Buying Sandlot: The Business of Youth Sports

An email on social media claims US Soccer plans to absorb US Youth Soccer and the CEO of Coachbetter, Patrick Patzig, comes on to talk about an investment from the German Football Federation, Germany's digital grassroots revolution, and interoperability in Europe. 0:00 - Unveiling the Premium Community 4:00 - The Pope, AI, and Youth Sports? 8:39 - A Youth Soccer Bombshell? 23:43 - German Football...

The NFHS pens an op-ed arguing participation in school sports is the antidote for the rising cost of youth sports, mental performance is becoming table stakes in the industry, and Unrivaled Sports makes a softball move. We then have on scoutSMART CEO, Diane Bloodworth, to talk about leveraging AI to assist girls flag football recruiting. 0:00 - Unveiling the Premium Community! 6:18 - Nfhs Enters t...

Regulatory scrutiny on youth sports continues with the Let Kids Play Act and a new lawsuit filed against Stay-to-Play policies. We look at the pros and cons of the arguments. GameChanger is targeting grandparents in their new campaign with Donna Kelce, Capacity Sports Group sheds light on their growth strategy, and schools provide a sponsorship template for youth sports. 0:00 - Italy Recap & a...

Travis Vaughn of Upward Sports comes on the show to talk about how the organization assists churches and communities through sport. We dive into Upward's innovative business model, the custom sports programs, and promoting faith through rec experiences for over 225,000 athletes and 1,500 churches annually. 0:00 - Upward Sports Strategy to Help Churches 8:33 - Operational & Community Approach 1...

Kyle Pagan talks with ShotTracker CEO, Dayveon Ross, about their first of it's kind partnership with MADE Hoops. They talk about ShotTracker's strategy shifting to youth sports, the innovative suite of AI-driven video data products, advanced tracking, real-time data broadcasts, and future collaborations. 0:00 - Inside ShotTracker's Partnership with MADE Hoops 3:32 - ShotTracker's Strategic Approac...

Varsity Brands CEO Adam Blumenfeld comes on the show to talk about the market opportunities with Club Direct, the acquisitions of Soccer.com and Lax.com, Pro Cheer and Stunt's future, and increasing youth participation through apparel and sponsorship. 0:00 - Market Opportunities with Club Direct 3:44 - Speed, Access, Quality, & Sublimation 10:16 - How Varsity Brands Increases Youth Sports Part...

Kyle and Kyle dig into the latest participation data released by the Aspen Institute. The report indicates an increase to 58% in 2024. We also talk about the USA Today investigation of Black Bear Sports Group and its effect on the youth sports ecosystem. 0:00 - A Premium Community Update 4:54 - Digging Into Youth Sports Participation Numbers 34:07 - USA Today Takes On Black Bear Sports Group 43:11...

Steve Weyler, lobbyist and sports advisory at Invariant, comes on the show to talk about The Let Kids Play Act and its implications for youth sports policy. We dive into the evolving landscape of youth sports policy in Washington, which is currently targeting private equity involvement, affordability, and safety standards. 0:00 - Legislation in Youth Sports: The Let Kids Play Act 8:42 - PE Backed...

We react to the PlayMetrics and SportsEngine deal and reveal new details as this shifts the youth sports industry. We then discuss the "Let Kids Play Act", as Congressional Democrats looks to ban private equity in youth sports, prohibit “stay to play”, and redirect financial resources back into community sports. Finally, CEO of HeadCHECK Health comes on to share insights from a report indicating t...

President of Hometown Soccer Holdings, Chris Klein, joins the show to talk about the new KKR and MLS joint venture. The joint venture includes stadiums, investment in the youth to pro, and the quest to expand soccer's reach into mid-size markets and fostering a deeper connection between fans and their local clubs. We then talk about the new legislative developments in Pennsylvania, where a recent...

Fastbreak AI's CEO, John Stewart, details the company's latest acquisition: GroupHousing. Now growing towards north of 450,000 room nights Stewart talks about the youth sports tourism opportunity, integrating new companies into the fold, and sheds some light on another product they plan to launch in 2027. 0:00 - Fastbreak AI Acquires GroupHousing 3:00 - How Much Can the Sports Tourism Market Grow?...

Kyle and Kyle discuss Capacity Sports Group's continued spending spree, the cost of Youth Sports continues to find itself in the crosshairs of politicians, an international travel provider goes bankrupt leaving families stranded weeks before a trip, and a D1 college is adding more athletes as some universities cut teams this weekend. Later, Power Baseball details their new partnership with CURVE S...

Kyle and Kyle break down the Sports ETA Tourism report that unveils the youth sports market number many have cited is actually conservative. They also discuss what the new Perfect Game hire signals for the company's expansion and legislative news around the country following safety trends. 0:00 - New Premium Offerings at Buying Sandlot 4:26 - New Tourism Report Sheds Light on Market 12:13 - The Fu...

TeamSnap CEO Peter Fritzilas and XbotGo Founder David Tan join the show to announce their first of it's kind streaming partnership. They also discuss how the two platforms will integrate, the Falcon's features, the importance of premium cameras in youth sports, and how sponsorship could offset camera costs in the future. 0:00 - Full Buying Sandlot Summit Panels & Podcasts Are Now Available 1:0...

Politicians are already turning their attention to youth sports. Sr. Director at Invariant, Steve Weyler, and Matt LaPorta, Partner at True Up Capital Advisors discuss how youth sports is showing up in Washington, IMG Academy's #AddMoreAthletes campaign, private equity, and policy decisions in the future. 0:00 - Intro: Matt LaPorta & Steve Weyler 1:40 - How Youth Sports is Showing Up in Washin...

Kyle and Kyle discuss the quotes from Unrivaled Sports' CEO, Andy Campion. Also, Saudi Arabia's PIF dials back sports investment, we talk short-term bets in youth sports in light of the news, and Perfect Game and EventConnect expand partnership. 0:00 - Post-Summit Outlook at Buying Sandlot 7:57 - Unrivaled Sports CEO Talks Platform Vision 23:00 - PIF Dials Back Sports Investment 34:13 - Short-term...

Kyle and Kyle are back to reflect on the 2026 Buying Sandlot Summit and talk about the latest business news in youth sports. They dive into Capacity Sports Group's expands to new sports through acquisitions, Perfect Game's new media deal, and BASE Sports Group closing a $2.5 million round. 0:00 - Reflecting on the 2026 Buying Sandlot Summit 6:30 - Capacity Sports Group Expands Through Acquisition...

The biggest players in youth sports tech take the stage at The 2026 Buying Sandlot Summit. The Tech Heavy Hitters panel featured executives TeamSnap COO Greg Ludke, LeagueApps President Jeremy Goldberg, GameChanger SVP of Product Management and Design Aman Loomba, and Hudl President Matt Mueller. They discuss what features customers want, the transition to media businesses, how big the market can...

We're back! Kyle and Kyle talk about two youth sports tech start ups announcing different paths, USMNT legend Landon Donovan's criticism of club soccer, and dive into the 7th Inning Stretch with James Kratch to talk about the biggest youth sports business stories over the last week. Lastly, Onsides Founder Dave Yoo comes on to announce his app is out of beta, what it's been like building the every...

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 deli...

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 A...

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 spo...

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...

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 - GameChange...

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...