This is Buying Sandlot — the only newsletter that focuses solely on the business of youth sports.
In the email today:
🗣️ Q&A With USSC President Justin Hoeveler
I (James) recently chatted with US Sports Camps President Justin Hoeveler — also the current Youth Enrichment Brands Chief Growth Officer, former YEB CEO and a member of Positive Coaching Alliance’s national board.
USSC is celebrating its 50th anniversary and its 30th year as the licensed operator of Nike Sports Camps.
[Here are some excerpts from our conversation. Answers are clipped for length in the newsletter.]
We focus a lot on elite athletes, but they are a small part of total participation. How valuable is it campers to, say, attend a USC volleyball camp even though many of them will not play volleyball at USC?
JH: Incredibly valuable. Seeing what “good” looks like is helpful in any activity or craft that you are pursuing. I went to Stanford tennis camp. I got to go live on campus and learn from [legendary coach Dick Gould]. I did that at 10, 11, 12, 13, and then you see the 16-, 17-year-olds and the college coaches who are part of the staff. You see them training, you see what good looks like. It's incredibly inspirational, incredibly aspirational.
YEB also owns i9 Sports. How advantageous is it for US Sports to be under the same umbrella?
JH: It’s awesome. I9 is best in class at providing introductory sports experiences and experiences for kids that don’t want the pressure of intense club sports. … Mix in some skill development here and there. Mix in some competitive play when you want. But the pressure to commit so early with clubs … I love clubs in some ways. I just signed my 6-year-old up for a soccer club.
I wanted to do it for two reasons: He expressed the interest, because his friends are doing it. But I’m in the space, I see one side of it, I see the articles, I want to go experience this. The coaches are incredible. Club sports give these coaches and organizations a chance to earn a living in coaching, which is something they are passionate about. Which is great.
But the other side of it is some of the cost that goes into travel, which I think is happening way too early, and some of the specialization I think is happening way too early.
There’s a time and place to meet kids where they are at in their journey, with the underlying thread being that this has to be fun. This has to be something the kids are exposed to, but then they are ultimately making the decision.
The full Q&A, which touches on NIL, the slew of international sporting events coming to the U.S. over the next decade, and youth sports’ biggest challenges, is available for premium members right here.
🏋️♀️ Own A Fast-Growing Training Franchise*
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Launch and marketing plans
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**Average revenue from locations open at least one year with complete financial data.
Rematch U.S.— the AI-powered youth sports highlights platform that allows you to rewind footage captured inside its app — is rolling out a premium offering that comes with a slew of new features.
Users pay $4.99 a month or $49.99 annually
4K video quality
Video stabilization
AI audio filter that removes background chatter
Highlight length up to 25 seconds
Rematch has gained momentum since launching in the U.S. earlier this year with a focus on the Dallas Metroplex area.
The firm recently struck a partnership with reigning Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain’s American soccer academies. It also has several other partnerships with soccer organizations and is expanding its adoption in basketball.
🚫 New Texas Law Takes On Bad Youth Sports Behavior
It is now one strike and you’re out in Texas.
A new state law — Senate Bill 2929 — allows high school sports officials and school administrators to immediately eject spectators for bad behavior.
Previous UIL rules required a verbal warning before ejection
The new law institutes a zero-tolerance policy
No warning is required and there is no appeals process
To ensure enforcement: A school loses the right to hire officials for home games if it has three incidents under the policy.
The law also applies to all events sanctioned by a school district. So an ejection from a football game could prohibit a parent from attending graduation ceremonies.
The law is harsh, but it is the type of measure that has to be considered given official abuse and shortages continue to be national issues.
This law seems to put much of the onus on the schools themselves. I wonder if we will eventually get to a point where people will be automatically barred from youth sports events through legislation.
I think of the bans that get handed down for soccer hooliganism in Europe — not only is someone prohibited from attending the game but they cannot be within X miles of the stadium before, during and after a contest.
🏈 NFL MVP’s Shoe Deal Has Youth Sports Tie-In
Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen has left Nike for New Balance.
Part of the move: The apparel giant will fund youth sports in his hometown of Firebaugh, California.
Allen released an open letter to the city as part of the partnership rollout.
New Balance also partnered with U.S. Youth Soccer earlier this year.
💼 Youth Sports Transaction Wire
We missed this last week and duly apologize— but it’s worth noting for its broader implications, especially as it relates to a company we’ve covered quite a bit recently.
EMERGING Fund announced that former Topgolf Swing Suite Senior Director of National Business Development Peter Kratsios will join to lead growth for EMERGING’S port cos - which include Buying Sandlot favorite Batbox, along with F1 Arcade and others - beyond brick-and-mortar and through licensing.
OK, what does this mean and who the hell cares?
Good question. Glad you asked.
We’ve mentioned Batbox a couple of times now. The “Top Golf of Baseball” is opening its first location in Texas this month. Their plans for expansion include not only physical locations, but also expansion through licensing Batbox suites (gamified batting cages, basically) to other venues, including baseball and softball facilities, of which there are many owners in this audience.
Kratsios’ appointment continues a trend of gamified training— where technology blends seamlessly with repetitive movements, like swinging a bat or club, kicking a ball in soccer, or shooting a basketball. These offerings can be scaled in a capital-light manner through licensing to facilities with existing infrastructure and, importantly, customers.
This goes hard in the Sportstainment space, but also has lots of implications for youth sports.
Opportunity: What other aspects of youth sports can be scaled through licensing? Premium members will get more on that tomorrow.
📋 Job Alert: Manager, Youth Soccer — Boston Legacy FC
The NWSL expansion franchise — starting play next year — is seeking a pointperson for its youth soccer initiatives.
The Manager of Youth Soccer will lead Boston Legacy FC’s grassroots marketing and youth soccer engagement strategy, focusing on building relationships in the Boston and Greater Boston youth and adult soccer community. This individual’s responsibilities will include management of the execution of the fan engagement calendar, fan engagement and youth soccer events, and supporting the overall Fan Experience team on matchdays and non-matchdays.
A full job posting can be found on LinkedIn.
🔗 Youth Sports Links
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Good game.