The Tailgate Connect® Podcast — College Football, NFL & The Game Day Life

It started at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Penn State was playing USC. Dan Donnelly had a tent set up, music going, grills running, and games happening — while a group of Penn State fans wandered past in what he calls "a nomadic state," 24-packs on their shoulders, looking for somewhere to belong. He invited them in. They had the best time. And on the drive home to Northern California, the business model clicked.

Dan Donnelly, founder of Tailgate Connect, joins host Luke Lorick for the very first episode of the Tailgate Connect Podcast. He walks through the origin story — from his blog "Dan from the Tailgate" (started in 2008) to the quest to attend every Division I stadium, to incorporating the business in 2017, to building the platform to 40+ college markets and 24 NFL markets. This is where it all started.

What we cover: The Rose Bowl origin story that sparked the business idea · "Dan from the Tailgate" — writing a blog about every stadium since 2008 · Why the 19 new Division I schools keep moving the goalposts · The Airbnb slash dating app model for tailgating · 40+ college markets and 24 NFL markets (and growing) · Why tailgating equals more friends (it's a proven formula) · The IPA debate with Luke (spoiler: Dan secretly drinks one)

Welcome to The Tailgate Connect® Podcast! At Tailgate Connect®, our passion is tailgating with the world and our mission is to share that passion with the world. With that, we're THRILLED to announce the launch of our new podcast, The Tailgate Connect® Podcast. We'll be coming to you weekly with interviews from legendary tailgating figures and our awesome hosts, maybe a story about tailgate myths gone by, or just our team breaking down what the season looks like from inside the Tailgate Connect® machine. Either way, The Tailgate Connect® Podcast is your newest source for everything CFB and tailgating.