Know Your Game podcast

by USIndoor

Welcome to the Know Your Game Podcast from the US Indoor Sports Association where we discuss ideas, experiences, products and services that can help your indoor sports business thrive! Be sure to like and subscribe if this is your business (or would like it to be) and join us as we learn! Memberships at USIndoor are on sale for your first 90 days for just $1, just head to usindoor.com to learn more! Be sure to check out our podcast series and if you'd like to take part in a future episode, you can reach out to James Hargrove, Communications Director at james@usindoor.com.

  1. Jun 25

    Sponsorships vs. Advertising

    Are you leaving money on the table by treating sponsors like regular advertisers? In this episode of the "Know Your Game" Podcast from USIndoor, we sit down with Mark Dvoroznak, COO of BASE Sports Group, to break down the massive operational and financial differences between sponsorships and advertising. If you run an indoor sports facility, understanding this distinction is the key to unlocking massive new revenue streams and building long-term community partnerships. The Core Distinctions: Why advertising is transactional, but a true sponsorship is an active partnership. Maximizing Value: How to properly price your facility's assets—from field naming rights to digital reach. The Pitch: What brands are actually looking for when they invest in youth and amateur sports facilities. Actionable Strategies: How to transition from selling "banner space" to delivering high-impact, integrated marketing solutions. Stop selling your facility short. Tune in to discover how to shift your strategy, attract bigger brand partners, and maximize your venue's earning potential! Hooks the Listener: It starts with a pain point ("leaving money on the table") to immediately grab the attention of a business owner or manager. Improves Scannability: Bullet points and bold text allow viewers to quickly see exactly what value they will get from hitting play. Clear Call to Action (CTA): It ends with a strong, motivating reason to listen to the episode. Would you like to tailor this further to highlight a specific takeaway or offer from the episode?

  2. Jun 24

    The Rise of Action Sports Center

    Are you looking for the next major revenue driver for your indoor sports facility? In this episode of the Know Your Game! Podcast, we dive deep into one of the fastest-growing trends in the industry: integrating action sports centers into traditional indoor sports complexes. We are joined by two industry trailblazers who are redefining the guest experience: Scott Benjamin, Co-Owner of Next Level Parks Hans Weeren, Owner of SkiMachine Together, Scott and Hans break down how action sports—like indoor skiing, snowboarding, and adventure parks—are maximizing underutilized facility space, attracting entirely new demographics, and boosting year-round profitability. Whether you are looking to upgrade your current layout with a high-margin attraction or planning a custom build from the ground up, this episode serves as your blueprint for the future of indoor recreation. The Market Shift: Why traditional facilities are evolving into multi-sport action hubs. Maximizing ROI: How to turn dead space into high-yield, customized attractions. Next-Gen Tech: A look into how cutting-edge concepts like revolving ski slopes are changing the game. Actionable Next Steps: How to partner with experts to design, build, and launch your own action sports zone. Ready to level up your facility? Connect with Scott and Hans to explore the custom opportunities waiting for your business. 👉 Explore more episodes of the The "Know Your Game" Podcast from USIndoor to stay ahead of the competition!

  3. Jun 24

    The Benefits of Indirect Lighting in Your Facility.

    Bad lighting doesn't just hurt your players' eyes—it actively drains your bottom line. In this episode of the Know Your Game podcast, we sit down with Gary Yurich, the President and Founder of Best Lights Inc., to explore the game-changing world of high-efficiency indirect lighting. Celebrating nearly three decades of industry-leading innovation, Gary breaks down how their patented LED Super Reflector Technology is revolutionizing sports complexes, tennis courts, and commercial facilities across the country. Discover how you can slash your energy consumption by a staggering 70% while simultaneously creating a visually stunning, glare-free environment that keeps customers coming back. The Indirect Advantage: Why traditional direct lighting ruins the player experience and how indirect illumination creates a perfectly bright, shadow-free environment. Cutting Costs, Not Quality: How patented Super Reflector Technology delivers more light per watt, dropping energy bills by up to 70%. Built for the Long Game: The engineering secrets behind creating durable, high-performance fixtures tailored specifically for demanding recreational and commercial spaces. If you are looking to upgrade your sports complex, lower your utility overhead, or design a world-class indoor sports facility from scratch, Gary’s 29 years of expertise will show you how to see your business in a whole new light. 👉 Brighten your bottom line: Explore cutting-edge lighting solutions at Best Lights Inc. 👉 Never miss an episode: Subscribe and dive into the full playlist on The "Know Your Game" Podcast from USIndoor.

  4. Jun 24

    The Value of Leadership Development in your Business

    How do you scale a family business from a single location into a 20-facility empire across 10 states? You build leaders. In this episode of the Know Your Game podcast, we sit down with Gary Archer, President and CEO of Let’s Play Sports—one of the largest indoor soccer facility chains in the United States. Gary shares the fascinating journey of a business started by his father in 1987, pulling back the curtain on how they successfully navigated generational transitions, industry shifts, and rapid expansion. The Leadership Backbone: Why embedding a culture of continuous leadership development is the ultimate secret weapon for long-term business success. Measuring the ROI: How to evaluate the true financial and cultural return on investing in your team. Navigating Transitions: Expert insights on handling critical pivot moments and leadership handoffs without losing operational momentum. Whether you are running an indoor sports facility, managing a sports complex, or trying to scale a family-owned business, Gary’s decades of hands-on experience offer a masterclass in intentional leadership. 0:00 - Intro 0:50 - Gary’s Story: From 1987 to 20 Locations 6:10 - The Epiphany: How Let's Play Sports Found Its Focus 10:00 - The Impact of a Leadership-First Approach 12:15 - Calculating the ROI of Team Development 14:35 - Managing Business Transitions & Generational Handoffs 16:30 - Is the Industry at a Pivot Moment? 19:10 - Gary’s Personal Leadership Playbook 👉 Connect with the guest: Learn more about their facilities at LetsPlaySoccer.com. 👉 Subscribe for more sports business insights: Check out other episodes of the Know Your Game! podcast.

  5. Jun 23

    Indoor Sports and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

    Here is a revised, high-impact version of your description for the episode on Artificial Intelligence in indoor sports, following the same compelling and robust format: Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t just a buzzword for tech giants—it’s actively reshaping how modern sports businesses operate. In this episode of The "Know Your Game" Podcast, we sit down with Kevin MacCauley, CEO of Upper Hand AI, to explore how indoor sports and recreation facilities can leverage cutting-edge tech to stay ahead of the competition. If you are running a sports complex, fitness hub, or local facility, managing operations manually is costing you time and money. Kevin shares his deep industry expertise on how incorporating AI into your business model can dramatically streamline everyday efforts, automate administrative bottlenecks, and maximize innovation for your brand. The AI Advantage: How artificial intelligence is shifting from a luxury tool to an operational necessity for indoor sports facilities. Streamlining Operations: Practical ways to use smart tech to cut down on admin work and free up your staff to focus on customer experience. Maximizing Innovation: How to leverage automated insights and software to find hidden revenue opportunities and optimize scheduling. Future-Proofing Your Business: Kevin’s executive insights on where sports facility management software is heading and how to ride the wave rather than get left behind. Work smarter, not harder. Stop letting manual processes slow down your facility's growth. Tune in to discover how easy it is to inject AI and smart automation into your business model for maximum efficiency. Ready to upgrade your facility's operations? Learn more about cutting-edge management tools at Upper Hand. Find more resources and industry insights at USIndoor. Enjoyed the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review!

  6. Jun 23

    Mitigating Risk at your Indoor Sports Facility

    Insurance and risk management might not be what gets you excited to open your facility's doors every morning, but a single unforeseen incident can put everything you've built at risk. In this episode of The "Know Your Game" Podcast, we sit down with Jacob from Monument Sports Group (MSG) to talk about protecting your investment. We delve into MSG’s journey and introduce an exclusive, revolutionary insurance solution built specifically for USIndoor Facility Members. Whether you operate a soccer facility, a multi-sport complex, or a community recreation center, this episode breaks down how to protect your business, minimize liability, and secure the right coverage without overpaying. The MSG Journey: How Monument Sports Group built an insurance program engineered from the ground up for the indoor sports industry. Exclusive Member Benefits: Why this custom USIndoor and MSG partnership is a game-changer for facility owners looking for robust, tailored coverage. Real-World Risk Mitigation: Practical use cases exploring how proper insurance shielding handles common facility liabilities. Pricing & Implementation: A clear breakdown of what to expect regarding cost, onboarding, and ongoing support. Protect what you've built. Don't wait for an accident to find out where the gaps are in your current policy. Tune in to learn how to safeguard your facility, your staff, and your community. Explore tailored sports insurance solutions at Monument Sports Group. Have specific questions about your facility's coverage? Reach out directly to the team at jacob@monumentsports.com. Enjoyed the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review!

  7. Jun 23

    Background Checks 101 w/S2Verify

    Background checks might not be the most glamorous part of running a business, but they are easily one of the most critical. In this episode of The "Know Your Game" Podcast, we dive into the essentials of background screening with Josh Preston from S2Verify. Whether you operate an indoor soccer facility, a sports complex, or a local recreational hub, ensuring a safe, trustworthy environment for your players, staff, and guests is paramount. Josh pulls back the curtain on the screening process, dispels common misconceptions, and shares industry best practices to help you elevate safety standards at your facility without the administrative headache. Safety First: Why comprehensive background checks are a non-negotiable step in protecting your community and your brand. The Screening Process Demystified: A pragmatic, step-by-step breakdown of how modern background checks actually work. Industry Best Practices: How to implement effective screening solutions tailored specifically to the unique needs of indoor sports facilities. Streamlining Compliance: How S2Verify helps facilities nationwide automate and manage their background checks efficiently. Protect your players, your staff, and your business. Tune in to discover how easy it can be to establish peace of mind and maintain a secure environment at your facility. Take advantage of specialized screening solutions and member discounts by visiting the USIndoor Background Check Page. Enjoyed the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review!

About

Welcome to the Know Your Game Podcast from the US Indoor Sports Association where we discuss ideas, experiences, products and services that can help your indoor sports business thrive! Be sure to like and subscribe if this is your business (or would like it to be) and join us as we learn! Memberships at USIndoor are on sale for your first 90 days for just $1, just head to usindoor.com to learn more! Be sure to check out our podcast series and if you'd like to take part in a future episode, you can reach out to James Hargrove, Communications Director at james@usindoor.com.