1 00:00:03,880 --> 00:00:06,400 Speaker 1: So that's what we need to continue to foster, is 2 00:00:06,519 --> 00:00:09,080 Speaker 1: for kids to get the most out of their experience 3 00:00:09,440 --> 00:00:11,360 Speaker 1: in character development and in life on. 4 00:00:11,400 --> 00:00:13,480 Speaker 2: The field and off the field. That is the good 5 00:00:13,480 --> 00:00:13,960 Speaker 2: and bad of it. 6 00:00:14,040 --> 00:00:17,239 Speaker 1: When the pendulum swings too far to the professionalization, to 7 00:00:17,320 --> 00:00:19,960 Speaker 1: structured play where there's good and the benefits that come 8 00:00:20,440 --> 00:00:23,439 Speaker 1: with that, it means we leave the free play behind, 9 00:00:23,560 --> 00:00:26,000 Speaker 1: and there are a ton of benefits there for each kid. 10 00:00:26,640 --> 00:00:29,680 Speaker 3: This is the Reform Sports Project, a podcast about restoring 11 00:00:29,720 --> 00:00:32,879 Speaker 3: healthy balance and perspective in all areas of sports through 12 00:00:33,040 --> 00:00:36,640 Speaker 3: education and advocacy. Hi, this is Nick Bonacort from the 13 00:00:36,640 --> 00:00:40,199 Speaker 3: Reform Sports Podcast. Today, I'm speaking with Jason Clement, co 14 00:00:40,280 --> 00:00:43,840 Speaker 3: founder and CEO of Sports Facilities Companies, the largest single 15 00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:47,320 Speaker 3: network of tournament and community based sports facilities in the US. 16 00:00:47,680 --> 00:00:50,680 Speaker 3: Formerly trained in licensed as an architect, Jason began his 17 00:00:50,760 --> 00:00:53,000 Speaker 3: career in sports architecture before. 18 00:00:52,800 --> 00:00:54,960 Speaker 4: Founding SFC in two thousand and three. 19 00:00:55,160 --> 00:00:58,120 Speaker 5: Motivated to serve communities focused on the youth and amateur 20 00:00:58,120 --> 00:01:00,880 Speaker 5: sports industry. Jason and I discussed the growth of youth 21 00:01:00,880 --> 00:01:03,440 Speaker 5: sports over the last two decades, the vital need to 22 00:01:03,480 --> 00:01:06,160 Speaker 5: help prevent kids who can't afford to play from falling 23 00:01:06,160 --> 00:01:09,680 Speaker 5: behind and how sports tourism impacts local communities. 24 00:01:10,160 --> 00:01:11,040 Speaker 4: Man, I'm really excited. 25 00:01:11,080 --> 00:01:13,720 Speaker 5: I got another awesome guest, Very very excited to learn 26 00:01:13,760 --> 00:01:16,880 Speaker 5: a lot about him, a lot about his company, but 27 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:19,880 Speaker 5: super pumped to have him. The co founder of the 28 00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:23,200 Speaker 5: Sports Facilities Companies, Jason Clement. Jason, thanks so much for 29 00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:24,480 Speaker 5: hopping on, bro Nick. 30 00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:26,240 Speaker 1: Great to be with you, and thanks for all you're 31 00:01:26,280 --> 00:01:27,360 Speaker 1: doing through this medium. 32 00:01:27,520 --> 00:01:30,360 Speaker 5: I appreciate it, man, and I really want to dig 33 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:35,280 Speaker 5: in because I know about the tremendous growth and expansion 34 00:01:35,400 --> 00:01:37,600 Speaker 5: obviously in youth sports overall, but in the. 35 00:01:37,560 --> 00:01:39,520 Speaker 4: Sports tourism piece of it. 36 00:01:39,680 --> 00:01:41,000 Speaker 5: I'd love for you to just give us a little 37 00:01:41,040 --> 00:01:43,800 Speaker 5: bit of backstory about you know, your company and kind 38 00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:45,640 Speaker 5: of what brought you to get in the space. 39 00:01:45,920 --> 00:01:46,280 Speaker 2: Yeah. 40 00:01:46,319 --> 00:01:48,880 Speaker 1: Well, you know, first of all, you're right, the growth 41 00:01:48,920 --> 00:01:52,280 Speaker 1: of this i'll call it an industry is extraordinary. I mean, 42 00:01:52,320 --> 00:01:55,000 Speaker 1: it's kids playing sports, right, so it's it's interesting to 43 00:01:55,040 --> 00:01:57,800 Speaker 1: call it an industry, but the way that it has 44 00:01:58,240 --> 00:02:03,880 Speaker 1: consolidated and grown over the last two decades really is extraordinary. 45 00:02:04,160 --> 00:02:07,400 Speaker 1: It's a fifty billion dollar approaching a fifty billion dollar 46 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:11,720 Speaker 1: industry right now, and a lot of estimates have it doubling, 47 00:02:11,919 --> 00:02:13,160 Speaker 1: you know, in the next five years. 48 00:02:13,200 --> 00:02:15,440 Speaker 2: So you know, a lot of kids are playing sports. 49 00:02:15,560 --> 00:02:17,720 Speaker 1: You know, most of us did growing up as well, 50 00:02:18,240 --> 00:02:21,840 Speaker 1: and it's just accelerating, which I think is a great thing, 51 00:02:22,280 --> 00:02:25,560 Speaker 1: which leads to how we started our company. We believe 52 00:02:25,760 --> 00:02:28,640 Speaker 1: very much in the impact that a healthy sports experience 53 00:02:28,680 --> 00:02:32,400 Speaker 1: has in character development for kids, but also into adults. 54 00:02:32,400 --> 00:02:34,760 Speaker 1: I mean, you look at the pickleball phenomenon right now, 55 00:02:35,120 --> 00:02:39,080 Speaker 1: and just the healthy lifestyle, the ability to connect with 56 00:02:39,160 --> 00:02:43,040 Speaker 1: other people. You know, we're designed to be in community 57 00:02:43,160 --> 00:02:46,760 Speaker 1: with others, and sport, when done right, is as good. 58 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:49,600 Speaker 2: Of connection opportunity as any other. 59 00:02:49,800 --> 00:02:51,720 Speaker 1: So, you know, we began in two thousand and three 60 00:02:51,760 --> 00:02:53,760 Speaker 1: our company, the Sports Facilities Companies. 61 00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:57,000 Speaker 2: Fast forward to today, we've been in more than. 62 00:02:56,960 --> 00:03:01,800 Speaker 1: Two thousand communities helping them plan, develop, and manage or 63 00:03:01,880 --> 00:03:05,959 Speaker 1: operate their sports assets and sports facilities in order to 64 00:03:05,960 --> 00:03:09,880 Speaker 1: accomplish whatever their goals may be. You mentioned sports tourism, 65 00:03:10,080 --> 00:03:14,040 Speaker 1: but just recreation, play and a number of other you know, 66 00:03:14,080 --> 00:03:15,560 Speaker 1: positive aspects. 67 00:03:15,680 --> 00:03:18,079 Speaker 2: Come out of again a healthy. 68 00:03:17,880 --> 00:03:21,400 Speaker 1: Sports culture and an environment within these communities. 69 00:03:21,560 --> 00:03:24,000 Speaker 2: So you know, we like to say that we. 70 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:26,400 Speaker 1: Fill in the gaps for whatever communities need so that 71 00:03:26,440 --> 00:03:29,760 Speaker 1: they can't have success in that endeavor. Our mission is 72 00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:33,200 Speaker 1: to improve the health and economic vitality of the communities 73 00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:37,840 Speaker 1: we serve. We define health mentally, socially, spiritually, physically. 74 00:03:38,320 --> 00:03:38,480 Speaker 2: You know. 75 00:03:38,520 --> 00:03:40,800 Speaker 1: The flip side of that mission statement is that these 76 00:03:40,800 --> 00:03:43,320 Speaker 1: places need to be sustainable financially. 77 00:03:44,360 --> 00:03:46,680 Speaker 2: Doesn't mean that they have to operate at a profit. 78 00:03:46,840 --> 00:03:50,040 Speaker 1: They can, but each community has a different goal and 79 00:03:50,120 --> 00:03:52,160 Speaker 1: so we pride ourselves and I hope pride. 80 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:54,240 Speaker 2: In a good way of filling in the. 81 00:03:54,200 --> 00:03:57,840 Speaker 1: Gaps for whatever those communities need to to go have success. 82 00:03:58,160 --> 00:04:00,560 Speaker 4: I've seen those statistics. It's staggering. 83 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:03,040 Speaker 5: And I like how you joked about because we're talking 84 00:04:03,080 --> 00:04:05,680 Speaker 5: about kids sports and but it is turned into an industry, 85 00:04:05,720 --> 00:04:07,240 Speaker 5: and you know, what do you think is the main 86 00:04:07,360 --> 00:04:10,080 Speaker 5: driver of it? You know, I'm located in Wilmington, North Carolina, 87 00:04:10,120 --> 00:04:13,320 Speaker 5: so we're only about an hour plush from Myrtle Beach, 88 00:04:13,720 --> 00:04:16,240 Speaker 5: and I believe you operate a facility in Myrtle which 89 00:04:16,320 --> 00:04:17,760 Speaker 5: you know a ton of there's a there's a ton 90 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:19,040 Speaker 5: of activities and sports that. 91 00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:19,640 Speaker 4: Go on on there. 92 00:04:19,800 --> 00:04:23,200 Speaker 5: It's almost like at times, you know, families prean vacations 93 00:04:23,240 --> 00:04:25,480 Speaker 5: to Disney or amusement parks, and part of me, as 94 00:04:25,520 --> 00:04:27,600 Speaker 5: a father of six, I'm like, sometimes it seems like 95 00:04:27,960 --> 00:04:31,760 Speaker 5: you're playing a family vacations around you know sports. Is 96 00:04:31,760 --> 00:04:34,560 Speaker 5: that is that kind of how this whole thing, like 97 00:04:34,640 --> 00:04:38,240 Speaker 5: what caused it all to kind of balloon to what 98 00:04:38,279 --> 00:04:42,000 Speaker 5: you're saying could potentially be a one hundred billion dollar industry. 99 00:04:42,160 --> 00:04:43,760 Speaker 4: Uh in then in the near future. 100 00:04:44,120 --> 00:04:46,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, you nailed it. We call it tournication, right, 101 00:04:46,480 --> 00:04:47,719 Speaker 2: the vacation in the tournament. 102 00:04:47,720 --> 00:04:50,720 Speaker 1: Now they meld together. But there's so much benefit right 103 00:04:50,839 --> 00:04:54,839 Speaker 1: out of participating in playing sports. It's such an important 104 00:04:55,480 --> 00:04:58,120 Speaker 1: strain in our culture, right, the tapestry of our culture. 105 00:04:58,720 --> 00:05:00,640 Speaker 1: And uh yeah, just the a ton of kids that 106 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:04,320 Speaker 1: are playing it right now and will continue to because 107 00:05:04,320 --> 00:05:07,960 Speaker 1: of all the positive benefits and you know so much 108 00:05:08,040 --> 00:05:10,520 Speaker 1: on the professional side and the collegiate side. And you 109 00:05:10,520 --> 00:05:12,800 Speaker 1: know when you look at the name, image likeness, all 110 00:05:12,880 --> 00:05:16,599 Speaker 1: of that's coming downstream right now, good bad. You know, 111 00:05:16,600 --> 00:05:18,839 Speaker 1: there are pros and cons to both of it, but 112 00:05:19,000 --> 00:05:23,800 Speaker 1: all of that's coming downstream and impacting sports participation, which 113 00:05:23,839 --> 00:05:25,800 Speaker 1: is just going through the roof. I mean, look, some 114 00:05:25,839 --> 00:05:28,920 Speaker 1: sports are growing faster than others, but generally and overall, 115 00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:33,760 Speaker 1: the sports participation is just continuing to increase. More kids 116 00:05:33,760 --> 00:05:37,520 Speaker 1: are playing, more adults are playing as amateurs as well, 117 00:05:37,839 --> 00:05:41,080 Speaker 1: and that's really where our company and organization is focused. 118 00:05:41,080 --> 00:05:44,719 Speaker 1: It's on the youth and amateur side of sports participation 119 00:05:45,160 --> 00:05:49,800 Speaker 1: and trying to, you know, sports facilities facilitate that positive 120 00:05:49,800 --> 00:05:52,800 Speaker 1: outcome no matter the sport in the communities that we're in. 121 00:05:53,040 --> 00:05:55,760 Speaker 2: And you know, to your point, whether it's Myrtle. 122 00:05:55,520 --> 00:05:59,360 Speaker 1: Beach, which is a strong tourism destination, or you know, 123 00:05:59,440 --> 00:06:04,599 Speaker 1: whether it's Albertville, Alabama, right which is a population twenty 124 00:06:04,600 --> 00:06:08,719 Speaker 1: five thousand in Alabama. Every community right now is looking 125 00:06:08,800 --> 00:06:13,000 Speaker 1: at their park, recreation and sports assets to determine how they. 126 00:06:12,880 --> 00:06:14,640 Speaker 2: Can get the most out. 127 00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:18,520 Speaker 1: Of those facilities to provide the best outcomes for their community. 128 00:06:18,720 --> 00:06:20,560 Speaker 4: And I know you mentioned the pros and cons. 129 00:06:20,600 --> 00:06:22,440 Speaker 5: Do you feel like there's any concern Do you have 130 00:06:22,440 --> 00:06:25,320 Speaker 5: any concern with the professionalization of youth sports, you know, 131 00:06:25,520 --> 00:06:27,279 Speaker 5: undermining the experience for families. 132 00:06:27,839 --> 00:06:28,160 Speaker 4: I do. 133 00:06:28,440 --> 00:06:28,800 Speaker 5: I do. 134 00:06:29,160 --> 00:06:31,960 Speaker 1: And so much of this conversation is framed as an 135 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:35,880 Speaker 1: either or conversation, like it's either good or it's bad, 136 00:06:36,040 --> 00:06:37,760 Speaker 1: and you've got to set foot in one of those 137 00:06:37,760 --> 00:06:40,719 Speaker 1: two camps. That is not where we are, It's not 138 00:06:40,720 --> 00:06:43,240 Speaker 1: where I am personally. We see it as a both 139 00:06:43,279 --> 00:06:47,279 Speaker 1: and it's very positive in a number of ways. Kind 140 00:06:47,279 --> 00:06:51,760 Speaker 1: of this i'll call professionalization, use your word, but I 141 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:54,600 Speaker 1: would just say maturation of youth sports. 142 00:06:54,839 --> 00:06:56,320 Speaker 2: It's providing better competition. 143 00:06:56,720 --> 00:06:59,080 Speaker 1: You know, kids are getting to play at whatever their 144 00:06:59,120 --> 00:06:59,920 Speaker 1: potential is. 145 00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:03,360 Speaker 2: You know, I was a very average athlete. 146 00:07:02,800 --> 00:07:05,000 Speaker 1: Growing up, and my youngest brother played in the big leagues. 147 00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:06,560 Speaker 2: He was the third draft pick overall. 148 00:07:06,800 --> 00:07:09,760 Speaker 1: Right, we had a very wide disparity in our ability 149 00:07:09,840 --> 00:07:11,960 Speaker 1: level and talent. But I got just as much out 150 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:14,160 Speaker 1: of my sports experience as he did. I'm sitting here 151 00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:16,800 Speaker 1: today in large part because of the experience that I 152 00:07:16,880 --> 00:07:19,520 Speaker 1: had both in a structured way and team play, and 153 00:07:19,560 --> 00:07:22,160 Speaker 1: then in an unstructured way playing in the backyard with 154 00:07:22,160 --> 00:07:23,760 Speaker 1: my friends and my family and you. 155 00:07:23,680 --> 00:07:24,640 Speaker 2: Know, brothers and sister. 156 00:07:25,560 --> 00:07:28,120 Speaker 1: So that's what we need to continue to foster, is 157 00:07:28,160 --> 00:07:30,760 Speaker 1: for kids to get the most out of their experience 158 00:07:31,120 --> 00:07:33,800 Speaker 1: in character development and in life on the field and 159 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:34,520 Speaker 1: off the field. 160 00:07:35,080 --> 00:07:36,760 Speaker 2: And that is the good and bad of it. 161 00:07:36,800 --> 00:07:40,080 Speaker 1: When the pendulum swings too far to the professionalization or 162 00:07:40,120 --> 00:07:43,760 Speaker 1: the formalization, the rig or the structured play where there's 163 00:07:43,840 --> 00:07:46,120 Speaker 1: all the good and the benefits that come with that. 164 00:07:47,240 --> 00:07:49,480 Speaker 2: It means we leave the free play and. 165 00:07:49,440 --> 00:07:52,160 Speaker 1: The recreation behind and there are a ton of benefits 166 00:07:52,200 --> 00:07:54,320 Speaker 1: there for each kid, and those are the families that 167 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:56,480 Speaker 1: can afford to play. One of the drawbacks is it 168 00:07:56,560 --> 00:07:59,640 Speaker 1: is getting more expensive to play, and that leads a 169 00:07:59,720 --> 00:08:04,680 Speaker 1: lot of families outside looking in. There's a socioeconomic demographic 170 00:08:04,760 --> 00:08:09,400 Speaker 1: and class that aren't getting the same sort of access 171 00:08:09,440 --> 00:08:12,559 Speaker 1: to sport as what others are who can afford to play. 172 00:08:12,920 --> 00:08:14,520 Speaker 1: And you know, that's a problem that we need to 173 00:08:14,560 --> 00:08:16,840 Speaker 1: solve within our culture and within our society, and it's 174 00:08:16,840 --> 00:08:19,040 Speaker 1: certainly one that we're taking head on in the communities 175 00:08:19,080 --> 00:08:20,680 Speaker 1: and facilities that we're blessed. 176 00:08:20,440 --> 00:08:20,880 Speaker 2: To work with. 177 00:08:21,520 --> 00:08:23,800 Speaker 5: Like as mentioned, I have six kids and so we're 178 00:08:23,960 --> 00:08:26,400 Speaker 5: entrenched in the sports community. 179 00:08:26,440 --> 00:08:27,960 Speaker 4: I've coached for Rex Sports. 180 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:31,080 Speaker 5: And you know one thing that concerns me or and 181 00:08:31,120 --> 00:08:32,280 Speaker 5: I love your take on it. 182 00:08:32,360 --> 00:08:34,880 Speaker 4: You know, the growth in youth sports and the tourism 183 00:08:34,880 --> 00:08:36,160 Speaker 4: and facilities piece of it. 184 00:08:36,320 --> 00:08:38,800 Speaker 5: Do you think that adds pressure on the kids because 185 00:08:38,840 --> 00:08:42,800 Speaker 5: of the financial commitment of the parents, Like we're doing this, 186 00:08:42,840 --> 00:08:45,720 Speaker 5: so I need to see results, like, have you seen 187 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:49,760 Speaker 5: any impacts that are potentially impacting the kids in the 188 00:08:49,800 --> 00:08:52,000 Speaker 5: negaway from a mental health standpoint for sure? 189 00:08:52,120 --> 00:08:54,440 Speaker 1: Right, And we're seeing, you know, kids that are burning 190 00:08:54,440 --> 00:08:56,720 Speaker 1: out at a young age. The kids that are fortunate 191 00:08:56,800 --> 00:08:58,800 Speaker 1: enough and good enough to play at the college. 192 00:08:58,520 --> 00:09:01,400 Speaker 2: Level, they're burning out there. We're seeing even professional athletes 193 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:02,040 Speaker 2: right need to. 194 00:09:01,960 --> 00:09:06,960 Speaker 1: Take mental health breaks as well. So definitely that's absolutely 195 00:09:07,000 --> 00:09:10,560 Speaker 1: the case. And you know, there's some good organizations which 196 00:09:10,559 --> 00:09:13,480 Speaker 1: I'm sure you're familiar with, whether it's Positive Coaching Alliance, 197 00:09:13,559 --> 00:09:15,080 Speaker 1: you know, FCA does a lot of good work in 198 00:09:15,120 --> 00:09:18,040 Speaker 1: this way too, that are trying to continue to educate 199 00:09:18,080 --> 00:09:20,480 Speaker 1: the parents who mean well, they want the best for 200 00:09:20,559 --> 00:09:23,840 Speaker 1: their kids, try to educate them on what is best 201 00:09:23,840 --> 00:09:24,360 Speaker 1: for their kids. 202 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:27,320 Speaker 2: And it's not always this intense pressure. 203 00:09:27,880 --> 00:09:30,440 Speaker 1: And needing to play twenty four to seven and train 204 00:09:30,520 --> 00:09:33,520 Speaker 1: twenty four to seven. The kids that have a lot 205 00:09:33,520 --> 00:09:37,080 Speaker 1: of success are playing multiple sports as long as they can. 206 00:09:37,679 --> 00:09:40,200 Speaker 1: The goal from our perspective is getting to age twelve 207 00:09:40,240 --> 00:09:42,560 Speaker 1: with multiple sports and then you can start to focus 208 00:09:42,600 --> 00:09:44,839 Speaker 1: in on a couple you know, that make the most sense. 209 00:09:45,160 --> 00:09:46,840 Speaker 1: And that's what the data and the science is saying. 210 00:09:46,840 --> 00:09:48,719 Speaker 1: It's not Jason Clement's opinion. 211 00:09:48,760 --> 00:09:50,319 Speaker 2: It's these are the kids that are going to. 212 00:09:50,240 --> 00:09:55,240 Speaker 1: Play high level collegiate athletics, many of which are playing 213 00:09:55,320 --> 00:09:58,199 Speaker 1: multiple sports. They're wrestling in playing football, right, They're playing 214 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:02,440 Speaker 1: baseball and basketball and other things. Not to mention, you know, 215 00:10:02,720 --> 00:10:05,599 Speaker 1: I mentioned pickleball earlier. I've got three kids similar a 216 00:10:05,800 --> 00:10:08,840 Speaker 1: ranges you, right, eight, ten and eleven and man on 217 00:10:08,920 --> 00:10:11,760 Speaker 1: Easter Sunday, they got some new pickleball stuff and we 218 00:10:11,840 --> 00:10:12,320 Speaker 1: just went out. 219 00:10:12,200 --> 00:10:14,560 Speaker 2: And played as a family and it was the best day. 220 00:10:14,840 --> 00:10:18,080 Speaker 1: And you talk about physical literacy, right, if you're just 221 00:10:18,120 --> 00:10:21,280 Speaker 1: out playing baseball twenty four to seven, you're doing a 222 00:10:21,360 --> 00:10:24,520 Speaker 1: disservice to these kids and their ability to move their 223 00:10:24,520 --> 00:10:28,080 Speaker 1: body and work different muscles in different ways and the 224 00:10:28,160 --> 00:10:31,880 Speaker 1: blend of those things. I believe it's an education opportunity 225 00:10:31,920 --> 00:10:35,960 Speaker 1: for parents, and then secondly, it's a courage thing for 226 00:10:36,000 --> 00:10:37,640 Speaker 1: parents to say, now I'm going to buck the trend. 227 00:10:37,760 --> 00:10:40,079 Speaker 1: I'm not going to go to this one sport twenty 228 00:10:40,080 --> 00:10:43,600 Speaker 1: four to seven. I'm going to give my kids additional opportunities, 229 00:10:44,040 --> 00:10:45,760 Speaker 1: even if that means I'm not keeping up with the 230 00:10:45,840 --> 00:10:50,360 Speaker 1: Joneses at eight U baseball. Right in you baseball, and 231 00:10:50,400 --> 00:10:53,280 Speaker 1: I'm going to give my kids a good wide range 232 00:10:53,520 --> 00:10:55,679 Speaker 1: and variety of experiences. 233 00:10:56,160 --> 00:10:59,040 Speaker 5: So if I'm not mistaken, sports facilities compan you guys 234 00:10:59,080 --> 00:11:01,720 Speaker 5: congratulate just had a bit partnership back in late twenty 235 00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:04,840 Speaker 5: twenty two with private equity firm. And you know, that's 236 00:11:04,880 --> 00:11:06,600 Speaker 5: not the first time I'm seeing I have a In 237 00:11:06,640 --> 00:11:10,360 Speaker 5: my former career, I worked in finance. So from my experience, 238 00:11:10,600 --> 00:11:13,720 Speaker 5: when you see private equity, you know, funding coming into 239 00:11:13,760 --> 00:11:16,199 Speaker 5: any space, they're investing in it for the long term. 240 00:11:16,280 --> 00:11:18,760 Speaker 5: They think there's going to be return for shareholders. You know, 241 00:11:18,760 --> 00:11:21,959 Speaker 5: they're trying to extract you know, untapped value. Right, how 242 00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:25,520 Speaker 5: do you balance that from a company standpoint, from making 243 00:11:25,559 --> 00:11:28,560 Speaker 5: sure that obviously you have return on shareholder value, your 244 00:11:28,600 --> 00:11:31,120 Speaker 5: bottom line is hit, while at the same time balancing 245 00:11:31,440 --> 00:11:33,959 Speaker 5: you know, we're talking about kids, we're talking about families 246 00:11:34,240 --> 00:11:36,959 Speaker 5: and supporting communities. How do you balance the whole thing 247 00:11:37,000 --> 00:11:39,560 Speaker 5: without letting like the gorilla in the room of needing 248 00:11:39,600 --> 00:11:43,520 Speaker 5: to make money for shareholders impact maybe the overall impact 249 00:11:43,559 --> 00:11:45,760 Speaker 5: on the lives of the kids that are participating in 250 00:11:45,800 --> 00:11:47,400 Speaker 5: these events and at these locations. 251 00:11:47,640 --> 00:11:50,360 Speaker 1: Nick, It's a great question, and I appreciate it. You know, 252 00:11:50,400 --> 00:11:53,000 Speaker 1: we grew this company again beginning in two thousand and three, 253 00:11:53,040 --> 00:11:56,520 Speaker 1: out of cash flow, and we grew it organically. 254 00:11:56,200 --> 00:11:59,840 Speaker 2: No debt. So, you know, forgive me and help the listeners. 255 00:11:59,840 --> 00:12:01,400 Speaker 2: For give me for getting into the business side of 256 00:12:01,400 --> 00:12:01,640 Speaker 2: this a. 257 00:12:01,640 --> 00:12:03,520 Speaker 5: Little well, I think it's fascinating and people need to 258 00:12:03,600 --> 00:12:04,120 Speaker 5: understand it. 259 00:12:04,320 --> 00:12:06,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, And so as we grew, you know, again out 260 00:12:06,880 --> 00:12:10,240 Speaker 1: of cash flow organically, a few of us in a small, 261 00:12:10,320 --> 00:12:13,400 Speaker 1: you know, little apartment building we called an office in 262 00:12:13,440 --> 00:12:17,400 Speaker 1: the early two thousands into what we were, you know, 263 00:12:17,440 --> 00:12:20,079 Speaker 1: at the end of twenty twenty two, which was fifteen 264 00:12:20,160 --> 00:12:23,680 Speaker 1: hundred team members across the country in twenty different states, 265 00:12:24,040 --> 00:12:28,400 Speaker 1: managing these venues, you know, working with strategically planning eighty 266 00:12:28,679 --> 00:12:32,839 Speaker 1: different facilities at once, having twenty in design and construction 267 00:12:33,040 --> 00:12:36,280 Speaker 1: you know, on the boards, and then roughly forty that 268 00:12:36,320 --> 00:12:39,840 Speaker 1: we were managing, you know, around the country. You know, 269 00:12:39,880 --> 00:12:43,720 Speaker 1: we did it in a conservative, fiscally responsible way. And 270 00:12:43,800 --> 00:12:47,800 Speaker 1: to your point, we recognized, you know, probably three eight 271 00:12:47,840 --> 00:12:51,040 Speaker 1: to five years ago, private equity was starting to flood 272 00:12:51,120 --> 00:12:54,440 Speaker 1: into this space and a consolidation was happening in a 273 00:12:54,520 --> 00:12:58,720 Speaker 1: number of different ways, and we recognized for us to 274 00:12:59,000 --> 00:13:02,600 Speaker 1: serve these kids, serve these families, and serve these communities 275 00:13:02,600 --> 00:13:07,280 Speaker 1: and our clients better, and to serve more. It was 276 00:13:07,320 --> 00:13:09,840 Speaker 1: time for us to go get additional capital so that 277 00:13:09,880 --> 00:13:13,080 Speaker 1: we could partner strategically, We could merge, we could acquire, 278 00:13:13,800 --> 00:13:16,839 Speaker 1: you know, some of these organizations, some of these tournaments 279 00:13:16,840 --> 00:13:20,520 Speaker 1: and events, and some of these other services that we 280 00:13:20,520 --> 00:13:23,760 Speaker 1: could bolt on to just facility management to create the 281 00:13:23,800 --> 00:13:27,320 Speaker 1: best sport experience possible. So when we decided we wanted 282 00:13:27,320 --> 00:13:30,640 Speaker 1: to go get additional capital to do those things, we 283 00:13:30,679 --> 00:13:32,520 Speaker 1: had a decision do we want to go take on 284 00:13:32,600 --> 00:13:33,640 Speaker 1: debt or do we want to go. 285 00:13:33,559 --> 00:13:35,600 Speaker 2: Bring in a partner you know that can help help 286 00:13:35,679 --> 00:13:36,080 Speaker 2: us do that. 287 00:13:36,160 --> 00:13:38,040 Speaker 1: And so we chose to be a little bit dead 288 00:13:38,040 --> 00:13:40,319 Speaker 1: averse and go bring in a partner. And so that's 289 00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:42,800 Speaker 1: why we went out to attract private equity, and Nick, 290 00:13:42,840 --> 00:13:46,040 Speaker 1: I'm telling you, because of I think the topic, because 291 00:13:46,040 --> 00:13:48,720 Speaker 1: of the attractiveness of what was happening in this industry. 292 00:13:49,440 --> 00:13:52,480 Speaker 1: We had a lot of interest in our firm, and 293 00:13:52,559 --> 00:13:55,720 Speaker 1: so we chose very carefully a partner that we weren't 294 00:13:55,720 --> 00:13:58,000 Speaker 1: going to, you know, quote sell out to, but someone 295 00:13:58,040 --> 00:13:58,800 Speaker 1: we just wanted to. 296 00:13:58,760 --> 00:14:00,640 Speaker 2: Invest in us. And what we were doing and. 297 00:14:00,559 --> 00:14:03,560 Speaker 1: Believed in our mission and our approach and just allowed 298 00:14:03,640 --> 00:14:07,440 Speaker 1: us to simply serve more and serve better. So I 299 00:14:07,440 --> 00:14:09,480 Speaker 1: think where it could have gone sideways is if we 300 00:14:09,520 --> 00:14:13,280 Speaker 1: had chosen a partner that was about you know, growth 301 00:14:13,360 --> 00:14:16,320 Speaker 1: and was about just you know, putting the torch up 302 00:14:16,360 --> 00:14:19,560 Speaker 1: the backside and saying, you know, we need to see numbers, 303 00:14:19,640 --> 00:14:22,440 Speaker 1: we need to grow and certainly we want to build 304 00:14:22,440 --> 00:14:25,640 Speaker 1: a good business, and we are and we're scaling appropriately. 305 00:14:26,160 --> 00:14:28,240 Speaker 2: But for us, it was about the partner that we 306 00:14:28,280 --> 00:14:28,920 Speaker 2: brought in. 307 00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:31,240 Speaker 1: That believed in the impact and as long as we 308 00:14:31,360 --> 00:14:34,720 Speaker 1: served really well, you know, and continue to do our thing, 309 00:14:34,880 --> 00:14:38,320 Speaker 1: the financial results come. And as long as we're putting 310 00:14:38,320 --> 00:14:40,920 Speaker 1: that customer and that client first. We say this all 311 00:14:40,960 --> 00:14:42,920 Speaker 1: the time in the grand opening of a new facility, 312 00:14:43,400 --> 00:14:45,600 Speaker 1: it's about that one face in the crowd. You remember 313 00:14:45,640 --> 00:14:48,600 Speaker 1: the Sports illustrated faces in the crowd, you know, back 314 00:14:48,640 --> 00:14:50,560 Speaker 1: in the day in the magazine there. 315 00:14:50,800 --> 00:14:53,200 Speaker 2: It's about that face in the crowd that is going 316 00:14:53,280 --> 00:14:54,760 Speaker 2: to get to play. 317 00:14:54,560 --> 00:14:57,240 Speaker 1: And have access to this state of the art facility 318 00:14:57,400 --> 00:15:01,000 Speaker 1: and this best in class programming that otherwise wouldn't have 319 00:15:01,080 --> 00:15:04,080 Speaker 1: access to it, and they're going to make it's going 320 00:15:04,120 --> 00:15:06,120 Speaker 1: to make an impact in their lives, again on the 321 00:15:06,160 --> 00:15:09,960 Speaker 1: court or off the court, because physically active kids, and 322 00:15:10,040 --> 00:15:13,840 Speaker 1: again it's the stats here, they earn more later, they 323 00:15:13,880 --> 00:15:18,400 Speaker 1: have better healthcare or health situation, they get better grades, 324 00:15:18,640 --> 00:15:22,080 Speaker 1: and it's all because of the habits that are formed by. 325 00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:23,880 Speaker 2: A positive sport experience. 326 00:15:24,040 --> 00:15:26,680 Speaker 1: Right. So that's what we're about, and we found that 327 00:15:26,720 --> 00:15:28,360 Speaker 1: we can balance both of those things and we can 328 00:15:28,400 --> 00:15:29,040 Speaker 1: blend it well. 329 00:15:29,080 --> 00:15:30,840 Speaker 2: And when we put that client first. 330 00:15:30,680 --> 00:15:32,760 Speaker 1: And we put those guests into the venues first in 331 00:15:32,800 --> 00:15:35,920 Speaker 1: those families, the financial results come, and it's done in 332 00:15:35,960 --> 00:15:37,560 Speaker 1: a way that you're creating raving fans. 333 00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:40,320 Speaker 5: When we come back, Jason and I discuss why the 334 00:15:40,360 --> 00:15:43,520 Speaker 5: best businesses are able to balance mission and margin, and 335 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:45,960 Speaker 5: as advice for parents looking to help their kids get 336 00:15:46,000 --> 00:15:48,600 Speaker 5: the most out of youth sports. Heading into the break, 337 00:15:48,680 --> 00:15:50,280 Speaker 5: I wanted to share an update with you from our 338 00:15:50,280 --> 00:15:52,760 Speaker 5: friends at Team Snap, who was having a busy summer 339 00:15:52,800 --> 00:15:56,120 Speaker 5: with exciting announcement after exciting announcement. As you may recall, 340 00:15:56,240 --> 00:15:59,040 Speaker 5: we had Peter Francilli's CEO of Team Snap on an 341 00:15:59,040 --> 00:16:01,640 Speaker 5: earlier episode of this podcast, and one of the areas 342 00:16:01,640 --> 00:16:04,560 Speaker 5: we covered was how he saw technology evolving within the 343 00:16:04,600 --> 00:16:08,320 Speaker 5: youth sports industry. Last month, Team Snap launched Team Snap 344 00:16:08,360 --> 00:16:11,200 Speaker 5: for Business, its next generation platform and an all in 345 00:16:11,240 --> 00:16:15,000 Speaker 5: one solution for sports organizations. Now, Team Snap is thrilled 346 00:16:15,000 --> 00:16:18,400 Speaker 5: to announce the upcoming launch of its brand new registration system, 347 00:16:18,600 --> 00:16:21,800 Speaker 5: one of the most configurable, cost effective, and intelligent ways 348 00:16:21,840 --> 00:16:25,160 Speaker 5: to register players and staff. Team Snap Registration was built 349 00:16:25,200 --> 00:16:28,200 Speaker 5: on years of feedback from the Team snap community, which 350 00:16:28,200 --> 00:16:32,200 Speaker 5: includes over nineteen thousand organizations and twenty five million users. 351 00:16:32,400 --> 00:16:34,560 Speaker 5: In celebration of this launch, Team. 352 00:16:34,360 --> 00:16:36,920 Speaker 6: Snap is inviting you to a live webinar on Thursday 353 00:16:37,040 --> 00:16:40,560 Speaker 6: July twenty seventh, one pm Eastern eleven am Mountain Time. 354 00:16:40,760 --> 00:16:43,480 Speaker 6: During the webinar, they will cover everything inside the brand 355 00:16:43,480 --> 00:16:47,479 Speaker 6: new Team Snap registration system, including some important new capabilities 356 00:16:47,600 --> 00:16:51,920 Speaker 6: like multiple installment options, advance logic, answer dependent add on fees, 357 00:16:52,160 --> 00:16:54,840 Speaker 6: and an intuitive set up wizard. Using the new Team 358 00:16:54,880 --> 00:16:59,479 Speaker 6: Snap registration, you can effortlessly create forms, collect fees and documents, 359 00:16:59,680 --> 00:17:02,200 Speaker 6: and make your programs with these so you can keep 360 00:17:02,240 --> 00:17:05,120 Speaker 6: your energy focused on the thing you love, amateur sports. 361 00:17:05,359 --> 00:17:07,720 Speaker 6: Head to teamsnab dot com and sign up to save 362 00:17:07,800 --> 00:17:09,800 Speaker 6: your spot for the webinar that will be held on 363 00:17:09,880 --> 00:17:10,880 Speaker 6: July twenty. 364 00:17:10,600 --> 00:17:17,320 Speaker 4: Seventh, where we left off, Jason. 365 00:17:17,080 --> 00:17:19,439 Speaker 5: And I were about to talk about sports tourism and 366 00:17:19,480 --> 00:17:22,520 Speaker 5: the financial strain that many families feel as a result 367 00:17:22,640 --> 00:17:25,080 Speaker 5: of the increased costs of youth sports. 368 00:17:25,640 --> 00:17:27,479 Speaker 4: We wrote a blog Reform Sports Project. 369 00:17:27,480 --> 00:17:29,960 Speaker 5: I wrote one a few weeks ago talking about like, 370 00:17:30,160 --> 00:17:31,920 Speaker 5: we're not going back to the good old days. 371 00:17:32,040 --> 00:17:33,040 Speaker 4: You know, we're just not. 372 00:17:33,160 --> 00:17:36,280 Speaker 5: I'm a firm believer that, you know, things aren't going 373 00:17:36,320 --> 00:17:37,200 Speaker 5: backwards right here. 374 00:17:37,240 --> 00:17:37,720 Speaker 4: It all the time. 375 00:17:37,760 --> 00:17:39,840 Speaker 5: I wanted to go back to the eighties and seventies 376 00:17:39,840 --> 00:17:42,159 Speaker 5: and nineties when you know your kids gathered and the 377 00:17:42,280 --> 00:17:44,840 Speaker 5: lots and played and you know, just got together. 378 00:17:44,920 --> 00:17:47,879 Speaker 4: I'm like, you know, that's great, but we're not. 379 00:17:48,560 --> 00:17:50,720 Speaker 5: That could still happen at times, you know, kids live 380 00:17:50,720 --> 00:17:52,720 Speaker 5: in couldness acts or gather at parks. But we're not 381 00:17:52,760 --> 00:17:54,520 Speaker 5: going back to the seventy We're not going back to the. 382 00:17:54,560 --> 00:17:55,199 Speaker 4: Ags in nineties. 383 00:17:55,600 --> 00:17:59,240 Speaker 5: So I believe, like you, there is room for a 384 00:17:59,280 --> 00:18:02,119 Speaker 5: healthy balance. So that's kind of you know, our mantra 385 00:18:02,160 --> 00:18:04,560 Speaker 5: Reformed Sports Project. It's like, we want to help parents 386 00:18:04,960 --> 00:18:08,719 Speaker 5: and people make the most informed decisions, right, I mean, listen, 387 00:18:09,160 --> 00:18:11,640 Speaker 5: like you mentioned the multi sport or whatever. I mean, 388 00:18:11,640 --> 00:18:13,680 Speaker 5: there is a time and place where certain kids need 389 00:18:13,680 --> 00:18:16,160 Speaker 5: to lock into a sport at a certain age. There's 390 00:18:16,200 --> 00:18:19,600 Speaker 5: not a one size fits all solution to anything. So 391 00:18:19,800 --> 00:18:23,240 Speaker 5: I'm a firm believer that as consolidation and as this 392 00:18:23,880 --> 00:18:26,760 Speaker 5: space continues to evolve, there's going to be a healthy 393 00:18:26,800 --> 00:18:29,760 Speaker 5: balance and the best of breed, you know, companies and 394 00:18:29,840 --> 00:18:32,000 Speaker 5: such are going to be the ones that are standing 395 00:18:32,040 --> 00:18:34,000 Speaker 5: at the end of the line that are helping facilitate 396 00:18:34,240 --> 00:18:38,560 Speaker 5: this ever growing sector and quite frankly impacting the most lives. 397 00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:41,879 Speaker 4: So you mentioned the difference and the costs. 398 00:18:42,040 --> 00:18:45,200 Speaker 5: Obviously it's you know, there are people that are held 399 00:18:45,200 --> 00:18:47,800 Speaker 5: out because they can't afford you sports. So like when 400 00:18:48,160 --> 00:18:52,680 Speaker 5: when hosting varying travel tournaments and events, how much control 401 00:18:52,760 --> 00:18:55,800 Speaker 5: do you not you personally, but your company have in 402 00:18:55,880 --> 00:18:58,720 Speaker 5: terms of pricing for fans, family who've paid money for 403 00:18:58,760 --> 00:19:01,119 Speaker 5: not only their kids to participate in the sport, but 404 00:19:01,240 --> 00:19:04,360 Speaker 5: also the travel expensive surrounding you know, food, lodging, tickets 405 00:19:04,400 --> 00:19:06,240 Speaker 5: to watch their own kids compete. Because I hear it 406 00:19:06,280 --> 00:19:08,240 Speaker 5: all the time, like I signed my kid up for 407 00:19:08,280 --> 00:19:10,239 Speaker 5: the team, you know, then we got to travel, then 408 00:19:10,240 --> 00:19:11,560 Speaker 5: we go this, Then I got to pay the park. 409 00:19:11,600 --> 00:19:14,520 Speaker 5: Then how much does your company even have in determining that? 410 00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:17,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, we have some. We have some for sure. 411 00:19:17,720 --> 00:19:21,240 Speaker 1: So you know, we we work with the right boulder, 412 00:19:21,320 --> 00:19:23,480 Speaker 1: the tournament provider, and we pick and choose, you know, 413 00:19:23,720 --> 00:19:26,400 Speaker 1: what tournaments come in and plan on what weeks and weekends. 414 00:19:26,960 --> 00:19:31,000 Speaker 1: And those tournaments that don't deliver on the experience, that 415 00:19:31,119 --> 00:19:35,880 Speaker 1: don't you know, deliver on the impact, that don't align 416 00:19:35,920 --> 00:19:39,120 Speaker 1: with us from a values perspective, aren't tournaments that we 417 00:19:39,400 --> 00:19:42,639 Speaker 1: you know, put in place, if that makes sense. And 418 00:19:42,680 --> 00:19:44,720 Speaker 1: so there's that side of it, and then the other 419 00:19:44,840 --> 00:19:48,320 Speaker 1: side of it on the financial piece, we believe so 420 00:19:48,480 --> 00:19:50,920 Speaker 1: much that there is a certain percentage that are getting 421 00:19:50,960 --> 00:19:54,320 Speaker 1: left behind. We started our own not for profit called, 422 00:19:54,440 --> 00:19:57,920 Speaker 1: you know, the SF Access Program Sports Facilities Access Program, 423 00:19:58,320 --> 00:20:02,679 Speaker 1: and what we do is essentially scholarship or sponsor kids 424 00:20:02,720 --> 00:20:05,720 Speaker 1: and communities that can't afford to play on that you know, 425 00:20:05,840 --> 00:20:09,399 Speaker 1: travel ball. Look, the good ones, the best players, they 426 00:20:09,760 --> 00:20:11,320 Speaker 1: they find a way to make the team, whether they 427 00:20:11,320 --> 00:20:14,560 Speaker 1: can afford it or not. Right yeah, I mean they're 428 00:20:14,560 --> 00:20:16,919 Speaker 1: going to get on the team. The kids that can't 429 00:20:16,920 --> 00:20:20,240 Speaker 1: afford to play but could very much benefit from a 430 00:20:20,320 --> 00:20:23,080 Speaker 1: sports experience, those are the kids we're trying to find 431 00:20:23,119 --> 00:20:24,520 Speaker 1: and so you know, we kind of have a say 432 00:20:24,680 --> 00:20:26,879 Speaker 1: in the communities we're in and where we're We've implemented, 433 00:20:27,040 --> 00:20:30,119 Speaker 1: you know, the SF Access program. If you qualify for 434 00:20:30,200 --> 00:20:33,240 Speaker 1: free and reduced lunch, you should qualify for some form 435 00:20:33,240 --> 00:20:34,359 Speaker 1: of free and reduced play. 436 00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:37,439 Speaker 2: And that's what we're trying to put in place in 437 00:20:37,440 --> 00:20:37,920 Speaker 2: that way. 438 00:20:38,119 --> 00:20:41,080 Speaker 1: So yeah, we've got some control. We're doing the things 439 00:20:41,080 --> 00:20:45,000 Speaker 1: that we can. We're also part of a consortium with 440 00:20:45,119 --> 00:20:48,440 Speaker 1: the Aspen Project Play Aspen Institute Project Play. 441 00:20:48,880 --> 00:20:49,840 Speaker 2: These are big brands. 442 00:20:49,840 --> 00:20:54,359 Speaker 1: These are ESPN, Major League Baseball, NBA, NHL, NFL is 443 00:20:54,440 --> 00:20:58,760 Speaker 1: part of that, NBC, you know, NBC Sports, and Amazon 444 00:20:59,040 --> 00:21:01,960 Speaker 1: and others that have come together to say, hey, we're 445 00:21:01,960 --> 00:21:05,639 Speaker 1: going to put our organizational priorities aside here and we're 446 00:21:05,640 --> 00:21:08,360 Speaker 1: going to try to solve this problem, right, the access 447 00:21:08,440 --> 00:21:10,679 Speaker 1: to play problem, and we're all going to bring our 448 00:21:10,720 --> 00:21:12,960 Speaker 1: best solutions to the table. And in some ways maybe 449 00:21:12,960 --> 00:21:14,560 Speaker 1: we've got to compromise and sacrifice some. 450 00:21:14,520 --> 00:21:17,920 Speaker 2: Of our organizational you know, goals and objectives there, but this. 451 00:21:17,960 --> 00:21:20,040 Speaker 1: Is a this is a problem we need to solve, 452 00:21:20,240 --> 00:21:21,320 Speaker 1: you know, industry wide. 453 00:21:21,440 --> 00:21:24,520 Speaker 2: So that's happening as well, and we're part of that. 454 00:21:24,560 --> 00:21:27,720 Speaker 1: We represent the youth and amateur space and those conversations 455 00:21:27,760 --> 00:21:30,040 Speaker 1: and there's been some really good work thought leadership. 456 00:21:30,119 --> 00:21:32,400 Speaker 2: I'm coming out of that certainly to turn the tide. 457 00:21:32,480 --> 00:21:34,600 Speaker 1: You know, Kobe before he passed away, it was very 458 00:21:34,600 --> 00:21:36,760 Speaker 1: involved Kobe Bryant in. 459 00:21:36,640 --> 00:21:38,239 Speaker 2: That it was a spokesperson for it. 460 00:21:39,040 --> 00:21:42,520 Speaker 1: So you know, it's it's getting talked about more so 461 00:21:42,560 --> 00:21:45,000 Speaker 1: that on podcasts like this. I mean, I love what 462 00:21:45,040 --> 00:21:48,200 Speaker 1: you guys are doing so that it becomes more mainstream 463 00:21:48,320 --> 00:21:50,959 Speaker 1: and that parents and community leaders can become aware of 464 00:21:51,000 --> 00:21:54,240 Speaker 1: this because ultimately that's how it's getting solved, you know, 465 00:21:54,320 --> 00:21:54,879 Speaker 1: on the ground. 466 00:21:55,440 --> 00:21:57,639 Speaker 5: I think that, you know, and I had Tom Ferry 467 00:21:57,720 --> 00:21:59,919 Speaker 5: you know, from Project All the Aspen Institute on I'm 468 00:22:00,080 --> 00:22:03,679 Speaker 5: very familiar with him, John Salomon, their work. So I 469 00:22:03,680 --> 00:22:06,360 Speaker 5: applaud you for being involved, you know. And one thing 470 00:22:06,440 --> 00:22:08,879 Speaker 5: I know for us at Reform Sports Project, we're very 471 00:22:08,960 --> 00:22:12,040 Speaker 5: much entrenched on trying to influence everything from a grassroots 472 00:22:12,119 --> 00:22:16,240 Speaker 5: level and trying to impact the local organizations. And you know, 473 00:22:16,320 --> 00:22:18,840 Speaker 5: the economic benefit has often discussed, you know, with the 474 00:22:18,880 --> 00:22:21,600 Speaker 5: state of the art facilities in terms of tourism dollars 475 00:22:21,640 --> 00:22:24,480 Speaker 5: being brought into the area, but how do you approach 476 00:22:24,560 --> 00:22:27,120 Speaker 5: that in such a way that it benefits the local residents, 477 00:22:27,440 --> 00:22:30,160 Speaker 5: Like what types of initiatives' offerings to provide the surrounding 478 00:22:30,160 --> 00:22:31,119 Speaker 5: community for instance. 479 00:22:31,359 --> 00:22:33,919 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, look, I could point out to dozens of 480 00:22:33,960 --> 00:22:35,480 Speaker 1: examples in the communities. 481 00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:38,800 Speaker 2: That we've been in where businesses have flourished. You know, 482 00:22:38,800 --> 00:22:41,280 Speaker 2: I mentioned albert Bille, Alabama earlier. 483 00:22:41,440 --> 00:22:45,639 Speaker 1: Sure they had zero hotels in their community, opened this 484 00:22:45,760 --> 00:22:48,959 Speaker 1: complex two years ago. The third one is on the books, 485 00:22:49,080 --> 00:22:51,760 Speaker 1: are on the boards right now for being developed. You 486 00:22:51,760 --> 00:22:54,520 Speaker 1: can imagine the economic growth that's happening in that community 487 00:22:54,560 --> 00:22:57,440 Speaker 1: as a result of the sports tourism that's coming there, 488 00:22:57,800 --> 00:23:03,200 Speaker 1: and then it provides an opportunity for enhanced weekday programming 489 00:23:03,240 --> 00:23:05,760 Speaker 1: for the constituents and the community there as well. Same 490 00:23:05,800 --> 00:23:08,560 Speaker 1: things are happening in you know Hoover and Panama City 491 00:23:08,600 --> 00:23:12,199 Speaker 1: Beach and Myrtle Beach that you mentioned, Brandson, Missouri, and 492 00:23:12,280 --> 00:23:14,400 Speaker 1: all types of different locations, you. 493 00:23:14,320 --> 00:23:15,680 Speaker 2: Know, Bedford Park, Illinois. 494 00:23:16,320 --> 00:23:20,240 Speaker 1: So residents are getting the benefit of you know, the 495 00:23:20,280 --> 00:23:24,560 Speaker 1: economic climate, you know, optic being raised as a result 496 00:23:24,600 --> 00:23:29,080 Speaker 1: of this, and they're getting enhanced programming, and the tax 497 00:23:29,119 --> 00:23:30,520 Speaker 1: base is increasing as. 498 00:23:30,400 --> 00:23:33,240 Speaker 2: Well for those local communities. So it really is a 499 00:23:33,280 --> 00:23:35,320 Speaker 2: boom to the communities. 500 00:23:35,359 --> 00:23:37,919 Speaker 1: And I again, I don't know of one community in 501 00:23:37,960 --> 00:23:40,280 Speaker 1: the country at least that we're talking to and we've 502 00:23:40,280 --> 00:23:42,399 Speaker 1: worked with, you know, over two thousand of them that 503 00:23:42,520 --> 00:23:47,199 Speaker 1: aren't talking about how can we maximize the assets that 504 00:23:47,280 --> 00:23:50,920 Speaker 1: we already have to take advantage of this opportunity and 505 00:23:50,920 --> 00:23:54,000 Speaker 1: serve our community really well, and then how can we 506 00:23:54,119 --> 00:23:58,160 Speaker 1: supplement those right with with additional assets and facilities. 507 00:23:58,280 --> 00:24:00,520 Speaker 2: And you know that means something different for each community 508 00:24:00,560 --> 00:24:03,520 Speaker 2: and what their capabilities are. But they're all talking about it, 509 00:24:04,119 --> 00:24:05,040 Speaker 2: you know, proactively. 510 00:24:05,720 --> 00:24:08,199 Speaker 5: So you mentioned you're involved in trying to help and 511 00:24:08,240 --> 00:24:11,240 Speaker 5: give back the community. So like, how do you sports 512 00:24:11,240 --> 00:24:13,520 Speaker 5: facilities companies give back to youth. 513 00:24:13,280 --> 00:24:16,000 Speaker 4: Sports, you know, both the short and you know, for 514 00:24:16,040 --> 00:24:17,200 Speaker 4: the long term going forward. 515 00:24:17,880 --> 00:24:20,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, we're investing, first of all, financially, we're investing 516 00:24:20,680 --> 00:24:24,639 Speaker 1: real dollars in sponsoring and scholarship and kids, as I 517 00:24:24,680 --> 00:24:27,760 Speaker 1: mentioned earlier, they can't afford to play, you know, within 518 00:24:27,800 --> 00:24:28,640 Speaker 1: these communities. 519 00:24:29,200 --> 00:24:29,800 Speaker 2: That's one. 520 00:24:30,119 --> 00:24:34,920 Speaker 1: Secondly, we're investing in partnerships within the industry. I read 521 00:24:34,960 --> 00:24:38,640 Speaker 1: a book recently that we've gone from a production economy 522 00:24:39,040 --> 00:24:42,280 Speaker 1: right to a consumer economy. We've gone from a consumer 523 00:24:42,359 --> 00:24:46,280 Speaker 1: economy to a creat economy recently, and the new economy 524 00:24:46,280 --> 00:24:48,800 Speaker 1: that's coming now is a collaboration economy. 525 00:24:49,119 --> 00:24:51,919 Speaker 2: So we're collaborating with the best. 526 00:24:51,680 --> 00:24:57,480 Speaker 1: In class leagues, camps, clinics, tournament organizers and providers around 527 00:24:57,520 --> 00:24:59,119 Speaker 1: the country. We don't have to own them, but we 528 00:24:59,200 --> 00:25:01,119 Speaker 1: want to find the best that have shared values, that 529 00:25:01,200 --> 00:25:03,760 Speaker 1: are trying to solve this challenge and this problem that 530 00:25:03,800 --> 00:25:06,480 Speaker 1: you're talking about. Those are the organizations we want to 531 00:25:06,480 --> 00:25:07,480 Speaker 1: place into the community. 532 00:25:07,560 --> 00:25:08,119 Speaker 2: So we want to. 533 00:25:08,080 --> 00:25:11,200 Speaker 1: Help scale them and expand them because they're doing it right, 534 00:25:11,240 --> 00:25:13,080 Speaker 1: and they've got the right heart and they can balance 535 00:25:13,119 --> 00:25:16,439 Speaker 1: that mission and margin right and the best organizations can 536 00:25:16,480 --> 00:25:16,720 Speaker 1: do that. 537 00:25:16,920 --> 00:25:18,880 Speaker 2: So we use collaboration as our strategy. 538 00:25:18,960 --> 00:25:21,640 Speaker 1: So we're trying to bring the best in class together 539 00:25:22,000 --> 00:25:25,760 Speaker 1: and help scale that footprint really across the country. And 540 00:25:25,800 --> 00:25:27,479 Speaker 1: it's a heck of a lot of fun doing it 541 00:25:27,520 --> 00:25:29,800 Speaker 1: as well. Nick, So, I mean, this is what it's about. 542 00:25:30,119 --> 00:25:33,679 Speaker 1: My kids are playing, right, I'm traveling around with my kids. 543 00:25:33,800 --> 00:25:36,440 Speaker 1: I'm playing in the local rec leagues as well. We're 544 00:25:36,440 --> 00:25:40,000 Speaker 1: doing sports tourism and so I get to see firsthand 545 00:25:40,040 --> 00:25:44,160 Speaker 1: what works and what doesn't and in addition to what's 546 00:25:44,160 --> 00:25:47,520 Speaker 1: happening around the country in the fifty million visits that 547 00:25:47,560 --> 00:25:48,960 Speaker 1: we have inside these facilities. 548 00:25:49,240 --> 00:25:51,879 Speaker 5: Well, Jason, a lot of parents, a lot of coaches, 549 00:25:52,000 --> 00:25:53,800 Speaker 5: they're going to listen to this and they're kind of 550 00:25:54,200 --> 00:25:56,160 Speaker 5: they're trying to navigate it. And I know you've touched 551 00:25:56,160 --> 00:25:58,600 Speaker 5: on quite a bit of what you do. What are 552 00:25:58,680 --> 00:26:00,679 Speaker 5: ways for those parents out there who are looking at 553 00:26:00,720 --> 00:26:03,120 Speaker 5: youth sports like, man, this is I can't keep up, 554 00:26:03,200 --> 00:26:05,479 Speaker 5: you know, this is tough, Like how do I navigate this? 555 00:26:05,680 --> 00:26:08,400 Speaker 5: Like as someone who's you know, really in the trenches, 556 00:26:08,480 --> 00:26:11,399 Speaker 5: who's help and cultivate the future of youth sports and 557 00:26:11,720 --> 00:26:13,159 Speaker 5: the way it's going to go and their kids are 558 00:26:13,160 --> 00:26:15,440 Speaker 5: going to participate. What would be some advice you'd give 559 00:26:15,480 --> 00:26:17,800 Speaker 5: to parents, particularly on how they can kind of stay 560 00:26:17,840 --> 00:26:20,800 Speaker 5: the course, help navigate it, you know, and also make 561 00:26:20,840 --> 00:26:24,359 Speaker 5: the most informed decisions to help them on their path. 562 00:26:24,920 --> 00:26:25,160 Speaker 4: Yeah. 563 00:26:25,160 --> 00:26:27,679 Speaker 1: Well, I think the baseline is begin with the end 564 00:26:27,720 --> 00:26:30,639 Speaker 1: in mind, right, what do you want for your kids? 565 00:26:31,119 --> 00:26:34,080 Speaker 1: And I'm not talking next year, five years, ten years, 566 00:26:34,520 --> 00:26:36,760 Speaker 1: you know, what do you want for your kids thirty 567 00:26:36,800 --> 00:26:39,159 Speaker 1: forty fifty years In terms of a legacy, what are 568 00:26:39,200 --> 00:26:41,560 Speaker 1: you leaving for them, and it's not going to be 569 00:26:41,600 --> 00:26:45,520 Speaker 1: that they're the next professional athlete, right, very very few. 570 00:26:45,359 --> 00:26:48,320 Speaker 2: Get to play at that level. Very very few, frankly. 571 00:26:47,960 --> 00:26:52,080 Speaker 1: Are even remembered, you know in terms of breaking records 572 00:26:52,080 --> 00:26:53,080 Speaker 1: and those sorts of things. 573 00:26:53,200 --> 00:26:54,639 Speaker 2: It's the impact that they're going to make. 574 00:26:54,680 --> 00:26:57,919 Speaker 1: And you want to be you know, positive contributors to 575 00:26:57,960 --> 00:27:01,120 Speaker 1: our community and to our society as a whole. Well 576 00:27:01,240 --> 00:27:04,760 Speaker 1: sport is a great way to build those fundamental foundational 577 00:27:05,960 --> 00:27:08,320 Speaker 1: building blocks for character development. 578 00:27:08,440 --> 00:27:10,160 Speaker 2: And so start there. 579 00:27:10,320 --> 00:27:13,320 Speaker 1: Okay, Now, what decisions can I make and what benefits 580 00:27:13,400 --> 00:27:17,560 Speaker 1: to get there? And I mean there's a decision every season, right, Well, 581 00:27:17,680 --> 00:27:19,359 Speaker 1: I put my kid on that travel team or that 582 00:27:19,400 --> 00:27:21,440 Speaker 1: travel team, do I skip out to go. 583 00:27:21,359 --> 00:27:22,800 Speaker 2: To the next big thing or the others? 584 00:27:22,800 --> 00:27:25,159 Speaker 1: And I was on a flight three weeks ago and 585 00:27:25,200 --> 00:27:27,560 Speaker 1: I happen to sit by a Division one baseball coach 586 00:27:27,920 --> 00:27:30,800 Speaker 1: who's recruiting, is on a recruiting trip, and he said, hey, 587 00:27:31,000 --> 00:27:34,719 Speaker 1: just because you are talented, Jason, meaning just because you're 588 00:27:34,720 --> 00:27:36,840 Speaker 1: on the good team, doesn't mean you're talented. Right, when 589 00:27:36,840 --> 00:27:38,040 Speaker 1: we go watch kids, we're going. 590 00:27:37,920 --> 00:27:39,880 Speaker 2: To watch that kid. We're not watching others. 591 00:27:40,160 --> 00:27:43,080 Speaker 1: We're at a place in time now where there aren't 592 00:27:43,119 --> 00:27:45,639 Speaker 1: diamonds in the rough. If your kid's good, they're going 593 00:27:45,720 --> 00:27:47,600 Speaker 1: to get seen. I mean they just they will. It 594 00:27:47,640 --> 00:27:50,320 Speaker 1: doesn't matter what team they're they are going to get seen. 595 00:27:50,880 --> 00:27:54,240 Speaker 1: So I would say teach those kids. So I'm trying 596 00:27:54,280 --> 00:27:56,000 Speaker 1: to do the best of my ability on I'd always 597 00:27:56,000 --> 00:27:58,320 Speaker 1: get it right with my own, but teach them and 598 00:27:58,359 --> 00:28:01,280 Speaker 1: demonstrate for them in the game and in the decisions 599 00:28:01,280 --> 00:28:04,359 Speaker 1: that are being made about respect and about how you 600 00:28:04,400 --> 00:28:08,399 Speaker 1: treat other people and the character development that goes along 601 00:28:08,480 --> 00:28:11,600 Speaker 1: with that, and that will govern the decision making. And 602 00:28:11,640 --> 00:28:14,160 Speaker 1: then from there, Yeah, help them get to their potential 603 00:28:14,320 --> 00:28:17,080 Speaker 1: right athletically. And there are a number of different ways 604 00:28:18,240 --> 00:28:21,240 Speaker 1: you know to do that, but first and foremost, it's 605 00:28:21,280 --> 00:28:25,000 Speaker 1: about making decisions and demonstrating a decision pattern both on 606 00:28:25,040 --> 00:28:27,359 Speaker 1: the field and off that allows them to make that 607 00:28:27,440 --> 00:28:30,679 Speaker 1: impact in life thirty forty fifty years from now. 608 00:28:31,520 --> 00:28:33,240 Speaker 2: And it's all about how you treat people. 609 00:28:33,359 --> 00:28:35,879 Speaker 1: So that's what we're trying to do as an organization 610 00:28:36,000 --> 00:28:37,920 Speaker 1: that those are the events we're trying to plug into 611 00:28:37,960 --> 00:28:39,120 Speaker 1: the communities, those are the. 612 00:28:39,080 --> 00:28:41,880 Speaker 2: Partnerships we're trying to build. And when you do all 613 00:28:41,880 --> 00:28:42,440 Speaker 2: of those. 614 00:28:42,200 --> 00:28:46,320 Speaker 1: Things and serve people, well, serve the guests, serve the family, well, 615 00:28:46,840 --> 00:28:50,560 Speaker 1: you know, the business side, all the other positive outcomes will. 616 00:28:50,320 --> 00:28:50,840 Speaker 2: Come out of it. 617 00:28:50,920 --> 00:28:53,160 Speaker 1: So I hope there's something in there in that rambling 618 00:28:53,200 --> 00:28:55,360 Speaker 1: response that makes sense. 619 00:28:56,600 --> 00:28:59,840 Speaker 2: But man, it's so easy in this divisive, you. 620 00:28:59,800 --> 00:29:03,840 Speaker 1: Know, culture and climate that we're in right now to 621 00:29:04,040 --> 00:29:07,760 Speaker 1: find things to argue about. Youth sports shouldn't be one 622 00:29:07,800 --> 00:29:10,320 Speaker 1: of them. They really shouldn't. This should be something we 623 00:29:10,320 --> 00:29:12,800 Speaker 1: can all rally around together, you know, in a quote 624 00:29:12,800 --> 00:29:16,320 Speaker 1: by partisan way, to figure it out for the kids 625 00:29:16,520 --> 00:29:18,520 Speaker 1: and for their benefit and so that they can have 626 00:29:18,600 --> 00:29:21,160 Speaker 1: fun and they can grow up with the confidence that 627 00:29:21,200 --> 00:29:24,320 Speaker 1: they deserve to grow up with and then ultimately make 628 00:29:24,360 --> 00:29:26,800 Speaker 1: a positive impact for our country and our communities. 629 00:29:27,080 --> 00:29:28,720 Speaker 4: Jason Clement, I love it. I love it. 630 00:29:28,760 --> 00:29:30,959 Speaker 5: I can't thank you enough for coming on sharing Sports 631 00:29:30,960 --> 00:29:33,360 Speaker 5: Facilities companies appreciate you. 632 00:29:33,440 --> 00:29:33,560 Speaker 1: Man. 633 00:29:33,600 --> 00:29:35,680 Speaker 4: Where can people connect with you and learn more? 634 00:29:35,880 --> 00:29:38,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, you can go to our website sports Facilities dot com. 635 00:29:39,640 --> 00:29:43,080 Speaker 1: There's another website, the sfnetwork dot com to see the 636 00:29:43,080 --> 00:29:46,560 Speaker 1: facilities that we're with, and anybody can reach out to 637 00:29:46,560 --> 00:29:47,280 Speaker 1: me at any time. 638 00:29:47,560 --> 00:29:48,200 Speaker 2: We love what we do. 639 00:29:48,240 --> 00:29:50,520 Speaker 1: We're passionate about it, and man, it's really great to 640 00:29:50,520 --> 00:29:52,959 Speaker 1: spend time with you, Nick. Thanks for making a difference 641 00:29:52,960 --> 00:29:55,160 Speaker 1: in an impact in this culture and in this community. 642 00:29:55,200 --> 00:29:56,920 Speaker 2: It matters, and the more of us they come. 643 00:29:56,800 --> 00:29:59,600 Speaker 1: Together here for the greater good for the kids and families, 644 00:30:00,240 --> 00:30:02,240 Speaker 1: it's just going to continue to turn the tide. I mean, 645 00:30:02,440 --> 00:30:04,440 Speaker 1: the best is yet to come for sure in our 646 00:30:04,480 --> 00:30:06,840 Speaker 1: space because of people like you and your leadership. 647 00:30:06,920 --> 00:30:07,720 Speaker 2: Thank you so much. 648 00:30:07,920 --> 00:30:09,040 Speaker 4: I appreciate you. Brother. 649 00:30:09,320 --> 00:30:13,600 Speaker 5: That's Jason Clement, co founder and CEO of Sports Facilities Companies. 650 00:30:13,800 --> 00:30:16,760 Speaker 5: Thanks for listening to the Reform Sports Project podcast. I'm 651 00:30:16,840 --> 00:30:19,120 Speaker 5: Nick Bonacor and our goal is to restore a healthy 652 00:30:19,160 --> 00:30:22,480 Speaker 5: balance and perspective in all areas of sports through education 653 00:30:22,720 --> 00:30:26,200 Speaker 5: and advocacy. For updates, please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, 654 00:30:26,320 --> 00:30:29,000 Speaker 5: and Instagram, or check out our website by searching for 655 00:30:29,040 --> 00:30:30,400 Speaker 5: the Reform Sports Project.