This is Buying Sandlot — the only newsletter that focuses solely on the business of youth sports.
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In the email today:
⚽️ i9 Sports Launches Training Sessions Program
There is a lot of space on the youth sports spectrum between a local recreational league and time-intensive club or travel competition.
i9 Sports is trying to address that delta with its latest offering.
The multi-sport franchise provider has launched weekday Training Sessions to complement its existing league play programs, where kids participate in a practice followed by a game once a week.
The sessions are a byproduct of i9 families showing interest in more opportunities, but not necessarily a desire to go from one day a week to the demands of club sports.
“We just found a niche and said, ‘Let’s give this a try.’” i9 President Matt Kuroski told Buying Sandlot. “It was a need, let’s fill it and see what happens. It’s really taken off for us.
“We say a lot that it is our responsibility to guide kids and families on their journey, but it’s their journey. They’re going to pick. If that club scene is right for them, great. That’s awesome. But if that’s not what they are looking for, we are as mission-oriented as they come as an organization. We believe every kid deserves an opportunity to try sports. Whether that’s something they end up doing for a long time or not, they should be exposed to it and they should have a great experience doing it. If we can fit that spot in the middle for those kids, that’s where we see ourselves falling.”
What it includes:
Training Sessions for athletes ages 5 and up
Small group, clinic-style instruction
Focus on skill development and refinement
Multiple sports offered overlapping with league seasons
I9 — owned by Youth Enrichment Brands — offers camps, clinics and leagues nationwide for ages 3 and up. There are about 170 franchises nationwide that utilize existing facilities in their communities.
I9 leverages volunteer coaches for its leagues, providing educational resources to ensure quality.
But all Training Sessions will be led by paid staff members with expertise in their sport.
Franchisees are not required to offer the sessions, but Kuroski said adoption is growing with many asking if they can do even more based on local demand.
Franchises have the flexibility to individually structure sessions programs.
“For some families, [the league] works perfectly,” Kuroski said. “It meets the family’s needs — they are not overcommitting — and it meets the kid’s needs. ‘I got to play flag football, now I’ll go do my other things for the rest of the week and then come back.’ But for other families, they want more.
“Why not give provide that option during the week? And it’s an option. If the once-a-week league is all you are looking for, great. We are not looking to force anyone into something that is not right for them.”
🏈 Zorts Powers Largest Girls Flag Football Tournament in the World*
The folks from long-term sponsor Zorts reached out to me (Kyle) last night and told me to scrap the copy for their ad today, because they were so excited about a hugely successful girls flag football tournament they powered outside of Philly this weekend— right in my backyard.
The video speaks for itself about the power of ZortsID with Flash Facial Recognition, but here are more details they provided:
The event is the largest girls flag football tournament in the world. It started with 74 teams four years ago— this year it featured 189! Beyond lightning-fast check-ins, Zorts kept things running without a hitch:
Over 2,500 players and coaches
Custom scheduling
Live bracket updates
Instant game notifications
For an event of this size, these features weren’t just convenient — they were a necessity, ensuring every athlete, coach, and parent knew exactly what was happening from the opening game to the championship.
Zorts technology makes participation easier for teams, schools, and leagues, fueling the rapid growth of girls’ flag football and opening the door for more young athletes to compete at the highest level.
“As we look ahead, Zorts mission remains the same — to grow the game, protect the players, and make every event smoother for athletes, coaches, and parents alike. This weekend in Philadelphia was just another step in a much bigger journey: ensuring that girls’ flag football gets the recognition, support, and platform it deserves.”
Learn more to see what Zorts and Flash Facial Recognition can do for your tournament right here.
*Sponsor
🎙️Youth Inc. Expands Platform
The series of youth sports-focused podcasts hosted by former NFL star and current television analyst Greg Olsen has transformed into a multi-platform operation after securing $4.5M in seed money earlier this year.
Youth Inc. says it is “the first integrated media and commerce platform dedicated to youth sports — combining practical advice, inspiring stories, and premium products designed specifically for young athletes and the communities that support them.”
The rollout this week included a podcast featuring Tom Brady, who famously knocked Olsen out of FOX’s No. 1 broadcast team — a buzzy move that drew mainstream media attention.
Former Sports Illustrated reporter B.J. Schecter is the company’s editor-in-chief. Youth Inc. will also have a celebrity ambassador and expert network and co-founder Tim Murphy, who oversees the media operation, has previous stops at The New York Times and The Golf Channel.
CEO and co-founder Ryan Blaise was involved in building Bo Jackson's Elite Sports training facilities.
🏀 Shoot 360 Lands In Pro Teams’ New Youth Facility
We wrote about the basketball tech performance franchise’s aggressive expansion ambitions last month.
Shoot 360 was not kidding around — it will be part of the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center when it opens this fall, giving the firm its first foothold in the New York metropolitan area.
The facility is owned by the parent company of the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty. Shoot 360 will have five shooting cages and three skills cages at the site.
Shoot 360 pairs AI-powered analytics with gamified training
Almost every NBA team uses its technology
Athletes get real-time feedback on shooting, passing and dribbling
There are currently roughly 50 established or planned locations in the U.S. and a handful in Canada and overseas.
Shoot 360 is aiming for 600 locations worldwide by 2030.
🏒 NHL Team’s Massive Youth Sports Investment
An attention-grabbing press release from the Great White North!
The Edmonton Oilers have pledged a whopping $21M+ for youth sports in their region (and have delivered two-thirds of it already).
The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation (EOCF) announced today it has invested $14.1 million to date in its Every Kid Deserves a Shot initiative through its delivery partners and hockey engagement programs, with an additional $7.2 million committed over the next five years for more than $21 million invested in the initiative by 2030.
Also: You may be wondering how the Oilers have this scratch given they play in a market equivalent to a Cincinnati or a San Antonio.
Employing Connor McDavid and making back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals appearances is good business.
The Oilers led the NHL in revenue for the 2023-24 season with $388M and have a projected value of $2.65B.
Impressive stuff from the Oilers, all around.
📋 Job Alert: Branded Content Creator/Producer, Perfect Game
The baseball and softball development giant is “seeking a creative, driven, and baseball-obsessed Branded Content Creator/Producer to help us bring the Perfect Game brand, and partner brands, to life across social media and digital platforms. From ideation to publishing, you’ll own the full production cycle—concepting, shooting, editing, and delivering high-impact video and photo content that connects with our baseball-loving audience.”
The position is remote, but requires travel to Perfect Game events. The starting salary is $60K and candidates must reside in/be authorized to work in the U.S. The full job posting can be found on LinkedIn.
🔗 Youth Sports Links
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Good game.