Ryan Dunagan

The National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) has shared key rule changes for the upcoming year, with several focusing on uniforms and apparel regulations across different sports. Here are some highlights for team dealers, coaches, and sports retailers: 🔹 Little League Baseball & Softball: *Catchers’ gear gets tech-savvy with approved one-way communication devices for pitch calls. *Uniform guidelines emphasize contrast—pitchers' undershirts can't match the ball's color in softball, and pitchers in baseball can wear solid neoprene sleeves (no white or gray). *Jewelry rules are relaxed, permitting players to wear it unless medically unsafe. *Helmet stickers are allowed as long as they remain appropriate and non-excessive. 🔹 Dixie Softball: *Faceguards are required on pressurized helmets, ensuring both safety and compliance. 🔹 USA Lacrosse: *By 2027, jerseys must feature numbers that clearly contrast with the jersey's body color for better visibility. 🔹 General Trend: Across sports, there’s an emphasis on player safety, clarity, and individuality, allowing for modernizations like tech in helmets and more flexible rules for personal expression (e.g., jewelry and decals). Uniform updates like these can impact how teams prepare for the season. Whether you're a coach, player, or supplier, staying ahead of these changes is essential! 💬 What do you think of these updates? Share your thoughts below!

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Monday is always better after a Seahawks win. Geno, Geno, Geno: Geno Smith is playing out of his mind right now. Per Next Gen Stats, Geno has faced the 5th quickest pressure through the first two games. Quick passing game and Geno’s pocket awareness is stabilizing a struggling offensive line. 4th Down: I’m typically a proponent on taking the points, particularly on the road. I liked the aggressive play call on the opening possession of the second game. Demonstrates confidence in your offensive line, right or wrong, and a chance to open the game up. Special Teams: The margin for error in the NFL is slim. Seahawks won the Special Teams battle highlighted by the Julian Love blocked FG. Love seeing high-end starters making plays on Special Teams. 

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When YETI wanted to reach the most engaged, influential, most-watched members of Gen Z, they turned to Hudl. The premier outdoor gear brand sponsored Hudl organic content as well as produced 60-second YETI brand episodes with bumper spawns, custom-branded graphics and end cards to deepen their support of girls’ sports. The content averaged 34,000+ views per episode, with the top episode garnering over 48,000 views. Hudl has over 5 million annual users and 85 million fans watching livestreams year round. It’s no wonder why brands are investing in advertising with us. Advertise with Hudl: https://lnkd.in/gviMp8w7

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⚽ Is Your Sports Club Missing Out on R&D Tax Credits? 💡 If your sports club is innovating—whether through new training methods, advanced sports technology, or facility improvements—you could be eligible for R&D tax credits. 🔍 Potential Areas for Eligible R&D: - Sports Science & Training: Developing new training regimes or recovery techniques to enhance athlete performance. - Facility Enhancements: Innovating in the design or construction of sports facilities, including energy-efficient solutions. - Sports Technology: Implementing or creating new technologies for performance tracking, injury prevention, or fan engagement. - Equipment Innovation: Designing or improving sports equipment to boost performance or safety. 🔧 Common R&D Challenges in Sports Clubs: - Performance Uncertainty: Testing new methods or technologies with uncertain outcomes. - Integration of Technology: Adapting advanced technology to suit the specific needs of athletes or facilities. - Cost & Budget Constraints: Innovating within the limits of a club’s budget, especially in smaller or grassroots organisations. We have successfully helped a football club with their R&D tax credit claims (more details to follow....) and are happy to assist other sports clubs with theirs 🌟 Please get in touch with Shaun Bartle or Michael Phillips for more information on how we can work together 🤝 #sports #sportsclubs #uksportsclub #uktax #innovation #taxcredits #uktaxcredits #uktaxes #researchanddevelopment #randd #money #cashflow #businessstrategy #ceo #managingdirector #cfo #financedirector #financemanager #operationsdirector

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Unbelievable opportunity

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My 12-week internship with Orange County SC has been an extraordinary journey, filled with diverse responsibilities and invaluable learning experiences. As I reflect on my time with the club, I realize how much I’ve grown both professionally and personally. This internship provided me with the opportunity to engage in various aspects of sports management, from hands-on work at games to detailed research projects. The variety of tasks I undertook not only honed my skills but also deepened my understanding of what it takes to succeed in the sports industry. One of the most dynamic aspects of my internship was the hands-on work at OCSC games. As part of the efforts to engage younger fans for OCSC, I was tasked with creating online games for the club’s Junior Supporters. This project was particularly exciting as it allowed me to combine creativity with an understanding of the club’s brand and target audience. The goal was to develop games that were engaging, educational, and aligned with the club’s values. I began by researching different types of online games and identifying what would appeal to young soccer fans. Once I had a clear idea, I worked on designing a "wheres Waldo" spinoff with the OCSC mascot. I also collaborated with the graphic design team to create visually appealing game elements that would capture the attention of our young supporters. Research was a significant component of my internship, particularly when it came to understanding trends in sports fashion and fan preferences. One of my key research projects involved analyzing jersey styles, both within the soccer world and in other sports. This research was aimed at identifying trends that could inform the design of future OCSC jerseys, ensuring that they were both stylish and reflective of the club’s identity. I began by conducting a comparative analysis of jerseys from various soccer clubs, focusing on elements such as color schemes, patterns, and materials. I also looked at how other sports teams were incorporating fashion trends into their apparel. This research provided valuable insights into what makes a jersey appealing to fans and how it can serve as a symbol of team pride. My findings were presented to the club’s marketing team, and they will be considered in the design of upcoming jerseys. This experience not only deepened my understanding of sports fashion but also taught me how to conduct thorough and impactful research. My experience interning for OCSC was enriching and it has helped me prepare for a future career in sports management. The diverse range of tasks I undertook from hands-on work at games to detailed research projects provided me with a well-rounded understanding of what it takes to succeed in this industry. I’ve developed practical skills in areas such as customer service, merchandising, web design, and research, all of which will be invaluable as I pursue my career goals. Thank you Orange County SC!

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Part 2: NWSL Links to Multi club/Sport Ownership Utah Royals  * Valued $70m * Franchise Fee $2m 2017, $5m 2020, $2m 2023 * Established 2017 but ceased operations 2020 after allegations of misconduct into then Utah owner Dell Loy Hansen * The Yates report highlighted Hansen on multiple counts of failures  * Utah Soccer LLC, holding company of Utah Royals transferred ownership to Kansas City who began playing in NWSL 2021 * Upon transfer Utah Royals paid $5m for the right to re enter the NWSL at a later date and agreed a pre set franchise fee $2m * Utah are owned by Real Salt Lake owners David Blitzer (DB) & Ryan Smith (RS) who purchased Real Salt Lake & Real Monarchs (affiliate team) for $400m 2022 * 2023 DB, RS / NWSL announced the return of the Utah Royals * Arctos partners joined as a limited partner and minority investor * DB and Josh Harris (HB Entertainment) have a portfolio of American sports franchises * DB has his own portfolio of European football clubs RS owns  * NBA's Utah Jazz,  * Salt Lake City Stars (NBA G) * Salt Lake Bees (Minor League baseball) * 2024 paid $1.2bn for NHL Arizona Coyotes and relocated them to Salt Lake  * RS made his money through Qualtrics a family survey and analytics company, which was acquired by German company SAP for $8bn 2019 North Carolina Courage  * Valued $108m * Franchise Fee $2m * The North Carolina Courage established in 2017 by Steve Malik (SM) purchased the Western New York Flash, renamed & recoated to North Carolina. * SM owns USL team North Carolina FC * 2024 Marc Lasry (MS) (former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner) close to buying 60% in the North Carolina Courage * ML is the founder and CEO of Avenue Capital Group, AuM $12bn * ML Avenue Sports invests in * Premier League Ipswich Town * TGL Franchise ‘The Bay Club’ owned with Stephen Curry & John Stones (Man City) * PGA Tour Enterprises (with FSG) * Other Investors include Tennis star Naomi Osaka * Former Head Coach Paul Riley was dismissed in 2021 following findings in the Yates Report Washington Spirit  * Valued $95m * Franchise Fee $0 - Founding member 2012 * Originally owned by Bill Lynch 2013 * Majority stake sold to Steve Baldwin 2018 * Michele Kang (MK) became majority owner 2022 * MK initially a minority investor 2020 * 2021 allegations of abuse and mismanagement were aimed at the Head Coach & Steve Baldwin * MK and fan groups wanted a change in ownership, Baldwin initially resisted, despite being outnumbered 2-1 MK convinced several non-voting investors to convert their investments to voting shares which led to MK gaining control. * 2022 MK paid $32m for majority control * 2024 MK created Kynisca the holding company for her clubs * 2024 MK acquired 100% London City Lionesses * 2023 MK acquired 52.9% stake in Olympique Lyonnais Féminin for €54m  * 2024 Kynisca close to securing a $16m acquisition of Levante Las Planes controversially MK plans to relocate the club to Badalona & rebrand #multiclubownership #footballbusiness #footballfinance

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Athletes have the unique opportunity to use their voice and platform to drive positive change. To learn how brands can harness the power of the athlete voice, check out the article linked below! https://lnkd.in/gRSejJmt #Athletes #AthleteMarketing #Brands #Sponsorship #Partnership #SportMarketing #Platform #Change #Value #Activation

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The wait has been a lengthy one, but the TGL era is finally upon us! A few things I'll be watching for during tonight's launch: 'A blessing in disguise' - Following a roof collapse at TGL's venue, the SoFi Center, in late 2023, the debut of the league was pushed back a year from early 2024. Since then, TGL braintrust including Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have noted on many occasions that the delay will benefit TGL in the long-run, allowing leadership to fully flush out what they wanted this brand-new concept to look like. No launch is perfect, but my expectations will be high - really hoping the creativity of this league extends to how they activate their partners both in-venue and on the broadcast. FanDuel and KPMG beat the buzzer - With tonight's debut just hours away, TGL has announced two monumental partnerships in the last day. KPMG will become the Official Performance Insights and Analytics Provider of TGL. Golf has been trending heavier into data analytics for years, but with TGL purposely built to be 'a fusion of technology and golf', we should see a completely new level of data integration that pushes the entire sport forward. The opportunities for KPMG in this analytics deal should be limitless and compliments the company's already robust sponsorship portfolio in golf that includes major deals with the PGA of America and Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). As TGL's Official Sports Betting Partner, FanDuel will fulfill the same role for the league as it does with the PGA TOUR - a natural extension of this deal given the TOUR's involvement with TGL. The 'made for TV' nature of TGL should lend itself well to betting integration relative to a regular event out on Tour. Most important I believe will be the ability for the broadcast to focus in on ALL of the action. With 100+ players spread out across 18 holes of a golf course, TV viewers are realistically missing 95%+ of shots - a much different watching and betting experience compared to other sports. With only six players in a very compact venue, these challenges disappear. Again, I am expecting betting innovations from TGL that could be applicable across the entirety of professional golf. Franchise mode - Team golf is the name of the game in TGL. With six franchises representing major markets across the country, each franchise is independently owned and operated, meaning they can control their own marketing and sponsorships. First up tonight is a matchup between New York Golf Club and The Bay Golf Club. While neither has officially announced any partnerships as of yet, could tonight's match be the opportune time for a reveal? McIlroy's club Boston Common Golf has been among the franchises already active in signing on corporate partners such as FM and Evolv Technology. TMRW Sports PGA TOUR SponsorUnited #sponsorships #partnerships #golfbusiness

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In an effort to engage with the youth hockey community on a deeper level, the group sales department at the Sharks spent the Summer brainstorming ways to connect the brand with each youth in Northern California who loves the game of hockey. That’s where the idea for Neck Guards for NorCal was born.   As of August 1st, 2024, USA Hockey Congress requires the use of a neck laceration protector for players under 18. The program we invented is the simple ask for youth hockey parents, coaches and registrars to sign up for our Hockey Player Perks newsletter for direct to consumer communication. In exchange, they receive a free CCM laceration protector. It’s that simple.   As of today, we have put over 1,000 neck guards in the hands of youth athletes in Northern California! In turn, we have generated youth hockey specific, marketable leads to get these outstanding results: - Converted over $100,000 in ticket revenue so far for the 24-25 season (Pacing towards a 1,011% growth in youth hockey group tickets since 2023) - Filled all available youth hockey experiences from Opening Night through 11/29 (and beyond)! - Added 4 new youth hockey specific, revenue generating dark day events to align fan development with the Sharks brand in FY26. - Identified over 3,000 existing leads in CRM as a ‘youth hockey family’ – information we didn’t have before about that specific client. - Added 25% new, opted in leads to Salescloud – brand new to our database. HUGE stick taps to Doug Bentz, Kevin Brown, Malia Bates, Chris Dimich, Joshua Nanavaty, Garren LaPosta, Jon Gustafson Jazmin De La Cruz and Lauren Strackbine for the support on this idea to get it off the ground to such initial success. And a special shout out to Youth Hockey Team Lead, Cameron Karkoska. Cam has dedicated countless hours since we pivoted to a more focused youth hockey and fan development approach to attending hockey tournaments each weekend, stuffing neck guards into envelopes, talking to other NHL teams about programs, listening to my crazy ideas and more. Cam is a perfect example of relentless pursuit of the goal, and I am honored to work with him on this project with such results.   Here's to the next 1,000!

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📌 All-star books to excel in your management in the sports industry. ✍️ Comment: Should we make a second part with the stars on the bench? ♻️ If you found this useful, pass the ball and share it to help other professionals in the industry grow. #LinkedinSports

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🚨Announcement: Bettinardi Golf, the leader in precision-milled putters, premium golf equipment, and accessories, proudly announces a groundbreaking licensing agreement with the National Football League (NFL). This multi-year collaboration will introduce officially licensed NFL-branded Bettinardi putters and accessories, blending world-class craftsmanship with NFL fandom*. . 📢 Press Release: https://lnkd.in/gR_KgV2x . When Bettinardi and the NFL join forces, they forge an inspiring community where artistry and sportsmanship collide. Together, they empower you to aim higher, dream bigger, and tackle every challenge with unyielding enthusiasm. . . . #NFL, #NFLFootball, #NFLxBettinardi, #BettinardiGolf, #GolfAndGridiron, #TeamPride, #PrecisionCrafted, #BettinardiHive, #MadeInTheUSA

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ANSWERING THE DEMAND FOR #TNF TRANSPARENCY GM Folks, It's great connecting with you all. #TNF Thursday Night Fights - Combat Sports We’re interested in taking a look at how (you) sports audience enthusiastic brands and (TNF) Thursday Night Fights. Which aire LIVE on all Sports World Television Corpration’s TV broadcast distribution And; their endorsement opportunities with fighters and media advertising assets may peak brands (your) interest for our 2025-2028 combat sports fights global series over the next three years for starters. A True Partbership We have a roster of licensed sports venues through out the state of georgia and growing into nationally and internationally Markets TNF, We are not boxing Promoter’s: TNF, we are a (SWTV) combat sports telecom with franchise boxing promoter partnerships In the genre of pofessional Boxing, Muay Thai and Bare Knuckle fight matching our fight event programming Which we produce live on Thursday Nights in Atlanta and from any sports venue in the U.S We are a georgia based telecom - primarily producing fights across the State of Georgia with the option to produce fights anywhere. DEMOGRAPHIC TARGETED AUDIENCE: South and Central American bilingual targeted audience and television programming * Age 13 -21 Tomorrows Combat Sports Athlete * Age 21-45 Todays Combat Emotionally Dedicated Fan Multicultural M-F: 60% Latin American - 40% Other So you get the media company and its assets in this partnership. No different than (TNF) Thursday Night Football. Only; we cater to the millions of fight fans globally who do not watch U.S football Let me know your thoughts: Thursday Night Fights - Atlanta A Sports World Television Corporation - Brand #boxingnews #fightnres #georgiaboxing #gwinnettcountyga #wann321swtv #ch321swtv #partnership #beer #spirits #media #television #sportsmsrketing #sportsadvertising #combatsports

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6x MLB All-Star turned investor, operator, and sports team owner... With Jose Bautista, who recently joined the Las Vegas Lights Football Club. He took a majority position in Marucci Sports and helped them to an exit and has also invested in outwear company Canada Goose & Las Vegas Lights FC. 𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮s𝐬: 🎙 1️⃣ Transition from athlete to investor 2️⃣ How he evaluates deals and founders 3️⃣ MLB players as businessmen vs. other sports Check out the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/eWhnabA5 Short snippet from the podcast touching on sports investing 👇

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KNOWLEDGE is power... The management team said we wanted to make sure all our teammates are well trained at DICK'S Sporting Goods in Grand Island. Each day we spend time giving our teammates a new piece of knowledge and then we practice. Find time to invest in your team and teach your leaders to do the same. How do you continue to grow and develop your team? #training #salestraining #knowledge

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