Industry Happenings This Week
NFL Flag Football Draws Big TV Audience
Youth sports made primetime noise as the NFL FLAG Championships in July pulled in a combined 7.7 million viewers across Disney and NFL broadcasts. The girls’ flag final alone averaged 766,000 viewers – outrating pro hockey and even some WNBA games. With flag football surging (and a potential future Olympic sport), it’s clear that youth sports content can capture major eyeballs.
Pro Teams Boost Grassroots Programs
In a win for youth participation, the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC partnered with the YMCA to expand access to flag football and soccer for kids in the Charlotte region. Young athletes will get new leagues, camps, and even official Panthers NFL Flag jerseys as part of the community initiative. It’s a feel-good example of pro franchises investing at the grassroots level to get more kids playing.
Club Consolidation in Soccer
A behind-the-scenes club deal shook up youth soccer: Surf Sports (San Diego) has acquired a stake in Rush Soccer, the world’s largest youth soccer club organization spanning 50 countries. Details are sparse, but the move signals continued consolidation in club soccer – with Surf’s owner (Pioneer Sports) becoming a strategic investor/operator in Rush to unify elite player development on a broader scale. This could herald more alliances among big club networks in the future.
Investor Play of the Week
High-tech Coverage: BallerTV’s new BallerCam affixes to a smartphone, using AI to automatically film games – making live-streaming accessible for every team and family.
When it comes to savvy investments, star power met startup tech this week. Soccer icon Alex Morgan made headlines by taking an equity stake in BallerTV as it launched BallerCam, an AI-powered camera for youth sports. Morgan isn’t just lending her name – she’s aligning with a product that could transform how youth games are captured and shared. BallerCam’s wide-angle lens and machine learning software automate the filming of games, meaning parents can finally put down the camcorder and enjoy the moment while still getting a professional-quality recording.
Morgan’s involvement brings credibility and visibility to BallerTV’s mission of making high-quality sports broadcasting accessible to every family. “BallerCam is making high-quality sports broadcasting accessible to every family, not just the elite,” Morgan said, adding that she’s proud to support a company “breaking down barriers for the next generation”. For BallerTV – which has already live-streamed over 2 million youth games – having a World Cup champion on the cap table is a winning play. It’s a great example of an investor (in this case, an athlete-investor) supercharging a youth sports venture that aligns impact with opportunity.
Operator Play of the Week
High-Tech Hoops: A young player trains at a Shoot 360 facility, where AI-driven analytics deliver real-time feedback on shots, passes and dribbles. The company plans to franchise this experience nationwide.
This week’s standout operator move comes from Shoot 360, a tech-driven basketball training company proving that youth sports “operators” can think big. Shoot 360 operates brick-and-mortar training facilities that blend gamified drills with pro-level analytics – essentially turning workouts into a futuristic, interactive experience. Almost every NBA team already uses Shoot 360’s patented training tech, and now the company is on an aggressive expansion tear.
In the past week, Shoot 360 announced plans to franchise nationwide and even internationally, targeting 600 locations by 2030 (up from just ~50 today). To fuel this growth, they’ve brought on a new COO and CMO with franchise experience in the fitness industry. The play here: scaling a proven youth sports training model rapidly by leveraging franchising. With franchise investments ranging from $600K to $1.8M and interest in all 50 states, Shoot 360 is betting that parents and young athletes will flock to a high-tech training “gym” the same way they do to travel teams or private coaches. It’s an operator boldly leveling up, and if successful, it could redefine how youth athletes across the country train – and how investors think about youth sports as a scalable business.
Scouting Report: This Week in Youth Sports Deals
1. PlayMetrics x Stack Sports Merger
Deal Name: PlayMetrics (merging with Stack Sports)
Sector: Sports Technology (Youth Sports Management Software)
Transaction Type: Merger/Acquisition (Private Equity-backed consolidation)
Date: 06/13/2025
Executive Summary
PlayMetrics – a Raleigh, NC-based youth sports club management platform – has merged with industry peer Stack Sports to form one of the largest all-in-one software platforms in youth sports. The deal, led by private equity firm Genstar Capital, involves Genstar acquiring PlayMetrics (previously VC-backed by Blue Star Innovation Partners and PSG) and combining it with its portfolio company Stack Sports. The result is a powerhouse serving thousands of youth clubs, leagues, and tournaments with scheduling, registration, communication, and analytics tools under one roof. This merger comes at a time of rapid consolidation in sports tech, validating youth sports as a serious investment category in line with Signature Athletics' thesis that operational efficiencies and scale can unlock value in the $50+ billion youth sports market. By uniting two major platforms, the new entity is poised to streamline operations for organizations and create a dominant player in a fragmented landscape – a big reason why Genstar and partners saw this as a timely opportunity.
Key Investment Highlights
Market Leader Scale: Together, PlayMetrics + Stack Sports serve over 2,700 youth sports organizations (clubs, leagues, tournaments, state associations) across more than 10 different sports, making it one of the largest tech platforms in the space. The merged platform aims to be a one-stop solution for directors, coaches, parents and athletes to manage all aspects of play.
Rapid Growth Trajectory: Prior to acquisition, PlayMetrics had achieved 5x customer growth in 18 months under BSIP and PSG’s investment, expanding beyond its soccer roots into hockey, lacrosse, volleyball and baseball through product development and the acquisition of Crossbar. This explosive growth highlights the strong demand for modern software in youth sports and the potential for further scaling with Genstar’s backing.
Private Equity Validation: Genstar Capital’s involvement (and majority ownership of the combined company) validates youth sports tech as an investable and mature sector. The deal exemplifies a trend of major PE firms recognizing the stability and growth potential in youth sports, similar to recent moves by firms investing in comparable platforms (LeagueApps, TeamSnap, etc.). This strategic capital brings not just funding but also operational expertise for continued expansion.
Enhanced Product Offering: By merging, the companies can accelerate innovation – e.g. integrating Stack’s league management capabilities with PlayMetrics’ club operating system. Leadership notes that organizations increasingly seek a “single, cohesive platform” rather than piecemeal tools. The combined entity can fast-track new features, improve customer support, and leverage broader industry relationships (as noted by both CEOs) to better serve the evolving needs of youth sports organizations.
2. Unrivaled Sports ($120M Strategic Investment)
Deal Name: Unrivaled Sports (Youth Sports Experiences Platform)
Sector: Youth Sports Facilities & Events (Multi-Sport Platform)
Transaction Type: Growth Equity Investment (Series A/Strategic Minority Stake)
Date: 05/06/2025
Executive Summary
Unrivaled Sports – a one-year-old roll-up platform for youth sports properties – secured a $120 million investment round led by Dick’s Sporting Goods. This injection, which valued Unrivaled at over $650 million post-money, marks a major strategic tie-up between the nation’s largest sporting goods retailer and a fast-growing youth sports operator. Unrivaled was launched in early 2024 by prominent sports owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer to acquire and unify top-tier youth sports facilities, tournaments, and programs (its portfolio includes the iconic Ripken Baseball complexes, Cooperstown All Star Village youth baseball resort, Under the Lights Flag Football leagues, among others). Bringing on Dick’s as an investor/partner is highly relevant now: youth sports facilities are booming nationwide, flag football and other niche sports are exploding in popularity, and big brands want authentic entry points to the youth sports consumer. Unrivaled’s model – build “destinations” for youth sports and enhance the experience for athletes and families – aligns perfectly with Signature Capital’s thesis that the youth sports ecosystem is ripe for professionalization and integration. This deal not only provides Unrivaled with capital to scale (they plan to acquire/build more facilities and launch new programs), but also strategic synergies with Dick’s (think retail, technology like Dick’s-owned GameChanger app, and sponsorship clout). In short, Unrivaled is quickly becoming a dominant player in youth sports experiences, and this funding validates its vision to elevate youth sports into more than just games – into holistic experiences and big business.
Key Investment Highlights
Nationwide Footprint & Scale: In just over a year, Unrivaled has amassed 15+ premier youth sports properties across 30 states, hosting roughly 600,000 youth athletes and 1.7–2 million family members/visitors annually. From tournament complexes (baseball/softball) to multi-sport facilities and leagues, Unrivaled has quickly built a coast-to-coast platform. This scale provides significant economies (cross-promotion, centralized ops) and a defensible network effect – families and teams may now travel from one Unrivaled venue to another for events, all under a consistent quality umbrella.
Strategic Partner Alignment: Dick’s Sporting Goods’ involvement is a game-changer. Dick’s led the round via its DSG Ventures arm and took a minority stake. Beyond the capital, Dick’s brings deep industry connections and technology – e.g., Dick’s owns the GameChanger scoring/video app used by many youth teams, which Unrivaled plans to integrate further into its events. Dick’s also validates Unrivaled’s mission (“the more kids playing, the better”) since it directly benefits from youth sports growth. This partnership can fuel co-branded events, retail pop-ups at tournaments, and exclusive sponsorships, enriching the experience and revenue opportunities at Unrivaled venues. Other new investors (Dynasty Equity, LionTree, Miller Sports) add sports media and operations expertise, bolstering the strategic value of the round.
Strong Leadership & Vision: Unrivaled is led by CEO Andy Campion, a 17-year Nike veteran who understands sports business at scale. The founding backing of Harris and Blitzer (owners of pro teams) and The Chernin Group provided credibility from day one. Under Campion’s leadership, Unrivaled has focused on enhancing experiences – e.g., upgrading facilities, adding lodging and amenities, improving officiating and organization – not just acquiring assets. The results: the company is already profitable (per Campion) and seeing huge participation growth (flag football events up 30% YoY). This blend of seasoned management and savvy investors reduces execution risk and signals a long-term, professional approach to what used to be a mom-and-pop industry.
Multi-Sport Growth Trajectory: While initially concentrated in baseball/softball (Ripken, Cooperstown) and flag football, Unrivaled has its eyes on expansion into soccer, lacrosse, and basketball – sports identified as next on the roadmap. The fresh funding will help Unrivaled diversify into these new sports verticals, likely via acquisitions or partnerships in those domains. Each of these sports represents large youth markets on their own, so expansion broadens Unrivaled’s TAM significantly. The ability to replicate their model (premium facilities + events + community programs) in additional sports is a key value driver. Notably, flag football (one of their core offerings) is surging and may debut in the 2028 Olympics, which could further boost interest in Unrivaled’s flag leagues and tournaments.
3. Rocket Youth ($100M Platform Investment)
Deal Name: Rocket Youth
Sector: Youth Sports Clubs & Enrichment (Multi-Sport Platform)
Transaction Type: Growth Investment (Series A Funding Round)
Date: 02/15/2025
Executive Summary
Rocket Youth, a newcomer launched in 2024, has quickly emerged as an innovative platform aiming to revolutionize local youth sports organizations. In February 2025, Rocket Youth announced a $100M+ investment round led by sports industry heavyweights Maverick Carter and Daniel Sillman, alongside ZBS Partners. Maverick Carter – CEO of LeBron James’ business empire – and Daniel Sillman – CEO of Relevent Sports (international soccer promoter) – bring star credibility and deep industry networks to this venture. Rocket Youth’s model is distinctive: instead of owning facilities outright, it partners with and invests in existing youth sports businesses (clubs, training programs, academies) across multiple sports, providing them with centralized resources while allowing them to retain their local brand and independence. In less than one year of operation, Rocket Youth built a portfolio of 20+ youth sports organizations across 10 states and 5 sports, with 750+ combined employees – an impressive feat that underscores both the fragmentation of the market and the appetite of small operators for support. This funding round is highly relevant now because it speaks to the consolidation and professionalization trend in youth sports at the grassroots level. It aligns with Signature Capital’s thesis that empowering local operators with technology, professional management, and capital can unlock significant value and growth in youth sports. With this war chest, Rocket Youth plans to accelerate its mission of creating a nationwide platform that uplifts local clubs by handling their business headaches – from marketing to HR – so they can focus on coaching and player development. Ultimately, Rocket Youth aims to be the go-to partner for thousands of youth sports entrepreneurs, and this deal positions it as a well-funded player in that niche.
Key Investment Highlights
Rapid Scale via Aggregation: In under 12 months, Rocket Youth assembled a diverse portfolio spanning 5 sports (basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, swimming, gymnastics) and operations in 10 states. This includes more than 20 local businesses (from club teams to sports training academies), collectively employing over 750 people and serving thousands of young athletes. Such swift scale signals that Rocket Youth’s value proposition is resonating – independent youth sports operators are signing on quickly. This roll-up approach provides Rocket Youth a broad base to generate revenue and cross-sport opportunities (e.g., multi-sport camps or shared resources across clubs).
Influential Investors & Advisors: The round was led by Maverick Carter (LeBron’s business manager, with vast experience in sports marketing/media) and Daniel Sillman (who has a track record in sports ventures and media rights). Their involvement not only brings capital but also access to expertise in branding, sponsorship, and league building. It’s rare to see such high-profile investors at Series A in youth sports, which underscores the belief in Rocket Youth’s vision. Additionally, Rocket Youth’s leadership includes CEO Eric Rapps, and co-founders Jake Sloane and Frank Zhang – a team that has successfully pitched this concept and now has the guidance of industry veterans. This combination of youthful entrepreneurship with seasoned mentorship is a recipe for creative strategies grounded in practical experience.
Operator-Centric Model: Unlike some consolidators that fully absorb or rebrand acquisitions, Rocket Youth prides itself on “preserving operator independence” while providing comprehensive support. Essentially, local club owners maintain their brand and community identity, but plug into Rocket’s platform for back-office functions and growth strategy. Services include marketing, analytics, pricing optimization, expansion planning, and administrative support (HR, payroll, insurance, accounting, etc.). This shared services model means each local business can benefit from big-company resources (e.g., better insurance rates, professional marketing) that they could never afford alone. It creates efficiency and performance improvements – one highlight is that Rocket’s involvement can drive revenue growth (some member clubs seeing 20%+ YoY increases) and operational cost savings through these synergies (according to internal reports). The model scales well because adding more partner clubs should improve economies (more data, best practices to share) and Rocket doesn’t have to physically manage every location day-to-day.
Thesis Fit: Grassroots Growth – Rocket Youth is tackling a huge whitespace: the millions of small, often family-run youth sports programs that have passionate coaches but lack business sophistication. By empowering these local heroes, Rocket Youth could unlock latent growth. The platform’s early focus on multiple sports (not just a single sport) is key – it diversifies risk and positions Rocket as a one-stop solution for the “long tail” of youth sports businesses. This portfolio diversity means they can capture trends in one sport (say, volleyball’s rise in girls’ participation) while hedging against downturns in another. It also opens the door to cross-promotion (a family in a Rocket-affiliated basketball club might get an easy intro to a Rocket-affiliated lacrosse camp in the offseason, for example). This multi-sport footprint is an attractive highlight, indicating Rocket Youth isn’t a one-trick pony but a broad platform.
