David Lane

The growth of Playfly continues.

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This partnership between #MajorLeagueBaseball and #Mastercard highlights the connection food has with baseball and sports overall, from traditional items like hot dogs, popcorn, ice cream, and peanuts to unique choices such as fried chicken donuts at #CitiField and the Mac Bat at #TropicanaField, a cone filled with Mac n Cheese. Utilizing the connection with culinary in your market can also bring the rewards of engaging both inside and outside your venue. Minor League Baseball and "Home Run Foods" Minor League Baseball (MiLB) partnered with local eateries to offer "Home Run Foods," delivering stadium favorites to fans' doorsteps. This initiative boosted fan engagement during the pandemic, achieving a 20% increase in merchandise sales tied to food orders. ECHL Inc. and "Fan Feast" The ECHL's "Fan Feast" program, launched in collaboration with regional food vendors, provided fans with team-branded meal kits. This initiative saw a 15% increase in online fan engagement and helped sustain local businesses. Local Quick Service Restaurant (#QSR) partnerships are crucial for community connections. They provide unique, regional flavors that resonate with local fans, enhancing the authenticity of the at-home experience. These collaborations also support local businesses, fostering community goodwill and creating a mutually beneficial relationship. ❇ Tips for Finding Local QSR Partners 1. Identify Popular Local Eateries: Look for restaurants with a strong local following or reflect the community. 2. Evaluate Brand Alignment: Ensure the QSR’s brand connects with your team’s values and fanbase preferences. 3. Leverage Existing Relationships: Utilize existing sponsorships or vendor relationships for potential partnerships. 4. Consider Logistics: Choose partners capable of handling high volumes and maintaining food quality during delivery. Building Community and Revenue Implementing these food delivery programs creates a strong community connection, and loyalty and generates new revenue streams. A simple, easy-to-activate idea is to collaborate with a popular local food provider to offer team-branded meals for delivery during home and away matches. This enhances the fan experience and supports local businesses, driving engagement and sales. Consider what your local culinary providers might offer your fans. #Sportsbiz #FanEngagment #Partnerships #Community #Baseball #Food #Concessions

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This really highlights what the Steel Sports Coaching System is all about! Check it out!! #kidsfirst #youthsports #buildyourlegacy

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Update on NCAA Division 1 College Roster Sizes. -Roster sizes any where from 24-28. Some Power 4 conferences are voting on a smaller number. -They will NOT grandfather in the current roster. What does this mean? That if there are current rosters beyond the roster limit they will have to make cuts. Not just with their current team but with their 2025 verbally committed class. -2025 D1 commits, you’re never officially safe until you sign your national letter of intent in November. If they limit the roster and they do not grandfather the current rosters, your coach has to decide between keeping a current player or you. To the Power 4 commits and most mid major D1 commits, count the current roster and how many 2025’s coming in. Anything beyond 30+ you could be in trouble. -2026 Class, there will be delays in your class. Colleges are waiting on the final verdict before offering any 2026’s because this will affect your class the most as coaches will have to be even more selective with their recruiting classes. -One D1 coach DM came in that they believe the roster cap will be voted on conference by conference whether or not to limit the roster as some D1 schools rely on enrollment to help with their budgets. -Overall, making a D1 Power 4 roster just became more difficult. Kids that were making these rosters as the bottom 4-6 will now slide down to mid-major D1. Those bottom 4-6 on mid-major D1 will slide down to D2, and so on and so on. College Soccer will be more competitive on the field and off the field for recruits to make the desired rosters. The committed 2025 D1 class should be paying close attention in the coming weeks because you could be looking for a new home. Current athletes on college rosters are not safe from just being on a roster. For the 2026 class expect a delay from visits or offers until the schools know how to move forward. The D1 or Bust mentality just became more competitive.

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Here are 10 player development questions YOU MUST answer. What are your answers? Listen to podcast here: https://lnkd.in/gGjdJmB9 #PlayerDevelopment #LinkedInSports

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The "WOW" factor. It's not just reserved for sports. "sell the sizzle" What are YOU providing as the "WOW" factor. Let me know in the comments. (Also, read the whole thing for some trash talk) Surprisingly, the "WOW" factor does indeed go beyond great product and service. Every industry can benefit. From staff uniforms, the look of branding and graphics, to (like the Las Vegas Raiders) the packaging of a product, you can be making a difference. - For chefs at Levy Restaurants, it's the model of "you eat with your eyes first" - One of my favorites is Foot Locker, all employees wore referee uniforms - Perhaps the "WOW" factor is making sure your wrapped company cars aren't rusted, dented or wrecked (not going to lie, a big pet peeve of mine) All of these are ways to sell the "sizzle" on top of the steak. Great product and great service is something we all must provide, but what are we doing beyond that. What is the thing that resonated in customers minds in a world where our competitors (lets be honest here) are also providing great product and service. For the Raiders, the simple creative packaging of their season tickets is driving the hype train. They are truly selling the SIZZLE (the packaging) and not the steak. Because lets be real, For the Raiders, the on-field performance isn't enough (shots fired. I had to. Go Buffalo Bills). Shoutout to Front Office Sports for a great highlight here. I'd love to know your take. What do you consider your SIZZLE. What is your "WOW" factor. Let me know. #Marketing #SportsMarketing #SportsBusiness #CustomerService

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Our Commitment At Baseball Rules in Black and White App, we understand what is at stake for the future of sports officiating. We are committed to providing the best in baseball rule resources to the officials of today, but especially for the officials of tomorrow. We want every official to understand and retain the rules in order to apply the correct ruling on the field.  See the difference in Black and White. https://lnkd.in/gquFT2Xn

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**THURSDAY INSIGHT** For many communities, managing their sport and recreation assets are one of the most challenging aspects of their jobs and takes a toll on their staffs. Here are a few of my favorite benefits to outsourced management that take that pressure off: Expertise and Experience: Management companies specialize in running sports facilities, bringing in-depth knowledge and experience that may not be available within the organization that owns the complex. This expertise includes everything from operations management to marketing strategies. Cost Efficiency: Outsourcing management can often reduce costs through economies of scale. Management companies can negotiate better deals on equipment, maintenance services, and staffing due to their larger networks and purchasing power. Enhanced Revenue Generation: Experienced management companies can implement effective revenue generation strategies such as hosting events, leasing space for retail or dining, offering memberships, and maximizing facility usage through efficient scheduling. Improved Facility Maintenance: Maintaining sports complexes requires ongoing attention to infrastructure, cleanliness, and safety. Third-party managers often have dedicated teams and systems in place to ensure facilities are well-maintained and compliant with safety standards. Flexibility and Adaptability: Sports complexes may benefit from the flexibility and adaptability offered by third-party management. They can quickly adjust to changing market conditions, implement new technologies, and respond to customer feedback more effectively. Staff Training and Development: Management companies invest in training their staff to deliver excellent service, ensuring that employees are knowledgeable, courteous, and proficient in their roles. #community #sportsbiz #recreation #sportsfacilities #economicimpact #sportsdevelopment

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The heartbeat of the community is key when investing in pickleball venues. Understanding what sets your facility apart is crucial for success in this competitive market. The "build it and they will come" mentality often leads to major disappointments. Investing wisely in venues that resonate with the community is the key to long-term success. Where are you directing your investments based on this insightful information?

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One of the goals for my book is to get it as a recommended text in all S&C University programs. One of the best things about this book is how I use foundational principles effectively over and over again to get real results. I believe it’s one way we can start driving the speed training for team sport conversation. Can anyone help me start these initial conversations? Daniel Cleather Phil Price Jamie Tallent

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🔷FOR MY NEW FOLLOWERS!! Welcome........... Please reach out if I can help you with the paid services listed below. 212-227-1300 or jkarpf@sportsmarketingnetwork.com ⭐️Serious inquires only⭐️ 📌Need help with your sportsbiz job search & career? Receive a one-year complimentary membership to NSMN (trade association) with your one-on-one NSMN Career Sessions! NSMN membership provides you with unlimited introductions between members across the country! NSMN IS EXPERIENCED & THIS IS OUR SPECIALTY: With 30+ years in the #sportsbiz industry, I help with careers and career materials via National Sports Marketing Network (NSMN). I have led NSMN for 25+ years and career development & networking is a huge part of the organization's most important offerings! I also wrote and taught the four required Career Development courses for sports marketing majors at New York University. If you need affordable help with the following, NSMN charges per Career Session to help you with: 🔹 finding a new #sports job or internship 🔹 deciding on sub-industry 🔹 changing sub-industry (or joining the #sportsbiz industry) 🔹 writing & editing your resume 🔹 writing & editing your letters 🔹 creating and refining your elevator pitch 🔹 building & maintaining contact list 🔹 interviewing for jobs and networking meetings 🔹 networking etc Please reach out today and share your resume, your specific career needs, your phone number. Proven 25+ years of success helping entry-level through executive-level professionals with results aiding job searches and career changes! Countless industry testimonials. ⭐️Conversations & assistance are always private and confidential. ⭐️ 📍Referrals mean the world to NSMN! Please share this post if you think it will help your followers! #sportsbiz #NSMN #job #career #resume #tradeassociation #sportsmarketing #networking #membership #interviews #sports

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KNOWLEDGE is power... The management team said we wanted to make sure all our teammates are well trained at DICK'S Sporting Goods in Grand Island. Each day we spend time giving our teammates a new piece of knowledge and then we practice. Find time to invest in your team and teach your leaders to do the same. How do you continue to grow and develop your team? #training #salestraining #knowledge

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Golf and talk about this:

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This article sheds light on the stark reality of adults exploiting players and their parents to capitalize on their amateur success. The focus is to offer the opportunity to play in college or professional baseball while perpetuating a culture of fear of missing out if you don't participate. The revenues will continue to be funded by the mass herd of youth players participating in multiple events, all for a ranking and profile to platform you to the next event. What a cycle. Now, players can or have signed away their NIL rights for this organization to continue to scale while offering more tournaments and showcases all year round to a younger and younger player demographic. Renowned MLB agent Scott Boras said in the article, "There are many other facets of illustrating your skills where you don't need Perfect Game, and to give away rights that potentially could be of substantial value to you going forward," he said. "That is not the original intent of what this was, which was a fee-for-service. Now it's a fee-for-service, plus a loss of monumental rights for no remuneration to the player."  With the prevalent use of social media, the NCAA's move to pay players and NIL usage, the industry will continue to pressure parents and players to do anything possible to secure their players' opportunities to play at the next level. The best players rarely have to pay to participate, with their expenses often compensated for playing in large-scale or marquee tournaments. They frequently move from team to team and showcase to showcase, seldom competing within their local communities. The focus has shifted from team success to building their brand. Injuries will continue to rise, and Major League Baseball (MLB) will continue to inherit a generation of players who have spent most of their time focusing on what they need to do to boost themselves and less on the teams that can help them succeed. I really hope and would love to see MLB Playball, USA Baseball, and MLB Pipeline's platforms efficiently marketed and integrated inside more communities to help offset what is currently happening to amateur players on their journey. After all, many of these players who are paying for these tournaments, are all dreaming of playing MLB. Starting off playing in your community league with a pathway of opportunity for more players to play at higher levels shouldn't come with such a high price tag.

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Before you go down the frozen pizza aisle, I would encourage you to watch the video below and consider Red Baron Pizza (Schwan's Company).

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A few years ago, we embarked on a mission to reimagine basketball competition. Our goal was to create a lifelong basketball experience, much like golf, allowing players to enjoy the game and compete for a lifetime. We wanted to keep the passion for playing alive, not just spectating. The result: a game centered around shooting, capturing the thrill of a real basketball game including the excitement and drama around a real crowd and announcer generated through AI. This shooting game format allows players to enjoy the game without the typical hurdles of needing to be in good aerobic shape, endure physical contact, and play defense. Our game is played locally and virtually across the Shoot 360 network. It's structured in four quarters, with teams of three players and dynamic scoring involving 2, 3, and 5 pointers, adding elements of skill and strategy. We use our scoreboards above the baskets to track real time individual and team scoring and stats. It's all summarized in our App with all the game schedules, stats, game results, and leaderboards. The game can be played in leagues, tournaments, and open runs, offering a range of competitive formats just like the traditional game. Above all, the game is simply fun to play, focusing on the thrilling aspect of shooting. We're focused on getting basketball enthusiasts off the sidelines and back into the game, engaging millions of people in the U.S. and worldwide. With over 175 million enthusiasts in the U.S. and 2.5 billion globally, the potential is enormous and incredibly exciting! I've never been prouder of our team, and after countless hours of development and testing, we launched Shoot 360 Leagues a few weeks ago, starting with a beta across the U.S. and into Canada, involving 300 players in an international league with over 100 teams all playing locally and virtually across our facilities in real time! The feedback was phenomenal, and we're excited to see hundreds and then thousands of teams playing Shoot 360 Leagues soon. Here's a link to see the fun in action: https://lnkd.in/gUbheF-v

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"It's developing an awareness of where your teammates need help when the ball is in certain positions on the floor. " James Williams and I will be discussing Avoiding Weak Spots in our next RefMasters University session, but you can get an early sneak peek at what we will be discussing in our RefMasters Digest 📖 https://lnkd.in/e2MedCTG #referee #sportsofficiating #sportsofficial

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