How Sports Illustrated Play is 'Uberizing' the youth sports market
At their recent NewFront presentation Time Inc. showed that they are way more than a print media brand. A year ago, Time Inc. launched Sports Illustrated Play, a platform that now has 10 million monthly users that allows "youth sports administrators and coaches to manage a wide range of activities, such as online registration and payments, calendars and scheduling, professional website creation, and team and roster management—all with the click of a button."
Sports Illustrated Play (courtesy of Time Inc.)
Last week the company announced a major expansion of the SaaS product including an app that will "provides users the best scheduling and notification tools, including real-time posts, updates, live game scoring and communication/chat capabilities with other parents and team members," among other things.
Time Inc. has now transformed into a technology company with the recognition of the potential with the software needs for youth sports. The branding opportunities for Sports Illustrated as kids grow up is also tremendous. Found Remote interviewed Jeff Karp, the CEO, Sports Illustrated Play about the updates.
Found Remote: Why did SI launch this platform?
Jeff Karp: Youth sports has been a market underserved by technology. We now have an opportunity to 'uberize' it and enrich the experience for the players, parents, coaches, administrators, fans and volunteers.”
FR: Who did you work with to build it?
JK: Since Time Inc. formed SI Play a year ago, we've acquired companies with various core competencies. Over the past year we have upgraded our capabilities and further enhanced our platform with unique tools for our partners (I.e. Babe Ruth, USA Volleyball, Dixie Softball and Baseball….); as well as our exciting new launches of our SI Play app, MyGear spirit wear store, highly accessible website/CMS tools and more exciting features upcoming.
FR: What are the key features?
JK: Our platform enables administrators and coaches to manage a wide range of activities, such as online registration and payments, calendars and scheduling, professional website creation, and team and roster management—all with the click of a button. Other key features include integrated background checks, team- and league-wide communication tools, tournament management, data and analytics, team gear and fundraising."
The new SI Play app will debut in July and provide our users with the best scheduling and notification tools: real-time posts, updates, live game scoring and communication/chat capabilities with other parents and team members. It also promotes the social sharing of content and in-game moments, allowing user-generated content and stories, plus curated content from Sports Illustrated and Sports Illustrated for Kids.
One of the most important features of the app is that it will fully sync with our league and team platforms so that everyone in the ecosystem is updated and on the same page.
FR Why is youth sports important to SI?
JK: We know that team sports empower children and teens and is a great source of pride for all participants. I know this firsthand from being a competitive youth athlete and from being a father who currently spends his weekends sitting on the sidelines cheering my three daughters on during their own games. With the trusted Sports Illustrated brand behind us, we are excited to offer a definitive platform that simplifies and celebrates the youth sports experience for the players.
FR: What will the payment structure be/incentive for SI?
JK: Our payment structure follows the SaaS models. Our partners choose which products and services best support their organizational needs to fuel their growth or build their teams.
FR: Anything else?
JK: We run our platform as a live service so we are constantly learning how we can support our administrators coaches, volunteers and players better."
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