🏈💰 The largest and most trusted source for youth sports business news
Nov 03, 2025
🏅 Montgomery Alabama Announces Youth Sports Investment Plan, Seeks Partners with Athletes and Entertainers
🏟️ Sports Legends Back $280M Multi-Sport Campus in South Florida
🥋 USA Judo Selects Wichita for 2026 Youth National Championships, First Kansas Event
🏀 DICK’S Sporting Goods sending 2-year-old viral fan Kaisley to UConn Women’s Basketball home opener
💼 Sports Facilities Companies Looking for SVP of Strategic Growth
🏅 Montgomery Alabama Announces Youth Sports Investment Plan, Seeks Partners with Athletes and Entertainers
Montgomery Mayor Steven L. Reed announced plans to invest in youth sports equipment, facilities, coaches, and training during a recent podcast appearance, though specific budget allocations, timelines, and partnership details were not disclosed
“We wanna make sure that sports is a value proposition for our city,” Reed said. “We wanna invest in the equipment. We wanna invest in the facilities. We wanna invest in the coaches, the staff, the training, and, of course, the young athletes.”
Initiative components:
- Equipment and facilities: Infrastructure investments across the city
- Personnel: Support for coaches, staff, and training programs
- Programming: Both boys’ and girls’ sports included
- Collaboration: Partnership with Parks and Recreation Director Brandon Dean and local YMCA
- Potential partnerships: Interest from athletes and entertainers, though no names or agreements disclosed
Reed indicated that Montgomery has received interest from athletes and entertainers who may support the city’s sports initiatives. “We have some leads” on interest from both retired and current athletes as well as entertainers, Reed said, adding that an announcement would be made at a later date. He instructed listeners to “stay tuned” for future announcements regarding these collaborations.
The mayor positioned the youth sports investment as serving dual purposes: supporting individual development through leadership, time management, and life skills while creating opportunities for community engagement. He described sports as complementing academic objectives for school-age athletes.
No formal contracts, procurement processes, city council approval steps, funding sources, or administrative structures were detailed during the podcast interview. The initiative remains in early stages, with key details including partnerships, budgets, and implementation timelines yet to be announced.
🏟️ Sports Legends Back $280M Multi-Sport Campus in South Florida
Sports Performance Hub secured $280 million in private funding for a 100+ acre multi-sport complex in Homestead, Florida, announced October 24.
Founding investor group:
- Manu Ginobili: Four-time NBA champion
- Juan Sebastián Verón: Former Argentina national team captain
- Juan “Pico” Mónaco: Tennis player
- Emiliano Fernández Balagué: Fintech founder
- Gastón Remy: Former Dow Chemical executive
Facility components:
- Academies: Soccer, basketball, tennis, football
- Residential: Boarding school for athletes
- Stadium: 10,000-seat venue (Miami FC permanent home)
- Infrastructure: 100-room hotel, medical and mental health center
- Recreational sports: Baseball, volleyball, pickleball, padel
Economic and community impact:
- 4,300 jobs during construction phase
- 600 permanent positions once operational
- 10% of academy enrollment allocated to scholarship students
- Local community access and female athlete inclusion programming
“This is more than infrastructure, it’s a platform for human development,” said Gastón Remy.
Miami FC, owned by SPH partner Riccardo Silva, will relocate its training operations and home matches to the stadium. The facility sits on more than 100 acres under an 80-year lease agreement with the City of Homestead, located 30 miles from Miami International Airport.
“Miami has everything it takes to become the new global epicenter of sports: talent, diversity, and energy,” said Silva. “SPH brings all of that together with education and community.”
The project is funded entirely through private capital and adds to South Florida’s expanding youth and professional sports footprint, with the region’s proximity to Latin America making it a strategic location for academies targeting international athletes.
🥋 USA Judo Selects Wichita for 2026 Youth National Championships, First Kansas Event
USA Judo will host the 2026 Youth National Championships in Wichita on March 14-15, marking the first national championship held in Kansas. More than 600 athletes ages 5-20 are expected to compete for national titles and Team USA international roster spots at the Bob Brown Expo Hall at Century II in downtown Wichita.
Event details:
- Competition: Five age divisions spanning 15 years
- Dual purpose: National titles and selection for Team USA international events
- Venue: Bob Brown Expo Hall with adjacent meeting and office spaces for operations
- Partnership: USA Judo and Visit Wichita collaboration
The decision follows Wichita’s recognition as Best Sports-Event Host City at the 2025 SportsTravel Awards. “Wichita is fast becoming one of the country’s premier destinations for sporting events,” said Corinne Shigemoto, CEO of USA Judo. “We’re looking forward to welcoming young judoka from around the country, as well as their friends and family, for what promises to be an incredible weekend, on and off the mat.”
Josh Howell, vice president of sports development at Visit Wichita, said hosting the event reflects the city’s growing capacity for national competitions. “To bring a USA Judo national championship to our city and state for the first time is a testament to Wichita’s growing recognition as a premier host for national sporting events.”
The Youth National Championships provide a competitive platform for young judoka while identifying and developing athletes for USA Judo’s international programs. The event structure combines individual competition with the broader goal of creating pathways to elite-level competition for youth participants.
With the March 2026 event date set, USA Judo and Visit Wichita will begin operational planning for athlete registration, venue configuration, and local logistics. Details regarding registration, competition divisions, and spectator access will be released as the event approaches.
🏀 DICK’S Sporting Goods sending 2-year-old viral fan Kaisley to UConn Women’s Basketball home opener
After a video of 2-year-old Kaisley choosing a UConn Women’s Basketball game over Disney went viral– and caught the attention of UConn stars Azzi Fudd and KK Arnold – DICK’S Sporting Goods is turning that moment into a real-life celebration for the next generation of women’s sports fans!
A post shared by @overtimewbb
DICK’S is flying Kaisley and her family to UConn’s home opener vs. Florida State on Sunday, November 9, at Gampel Pavilion, providing premium seats, hotel accommodations and head-to-toe Huskies gear. The surprise package arrived this week, and Kaisley’s reaction says it all.
💼 Senior Vice President, Strategic Growth – Sports Facilities Management, LLC
Key Responsibilities:
- Design, pilot, and scale new revenue programs (premium experiences, events, entertainment, hospitality)
- Lead expansion strategy to create multi-asset management contracts with existing clients
- Expand shared services across venues with optimized pricing and packaging
- Source and evaluate M&A opportunities and capability roll-ups
- Establish nationwide partnerships creating incremental venue and corporate revenue
- Improve group sales, special events, and premium experiences
- Own growth pipeline, forecast, and business cases with regular executive reporting
About Youth Sports Business Report
Youth Sports Business Report is the largest and most trusted source for youth sports industry news, insights, and analysis covering the $54 billion youth sports market. Trusted by over 50,000 followers including industry executives, investors, youth sports parents and sports business professionals, we are the premier destination for comprehensive youth sports business intelligence.
Our core mission: Make Youth Sports Better. As the leading authority in youth sports business reporting, we deliver unparalleled coverage of sports business trends, youth athletics, and emerging opportunities across the youth sports ecosystem.
Our expert editorial team provides authoritative, in-depth reporting on key youth sports industry verticals including:
- Sports sponsorship and institutional capital (Private Equity, Venture Capital)
- Youth Sports events and tournament management
- NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) developments and compliance
- Youth sports coaching and sports recruitment strategies
- Sports technology and data analytics innovation
- Youth sports facilities development and management
- Sports content creation and digital media monetization
Whether you’re a sports industry executive, institutional investor, youth sports parent, coach, or sports business enthusiast, Youth Sports Business Report is your most reliable source for the actionable sports business insights you need to stay ahead of youth athletics trends and make informed decisions in the rapidly evolving youth sports landscape.
Join our growing community of 50,000+ industry leaders who depend on our trusted youth sports business analysis to drive success in the youth sports industry.
Stay connected with the pulse of the youth sports business – where industry expertise meets actionable intelligence.
Sign up for the biggest newsletter in Youth Sports – Youth Sports HQ – The best youth sports newsletter in the industry
Follow Youth Sports Business Report Founder Cameron Korab on LinkedIn
Are you a brand looking to tap into the world’s most passionate fanbase… youth sports?
Introducing Play Up Partners, a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.
About Play Up Partners
Play Up Partners is a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.
Why Sponsor Youth Sports?
Youth sports represents one of the most engaged and passionate audiences in sports marketing. With over 70 million young athletes and their families participating annually, the youth sports industry offers brands unparalleled access to motivated communities with strong purchasing power and loyalty.
What Does Play Up Partners Do?
We’ve done the heavy lifting to untangle the complex youth sports landscape so our brand partners can engage with clarity, confidence, and impact. Our vetted network of accredited youth sports organizations (from local leagues to national tournaments and operators) allows us to create flexible, scalable programs that evolve with the market.
Our Approach
Every partnership we build is rooted in authenticity and value creation. We don’t just broker deals. We craft youth sports marketing strategies that:
- Deliver measurable ROI for brand partners
- Create meaningful experiences for athletes and families
- Elevate the youth sports ecosystem
Our Vision
We’re positioning youth sports as the most desirable and effective platform in sports marketing. Our mission is simple: MAKE YOUTH SPORTS BETTER for athletes, families, organizations, and brand partners.
Common Questions About Youth Sports Marketing
Where can I sponsor youth sports? How do I activate in youth sports? What is the ROI of youth sports marketing? How much does youth sports sponsorship cost?
We have answers. Reach out to info@playuppartners.com to learn how Play Up Partners can help your brand navigate the youth sports landscape.
Youth sports organizations: Interested in partnership opportunities? Reach out to learn about our accreditation process.
