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Unrivaled Sports Announces DICK’S Sporting Goods as New Strategic Investor in Growing and Elevating Youth Sports Experiences |

Published

8 months ago

May 6, 2025

DICK’S led the $120M round of investment, obtaining a minority stake alongside other new investors Dynasty Equity, LionTree, Miller Sports & Entertainment and existing investor The Chernin Group (TCG)

NEW YORK, May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Unrivaled Sports, the nation’s leader in youth sports experiences, today announced a strategic investment by DICK’S Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS), which led the company’s latest funding round. The strategic investment will help fuel Unrivaled Sports’ mission — to create unrivaled sport experiences for young athletes everywhere — by continuing to deliver and expand best-in-class experiences, programs and destinations for young athletes across the nation.

“DICK’S Sporting Goods has become the undisputed leader in serving young athletes as they gear up to play the sports they love. Their mission-driven approach to youth sports has been at the center of their ecosystem, from their early days as a small family business to their growth into the nation’s leading sporting goods retailer to the grants they provide to youth programs through the Sports Matter initiative, and now, their partnership with us at Unrivaled Sports,” said Unrivaled Sports Chairman & CEO Andy Campion. “We are thrilled to build the future of youth sports together with DICK’S Sporting Goods, and with the support of our other new strategic partners.”

Unrivaled Sports and DICK’S Sporting Goods coming together marks the powerful alignment of two organizations committed to creating experiences and environments that unlock the magic of youth sports and create lifelong memories for girls and boys of all ages and their families. The investment comes from DSG Ventures, the corporate venture capital fund of DICK’S.

“We’re incredibly excited to invest in and partner with Unrivaled Sports,” said Michael Stack, Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development at DICK’S Sporting Goods. “They share our core belief that sports have the power to change lives, and the impact they’ve made in just one year has been incredibly impressive. We are fully aligned to their vision for transforming youth sports for the better by investing in the fields, spaces and events where memories are made, friendships are formed and life lessons are instilled. We look forward to working together to create more sports experiences that build fun, excitement and community in the moment, and that have lasting impact over a lifetime.”

Unrivaled Sports will leverage this new partnership and investments to:

Expand access to more young athletes and their families across the country by further acquiring, building and diversifying destinations and programming that deliver unrivaled experiences to girls and boys of all ages.
Elevate experiences by further investing in upgrading the fields of play, programming and athlete experiences from quality officiating to facilities and services that support the athlete and their fans.
Increase amenities across all Unrivaled Sports properties such as lodging, food and beverage, and retail to better serve guests and foster community.

Unrivaled Sports operates a growing portfolio of iconic youth sports destinations and programming — including Cooperstown All Star Village, Ripken Baseball Experiences, Rocker B Ranch, Diamond Nation, Unrivaled Flag, and Under the Lights Flag Football, among others.

Over the past year, Unrivaled Sports has invested significantly in growing and elevating its experiences including:

Building a national footprint across 30 states through acquisition, now hosting over 600,000 young athletes and nearly 2 million family members and fans.
Meaningfully enhancing capacity and experiences at owned properties, including:
- Expanding bunk lodging in the Players Village and upgrading fields at Cooperstown All Star Village to increase weekly team capacity, while also upgrading the design and amenities across the entire property. Cooperstown All Star Village will set another consecutive record high in annual attendance in 2025.
- Re-turfing and building new fields across flagship properties and regional facilities including Rocker B Ranch (TX), Diamond Nation (NJ), and more.
- Investing in a multi-million dollar renovation and enhancement of West Coast properties, Big League Dreams Las Vegas and Big League Dreams Manteca.
Growing flag football by significantly increasing participation — over 30% in the last year alone — for both girls and boys through the national flag football league Under the Lights. Unrivaled Sports also hosted the Youth Flag World Championship at Disney which featured 715 teams, including 220 girls’ teams and 100+ international teams. This summer, Unrivaled Sports will host two major national flag football events: the Unrivaled Flag High School Girls Nationals and the NFL Flag Championship at the Unrivaled Sports’ ForeverLawn Complex in Canton, Ohio.

Additionally, Unrivaled Sports is committed to continuing to grow sports participation and expand access for underserved young athletes. With much more to come, Unrivaled Sports is proud of the impact Ripken Baseball has made to-date, from hosting free clinics nationwide to providing scholarships and free tournament access to young athletes and teams in underserved communities across the country.

David Blitzer and Josh Harris who co-founded and maintain majority ownership of Unrivaled Sports along with existing investor, TCG, welcome new minority investors DSG Ventures, Dynasty Equity, LionTree and Miller Sports & Entertainment — partners who believe in helping Unrivaled Sports deliver on its long-term vision for youth sports.

About Unrivaled Sports

Unrivaled Sports, the nation’s leader in youth sports experiences, delivers best-in-class experiences for young athletes, their families and communities through a diverse set of brands across youth sports venues, properties and programming. Unrivaled Sports has welcomed some of the most iconic names in youth sports into its growing family of brands including Cooperstown All Star Village, Ripken Baseball Experiences, Rocker B Ranch, Diamond Nation, Unrivaled Flag, We Are Camp action sports camp and more. From hosting destination tournaments to powering hometown leagues, Unrivaled Sports is committed to delivering formative, memory-making experiences to hundreds of thousands of young athletes and their families across the country. Learn more at unrivaledsports.com @unrivaled.sports.

About DICK’S Sporting Goods

DICK’S Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS) creates confidence and excitement by inspiring, supporting and personally equipping all athletes to achieve their dreams. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, the leading omnichannel retailer serves athletes and outdoor enthusiasts in more than 850 DICK’S Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, Public Lands and Going Going Gone! stores, online, and through the DICK’S mobile app. DICK’S also owns and operates DICK’S House of Sport and Golf Galaxy Performance Center, as well as GameChanger, a youth sports mobile platform for live streaming, scheduling, communications and scorekeeping.

Driven by its belief that sports have the power to change lives, DICK’S has been a longtime champion for youth sports and, together with its Foundation, has donated millions of dollars to support under-resourced teams and athletes through the Sports Matter program and other community-based initiatives. Additional information about DICK’S business, corporate giving and employment opportunities can be found on dicks.com, investors.dicks.com, sportsmatter.org, dickssportinggoods.jobs and on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X.

About Dynasty Equity

Dynasty Equity is a global sports investment firm, co-founded and led by Jonathan M. Nelson and K. Don Cornwell, focused on strategic investments across the sports ecosystem in assets that are resilient, compelling, and differentiated. Dynasty’s founders have deep expertise in sector specific private equity and long histories in the business of sports, media, and entertainment. Integral to Dynasty’s investment approach is a commitment to enduring partnerships. For more information, visit www.DynastyEquity.com or follow the firm on LinkedIn.

About LionTree

LionTree is a global investment and merchant banking firm focused on the media, technology, telecom and consumer sectors. Founded in 2012, LionTree works across offices in New York, San Francisco, and London to serve our clients and community through strategic M&A, capital raising, and investments across the globe that capture opportunity and provide best-in-class execution. Since its formation, the Firm has advised on over $850 billion in transactions by bringing capital together with ideas, investing in and alongside our relationships to accelerate growth and innovation. LionTree invests minority, non-controlling capital in partnership with leading, long-term investors and provides additional value through our relationships, sector and thematic expertise and transaction capabilities. LionTree and its affiliates have active principal investments in early venture, growth, and mature companies across key sectors of the digital economy.

About TCG

The Chernin Group (TCG) is a preeminent growth equity firm investing in sports, media and passion-driven businesses. TCG partners with exceptional founders and management teams to grow and optimize market-leading brands in specific consumer categories with passionate followings. The firm leverages decades of operating experience and deep connectivity to the media, sports and technology ecosystems in service of its portfolio companies.

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SOURCE Unrivaled Sports

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Rec Sports

No. 24 Bentley hosts Franklin Pierce for Youth Day

Published

12 minutes ago

January 9, 2026

Your Sports Nation

WALTHAM, Mass. – The No. 24 Bentley women’s basketball team aims to stay perfect in Northeast 10 action when the Falcons host Franklin Pierce Saturday, Jan. 10, at 1:30 p.m. Bentley is hosting a local Youth Day for the game.

Making adjustments
In Bentley’s two most recent games, the Falcons (8-2, 4-0 NE10) trailed by two points at halftime against both Saint Anselm (Jan. 7) and Southern Connecticut (Jan. 4). The Falcons came out of the locker room to score 20 points in the third quarter against the Hawks, and 27 points in the third quarter against the Owls. Bentley beat Saint Anselm, 76-67, and it topped Southern Connecticut, 75-62.

Armbrister has arrived
After a slow start to her Bentley career (10 points total in her first two games), DI junior transfer Kayana Armbrister is spreading her wings with the Falcons. She recorded her first-career double-double against Saint Anselm (Jan. 7), scoring 24 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Armbrister scored a career-high 29 points on New Year’s Day against Daemen. Through her past three games, Armbrister is averaging 22.0 points and 9.3 rebounds, while shooting 58.7-percent from the floor.

Cass kickin’…
Senior captain Cassidy Yeomans is becoming more aggressive in recent games. She started the season scoring in single digits for seven consecutive games. However, she dropped 13 points in the win over Southern Connecticut (Jan. 4), and she scored 11 points in the win at Saint Anselm (Jan. 7). Between those two games, Yeomans shot 50.0-percent from 3-point range (6-for-12).

Cherish on top
Freshman Cherish Bryant has been gaining more confidence as the season progresses. She scored a season-high 14 points against Southern Connecticut (Jan. 4), and added nine points at Saint Anselm (Jan. 7). She shot 66.7-percent from the floor (10-for-15) between those two games.

Most efficient
Bentley enters the weekend leading the NE10 in field-goal percentage by a wide margin. The Falcons are shooting 47.0-percent from the floor, while the next-best mark is 41.9 percent (Southern Connecticut). Among conference players with 70+ field-goal attempts, Julia Elie ranks second in field-goal percentage (52.1-percent), Niya Morgen is fourth (51.5-percent), and Kayana Armbrister is fifth (48.6-percent).

Scouting Franklin Pierce (1-12, 0-4 NE10)
The Ravens rank last in the NE10 for field-goal percentage (32.6-percent) and points per game (48.8). They also allow the most points per game (67.1). Emily Mennillo and Angelisse Melendez are tied as the team’s leading scorers (8.5). Nafi Balde averages a team-leading 5.5 rebounds per game.

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Rec Sports

Two men shot on Rochester’s southwest side

Published

2 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Rochester, N.Y. — Two people have been arrested following a double shooting Thursday evening on the city’s southwest side.

Officers responded around 5:20 p.m. to the area of Bartlett and Seward streets, where they found two men, ages 20 and 37, who were both shot in the lower body, according to police. Both men were taken to Strong Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Two suspects, a 35-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, were arrested following a police chase that ended on Pullman Avenue.

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An investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or Crime Stoppers at (585) 423-9300.

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Loy Norrix mourns loss of longtime football coach and teacher Ted Duckett

Published

2 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Your Sports Nation

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — A longtime football coach and teacher at Loy Norrix High School has died.

Ted Duckett began teaching and coaching at Loy Norrix in 1969, a career spanning over 50 years.

He served as a gym teacher, track coach, football coach, and basketball coach.

Duckett is deeply respected by the community, with many of his former students commending his mentorship.

He is also the father of Loy Norrix football stars Tico and T.J. Duckett, who both played at Michigan State. T.J. Duckett also played in the NFL.

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Long Beach State Can’t Make Enough Plays In Loss To UC Irvine – The562.org

Published

2 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Your Sports Nation

The562’s coverage of Long Beach State athletics for the 2025-26 season is sponsored by Marilyn Bohl.

For ten minutes of the opening half Long Beach State proved they can go toe-to-toe with some of the Big West’s best teams.

However, the Beach couldn’t get into a rhythm as they dropped their road contest 74-64 Thursday night in Irvine at the Bren Events Center in the first round of the Black and Blue Rivalry.

“Credit to Irvine,” Long Beach State coach Chris Acker said. “They did a good job disrupting our best player, and Gavin. We didn’t have enough guys to step up and make plays tonight.”

Gavin Sykes got the Beach off to a nice start with 4 points to give LBSU a 6-2 lead with 17:19 remaining in the first half. UCI responded with a 4-0 run to tie the game.

However, after Petar Majstorovic was fouled hard by UC Irvine’s Harrison Carrington which was later reviewed and upgraded to a flagrant one – the Beach went on a 4-0 run to take a 10-6 lead with 14:51 left in the first half.

Sykes and Majstorovic did what they could as they went up against the Anteaters who entered the contest with the second-best defense in the Big West allowing 67 points per game.

Before the contest LBSU found out they’d be without one of their key rotational piece as Shaq Bender did not travel with the team as he deals with the flu. The absence loomed large for LBSU as UCI was able to key on Sykes and Majstorovic.

After taking a 10-6 lead, the Anteaters went on a 5-0 run to take an 11-10 run with 11:30 left in the first half. Sykes ended the run with a 3-pointer to give the Beach a 13-11 lead.

UCI (11-5, 5-0) answered right back thanks to a basket from Jurian Dixon that tied the game and Tama Isaac gave the Anteaters a 15-13 shortly after and that was enough as they’d lead the rest of the way.

Sykes scored 21 points and Majstorovic scored 15 to lead the Beach. Cole Farrell chipped in nine as the trio combined to shoot 18-32 from the field while the rest of the team shot 7-28. Majstorovic also had eight rebounds.

LBSU (5-11,1-3) had plenty of opportunities to score, but the Beach wasn’t able to take advantage of the opportunities.

Dixon led the Anteaters with 23 points and Kyle Evans had 15 points and six rebounds. UCI extended the lead to 18 midway in the second half before LBSU went on a small run to cut the deficit to 10 points.

Long Beach will continue Big West play when they host Cal State Bakersfield on Saturday in the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid on Saturday at 4 p.m.

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Philadelphia football coaches complete trauma‑informed training to better support young athletes

Published

3 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Your Sports Nation

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A group of 15 Philadelphia coaches were recognized Thursday night for completing a program designed to help them better support young athletes facing academic challenges, violence and emotional struggles.

Marcus Fulton, athletic director and football coach at Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia Charter School, said the sport has long been a guiding force in his own life. “Football helped me chase the dream,” he said.

Fulton said his decades of coaching in the city have shown him the pressures many young players face.

“I’ve been coaching for 25 years in the city of Philadelphia, so I know some of things going on with our guys in terms of the academic struggles, the violence that happens. I lost a couple players before,” he said.

The coaches were honored for completing the Open Door Abuse Awareness and Prevention program, which teaches trauma-informed strategies to help athletes on and off the field.

“We’re teaching coaches how to put on a lens for trauma in order to be able to help out kids a little deeper,” said Valencia Peterson, founder of the program.

Peterson created the initiative after experiencing trauma of her own when her mother was killed at a young age. The program focuses on mentorship, violence prevention and creating safe spaces for youth.

Peterson said coaches often play a critical role in young people’s lives.

“The coach is usually a first line for kids, and it’s their only father figure, it’s their only stability. The only consistent thing they have is a team. So we’re giving the coaches the tools they need to help regulate, to help see them for who they really are,” she said.

As part of the training, coaches learned to lead with empathy, help players manage emotions, and identify signs of mental health concerns.

MidCity Tigers coach Adolph Sanna said he hopes the lessons help athletes understand “that they have an opportunity to see what another side of life is like where people are concerned about their fears, their doubts and the things that are going on with them.”

Fulton said he wants the young men he coaches to carry these lessons into adulthood “to be successful. To be good husbands, good fathers, good mentors in the city of Philadelphia.”

The Open Door Abuse Awareness and Prevention program also offers mentorship for boys and girls who do not participate in sports, aiming to help youth across Philadelphia “become the best version of themselves,” according to the organization.

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Plans for Kalamazoo County indoor youth sports complex delayed

Published

3 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Your Sports Nation

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Plans to build a state-of-the-art, $40 million youth sports complex in Kalamazoo County are on hold for now.

The county commission heard plans from the developer during their Thursday night meeting, who asked for variances into protected slopes and woodlands in order to build the facility and parking lot.

The property is a 20-acre site, located within the Westwood area of Kalamazoo adjacent to US-131.

Discover Kalamazoo says the sports complex is expected significantly boost the local economy, potentially generating nearly $49 million annually as well as bring more than 600 full- and part-time jobs.

Local use would be prioritized, increasing participation for underserved youth.

A student athlete from Oshtemo Township spoke of her support for the project during public comment.

“I think it would be cool to play basketball and volleyball at a place like this because there aren’t many places in our area,” she said. “It will help bring new people to our area which will help my mom’s business.”

Some residents spoke in opposition to the project, citing traffic concerns and not wanting a large structure near their homes.

The commission voted to request more information on one variance request that would clear a significant amount of trees before moving forward.

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