Category: Feature Story

Feature Story — SportsTravel — News, Insight and Analysis for the Sports-Event Industry

Tokyo 2020 Athlete Visit
Tokyo 2020 has been collecting electronic devices to convert into Olympic and Paralympic medals. Photograph: Tokyo 2020

Playing for the Planet

The simple acts of swinging a tennis racket, throwing a football or kicking a soccer ball have complex consequences. From the carbon footprint of attendees driving to the U.S. Open and the materials used to make athletes’ uniforms to the straws in spectators’ drinks and the cans discarded by fans, sports events have a wide-reaching […]

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Bill Tuiloma, Fanendo Adi
Photograph: AP Images/John Minchillo

MLS Grows Once Again

It might be too early to compare Cincinnati’s early success in Major League Soccer to what Atlanta United FC accomplished in its first two years, but the impact of the league’s newest entry can’t be underestimated. After beginning play in 2017, Atlanta United emerged as MLS Cup champions in 2018. While Atlanta United shares Mercedes-Benz […]

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2018_USAT_AGNCN
The 2108 USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships were staged in Cleveland. Photograph: Rich Cruse/USAT

From Participant to Permanent Resident

There are many ways to judge the success of a sports event. The most direct, of course, is attendance and the economic impact that visitors provide the host city. Then there are the residual effects, which include those who enjoy the destination so much they decide to return—perhaps even permanently. While rare, this is just […]

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Big Vision Foundation community service
Chores within the Big Vision Foundation's community service program include grooming a baseball field. Photograph: Big Vision Foundation

Work to Play

Youth travel sports enjoy huge popularity, with cities and towns across the United States building sports complexes to lure teams and tournaments and the big bucks they attract. However, the growth of the multibillion-dollar industry has come at the expense of thousands of children who would love to bat, shoot, pass and tackle but lack […]

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USA Hockey
USA Hockey has seen success in 8U participation through a program that shortens the rink for young players. Photograph: USA Hockey

Young and Resting?

Baseball, take a dugout curtain call. Hockey, throw your sticks in the air. Soccer, you need a team meeting and a pep talk. A snapshot of U.S. youth sports in 2018 reveals that the industry has some bright spots but is struggling to overcome a variety of challenges, including the growth of pricey travel sports, […]

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Team Twitter Cover – Mark and Chris
“Shark Tank” stars Mark Cuban (center left) and Chris Sacca (center right) advised that there was an even larger market.

Rent Like a Champion Fills a Void

Like many great businesses, Rent Like a Champion started out as an entirely different sort of enterprise. Mike Doyle had helped create a company in South Bend, Indiana, focused on student housing near Notre Dame University. With a fairly large inventory to rent to students, Doyle was regularly left with a few vacant properties each […]

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