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The global youth sports market is expected to reach nearly $70 billion by 2030. Are you ready for this game-changing gold rush? Youth sports is experiencing unprecedented growth, with over 60 million kids in the U.S. participating in organized athletics.  Join LionTree’s Alex Michael in our latest Kindred Report as we dive into the evolving youth sports landscape – and explore who is investing in this booming market. 🎙️Featuring insights from: - Sameer Ahuja, President of GameChanger - Ayden Syal, Founder & CEO of MOGL In the report, we explore innovative platforms and technologies making a difference, the high costs of youth sports, and how companies, schools, and student athletes are navigating the impact of new NIL rules and monetizing their name, image, and likeness. Plus, don’t miss Kindred Media’s Laura Clinton’s on-the-ground report on how fans are engaging with sports content today. 📺 Watch now on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/em94nUSR

The women’s college basketball final just outdrew the men’s — by 4 MILLION viewers. To say this is a monumental moment in women’s sports is an understatement. To put it simply: we’ve now proven that women’s sports can be THE main event. Not just the prequel or the companion piece – but the literal headline event during a major sports moment. Why is this important? Because while men’s sports have always received investment based on their *potential* — women’s sports have always had to prove it first. And we’ve now proven that women’s sports aren’t just “on the rise.” They’re ready to own the spotlight, and they can anchor one of the biggest calendar events of the year. If you’re a brand or an investor looking to make an impact in sports – what’s your excuse now for not investing in women’s sports? We have the names, we have the scale, and we’re only getting bigger. Sunday night showed what women’s sports are capable of when they only have a fraction of the resources given to men’s sports. Imagine what happens when you pour real fuel on this fire?

College sports investments pay off big for brands! In Part 2 of its Perceptions of College Sports study, Big Chalk reveals 2023's top-performing college football advertisers and the 2024 college sports investments with huge upside. Download our free white paper to see the opportunities! Rick Miller https://lnkd.in/ed7ZTJr6 #SportsMarketing #SportsMedia #BrandStrategy #MediaROI #CollegeSports #BigChalk

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 into the sports industry. Separating the Playing Field from the Pedestal: An article emphasizing the need to stop idolizing athletes and recognize their humanity beyond their performance. Diversity in Sports Media: Exploring why diversity in sports media is crucial—Cascade Media Group New 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 check us out https://cascadesports.tv/

🏀 Did you catch the exciting championship game between South Carolina and Iowa this weekend? 🏀 It shattered records and became the most-viewed NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament game ever, averaging 18.2 million viewers. This mirrors our brand new Magid AD.VANTAGE survey that reveals a jaw-dropping 50% increase - from 12% last May to now 18% in interest in women's college basketball. 💡Jaime Spencer, EVP at Magid, shed light on this big shift when talking with NextTV, stating, “This transition is not just about welcoming new fans or bolstering female viewership. What’s transforming the game is the strong adoption by the core sports fan base.” Jaime adds, “These seasoned enthusiasts are expanding their viewing preferences to include these vibrant sports, marking a pivotal and enduring shift.” 🔍 Explore MagidAdvantage.com for more in-depth data concerning the rise of interest in women's sports and leverage AD.VANTAGE AI to transform these insights and more into compelling actions for your marketing content! #WomenInSports #WomensBasketball #MagidAdvantage #SportsMarketing https://lnkd.in/gXDM8FNU

The world of sports is as much about the fans as the games. When it comes to collegiate versus professional sports, the nature of fan engagement and loyalty offers fascinating insights into what drives audiences to watch, cheer, and follow their teams with unwavering passion. Collegiate sports embody tradition and community spirit, while professional sports offer high-stakes excitement and star power. Both arenas create unique bonds and memories for fans. Rooted in identity, collegiate sports fans often have personal ties to the institutions, making their support deeply personal. They revel in the raw, unfiltered spirit of competition and the sense of identity of supporting their alma mater or local team. Collegiate sports also foster a sense of belonging and community pride that's hard to match. On the other hand, professional sports audiences are drawn to the allure of watching the best athletes compete at the highest level. The entertainment value of professional leagues is unmatched, with bigger budgets and resources. The allure of high-caliber performance and the glamour associated with the world's top athletes captivates audiences globally. Both collegiate and professional sports offer unique experiences that cater to different aspects of fan engagement. The heart of sports fandom beats strongly across both. Join us at https://lnkd.in/gp9paVug to embark on a journey of continuous learning and innovation in the world of data science and AI. 🚀 Which arena of sports captures your heart more deeply, and why? Share your stories of unforgettable moments and what makes them special to you. #PINCommunityAdvocate #influencermarketing ♻️

Topic of the Week: What’s the biggest challenge with having a child in youth sports? We pulled together some stats on the youth sports space and its increasing costs: With 60 million registered players ages 6-18, youth sports is estimated to be a ~$40 Billion market in annual spend (registration, equipment, travel, and instruction) & is expected to grow to $70 Billion by 2030. As demand, interest, and capital investments grow, parents are seeing the impact in their pockets, now spending an average of $883 per child per season ($1,002 annually per child youth basketball), according to the Aspen Institute. Increasing costs has been one of the biggest challenges we hear most about. What are some others? (H/T: Aspen Institute Sports & Society, Forbes)

🌟 Exploring the Impact of Private Equity on Youth Sports: A Deeper Dive into Economic Multipliers 🌟 The world of youth sports is witnessing a fascinating evolution thanks to private equity's keen interest in transforming traditional business models. At EventConnect, we're right at the heart of this transformation, analyzing every shift and potential opportunity. 🎥 In a thought-provoking presentation at last year's US Sports Congress, our President, Eric Vardon, unpacked the complexities of how private equity values and influences youth sports businesses. Eric explained the transition from traditional EBITDA multipliers to innovative, IP-based technology multipliers, which could potentially amplify overall business value. "The real question," Eric suggests, "is not just about the immediate financial implications but about the duration and sustainability of these investments in an industry as dynamic and evolving as youth sports." 👀 Catch the full video to gain insights into the strategic moves that could redefine profitability and operational efficiency in youth sports through the lens of private equity. 🔍 We're curious to hear from you! How does private equity best support long-term growth in sectors like youth sports? Are there challenges you foresee in this new financial landscape? Join the conversation below! #YouthSports #PrivateEquity #SportsIndustry #EventConnect #BusinessTransformation

From conducting 20+ interviews with Power 5 college athletes, NIL directors at elite universities, sports media experts, etc.— my graduate research on NIL and the modern social media landscape exposed one GLARING reality: ⭐ Today’s sports fans actively seek and use channels that allow them to connect directly with athletes. Athlete-driven media and increased student-athlete relevance, notoriety, and social footprint undoubtedly strengthen the connection between fans and sports communities while driving increased awareness back to the university at large. 🎥 The traditional sports business model has been disrupted by the surge of creator culture, and the athlete has intercepted the microphone from traditional media. I’m stoked to be attending Sports Business Journal Business Journal's Intercollegiate Athletic Forum next week in Vegas with Greenfly— would LOVE to talk all things NIL, short-form content, and how we can empower student-athletes and athletic departments to take advantage of the rapidly evolving sports marketing monetization model. #Greenfly #SBJ #NCAA #BigTen #NIL #shortformcontent

Caitlin Clark is on her own Eras Tour. ✨ After a record-breaking women's March Madness in 2023, the popularity of women’s college basketball — and namely University of Iowa star Caitlin Clark — keeps on growing, but the NCAA is still playing catch up. 🏀 This weekend, all seven sessions of the Big Ten Conference women’s basketball tournament officially sold out two weeks before tipoff, a first for the tourney. The host venue, Minneapolis’ Target Center - ASM Global, boasts a 20K capacity, with over 109K fans expected to attend throughout the entire tournament. Holding all the tickets. 🎟 While Big Ten school Iowa is currently ranked No. 4 nationally, it tends to come first in TV ratings thanks to Clark. The Hawkeyes have broken two viewership records and have four of the six most-watched WBB games this season, all of which surpassed 1M viewers. 📺 Even though ticket demand is booming (with high price points), the NCAA hasn’t been able to accommodate the current demand. Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse will hold just under 20K fans for this year’s women’s Final Four tournament, while Glendale’s State Farm Stadium can host 73K for the men’s. 🏟 And beyond venue capacity, the NCAA has held back the growth of the women’s game with scheduling conflicts and restrictive sponsorship rules. Boo. ⛔ There’s clearly massive demand for women’s college basketball, and the NCAA hasn’t fully met it under its present structure. But some change is happening this year — an improved ESPN deal and the addition of the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament should hopefully be signals of even bigger things to come. 📈 For more on how Clarkonomics is shaping WBB, subscribe to our free, 3x-weekly sports biz newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gHDGQDem