The Sports Business Leaders Podcast

134 Running a 2,700-Player Youth Soccer Club with LMSC President, Michele Burns

What does it take to build one of the nation's premier community-based youth soccer clubs while staying true to your mission? On this episode of the Sports Business Leaders Podcast, Jake Voorhees sits down with Michele Burns, President of Lower Merion Soccer Club (LMSC), a nonprofit organization serving more than 2,700 youth athletes annually with a player-first approach to development. Together, they discuss Michele's journey into youth sports leadership, how LMSC balances recreational and elite pathways, and why developing confident, resilient young people matters just as much as developing great soccer players. The conversation also explores the rapidly evolving youth sports landscape, including private equity, club consolidation, community-based programming, and what vendors need to know before trying to do business with youth sports organizations. Michele shares practical advice on authentic relationship-building, sustainable club growth, and why keeping families at the center of every decision has been the foundation of LMSC's success.

133 The Business of Emerging Sports with RRE Ventures & Disc Golf Pro Tour

In this live Sports Business Leaders panel, we sit down with James Robinson, Investor at RRE Ventures, and Dominic DiFebo, President of the Disc Golf Pro Tour, to discuss how innovation is reshaping the sports industry. The conversation explores what investors look for in emerging sports businesses, how new leagues attract fans and sponsors, the role of technology and media in driving growth, and why niche sports are creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors alike. Whether you're building a sports startup, investing in the industry, or simply curious about where sports business is headed, this conversation offers valuable insights from two leaders helping shape its future.

132 Zach Henderson on The Future of Revenue Generation in Sports

Zach Henderson has spent more than a decade helping some of the biggest organizations in sports grow revenue, holding leadership roles with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Nationals, Indianapolis Colts, and Comcast Spectacor before joining WolfCycle as Director of Client Success. In this episode, Zach shares lessons from leading sales teams across the NFL and MLB, what separates organizations that consistently grow revenue from those that don't, and how AI is transforming the way teams engage fans and drive ticket sales. We also discuss the importance of personalization, building a 360-degree view of the customer, adopting new technology, and why the best leaders focus on solving problems—not just identifying them. Whether you work for a team, league, or company selling into sports, this conversation is full of practical insights on sales, leadership, innovation, and the future of fan engagement.

131 Jeremy Goldberg on the Evolution of Youth Sports and LeagueApps

Jeremy Goldberg, President of LeagueApps, joins the Sports Business Leaders Podcast to discuss how the company has grown into one of the leading technology platforms serving youth and local sports organizations. Since its founding in 2010, LeagueApps has helped power thousands of organizations, supports more than 80 professional sports teams, and processes billions of dollars in sports programming. In this conversation, Jeremy shares the entrepreneurial journey behind LeagueApps, how the company evolved from an adult sports startup into a leader in youth sports technology, and why staying close to customers has been one of its biggest competitive advantages. We also discuss the rapid professionalization of youth sports, the role of technology and AI, lessons from raising capital, and why mission-driven leadership continues to shape LeagueApps' long-term vision. Whether you're building a sports technology company, investing in youth sports, or simply interested in the future of the industry, this episode is packed with insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, and creating lasting impact through sports.

130 Dr. Richard Myles on Creating Opportunities Beyond the NFL

Dr. Richard D. Myles Sr., Founder and Chairman of the Minor Football League (MFL), joins the Sports Business Leaders Podcast to share his vision for creating opportunities beyond the traditional football pipeline. After playing in the NFL, Dr. Myles launched the MFL in 1993 with a mission to develop athletes, future coaches, front office executives, and community leaders through what he calls the "Laboratory of Change." In this episode, Dr. Myles discusses the inspiration behind building the nation's only professional developmental football league, the challenges of turning a decades-long vision into reality, and why every athlete should prepare for life beyond the field. We also explore the changing landscape of college athletics, NIL, entrepreneurship, leadership, and the importance of persistence when building something that doesn't yet have a blueprint. Whether you're passionate about football, sports business, or entrepreneurship, this conversation offers valuable lessons on resilience, purpose, and creating lasting impact both on and off the field.