Utah Hockey Club’s Post

The 2024 Major League Pickleball Challenger Level Draft is in the books, and the results? Dive in and see for yourself down below! ⬇ #pickleball #draft #majorleaguepickleball #thedinkpickleball #linkedinsports

Can rugby crack the US? 🤔 Mercado Libre founder Marcos Galperin says yes…and backed it up with the $7m purchase of Major League Rugby expansion franchise Miami Sharks in 2023 🚀 In a world of 9 & 10 figure franchise valuations, $7m for a team in a major US city on the crest of a pink sporting wave seems pretty appealing. The 2031 Rugby World Cup will be hosted in the US. It’s time to build a community that will sustain the legacy of this ephemeral but golden occasion. Establishing a renowned domestic league? That's a start. So what made this investment too good to pass? It's a love of rugby (which Marcos says has been more influential on his career than his education at Wharton & Stanford!) mixed with great business opportunity. Hardly surprising that the root of it takes us back to the beautifully capitalist/socialist US franchise league structure. The most established leagues and their open systems continue to struggle to prove their viability as business and entertainment products. MLR’s opportunity is now 🔥 Business of Sport (Links in comments👇) #Rugby #MiamiSharks #MarcosGalperin #MajorLeagueRugby #sportsindustry

A couple of thoughts on the new proposed RFU play off structure for promotion (and relegation). First of all I thought the two legged playoff was already in place? As long as the side finishing top met the minimum standards criteria then I’m sure that club had a chance over two matches to gain promotion? I may be wrong though… Secondly this proposal seems like a fudged compromise. For me either go franchise model or go promotion/relegation based upon on-field performance only. Franchises doesn’t have to stop aspiring clubs….just look at the NRL in Australia how they’ve grown that competition, accepted new clubs without relegating anyone. It’s now by some distance the premier domestic competition of either code anywhere in the world. Pros & Cons of both systems and that’s a discussion for another time. However some voices that demand P&R within all levels of club rugby don’t have the same view when it comes to the Six Nations. Would relegation there improve that tournament like they believe it improves domestic leagues?

There are two at the top of the MMA world today, and that’s the PFL and the UFC. The PFL is coming off a massive year, which was highlighted by the acquisition of Bellator, creating a new global MMA powerhouse. As big as this year was, we’re just getting started. Truly, there’s no better time to be an MMA fan, with smaller promotions thriving as well, like Naciones MMA in Central America, One FC in the Caribbean, and Road FC in South Korea, just to name a few. Read about how big 2023 was for the PFL here: #WeArePFL https://lnkd.in/gzd3Etps 

Good ownership in action

Building Rugby's Future: A Journey of Passion and Community. I recently listened to an insightful interview in which Marcos Galperin shared his vision and experience after investing in a rugby franchise in the U.S. It got me thinking about the two passions we share - Mercado Libre and rugby - and the remarkable parallels between pioneering e-commerce in Latin America and the challenges of developing a sport in a new market. Four key takeaways: 1️⃣ Taking rugby global: Rugby is still a relatively small sport in the US, but it has huge potential for growth - both there and globally. This presents a unique opportunity to mentor the next generation through a sport that teaches core values. 2️⃣ Startup mentality: Just as building Mercado Libre 25 years ago required innovation and resilience, growing rugby in the US requires a similar startup mindset. Both endeavours require a relentless pursuit of a long-term vision, overcoming challenges and fostering a community around a shared passion. 3️⃣ Character Building Through Team Sports: Rugby profoundly impacts character development, teaching the importance of collaboration, respect, and resilience—qualities that are invaluable in anyone's professional journey, both in sports and in business. As Marcos says, these are things you don't necessarily learn anywhere else. 4️⃣ The Joy of Two Passions: It’s amazing what a sport can provoke. Even when you’re involved in it as a business, you’re always overwhelmed by the passion. The common thread in both is a dedication to excellence, community, and impact. Finally, Creating a Community is always a key objective in any venture. Whether in business or sports, building a strong community generates a sense of belonging, which is fundamental to achieving long-term success. Rugby, like an innovative start-up, has the power to change lives. It requires visionary leadership, teamwork and a commitment to making a lasting impact. https://lnkd.in/dGs-9sZ8

Creating Knockout Numbers 🥊 When Spartans Boxing Clubs sit down to sell a franchise, ABC Glofox is their secret weapon for supporting franchisees 🔐 Click through to see the Glofox x Spartans Boxing Club customer partnership in detail ➡️ https://lnkd.in/edBF2D9P #ABCGlofox #ABCFitness #fitnessprofessionals #fitnessentrepreneur #fitnessindustry #gymowner #gymowners #fitnessbusiness #fitnessfranchise

It’s Boxing Day! It’s time to let your story out of the box. 🥊 What’s your franchise story? #smb #smbclients #SMBFranchiseFamily #ItsAllAboutTheRelationship #smbleadership #franchiseleadership #franchiseyourbusiness #franchisedevelopment #ownyourownbusiness #tellyourfranchisestory

At first I thought this was another dry white paper...but boy was I wrong. Some big mistakes being made by brands trying to manage explosive franchise growth, including public FTC violations for all the world to see. Also includes the first available financial performance data coming out of the pickleball world. Pro tip: read the paragraphs beyond the charts to get the real scoop. If you’ve got 15 minutes and have an interest in franchising, pickleball or not, it’s worth reading this! **PSA for transparency: I am an investor in Ace Pickleball Club, one of the brands in the report**