Category: Feature Story

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

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How USA Team Handball Plans to Break Through

Barry Siff is in a place several before him have been. But he hopes—and has produced some early evidence—that he can be the one to put the entertaining sport of team handball on the map in the United States. “It’s a sport that’s designed for America that isn’t known here,” said Siff, CEO of USA […]

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HSBC New Zealand Sevens 2020 – Men’s
USA's Ben Pinkelman fends off the Wales defense on day two of the HSBC New Zealand Sevens 2020 men's competition at FMG Stadium Waikato on 26 January, 2020 in Hamilton, New Zealand. Photo credit: Mike Lee - KLC fotos for World Rugby

Rugby Sevens Ready to Put Roots in Los Angeles

With participation on the rise and its status as an Olympic sport secure, rugby is looking to expand its brand as the LA Sevens brings the up-tempo, fan-friendly rugby sevens format to Los Angeles. Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, will host 16 national teams in a two-day event February 29–March 1 that features the […]

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On Assignment: The Maine Ingredients

Maine may be off in a corner, but that doesn’t mean event organizers should treat it any less seriously as a destination for sports events. That’s something I saw firsthand on a recent trip to the Pine Tree State to witness three events, each of which speaks to the resources available in the region and […]

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ISL Competition Indiana University
Competitors enter the water at the International Swimming League competition at Indiana University natatorium on October 5 in Indianapolis. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP Images)

International Swim League Broadens the Sport’s Visibility

A new international league features some of the biggest names in swimming—competing in a team format that has proven popular with TV-friendly meets—and already has recorded multiple sellouts before the inaugural season culminates with a showpiece event in Las Vegas. The International Swimming League, which is paying its athletes a salary to compete, hints that things […]

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The Bank of America Chicago Marathon has become a leader in sustainability efforts.

The Green Game

We’ve come a long way since the first recycling bin was rolled out at a sporting event. As the topic of climate change heats up (literally), the creation of more sustainable events has taken on increasing importance. On a global level this can be seen with the December 2018 launch of the United Nations Sports […]

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Big 12 This Week Football
LSU quarterback Joe Burrows (9) throws the ball during a game against Georgia Southern this season in Baton Rouge, La. For the anniversary season, teams are wearing a “150” patch on their uniforms during select games. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)

Time Passages

On the 2019 calendar at the Irving, Texas, office of the National Football Foundation, one date—July 8—was circled. Though that Monday marked the beginning of Major League Baseball’s All-Star break, at the NFF offices it meant only one thing: the official start of the 150th college football season. The anniversary celebration is keyed to the […]

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Tokyo 2020 Karate
An athlete performs kata moves during a karate test event at Nippon Budokan, a venue for karate at the 2020 Olympic Summer Games in Tokyo. Photo: Jae C. Hong/AP Images

Karate Steps Into the Spotlight

At a time when MMA-style fighting dominates the martial arts landscape, karate is working to expand its own patch of ground. “The beauty of karate is that it’s a lifetime sport,” said Phil Hampel, CEO of USA Karate, which counts 3,200 members. “It adjusts and adapts.” There’s plenty of evidence of the sport’s adaptability, both […]

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