The Pickleball Boom: Building a Competitive Ecosystem from the Ground Up

H3 Athletix: Creating Opportunity Through Events and Media

Talent isn’t the issue; access is. In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup, Kerri Shields sits down with Harvey Scruggs, CEO & President of H3 Athletics, to break down how he’s building a platform designed to create real opportunity for athletes. What started as a gap in exposure has evolved into a multi-sport ecosystem – spanning tournaments, showcases, media, and new formats – all built around one idea: athletes deserve better platforms. They get into how youth sports is evolving, what separates a good event from a truly memorable one, and why content is now a core part of the athlete experience – not an afterthought. They also dive into how destinations can better support events, where growth is happening next, and why new formats like flag football are creating major opportunities across the industry. If you’re thinking about event strategy, athlete development, or how to scale sports experiences, this episode is worth your time.

How Tribu Is Growing Action Sports Across the U.S.

Action sports might feel niche, but the momentum is global. In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup, Kerri Shields sits down with Micah Desforges, Founder of Tribu, to break down how Jackalope has grown from a backyard event into one of the most recognized action sports festivals in the world. From early grassroots beginnings to international expansion, Micah shares what it takes to build events that go beyond competition – blending sport, culture, and community into experiences people remember. They also dive into how destinations fit into that growth, what makes action sports so compelling, and why the lead-up to LA28 is creating a major opportunity for cities to get involved. If you care about experiential events, destination strategy, or where the future of sports tourism is heading, this episode is for you. 00:00 – Intro to Tribu & Jackalope  02:44 – Playeasy Innovators Summit  03:46 – Micah’s Origin Story  05:45 – Backyard Event to First Festival  08:47 – Building Experiences That Feel Different  12:26 – What Tribu Actually Is  14:09 – The Growth of Jackalope  17:00 – Why Culture & Community Matter  21:17 – Expansion & RFP Strategy  25:56 – What Destinations Need to Understand  28:49 – How Events Are Built  31:28 – Virginia Beach Success Story  37:08 – Using Playeasy to Find Markets  39:02 – Why Events Stay Free  41:35 – What Experiential Marketing Looks Like  49:00 – Biggest Lesson Learned

The Road to LA28: Growing Team Handball Across the U.S.

As the countdown to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles begins, a new wave of momentum is building behind one of the world’s most electric sports: team handball. In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup, host Kerri Shields sits down with Michael King, CEO of USA Team Handball, to explore what it takes to grow a sport in the U.S. from the ground up. From his journey as a national team athlete to leading the organization at a pivotal moment, Michael shares how USA Team Handball is building infrastructure, creating opportunities, and capturing attention across the country. They dive into: * Why team handball is gaining traction in the U.S. * What makes the sport so fast-paced and captivating * How destinations and host cities play a role in growth * The strategy behind athlete recruitment and development * What success looks like on the road to LA28

The Pickleball Boom: Building a Competitive Ecosystem from the Ground Up

Pickleball is everywhere, but what does it actually take to build a structured, competitive ecosystem behind the scenes? In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup, Kerri Shields sits down with Karen Parrish from US Senior Pickleball to break down the systems powering one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. From ratings and sanctioning to national championship pathways, Karen shares how tournaments are designed for success, and what separates a great event from an average one. They also dive into the role of destinations, the importance of community, and why pickleball continues to grow across generations.

From BC to the WNBA: Leadership, Legacy & the Future of Women’s Basketball with Carolyn Swords

In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup, host Kerri Shields sits down with former Boston College standout and WNBA veteran Carolyn Swords for a conversation that goes far beyond basketball. Just in time for Women’s Final Four weekend, this episode dives into the momentum, visibility, and transformation happening across women’s basketball right now. From her journey to Boston College and nine-year WNBA career, to her work with the WNBPA and time on the product team at Nike, Carolyn shares how sport shaped her leadership, and why this moment for the game feels different. They dive into: * The evolution of women’s basketball from college to the pros * What makes this Final Four moment so powerful * How brands, events, and destinations can show up in women’s sports * The importance of player experience in building the game If you’re watching this weekend, this conversation will give you a whole new perspective on what’s happening on and off the court.