The Facility Playbook

Welcome back to the Facility Playbook! This week, we had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Alex Luscher, the Director of Operations for Ballers US, right from the floor of their flagship location in Philadelphia. We’ve officially moved past the era of the single-sport club. The modern athletic consumer wants more, and the market has shifted toward multi-sport social wellness hubs that merge athletic variety with elite hospitality and recovery. Ballers is at the absolute forefront of this movement.

Built inside a stunning, decommissioned 1928 power plant in Fishtown, this 55,000-square-foot facility is a contemporary reimagining of the urban country club, backed by investors like Andre Agassi and Tyrese Maxey. 

In this comprehensive blog, we’ll take you on a journey through the inner workings of building and operating a massive multi-sport facility, exploring the challenges of historic renovations, strategic software choices, and the overall dynamics of managing a space that caters to various sports and high-end events. Join us as we unpack the wisdom shared by Alex, shedding light on the intricacies of Ballers Philadelphia.

Covered in This Episode:

• The Origins of Ballers
• Cross-Pollinating Social Sports
• Historic Renovations and Creative Flex Spaces
• Operational Tech and SaaS Solutions
• Balancing VIP and Public Experiences

Highlights and Key Moments:

• “The modern athletic consumer doesn't wanna go to one place for pickleball, another place for golf, and a third for fitness.”
• “We are a cultural activation center, so we're definitely gonna be having more watch parties, trivia nights, DJs, artists, musicians, and parties.”
• “Our goal is to make the experience. However you come into experience with somebody who works at Ballers, our goal is to make you leave feeling better.”
• “Operating a sports facility is no easier or harder than operating a business, but operating a business, as it turns out, is pretty hard.”
• “Every single thing should have a plan for maintenance and what to do when it breaks, because it will break at the most critical moment.”

Learn more about Ballers here.

The Facility Playbook is operator-to-operator. Real numbers, real plays, from people who have actually run the building. Hosted by Luke Wade — founder of KC Crew and the operator behind Facility Ally. 15 years in the field, 130,000+ players through his leagues, 15,000+ active right now across 5 markets.

Take the free Facility Operator Scorecard:

26 questions. Three minutes. It tells you which of the 8 levers is where you should focus right now: positioning, programming, sponsorship, sales, marketing, operations, team, and finance. You get a personalized scorecard with your widest Operator Gap and the specific moves to make next. ⁠⁠Get Free Audit⁠⁠⁠

About Facility Ally:

Playbooks for people running sports and entertainment facilities, built from the operator's seat by someone who has actually run the leagues, sold the sponsorships, and hired the staff.

Follow Facility Ally:

• ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠

⁠#sportsfacility⁠ ⁠#facilitymanagement⁠ ⁠#sportsbusiness⁠ ⁠#pickleball⁠ ⁠#eatertainment⁠ ⁠#facilityoperator

Welcome to the world of racket sports and facility growth! This week we sat down with Mike Knowles, Head of Growth at Facility Ally, to talk about his path from CMO of the Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA) to driving growth in the racket sports industry, backed by major agency and client-side experience and his own background as a D1 All-American tennis player at Ole Miss.

From operational challenges to adopting AI and local SEO, this episode explores the nuances of planning and executing changes made to preserve and improve your pickleball, padel, or multi-sport facility. Discover the insights shared by a marketing veteran and gain a deeper understanding of the strategies employed to navigate the ever-changing world of community sports.

In this comprehensive blog, we’ll take you on a journey through the inner workings of scaling a successful facility, exploring the challenges faced, strategic decisions made around technology, and the overall dynamics of managing a space that caters to various sports and events. Join us as we unpack the wisdom shared by Mike, shedding light on the intricacies of racket sports growth.

In this episode, we cover:

• Big Brand Marketing for Small Facilities
• Growth Under Pressure
• The Power of AI and Local SEO
• Pickleball, Padel, and Multisport Strategies

Highlights and Key Moments:

• “Fewer priorities done well beats 10 things done halfway.”
• “Growth doesn’t fail because you got big fast. It fails because what’s underneath didn’t grow with it.”
• “If we build it, they will come… That’s the first lie every facility owner tells themselves.”
• “The product isn’t the court that they’re on. It’s knowing that you can show up… and find your tribe.”
• “Brand will always beat sales.”

Learn More about Mike here.

The Facility Playbook is operator-to-operator. Real numbers, real plays, from people who have actually run the building. Hosted by Luke Wade — founder of KC Crew and the operator behind Facility Ally. 15 years in the field, 130,000+ players through his leagues, 15,000+ active right now across 5 markets.

Take the free Facility Operator Scorecard:

26 questions. Three minutes. It tells you which of the 8 levers is where you should focus right now: positioning, programming, sponsorship, sales, marketing, operations, team, and finance. You get a personalized scorecard with your widest Operator Gap and the specific moves to make next. ⁠⁠Get Free Audit⁠⁠⁠

About Facility Ally:

Playbooks for people running sports and entertainment facilities, built from the operator's seat by someone who has actually run the leagues, sold the sponsorships, and hired the staff.

Follow Facility Ally:

• ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠
• ⁠Instagram⁠
• ⁠TikTok⁠
• ⁠Facebook⁠

⁠#sportsfacility⁠ ⁠#facilitymanagement⁠ ⁠#sportsbusiness⁠ ⁠#pickleball⁠ ⁠#eatertainment⁠ ⁠#facilityoperator

⁠In this episode of The Facility Playbook, Luke Wade sits down with Courtney Jenkins, co-founder and operator of Armory Pickleball in the Pacific Northwest. Courtney shares how she built a thriving 4-location business, turned around failing clubs, and created sustainable operations through community-first strategies.

Whether you operate a court venue or are looking to open a new pickleball or padel facility, this episode is packed with essential insights on programming, volunteer models, corporate events, and driving high-ROI revenue streams.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why pickleball facilities fail (and how to avoid the top operational traps)
• Building a high-impact Work-Trade volunteer staffing model
• Programming for recreational 3.0–3.5 players instead of chasing elites
• Hybrid facility models: Combining public access with memberships
• Boosting revenue via corporate events and sponsorship teams
• The future outlook for youth programs, consolidation, and padel

Learn more about Armory Pickleball: https://armorypickleball.com

The Facility Playbook is operator-to-operator. Real numbers, real plays, from people who have actually run the building. Hosted by Luke Wade — founder of KC Crew and the operator behind Facility Ally. 15 years in the field, 130,000+ players through his leagues, 15,000+ active right now across 5 markets.

Take the free Facility Operator Scorecard:

26 questions. Three minutes. It tells you which of the 8 levers is where you should focus right now: positioning, programming, sponsorship, sales, marketing, operations, team, and finance. You get a personalized scorecard with your widest Operator Gap and the specific moves to make next. ⁠Get Free Audit⁠⁠

About Facility Ally:

Playbooks for people running sports and entertainment facilities, built from the operator's seat by someone who has actually run the leagues, sold the sponsorships, and hired the staff.

Follow Facility Ally:

• ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠
• ⁠Instagram⁠
• ⁠TikTok⁠
• ⁠Facebook⁠

#sportsfacility #facilitymanagement #sportsbusiness #pickleball #eatertainment #facilityoperator

Welcome to the world of Parks and Rec! This week we sat down with staff from the award-winning Johnson Country Parks and Recreation Department to talk about one of their recently renovated indoor facility, Okun Fieldhouse. From storage challenges to flooring choices, this episode explores the nuances of planning and executing changes made to preserve and improve this community pillar. Discover the insights shared by the facility managers and gain a deeper understanding of the strategies employed to navigate the ever-changing world of community sports.

Covered in This Episode:

• The History of Okun
• Storage Spaces
• Building Food and Beverage
• Athletics Meets the Arts
• Hardwood vs. Taraflex

Highlights and Key Moments:

• “Storage might seem mundane, but it’s the backbone of a clean and efficient facility.”
• “Our revenue isn’t just from sports; it’s about creating experiences for the community.”
• “Concessions are not just about food; they’re about enhancing the overall event atmosphere.”
• “Training and developing our own officials ensure a higher standard of officiating for our events.”
• “In the world of facility management, the unseen details are often the most crucial.”

Learn more about Okun Field House.

The Facility Playbook is operator-to-operator. Real numbers, real plays, from people who have actually run the building. Hosted by Luke Wade — founder of KC Crew and the operator behind Facility Ally. 15 years in the field, 130,000+ players through his leagues, 15,000+ active right now across 5 markets.

Take the free Facility Operator Scorecard:

26 questions. Three minutes. It tells you which of the 8 levers is where you should focus right now: positioning, programming, sponsorship, sales, marketing, operations, team, and finance. You get a personalized scorecard with your widest Operator Gap and the specific moves to make next. ⁠⁠⁠Get Free Audit⁠⁠⁠⁠

About Facility Ally:

Playbooks for people running sports and entertainment facilities, built from the operator's seat by someone who has actually run the leagues, sold the sponsorships, and hired the staff.

Follow Facility Ally:

• ⁠YouTube⁠
• Instagram
• TikTok
• Facebook

⁠⁠#sportsfacility⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#facilitymanagement⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#sportsbusiness⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#pickleball⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#eatertainment⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#facilityoperator

The world of sports creates a familial bond that connects people far beyond the thrill of the game, but what happens after an athlete retires from their sports career? Dive into the challenges and solutions presented by Chris Smith, CEO, and founder of Athlete Network, as he shares his journey and insights. Inspired by the experiences of his own sports community, Chris was determined to create the power behind the promise "Once Family, Always Family" so often delivered at the end of a season. In this episode, discover the potential impact on facility managers looking to hire athletes and how Athlete Network's technology is reshaping the landscape. Join us as we unravel the key themes and valuable takeaways that bridge the gap between athletes, facilities, and the ever-evolving realm of technology.

Learn More about Facility Ally:

https://facilityally.com/

Learn more about Athlete Network:

https://www.athletenetwork.com/

Be sure to subscribe here, and follow our social channels for more content

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfacilityally/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@facilityally

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/facilityally

Dive deep into the nuances of pick-up sports leagues and open-play initiatives, exploring the strategies that turn casual sports events into thriving community hubs. We hear from Mitch and Greg of KC Crew to share the good and the bad from their experiences facilitating open-play sporting spaces.  From the first dribble to the final buzzer, we dissect the elements that contribute to the success of these events, offering valuable insights for facility managers, sports enthusiasts, and anyone seeking to create a community-based sports culture

Learn More about Facility Ally:

https://facilityally.com/

Learn more about KC Crew:

https://kccrew.com/

Be sure to subscribe here, and follow our social channels for more content

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfacilityally/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@facilityally

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/facilityally

In the world of sports facility management, success and stability don't come easy. But what if you had a roadmap to profitability? Enter Chuck Stollery, Membership Director of US Indoor, an organization built to help sports programs succeed. In this episode, we have a  thought-provoking conversation, sharing insights on maximizing revenue, the importance of cleanliness, customer engagement, and what the future holds for sports facilities. Join us as we uncover common pitfalls new facilities often fall into and start your business ahead of the game.

Learn More about Facility Ally:

https://facilityally.com/ 

Learn more about United States Indoor Sports Association:

https://usindoor.com/ 

Be sure to subscribe here, and follow our social channels for more content

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfacilityally/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@facilityally

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@facilityally

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/facilityally

Fundraising is typically a constant need when it comes to youth sports, and the right partnership can significantly reduce that stress on facility managers. Explore the dynamic realm of sponsorships in youth and amateur sports facilities, as we delve into insightful conversations with industry expert Mark Dvoroznack, co-founder of Base Sports Group. By channeling his varied experiences with landing mutually beneficial partnerships, he created an organization that seeks to secure those for other youth sports organizations.

Learn More about Facility Ally:

https://facilityally.com/ 

Learn more about Base Sports Group:

https://basesportsgroup.com/

Be sure to subscribe here, and follow our social channels for more content

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfacilityally/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@facilityally

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@facilityally

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/facilityally

With a career spanning over 25 years, Joel Goldberg has become a trusted voice in the world of baseball, specifically known for his deep connections with the Kansas City Royals. Beyond the glitz of victories and championships, Joel's storytelling skills unveil the human side of the game, capturing the essence of resilience, leadership, and teamwork. His unique journey from a local sports anchor to a nationally recognized figure reflects his unwavering commitment to his craft. Joel Goldberg not only narrates the triumphs of baseball but also imparts invaluable lessons, making him a sought-after speaker, mentor, and storyteller. Explore the unique dynamics of a championship team, discover the secrets of cultivating a winning culture, and unravel the parallels between the baseball field and the business arena. Joel's engaging anecdotes and lessons learned provide a valuable playbook for success in sports, leadership, and life.

Learn More about Facility Ally:

https://facilityally.com/ 

Learn more about Joel:

https://joelgoldbergmedia.com/

Be sure to subscribe here, and follow our social channels for more content

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfacilityally/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@facilityally

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@facilityally

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/facilityally

This week on the Facility Playbook, we sat down with Zach Doerfler, Director of Operations at TShotz. Created to be a golfing hub for both the beginner and professional, TShotz has expanded into an entertainment destination. From enhancing customer experience to overcoming challenges in the entertainment and hospitality industry, we explore key themes and practical tips for facility managers.

Learn More about Facility Ally:

https://facilityally.com/ 

Learn more about Tshotz:

https://tshotz.com/

Be sure to subscribe here, and follow our social channels for more content

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfacilityally/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@facilityally

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@facilityally

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/facilityally