From production assistant to lead producer, his career growth reflects that of the sport he covers
As the pace of change in sports production shows no signs of slowing, a new class of innovators and decision-makers is shaping the industry’s future. Now in its second season, our SVG All-Stars series spotlights the rising leaders driving that transformation, offering a look at their career paths, leadership philosophies, creative and technological contributions, and vision for what comes next. Each conversation introduces you to the people redefining the workflows, culture, and possibilities of live sports production.
When Friday Night Baseball on Apple TV+ signs off from Fenway Park with a Tigers–Red Sox matchup this Friday, it will wrap a season that continued to showcase MLB Network’s evolution into one of the sport’s most important production partners. At the center of that effort has been Michael Treanor, who has produced one of the two weekly games since the package debuted in 2022.
Michael Treanor (left) in the truck alongside director John Moore during a Friday Night Baseball on Apple TV+ game between the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees in July. (All photos: MLB Network)
Treanor’s path to that seat traces back to before the first days of MLB Network in 2009. He began in graphics prior to joining the remote-production crew on Thursday Night Baseball (2010-12), which later became MLB Network Showcase as we know it today. He embraced emerging tools like Statcast when it launched in 2015, mastered replay in the tape room, and grew into producing youth events and the Arizona Fall League.
His adaptability put him on the front lines of MLB’s early digital ventures, producing the first global-exclusive streams on Facebook Watch in 2018 and later the MLB Game of the Week LIVE on YouTube. Those experiences ultimately prepared him to help lead the Friday Night Baseball franchise for Apple TV+.
Treanor in the broadcast booth at Yankee Stadium with announcer Wayne Randazzo (left) and analyst Dontrelle Willis for a game between the Houston Astros and New York Yankees in August.
Along the way, he has also produced presentations of the league’s jewel events, including the MLB All-Star Game and World Series. His career reflects both MLB Network’s trajectory and the wider industry shift toward multiplatform, global distribution of the game.
In this edition of SVG All-Stars, Treanor traces his career from production assistant to the front bench, shares how discoverability of content with consumers is an increasingly pressing challenge for the industry, and why he would advise an aspiring producer to get familiar with every position on the crew.
What are the key responsibilities of your current role? Since its inception at the start of the 2022 MLB season, I have been a line producer for Friday Night Baseball on Apple TV+. When you’re building out a “Game of the Week” presentation for an exclusive audience, it’s important to be adept in the most prominent storylines for those embedded with the team day-to-day. Working in lockstep with our partner in Apple, my foremost responsibility is to help curate credible, informative, and entertaining shows in conjunction with our announcers and production team. It’s of utmost importance that all parties involved have their respective tasks assigned in a timely and organized manner, so that there is a defined and achievable plan for a successful broadcast.
Treanor in the broadcast booth at Fenway Park
What is one key industry trend that you believe is having a major impact on your organization right now? Streaming in the live-sports industry has become more commonplace, so it remains incredibly important to promote how accessible and easy it is to access our telecasts. We want to make sure all fans know how and where to find us, so we’re constantly beating that drum across the organization. As part of the promotion, I find it important to lean into the traits that most distinguish our broadcasts. Friday Night Baseball has garnered a positive reputation for its state-of-the-art cameras, high-resolution imagery, and 5.1 spatial audio. We want to include that as part of general messaging to the public, whether it be digitally or socially. The more knowledgeable you can make the consumer about a product, the more likely they are to watch and assimilate with an open mind.
What is one core philosophy you try to live by when managing your team/operation? This one is fairly cut and dried: treat others the way you would want to be treated. I’m a firm believer in positive reinforcement when applicable. If core members of your team see you invest in their respective areas, educating yourself as to their timelines and duties, they are more likely to give you an above-and-beyond effort. When all members of a production team take pride in what they do and take care to consider what those around them are doing, you’re likely to put forth an upper-echelon product and develop incredibly strong relationships with your colleagues. Many of us in the industry must often leave our loved ones to earn a living. Being able to spend that time away from home with a group that shares a mutual level of respect for one another makes it less of a hardship and more of a joy.
Treanor (second from left) in the broadcast booth at Chase Field for a 2023 World Baseball Classic broadcast with (from left) director John Moore, announcer Rich Waltz, analyst Buck Martinez, and field reporter Jon Morosi
What is your favorite event(s) you’ve ever worked? Working with the same crew in several different capacities for a decade now has brought incredible memories. Producing my first World Series in 2024 for MLB’s international audience is high on the list, but the Fall Classics in 2016 and 2017 stand out amongst the rest. There is no bigger event in our sport. I’ve never been in a truck that physically shook like the one in Cleveland following the game-tying home run by Rajai Davis off Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman. I can say that I was there when the Cubs finally ended their 100-plus–year World Championship drought. And the back-and-forth struggle between the Dodgers and eventual champion Astros the following season was something to behold. That level of competition and intensity in the opposite dugouts was tangible enough to touch. It has been a privilege to witness first-hand some of the greatest moments in our sport.
Treanor (third from right) and Moore (third from left) with Friday Night Baseball on Apple TV+ camera operators (from left) Tony Gambino, Tad Davis, Terry Wallace, and Keith DeSantis before a Phillies-Yankees game at Yankee Stadium in July.
What’s one piece of advice you have for someone just starting their career in this industry? Branch out. Do as much as you can. Don’t relegate yourself to a single area, whether it be in production or elsewhere. The more you can learn about the collective, the more effective you’re going to become as a leader.
It has been said to me many times throughout my career that there is no better training than in the truck. I’m biased, but I believe that to be true. I’ve had stints in graphics, in tape, and with ENG shooters; I’ve listened intently to camera operators, directors, and audio engineers. When you have an idea as to their processes, the more efficient you become as a producer because you have a general awareness of how long things take and the reasonability of requests. Again, by respecting their position and wholesale effect on shows, the output you’re likely to get from those folks becomes infinitely more impactful.
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KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Discover Kalamazoo’s head honcho says 2025 was a slower year for local tourism.
She expects the same for 2026, but there is a lot to look forward to after that.
Tourism CEO Jane Ghosh recently gave Kalamazoo County commissioners a briefing on her organization’s status.
She says the “K”-shaped economy following the pandemic has hit lower income families harder nationwide and in our region, reducing travel.
“2025 was a tougher year, and so for the first time since I’ve been there, we have missed budget, that is primarily due to economy hotels are performing very poorly.”
Ghosh expects that to continue into the new year.
“2026 will be a challenging year, we’re budgeting conservatively because there’s still economic uncertainty that is impacting primarily the economy hotels.”
She says after that, things look rosier, regardless of the economy.
“2027 is gonna be a phenomenal year because we’ll have the Event Center, the youth sports facility, the State Theatre will be back open. It’ll be great.”
She says she expects about a $150,000 reduction from the accommodations tax this year.
Ghosh she says she plans to maintain funding for advertising the community but will be cutting some other programs that notify local businesses about big events, and making other cuts to balance her budget.
Youth and amateur sports generated $52.2 billion in travel-related spending nationally last year, outpacing spectator sports tourism’s $47.1 billion
Arkansas outdoor recreation contributed $7.3 billion to the state economy in 2023, supporting more than 68,000 jobs
Statewide tourism reached $17.4 billion in economic impact in 2024, with Northwest Arkansas playing a significant role
Fayetteville has attracted interest from the Women’s Football League, Athletes Unlimited Softball League, and Marshall Islands Soccer Federation
Purpose-built facilities like Centennial Park have enabled the city to host world-class cycling events including upcoming USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships
Youth and Amateur Sports Lead Travel Spending
Sports tourism has become one of the most consistent economic drivers in the country, and youth and amateur sports are leading the way. According to the Sports Events & Tourism Association, youth and amateur sports contributed $52.2 billion in travel-related spending last year. That figure surpasses spectator sports tourism, which generated $47.1 billion in direct spending and supported more than 665,000 jobs nationwide.
Ryan Hauck, CEO of Experience Fayetteville, the city’s tourism marketing agency, outlined the opportunity in a recent guest commentary. He noted that while leisure and business travel have softened nationally, sports-related travel has continued to rise, providing stability that communities increasingly depend on.
Arkansas Sees Measurable Returns
The numbers in Arkansas reinforce the broader trend. Outdoor recreation alone contributed $7.3 billion to the statewide economy in 2023, supporting more than 68,000 jobs. Tourism overall reached $17.4 billion in economic impact in 2024, with Northwest Arkansas playing a major role in that growth.
For cities like Fayetteville, this translates into hotel stays, restaurant visits, retail traffic, and extended visibility for local assets. Hauck emphasized that when communities lean into their strengths, including outdoor recreation, hospitality, accessibility, and local culture, the returns are significant.
Facility Investment Attracts National Events
Fayetteville’s Centennial Park illustrates how purpose-built infrastructure can unlock sports tourism opportunities. The facility was designed to host world-class cycling events and has already welcomed the 2022 UCI Cyclocross World Championships. It will host the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships in December 2025, with a return engagement the following year.
“These events don’t just bring athletes. They bring national attention, media coverage, and significant economic impact for our hotels and hospitality businesses,” Hauck wrote.
Beyond cycling, the city has drawn interest from the Women’s Football League, Athletes Unlimited Softball League, and Marshall Islands Soccer Federation about hosting future events.
Hauck called for continued strategic investment in purpose-built sports facilities and deeper regional partnerships. The broader takeaway for youth sports operators and municipal leaders is clear: communities that invest intentionally in sports infrastructure and programming are positioning themselves to capture a growing share of travel-related spending. With youth and amateur sports now outpacing spectator sports in economic contribution, the opportunity extends well beyond professional leagues.
via: Talk Business photo: Sports MNGT Degrees
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ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals will celebrate Youth Hockey Weekend from Jan. 2-4, highlighted by Youth Hockey Night presented by GEICO on Saturday, Jan. 3, when the Capitals host the Chicago Blackhawks at Capital One Arena. The weekend’s festivities celebrate and spotlight the Capitals’ array of on- and off-ice programming designed to engage youth from across the Washington, D.C., region with hockey. The Capitals offer more than 30 ways to play hockey through on- and off-ice programming for participants age four and above, and more than 27,000 individuals have participated in a Caps Youth Hockey event since 2018.
Highlights of the Capitals’ celebration of youth hockey include:
The Capitals will host an ALL CAPS ALL HER (ACAH) clinic and a co-ed youth hockey clinic at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Friday, Jan. 2. Led by Caps Youth Hockey Development program instructors and ambassadors, the clinics will focus on development and competitive games. They will also feature appearances by Capitals alumni Craig Laughlin and Paul Mulvey.
The ACAH platform aims to provide access to hockey and elevate the game for women and girls in the Washington, D.C., area, while recognizing players, coaches, parents, advocates and leaders in the community. Since the platform’s launch in 2021, ACAH programs and events have engaged over 5,000 women and girls with the sport of hockey. Click here for more information on the platform.
Saturday, Jan. 3 – Open Practice | MedStar Capitals Iceplex
Youth hockey players are encouraged to attend Capitals practice on Sunday, Jan. 3 while wearing their youth hockey jerseys. Any attendee who arrives wearing their youth hockey or program jersey will receive a giveaway item.
Saturday, Jan. 3 – Youth Hockey Night presented by GEICO | Capital One Arena
The Capitals will celebrate Youth Hockey Night presented by GEICO on Saturday, Jan. 3, when the team hosts the Chicago Blackhawks at Capital One Arena at 7 p.m. All fans who purchase tickets for that night’s game here will receive a roll of Capitals stick tape.
Pre-Game Arrivals: Select youth hockey players from throughout the region will walk with Capitals players during pre-game arrivals. Each Capitals player will be paired with a local youth player, with both wearing the youth player’s team jersey.
The youth players will represent the American Special Hockey Association, Capitals Inline Hockey League (a co-ed league established to provide a unified travel league for existing inline hockey players looking to expand their opportunities to play), high schools and youth hockey clubs. These teams include: Active Play, Ashburn Xtreme, Fauquier Dragons, Fort Dupont Cannons, Frederick Gargoyles, Fredericksburg Phantoms, Landon School Bears, Madison Wildfire, Montgomery Cheetahs, Montgomery Ice Devils, Navy Youth Hockey, NOVA Fury, Piedmont Predators, Potomac Lady Patriots, Reston Raiders, Richmond Renegades, Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, The St. James, Tucker Road Ducks Washington Pride and Winchester Revolution.
Warmups: Six youth hockey players from ACAH, Future Caps Learn to Play presented by World Wide Technology and the Capitals Rising Stars Academy will watch warmups on the Capitals bench.
Starting Lineups: Six players from Future Caps Learn to Play presented by World Wide Technology will take to the ice with the Capitals starting lineup in honor of Youth Hockey Day. A participant from Future Caps Learn to Play will read the team’s starting lineup with PA announcer Wes Johnson.
In-Game Elements: In-arena entertainment and social content throughout the evening will highlight Capitals Youth Hockey programming. This includes the jumbotron showing Capitals players during their youth hockey days. Additionally, two local youth referees will meet that night’s NHL referees before joining them on the ice for the national anthem. The first intermission Mites on Ice presented by BMW will be comprised of players from the Piedmont Predators 8U team, and the second intermission will feature a relay race presented by GEICOwith players from the Piedmont Predators and Montgomery Youth Hockey Association Ice Devils 14U teams.
Sunday, Jan. 4 – Youth Hockey Events | The Wharf
To conclude the weekend’s festivities, the Capitals will host a Future Caps Learn to Play class and a Capitals Rising Stars Academy family skate at The Wharf on Sunday, Jan. 4.
Future Caps Learn to Play presented by World Wide Technology: The initiative is developed in collaboration with the National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA). The NHL and NHLPA have identified the need for a unified growth strategy as a priority for the sport of hockey. The Future Caps Learn to Play program aims to be the gold standard for youth hockey programs with the goal of inspiring more families to join the hockey community. Learn to Play changes the way youth hockey is offered by providing first-time participants free head-to-toe equipment, eight classes of age appropriate on-ice instruction and certified coaching in a fun and safe atmosphere. Click here for more information or to register for the program.
Rising Stars Academy (RSA): The Capitals Rising Stars Academy advances diversity, equity and inclusion in hockey by offering elite skill development and mentorship for local hockey players of color and their families. Through onice training, office conditioning and guided discussions about hockey culture, the RSA builds both physical and mental strength. Click here for more information or to register for the RSA.
Youth Hockey Development in the Washington, D.C., Region
The Capitals offer more than 30 ways to play hockey through on- and off-ice programming for participants age four and above, and more than 27,000 individuals have participated in a Caps Youth Hockey event since 2018. To date, the Capitals have refurbished or built 14 outdoor street/inline hockey rinks across Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia to further encourage participation in hockey. According to USA Hockey, overall, there’s been significant growth in participation in the D.C. area since Alex Ovechkin was drafted. The total number of USA Hockey-registered players (youth and adult) in the Washington D.C. area climbed more than 186 percent from 2005-06 through 2024-25, and 70% across the region as a whole during the same time frame.
For additional information on Caps Youth Hockey programming, visit CapsYouthHockey.com.
ATHENS — A Colquitt County student is among 30 high school students who’ve been selected for the Youth LEAD Georgia 2026 cohort.
Elizabeth Redding will join her peers for a transformative year-long leadership initiative facilitated by the University of Georgia’s J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development in partnership with Chick-fil-A, according to a press release from Youth LEAD Georgia.
The program equips youth with the skills and knowledge necessary to tackle challenges that impact Georgia’s vitality as future leaders of the state, the press release said. A $1.5 million pledge from Chick-fil-A to the UGA Fanning Institute provides financial support for Youth LEAD Georgia. Thanks to this support, the program is available at no cost to participants.
These 10th- and 11th-grade students, representing 27 different counties, were reviewed by an external selection committee from a record pool of nominations, reflecting growing interest and competitiveness in the program.
Participants will take part in four weekend retreats held throughout the year in different regions of the state, a week-long summer bus tour visiting areas not covered in the retreats and a two-day statewide youth summit in Athens. Experiential learning is accompanied by dialogue on current topics facing the state, and interaction with business and community leaders.
Alongside hands-on learning, participants can apply for Bullard Community Champions grants, using their newly acquired skills to lead impactful community service projects in their local areas. These grants are made possible through funding from Regions Bank and Rodney Bullard, CEO of The Same House.
Time Out Sports Bar has announced it will also cease operations at its current location, with its final day of business set for Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. Notices posted at the bar invite the community to attend a “last day of business” event that day, with all bartenders scheduled to be on site from 3 p.m. until close.
According to the notice, customers who have funds remaining on the bar’s sweepstakes machines will be given a two-week window to cash out. Management stated that specific times for cash-out availability will be posted.
Time Out Sports Bar also indicated plans to relocate and said information about its new location will be shared on the business’s Facebook page.
The building housing both Margaritas and Time Out Sports Bar has been sold to a new owner. As of publication, the identity of the buyer and any future plans for the property have not been publicly disclosed.
However, according to filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, a new Denny’s restaurant will occupy one of two lease spaces attached to a new convenience store development called Q-Mart, which is set to be located at 10280 W. Hwy. 29–is the same address as Margaritas.
Plans for the Q-Mart include an 11,766-square-foot main building, two fuel canopies, and a second lease space that remains open for a future tenant. The privately funded project carries an estimated construction cost of $3 million. Work is expected to begin in March 2026, with completion anticipated by February 2027.
A commercial demolition permit for Margaritas’ playground, covered wood deck and canopies was approved in December 2025 to occur Jan. 5.
Follow The Independent for more information on this developing story.
