Anthony Gonsalves’ Post

Cascade Sports is the home of the student-athlete. They cover various sports-related topics and events. Here are some highlights: Coaches Corner: They feature interviews with coaches, including discussions about their experiences and insights in the sports industry. Separating the Playing Field from the Pedestal: An article that emphasizes the need to stop idolizing athletes and recognize their humanity beyond their performance. Diversity in Sports Media: An exploration of why diversity in sports media is crucial. Cascade Media Groups New Columnist/Contributor: Introducing Raven Moore as a new columnist/contributor to Cascade Sports. Cascade Sports Network: This channel features live and on-demand recordings of Cascade High School varsity sporting events, produced by students. Interviews: They conduct interviews with athletes, coaches, and other sports figures, providing valuable insights into the sports world. Cascade Sports aims to provide a platform for meaningful conversations and insights related to sports, athletes, and the broader community

Today, I’m thrilled to share with you something that I’ve been working on for some time and am extremely excited about. Many of you know that soccer is my lifelong passion and over the past three years I have had the honor of volunteering as the Soccer Director for a large non-profit rec league here in Spring Hill. During this time not only do I see on a daily basis the incredible growth of the sport and opportunity it has in this country but I also see some of the limitation. I’ve seen the desperate need for facilities facing our communities - particularly here in Middle TN the need for weatherproof indoor space. Moreover, I’ve seen the prohibitory and often elitist nature of soccer in America and how the politics / finances of travel soccer limits opportunities for what the rest of the world holds dear as the people’s game. My solution is to increase access to the best of soccer. Opening a state-of-the-art indoor facility to bring the best professional grade training equipment used by the world’s leading clubs such as Barcelona, Manchester City, Arsenal, AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund and present it to an American audience in an exciting gamified, accessible for all way. The example I often give is how great Top Golf is at opening up the game of golf just as much to lovers of the game as well as people like me who have never played a round in their life! This facility is as much for the young player dreaming of a scholarship or going pro as it is for the child who has never even kicked or the adult who just wants to have some healthy fun. Today we publicly launch our Wefunder community round. We felt it was critically important to give our community a chance to come along for the ride with us and help build a resource for them. By joining our Wefunder campaign, you're not just investing in a business; you're becoming a part of a movement. You're helping us build more than just a facility; you're helping us create a legacy that will inspire generations to come. Our mission is simple yet profound: to spread the love of the beautiful game. This isn’t an elite training academy designed for wealthy or super talented soccer players, this is elite training for children and adults alike who love the game whatever their level of ability. We believe soccer is destined for greatness in America just like it is all over the world and we think using technology to get kids the most important thing in the game - touches on the ball - is the best way to do it. I invite you to visit www.wefunder.com/topbins to learn more about our vision, our team, and the exciting perks available to our investors. You can invest in the project from as little as $100 with great returns. Moreover, this is something that is easy for you to share with your network and friends to help us spread the word. Together, let's make history and redefine what's possible for soccer here in America. Thank you for your support, and I look forward to welcoming you to the TopBins family! Chris

Do you love basketball? Do you believe in the power it has to transform communities? Over 40 million Filipinos play basketball, and around 50% of the population are passionate basketball fans (and about 81% in cities - which explains why the Philippines ranks second behind the USA in NBA following). Now, it's our mission to give back to a community that has given so much to the game. Will this change the entire landscape of the community in such a large country? No. We're realistic about that. But what we hope it's able to do is add fuel to an already massive fire, and begin a domino effect that will build more role models, expose the culture to the world, and show young athletes what can be achieved through the game and how many opportunities exist. Support our mission today! https://lnkd.in/gGQvgncv

Soccer isn’t just about goals and matches—it’s a driving force behind economic prosperity and community well-being. Soccer’s Global Economic Impact: Soccer is more than just a game; it’s a global phenomenon with significant economic implications. From major tournaments to grassroots initiatives, soccer plays a powerful role in shaping economies worldwide. Major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup inject substantial capital into host countries. These events attract tourists, generate revenue for local businesses, and create jobs in various sectors. Youth and Amateur Sports Tourism: Youth soccer tournaments and amateur leagues contribute significantly to local economies. According to the Sports Events and Tourism Association, the direct spending impact of amateur and youth sports tourism was $39.7 billion in 2021. This resulted in a total economic impact of $91.8 billion, supporting 635,000 jobs and contributing $12.9 billion in tax revenue. When families travel to watch their children play soccer, they spend money on accommodations, dining, and entertainment, benefiting local businesses. Community Revitalization: Soccer facilities, fields, and stadiums serve as community hubs. They attract visitors, host events, and contribute to the overall vibrancy of an area. Just as we’ve seen with other sports, soccer can revitalize neighborhoods. For instance, managing an event center in a small city originally built on rail transportation, textiles, and agriculture helped regenerate the downtown area and had a positive economic impact in 20223. Business Support and Partnerships: Local businesses can actively support youth soccer by sponsoring teams, providing equipment, or investing in soccer-related infrastructure. Collaboration between businesses, local governments, and soccer organizations can lead to mutually beneficial outcomes. For example, joint programs can improve facilities, enhance community engagement, and boost economic growth.

Aaaaah, I love it when "AI" helps me write -- almost anything... Ah, youth soccer moms – the unsung heroes of Saturday mornings. They're the real MVPs, armed with their minivans, matching team jerseys, and enough orange slices to feed a small army. It's like a suburban army of caffeine-fueled superheroes, ready to tackle the field and conquer the world one juice box at a time. You can spot a youth soccer mom from a mile away. She's the one with the bedazzled "Soccer Mom" hoodie, driving an SUV big enough to have its own zip code. I swear, some of these vehicles are so massive; they could double as team buses. I wouldn't be surprised if they have secret compartments filled with extra shin guards, emergency snacks, and a GPS system that only leads to soccer fields. Now, the soccer mom culture is fascinating. It's like a secret society with its own set of rules. If you forget the snack schedule, you might as well be exiled to the suburbs of shame. And don't even get me started on the team moms' group chat – it's like a 24/7 support group for lost water bottles and misplaced cleats. But let's talk about the soccer games themselves. It's like a strategic military operation with juice boxes. You've got the moms on the sidelines, yelling tactical advice like they're coaching a World Cup final. "Johnny, focus! Remember what we practiced in the living room!" It's like they're training the next generation of soccer legends or, at the very least, teaching them how to kick a ball without tripping over their own shoelaces. And halftime snacks – that's a whole production. It's not just about the orange slices anymore. We're talking gourmet granola bars, organic fruit pouches, and gluten-free, dairy-free, fun-free snacks for everyone. I once brought regular cookies, and you would've thought I committed a crime against humanity. "Did you check the ingredient list, Karen? We can't have little Timmy experiencing a sugar rush!" But you've got to appreciate the dedication of youth soccer moms. They're out there in all kinds of weather – rain, shine, hail, you name it. I once saw a soccer mom build a makeshift umbrella out of a garbage bag and some duct tape. Now, that's resourcefulness. In the end, youth soccer moms are the backbone of suburban sports culture. They're the cheerleaders, chauffeurs, and snack organizers, all rolled into one bedazzled package. So, here's to the soccer moms – may your minivans always have a full tank of gas and your team snacks never go unappreciated. Go team! Or, you know, whatever sport you're playing this week.

Is our desire to be part of a tribe enough to prevent a decline of in-person live sports in the digital age? Sports have evolved big time, and it's not just about being at the stadium anymore. The Big 3 (National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Basketball Association (NBA)) are trying to up their tech game, but fans still call the shots. 🎮 The digital age of sports has been here awhile already. There’s already nearly $7 billion a year spent watching esports. 💸 Quick comparison: U.S. pro sports? $70 billion a year. Video games? A whopping $200 billion! 🔥 The heart of the matter? We all just wanna belong, be it cheering at a game or being part of a virtual tribe. How we create that communal experience in-person or virtually is paramount. 🎉 No matter the game or the platform, fans rule and hold the home-field advantage. Check the comments to read more about how businesses should focus on creating great communal experiences for fans, both in-person and in the digital world from someone who has been doing it for years in our latest ON_Sport issue: The Fan Experience. The Fan Experience issue is brought to you by ON_Discourse, a membership community for business leaders. Learn more about joining the community and subscribe to our newsletter for future updates: https://lnkd.in/e3RMmS9d #Sports #DigitalRevolution #FanExperience

🏀🇬🇧 NBA's Rising Popularity in the UK: A Closer Look At spiidea.net, we love exploring fascinating trends. Today, we're examining the growing interest in NBA searches in the UK, which peaks annually in May and has been surging since 2020. Bronny James, son of basketball legend LeBron James, recently emerged as the UK's top-trending basketball player. This growing curiosity indicates a rising interest in NBA among British fans, presenting opportunities for sports marketers and broadcasters to cater to this expanding audience. To make the most of this trend: 1. Keep tabs on NBA news, especially during peak interest periods like May. 2. Engage fans with content centered around popular players like Bronny James. 3. Offer exclusive access or experiences for UK-based NBA enthusiasts to foster community engagement.

Why I Secretly Dream My Son Will Drop Football Alright, universe, here's my confession. I'm starting to suspect the school water is laced with something that transforms perfectly normal kids into miniature football fanatics. Don't get me wrong, I love a good game as much as anyone. But the social pull of a football in the schoolyard is like a tractor beam – irresistible and, honestly, a little terrifying. Oh Do I wish my son would ditch football. It's not the sport itself, but the way it's become a dictatorship on the playground. Want to be socially visible, have friends, be part of the "in" crowd? Football and a club membership are mandatory. Of course, the clubs and coaches know this all too well. So, you have no choice but to join the league practically in diapers, train three times a week, and basically say "yes sir" to every crazy demand. Seriously, where does a parent even begin? Do I risk social exile for him, or watch him lose himself trying to fit in? At the last school reunion, I found myself plotting with other moms, trying to form a renegade group of boys who'd rebel and switch to basketball. Apparently, I'm not the only parent desperate about this social tyranny. Maybe "tyranny" is a strong word, but hey, sometimes it feels that way! If you're not kicking a ball around, you might as well be invisible. It's like football grants you a social passport, while the rest of us are stuck in the terminal with a cancelled flight. The good players become these gravitational black holes, with all the other boys orbiting them like planets around the sun.This phenomenon baffles me and makes me chuckle at the same time. Why can’t basketball, volleyball, or any of the other ball sports have the same unifying magic as football? What is it about kicking a ball around that makes it so much cooler than, say, the strategic brilliance of a well-executed dodgeball dodge? Imagine a world where the volleyball court is the social epicenter, or a basketball game draws the same excitement at school than a football match. It's a utopia of diversified sports appreciation, and sadly, it seems like a distant dream. So here I am, cheering from the sidelines but daydreaming that my son will wake up one morning and say, "Mom, I think I'm done with football." Until then, I’ll keep dreaming and chuckling at the wonderfully bizarre social dynamics of the schoolyard.

In the business of sport, winning is not a strategy. At the beginning of each season teams do not get the privilege of sitting down, planning finals weekend, designing championship merch, and leveraging the finals for revenue. At the end of the season, one solitary team on top of the mountain lays claim to being the best. On the last weekend of October under a cold Hamilton sky, we won our unprecedented fourth trophy in five years. A dynasty. At the final we smashed every one of our revenue records: ticket sales, concessions, retail. However, the confetti and champagne paper over one thing: this was our worst ever on field season. Of the 14 home games played from April to October, Forge won only four times en route to accumulating our lowest ever point total and our worst ever home record. For a fanbase that was used to winning at home, we weren’t doing much of it. Controlling what we can control, our team dug deeper into new matchday experiences, new ticket packages and experimented with in-stadium activations we had never executed before. Our work was enhanced with broader outreach and a commitment to treating every fan like they were coming to their first ever game. So when I looked closer at the crowd that saw us win the finals I saw key partnerships that have been fostered in the local community, kids from the schools and clubs our players had visited, and many other converts that believed in the work we were doing, away from the field. People, not profit, drove our off-field success all season long. Embracing connection and community in our everyday work, I am proud to say our team led sales growth 44% year over year, contributing to the 20% growth across the league this season. It’s easy to write this, trophy in hand, but let me tell you from the top of the mountain: Winning isn’t a strategy, it’s just a bonus.

How To Launch A Pro Sports Team 101 DONT create fans, DO create a loyal community that forever believes in the crest. Case Study : Brooklyn Football Club Brooklyn FC is a ripe, potential filled, forthcoming USL pro soccer club that will play their home matches in one of my absolute favorite places on earth- Coney Island. Anyone that knows me knows I'm a massive fan of soccer, the culture, the endless subcultures & narratives that exist within the sport. Everything. My father played professionally overseas, & I played at a respectable enough level for various clubs in the tristate region my entire youth. It has taken me many places I would have otherwise never have been, & given me life experiences I would have never otherwise had. I fucking love you, football. I virtually met the founder Matt Rizzetta of BKFC by just DMing him, & with no roadblocks, got to work. I just finished designing Ronaldinho’s his first ever fashion collection, my beloved LFC was about to start a Kloppless era, & Coney’s getting a CLUB. I wanted to accomplish the following goals: 1. Craft a "lifestyle range” that would consciously double as a trojan horse of market affinity within the target demo of Brooklyn, the world's largest borough. It’s obvious how well this works & I knew exactly how to amplify & maximize we sure did. 2. Connect FC culture to pop & sub cultures with references to BK's greatest moments, most iconic figures, and dial in a narrative that would always work for the club. AKA "Build the castle on rock- not sand"- its always far more of a ROI driven strategic lift this way. It's way more than colors and various fabrics. 3. Create a narrative concept that not only works for "now", but sets the club up for future growth, highly conscious of what planting the right seeds in the present that allows for intelligent collaboration with other BK-born creators, icons & borough figures that will further grow the same narrative. It's about crafting tributaries that allow the community & budding fan base to participate in BKFC's on going story. The base is an extension of the players, managers & those on the pitch. They’re just as important as an in form 9. 4. Position BKFC as a "pillar" within Brooklyn's world, hence creating loyal evangelicals for the club & brand that will further the mission & agenda organically by "seeing them" from the jump. 5. Embrace the history, vibe and identity of Brooklyn outside of a soccer born context. AKA "sell the market back to the market" - allowing for pop and subculture verticals to craft in-roads for BK residents, and bolster affinity outside of soccer. Mission: Even if one is not a fan of the sport or club, they'd still proudly represent BKFC due to their own pride of/in the community, their attached baked-in emotions, and dialing up an "us vs the world" tribalism mindset that already exists at a high level in all of the 77 neighborhoods that make up BK. Post 2 Coming- It somehow gets better or worse. Ha