Rob Ponger, CEO of Perfect Game, wants the company to be the next Jordan Brand! He discusses the evolution of the company from a tournament-focused organization to a comprehensive brand that includes media properties like PerfectGame.tv, merchandise collabs with Adidas and Bruce Bolt, and data analytics on their DiamondKast platform. He emphasizes the importance of creating elite experiences for all players and the growing opportunities for sponsorship in youth sports. The conversation also touches on cultural shifts in youth baseball, the role of data in player development, and the potential for international expansion. Ponger shares insights on the future of youth sports and the importance of providing a great experience for families.

Get your tickets to our Youth Sports Business Conference in Philadelphia from April 14th-15th: https://events.buyingsandlot.com/summit-2026

0:00: Introduction to Perfect Game and CEO Rob Ponger

2:44: Evolution of Perfect Game: From Tournaments to Media

5:37: Challenges in Evolving the Perfect Game Brand

8:46: Creating Elite Experiences for All Players

11:38: The Intersection of Media and Brand Building

14:36: Sponsorship Opportunities in Youth Sports

17:41: The Role of Data and Analytics in Player Development

20:11: Cultural Shifts in Youth Baseball

23:07: The Future of Scouting and Player Metrics

26:01: International Expansion and Opportunities

28:51: The Importance of Experience in Youth Sports

31:56: Future Trends in Youth Sports

34:57: Conclusion and Future Aspirations

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In this episode of Buying Sandlot Kyle Pagan and Kyle Scott discuss the evolving landscape of youth sports, focusing on GameChanger's expansion into basketball, the implications of the streaming wars, and the integration of AI in sports highlights. They also delve into the financial dynamics surrounding Versant and SportsEngine, exploring the potential for consolidation in the youth sports tech market.

0:00 - The Youth Sports Business Conference is Coming!

2:37 GameChanger's expands into Basketball!

6:30 The Youth Sports Streaming Wars are HERE!

12:25 AI Highlights and Youth Sports Engagement

19:42 Versant's Volatile Market while SportsEngine hangs in the balance!

27:10 Reflections on Youth Sports

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Kyle Scott is joined by Jeran Fraser, founder of Flag 50, a live scoring and league management platform for flag football. They discuss the unique challenges faced in youth sports, the importance of technology in improving scoring and league management, and the potential of AI in sports tech. Jeran shares insights on building a lean team, funding strategies, and the future of sports technology, including data portability and the value of collectibles in youth sports.

Chapters:

• 00:05 - Introducing Flag50 and the Future of Sports Tech
• 00:52 - Introduction to the Buying Sandlot Summit
• 16:21 - Exploring the Future of Flag Football Technology
• 21:02 - The Evolution of Tournament Technology
• 26:35 - The Future of Data Portability in Sports
• 36:41 - The Rise of Digital Collectibles in Sports
• 44:12 - Navigating Success in Unique Market Spaces

Links:

https://flag50.com/

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylelaskowski/