Buying Sandlot Kyle Pagan and Kyle Scott discuss the evolving landscape of youth sports, focusing on GameChanger's expansion into basketball, the implications of the streaming wars, and the integration of AI in sports highlights. They also delve into the financial dynamics surrounding Versant and SportsEngine, exploring the potential for consolidation in the youth sports tech market.

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

0:00 - The Youth Sports Business Conference is Coming!

2:37 GameChanger expands into Basketball!

6:30 The Youth Sports Streaming Wars are HERE!

12:25 AI Highlights and Youth Sports Engagement

19:42 Versant's volatility while SportsEngine hangs in the balance!

27:10 Reflections on Youth Sports

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Building the GameChanger of Flag Football: Jeran Fraser, Founder of Flag50

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Kyle Scott is joined by Jeran Fraser, founder of Flag 50, a live scoring and league management platform for flag football. They discuss the unique challenges faced in youth sports, the importance of technology in improving scoring and league management, and the potential of AI in sports tech. Jeran shares insights on building a lean team, funding strategies, and the future of sports technology, including data portability and the value of collectibles in youth sports.

Chapters:

00:05 - Introducing Flag50 and the Future of Sports Tech
00:52 - Introduction to the Buying Sandlot Summit
16:21 - Exploring the Future of Flag Football Technology
21:02 - The Evolution of Tournament Technology
26:35 - The Future of Data Portability in Sports
36:41 - The Rise of Digital Collectibles in Sports
44:12 - Navigating Success in Unique Market Spaces

Links:

https://flag50.com/

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylelaskowski/

Professionalizing Recreation: How Youth Athletes United Serves As The Entry Points For Athletes

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Kyle is joined by Adam Geisler, co-founder and CEO of Youth Athletes United. Adam introduces Youth Athletes United innovative approach to youth sports through franchising. Adam talks about the mission of YAU, which focuses on providing high-quality, age-appropriate sports programs that cater to over a million children annually across the United States. The discussion delves into the significance of professionalizing recreational experiences for youth, emphasizing the necessity of quality coaching resources and the unique role of franchising in expanding youth sports participation at the grassroots level. Adam highlights the organization's portfolio, which includes popular brands such as Soccer Stars and Amazing Athletes, and talks about the vision of instilling a sense of athleticism in every child, thereby fostering a lifelong love for sports. Furthermore, the conversation explores the strategic planning behind YAU's expansion into various sports and the importance of community-based locations in enhancing accessibility to sports for families.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Youth Athletes United

03:02 - Introduction to Youth Sports Business Opportunities

09:45 - The Importance of Professional Coaching in Youth Sports

20:18 - Consolidation in Youth Sports

27:29 - Consolidation and Technology Investment

32:45 - Transitioning to Franchise Sales Strategies

35:30 - The Evolution of Youth Sports Franchising

41:12 - The Rise of Youth Sports: Trends and Opportunities

46:06 - Impacting Youth Through Sports: A New Approach

Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-geisler-1442697

https://www.youthathletesunited.com/

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The Top Golf of Baseball: Former Phillies GM Ruben Amaro

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Kyle is joined by Ruben Amaro, co-founder of Sluggball and former Phillies GM. They discuss the innovative game of Sluggball, its relevance to baseball, and the importance of situational hitting. Amaro emphasizes the need to introduce Sluggball to high school players to enhance their skills and enjoyment of the game. The discussion also covers the balance between fun and competition in youth sports, the significance of teamwork, and the role of specialization in developing young athletes. Amaro shares insights from his experience with the Philly Bandits and the importance of providing opportunities for youth in sports.

Links:

https://www.playsluggball.com/

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The All New TeamSnap ONE: Interview with Reed Shaffner, TeamSnap CTO

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 09:40:00 -0400

Kyle is joined by Reed Schaffner, CTO of TeamSnap. They discuss the launch of TeamSnap ONE, a comprehensive platform for youth sports management. Reed shares insights on live streaming, highlight generation, sponsorship opportunities, coaching resources, predictive scheduling, and the integration of various tools to enhance user experience. The conversation highlights the importance of making technology accessible for volunteer coaches and the future vision for youth sports technology.

Links:

https://www.teamsnap.com/

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Inside the Changing Youth Sports Landscape: Interview with LeagueApps CEO, Brian Litvack

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Kyle is joined by Brian Litvack, co-founder and CEO of LeagueApps. discussing the evolution and future of youth sports technology. They explore the role of AI in enhancing sports management, the challenges of competition and consolidation in the industry, and the importance of community engagement. Brian shares insights on investment trends, the necessity for innovative revenue models, and the critical role parents play in shaping youth sports experiences. The discussion emphasizes the need for a focus on participation and enjoyment in youth sports, aiming for a more inclusive and impactful future.

Links:

https://leagueapps.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianlitvack

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The Hottest Sports Tech Company: Interview with John Stewart, CEO of Fastbreak AI

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Kyle is joined by John Stewart, CEO of Fastbreak AI. John discusses the evolution of youth sports technology and the challenges faced in scheduling for both professional and youth sports. He shares insights on how Fastbreak AI aims to unify fragmented youth sports technology, the importance of brand engagement through sponsorship, and the future trends in the industry. The discussion highlights the complexities of scheduling, the need for comprehensive solutions, and the vision for Fastbreak AI's growth in the sports tech landscape.

Links:

https://www.fastbreak.ai/

https://www.swoop.ai/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-stewart-3528a38

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The Future of Coach to Player Communication? Interview with Mike Rolih, Founder of GoRout

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Kyle is joined by Mike Rolih, founder of GoRout. Mike shares his journey from coaching to founding GoRout, a visual wearable communication platform designed to enhance communication between coaches and players in sports. He discusses the challenges of communication in various sports, the competitive landscape, and the importance of data analytics in player development. Mike emphasizes the significance of simplicity in technology for youth sports and outlines GoRout's pricing strategy and future innovations, including AI-driven analytics and integrations.

Links:

https://gorout.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrolih

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LeagueApps NextUp 2025 Interviews: Empire Baseball, Focus on the Field, Go4, Onsides

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:00:00 -0400

Kyle is joined by Jordan Baltimore of Empire Baseball, Tyler Kreitz of Focus on the Field, Andy Hayes of Go4, and Dave Yoo of Onsides while at the LeagueApps NextUp event. They discuss what problem each company is looking to solve within youth sports, how companies like are changing the landscape with tech and investments, and close with what they love about the NextUp event.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction to Jordan Baltimore and New York Empire Baseball
03:46 - Expanding Beyond Baseball: New Opportunities
09:54 - Transitioning to Focus on the Field
15:19 - The Importance of Communication in Youth Sports Management
23:00 - Navigating the Landscape of Sports Software
26:19 - Building a Community of Athletic Trainers
30:44 - The Importance of Emergency Action Plans in Youth Sports
42:31 - Insights on Youth Sports Technology and Market Dynamics

Links:

https://newyorkempirebaseball.org/

https://www.focusonthefield.com/

https://www.go4.io/

https://www.getonsides.com/

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Inside a Sports Tech Giant: Interview with Matt Mueller, COO of Hudl

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Kyle is joined by the COO of Hudl. They discuss the evolution of sports technology and its impact on youth sports and explore Hudl's mission to empower teams through innovative video analysis and AI integration, the challenges faced in different sports disciplines, and the importance of automated coaching tools. The balance between fixed and portable equipment, the significance of video in coaching, and the future of youth sports, including trends in investment and monetization opportunities. Matt also talks about Hudl's recent acquisition of Athletic Data Innovations and addresses rumors that the company might go public.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Huddle and Its Mission

03:18 Differentiating Recreational and Analytic Streaming

05:14 The Role of AI in Sports Technology

09:25 Challenges in Sports Technology Across Different Sports

13:28 The Balance of Fixed and Portable Equipment

16:25 Understanding Mission Critical Software in Sports

19:22 Integrating Video with Player Tracking Data

28:23 The Excitement of Youth Sports and Coaching Challenges

30:38 Engaging Coaches: Training and Education Strategies

33:07 High School Sports: Current Landscape and Future Opportunities

36:08 Monetization in Youth Sports: Sponsorship and Revenue Streams

39:07 Macro Trends in Youth Sports: Investment and Professionalization

42:10 Future of Youth Sports: Predictions and Innovations

48:40 Admiring Innovation: Companies Making Waves in Sports Tech

Links:

https://www.hudl.com/

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Running a World-Class Sports Training Franchise: Interview with Will Bartholomew, Founder of D1 Training

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:00:00 -0400

Kyle is joined by Will Bartholomew, Founder of D1 Training. They discuss Will's journey from being a college athlete to building a successful training franchise, the importance of community and collaboration in sports, and the evolution of youth training. Will emphasizes the need for motivation and inspiration in coaching, the benefits of multi-sport participation, and the significance of standardized metrics in athlete development. The conversation also touches on the future of coaching, the role of franchising in business growth, and the importance of maximizing efficiency in training facilities.

Chapters

00:00 - From Athlete to Entrepreneur: Will's Journey
03:54 - Building a Business: Challenges and Growth
06:37 - The D1 Experience: Inspiring Young Athletes
09:22 -The Importance of Character in Sports Training
12:16 -Youth Sports Trends: Enjoyment vs. Competition
15:00 -Balancing Specialization and Multi-Sport Training
24:38 -The Drive for Excellence in Sports
25:16 - Transitioning to a Franchise Model
28:55 - Maximizing Efficiency in Training Facilities
33:31 - The Importance of a Proven Playbook
36:39 -Selecting the Right Franchise Owners
39:27 - The Role of Standardized Metrics in Athlete Development
46:13 - Future Trends in Coaching and Athlete Support

Links:

https://d1training.com/

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The Massive Youth NIL Potential: Interview with Brent Wall, Founder of Student Athlete Score

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Kyle is joined by Brent Wall, the founder and CEO of NIL platform Student Athlete Score. He discusses the evolution of NIL opportunities for student-athletes and how his platform aims to empower athletes by providing data-driven insights and connections with brands. He emphasizes the importance of helping the 95% of athletes who may not have access to high-level marketing resources and explores the future of youth athlete branding, the role of sponsorship in Olympic sports, and the B2C opportunities for young athletes. The discussion also highlights the potential of AI in facilitating athlete-brand connections and the changing dynamics of youth sports sponsorship.

Chapters:

00:07 - Introduction to Brent Wall
04:12 - The Emergence of NIL Opportunities for Youth Athletes
19:10 - The Influence of Youth Athletes in Marketing
29:57 - The Rise of Influencer Culture in Youth Sports

Links:

https://www.studentathletescore.com/

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Building The Youth Sports App for Overwhelmed Parents: Interview with Dave Yoo, Founder of Onsides

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 11:00:00 -0400

Kyle is joined by Dave Yoo, Founder of Onsides, an AI-powered youth sports app for overwhelmed parents. Onsides aggregates calendars and contacts from leading youth sports platforms like TeamSnap and SportsEngine into a single user interface so parents have a one-stop-shop for managing and coordinating hectic sports schedules. Dave talks about the idea behind the app, building a parent-first youth sports app, working with modern AI LLMs, and marketing a product in a crowded space.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Onsides and Its Mission

04:36 Features and Functionality of Onsides

07:14 Market Interest and Beta Response

14:16 Parent-Centric Approach vs. Club-Centric Software

16:55 Industry Reactions and Collaboration Opportunities

20:00 The Role of AI in Youth Sports Management

22:33 Comparative Analysis with Plaid and Slack

25:48 Challenges of Adoption and User Experience

28:20 Future Roadmap and Team-Level Adoption

43:16 The Game Day Concierge: Enhancing Parental Experience

43:43 Innovative Features on the Horizon

45:11 Ride Share: Simplifying Transportation for Parents

49:53 Marketing Strategies for Adoption

52:40 Integrating with Existing Platforms

55:23 The Role of AI in Data Management

01:01:51 User-Centric Design: Reducing Cognitive Load

01:01:51 Business Model Insights: Freemium and Advertising Opportunities

Links:

https://www.getonsides.com/

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The Future of Sports Streaming Tech: Interview with Rob DeSalvo, President of Pixellot North America

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Kyle is joined by Rob DeSalvo, the President of North America for sports streaming leader Pixellot. They power over 600k high school events each year through their partnership with the NFHS network and now lean heavily into the consumer side of the business with portable streaming tech. Rob discusses the differences between B2B and B2C relationships, custom solutions for different sports, infrastructure challenges and solutions, the investment market, and advertising solutions in youth sports streaming.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Pixellot and Rob DeSalvo's Background

04:16 The Role of AI in Sports Technology

06:53 Business Models: B2B vs B2C

09:41 Market Trends and Customer Expectations

12:34 Custom Solutions for Different Sports

15:32 Industry Consolidation and Future Outlook

17:58 Strategic Partnerships and Acquisitions

21:02 Consumer Engagement and Streaming Adoption

25:12 Challenges in Adopting Streaming Technology

25:45 Opportunities in the Sports Streaming Market

27:06 Overcoming Hurdles for Smaller Facilities

28:31 Infrastructure Challenges in Outdoor Fields

30:09 Diverse Infrastructure Needs Across Age Groups

31:33 Investor Interest in Sports Technology

32:31 The Future of Sports Streaming and Advertising

35:49 Monetizing Eyeballs in Youth Sports

40:45 Admiring Industry Innovators

42:58 Future Tech in Sports Streaming

Links:

https://www.pixellot.tv/

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Building a Baseball and Softball Facility Empire: Interview with Vince Russomagno, CEO of All-Star Sports Academy

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 11:45:00 -0400

Kyle is joined by Vince Russomagno, Owner and CEO of All-Star Sports Academy, which owns baseball and softball facilities throughout the Philly area and plans to expand through acquisition up and down the East Coast. Vince talks about what makes All-Star different, his plans for expansion, the importance of consistency in coaching baseball, and the overall youth sports landscape.

Chapters:

00:09 - Introduction to Vince Russomagno
06:05 - Introduction to All Star Sports Academy
08:26 - Transitioning to New Ventures
16:00 - The Human Element in Sports Training
19:53 - The Impact of Technology on Youth Sports
26:32 - Acquisition Strategy and Business Culture
31:41 - Navigating the Challenges of Youth Sports
36:10 - Integration of Technology in Youth Sports Training
40:10 - Understanding Youth Sports Development
46:19 - Parental Expectations in Youth Sports
52:50 - Navigating the Sale Process in Business
56:41 - Transitioning in Youth Sports: The Importance of Operational Capabilities

Links:

https://allstarsportsacademy.com/

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylelaskowski/

The Company That Runs High School Sports: Interview with David Rudolph, CEO of PlayOn Sports

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 10:15:00 -0400

Kyle is joined by David Rudolph, CEO of PlayOn Sports, a leader in high school sports streaming, ticketing, and information with NFHS Network, GoFan, and MaxPreps. David discusses the evolution of streaming in high school sports, the growth of digital ticketing, and the significance of the MaxPreps acquisition as a platform for high school sports information. He shares insights on audience demographics, monetization strategies, and why AI is so important to achieving scale in youth and amateur sports. He also speaks candidly on the increasing investor interest in youth sports and the potential for innovation in this fragmented market.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to PlayOn and David Rudolph

02:49 Evolution of Streaming in High School Sports

05:41 The Role of Digital Ticketing and GoFan

09:01 MaxPreps Acquisition and Its Impact

11:53 Understanding the Audience of High School Sports

14:53 Monetization Strategies and Sponsorship Opportunities

17:54 The Future of Local vs. National Sponsorships

20:55 PlayOn's Position in the Sports Ecosystem

23:46 The Importance of AI in Sports Technology

26:42 Future Directions and Innovations for PlayOn

29:36 Investor Interest in Youth Sports

32:42 Innovations in the Youth Sports Space

35:33 Conclusion and Future Outlook

Links:

https://www.playonsports.com/

https://nfhsnetwork.playonsports.com/overview

https://maxpreps.playonsports.com/overview

https://gofan.playonsports.com/home

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Solving Payments in Youth Sports

Wed, 21 May 2025 16:00:00 -0400

Kyle Scott is joined by Tony Caudill, cofounder of Duesy, a “text-first” payments and communication platform for youth sports clubs and tournaments. Tony is a two-time payments startup founder and began working on Duesy when he saw a clear need for a better payments solution in the youth sports ecosystem.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction to Youth Sports Business
08:17 - Introduction to Doozy and Its Origins
11:22 - Introduction of Digital Ticketing in Youth Sports
26:17 - The Importance of Branding in Youth Sports
28:15 - The Power of Data in Youth Sports
40:01 - Navigating the Second Time Around: Lessons from Experience

Links:

https://www.justduesyme.com/

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylelaskowski/