Big League Advantage

In this Game Changers series, we examine how retail investor participation could impact team valuations and the sports industry’s financial future. The landscape of sports team ownership is evolving, with retail investors now gaining access to professional franchises through private equity funds. Financial advisors are leveraging this trend to offer clients unique investment opportunities, distinguishing their services in a competitive market. This shift is driven by the emotional appeal of owning a piece of a favorite team, despite higher fees and reduced liquidity. As more individual investors enter this space, it raises important questions about the future of sports finance and team management. Source: Sportico The Game Changer Series: BLA’s series aimed at keeping you ahead of the game on the latest industry-disrupting sports headlines. To learn more about BLA, visit the link below https://lnkd.in/gfdNyHEF

In the latest edition of our Game Changers series, we examine Cal Ripken Jr.'s transformation of youth baseball and its implications for the sport's future growth. Cal Ripken Jr. is revolutionizing youth baseball through Ripken Baseball. The organization aims to create major league experiences for young players while nurturing their love for the game. A 2024 partnership with David Blitzer formed 'Unrivaled Sports', expanding to serve over 15,000 teams annually across 6 facilities. As the organization grows, questions arise about maintaining affordability and accessibility. Ripken's challenge now is to leverage private investment to improve facilities while ensuring broad participation across all communities. Source: Sports Business Journal The Game Changer Series: BLA's series aimed at keeping you ahead of the game on the latest industry-disrupting sports headlines. To learn more about BLA, click the link below: https://lnkd.in/gfdNyHEF

In the latest edition of our Game Changers series, we examine MLB's surging viewership and its implications for the sport's financial future. MLB's streaming viewership is soaring, with MLB.TV seeing a 15% increase over last year. The average unique views are up 10%, and the average minutes of consumption are up 20% for in-market streaming. Interactive features like customizable viewing, real-time stats, and live fan interactions are drawing in cord-cutters and younger fans. As streaming expands, MLB is set to redefine how fans engage with baseball in the digital age. - The Game Changer Series: BLA's series aimed at keeping you ahead of the game on the latest industry-disrupting sports headlines. Source: Sports Business Journal To learn more about how BLA, click the link below: https://lnkd.in/gfdNyHEF

BLA's capital provided to players isn't a loan. Players only pay a percentage of their Big League Earnings if they make it to the Big Leagues. This capital helps players improve their lives on and off the field through: training, nutrition, investments, and mental clarity. To learn more about BLA, click the link below: https://lnkd.in/gfdNyHEF

In the latest edition of our Game Changers series, we spotlight private capital's bold move into college sports. Collegiate Athletic Solutions (CAS), backed by RedBird Capital Partners and Weatherford Capital, is leading the charge, aiming to invest up to $200 million in top athletic departments. CAS proposes creating a university-controlled "NewCo" to manage all athletic income. This includes CAS investments, academic support, donations, ticket sales, and media rights. The new funding model offers both capital and operational expertise from sports industry veterans, with revenue shared between CAS and schools. By valuing elite programs at 4x their annual revenue, CAS projects substantial returns over 15 years. This innovative approach could transform college sports financing, presenting new opportunities and challenges for universities. Source: Sportico The Game Changer Series; BLA’s series aimed at keeping you ahead of the game on the latest industry-disrupting sports headlines.

Meet Valente Bellozo, the 24-year-old pitcher from Mexicali who recently made his MLB debut. Signed by the Astros in 2017, Bellozo steadily worked his way through the minor league system. Between seasons, he returned home to pitch for the Águilas de Mexicali, his local winter ball team, seizing every opportunity to improve his craft. In April 2024, after 7 years with the Astros, Valente was traded to the Marlins. He quickly climbed through the organization, spending just 2 months in Double-A and a month and a half in Triple-A. On June 26, Bellozo debuted with 5 scoreless innings for the Miami Marlins, completing his journey from Mexicali to the big leagues. To learn more about how you can become a BLA athlete, click the link below: https://lnkd.in/gfdNyHEF

This past April, BLA athlete Kole Enright sat down with the Boston Herald to discuss how his partnership with BLA gave him the opportunity to participate in utilizing top-tier training tools and resources that would aid him on his journey to the Big Leagues. To read the full article in the latest edition of our newsletter, click here: https://lnkd.in/ggZM2NFF

BLA’s attendance at the WBSC 10th Anniversary Event in Switzerland highlighted its dedication to expanding global baseball and softball accessibility through international partnerships and fostering equal opportunities for all players.

Introducing: The Game Changer Series. BLA’s new series aimed at keeping you ahead of the game on the latest industry-disrupting sports headlines. In this installment of our Game Changers series, we highlight the MLB Draft Combine at Chase Field, Arizona. Held from June 18 to 23, this year’s combine features 319 Draft-eligible prospects (193 collegiate players and 126 high school athletes) from the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Prospects will participate in comprehensive evaluations using state-of-the-art technology, a pro-style showcase workout, and strength tests. Additionally, they will be featured on MLB social media channels, receive personal branding training, and gain exposure to MLB teams. These opportunities allow players to enhance their skills, increase visibility, and boost their draft prospects. How will the MLB Draft Combine influence the careers of these young athletes as the draft approaches? BLA will be at this event and welcomes you to connect with us!

At BLA, we take pride in supporting and encouraging our players in every way possible. One of the ways we do this is by sending Spring Training care packages every year to show our athletes that we're rooting for them and to wish them well in their respective seasons. This year, we're excited to announce that we've collaborated with #BLAAthletes Steele Walker and Kole Enright to create a care package for our players. Steele supplied our guys with a shirt from his brand Steele Simmons, a brand of top-end comfortwear and premium accessories. Kole is providing a gift from his investment in CB Supplements, which provides multi-collagen formulas to naturally support the health of your joints, skin, hair, nails, gut, and more As an organization, we're committed to supporting our athletes in all aspects of their lives, including their entrepreneurial initiatives! Stay tuned for the reveal of our ST care packages! #BLA #BigLeagueAdv #BigLeagueAdvantage